Help Needed for California road trip -San Francisco, LA, Palm Spring/Desert
Jul 9th, 2013, 08:49 PM
#41
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Laguna Beach is fine but it will be crowded and expensive. Palm Desert/Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage will be hot- but I would choose it over Laguna Beach in August. I'd rather have heat to deal with (with misters, shade and wait staff fetching me drinks) than crazy people kicking sand onto me and water that is still freezing. And the desert night is something special, especially for people who don't live in the desert. I would choose Laguna in October but there are many people who choose to go to the desert in June-July-August-September.
Jul 9th, 2013, 09:02 PM
#42
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<i>which places we can visit on our way from San Francisco to LA? (except Monetary aquarium and Hearst castle)</i>
We always enjoy spending a night in Pismo Beach because that town has loads of rooms with expansive ocean views.
Another great option is Paso Robles and the surrounding wine district. The area is beautiful and the town is delightful.
HTtY
We always enjoy spending a night in Pismo Beach because that town has loads of rooms with expansive ocean views.
Another great option is Paso Robles and the surrounding wine district. The area is beautiful and the town is delightful.
HTtY
Jul 10th, 2013, 01:06 AM
#43
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Ive lived in SoCal for 7 years and visited much of the state. Here is my advice, do the drive from SF to LA, just take the 101 instead of the 5 freeway.The drive should still only take about 7 hours. Its slightly longer, but much more to see! Santa Barbara is a beautiful little town. Stay the night if you have time, if not, at least stop for lunch or dinner.
Once in LA area Santa Monica is a nice city, take some time on 3rd street promenade and watch people and street performers and do some shopping. The pier there is fun but VERY crowded on the wknds.
For beaches.. Santa Monica is nice but kind of crowded. I live in Redondo Beach and go to Hermost Beach. Its usually fairly empty. I was just swimming there 2 days ago and the water is not bad at all! The 3 beaches near me are Manhattan Beach, Hermosa and Redondo. At Hermosa beach they have good night life for the 20-somethings crowd. The bars are near the pier. These 3 beache cities will be less expensive than Laguna area and probably less crowded (and they are bigger).
As far as Irvine... nothing special there. Its a big flat city surrounded by some small mountains in the distance, but it is within an hour drive of the Orange County beaches if traffic isnt too bad (it can get hot in Irvine too).
Huntington Beach has a large beautiful beach with lots of surfers. The bars/nightlife and restaurants there are great as well, maybe even better than Hermosa. The drive along the coast (PCH highway) from Huntington Beach south to San Clemente area is just beautiful. All the little beach cities have their own unique atmosphere. San Clemente has a nice pier.
As far as Palm Springs, I was there not too long ago and I agree that its very hot in the summer. Vegas is different because there is SO much to do that you forget about the heat. Palm Springs is pretty small and you might get bored. Its a nice city but I think you would enjoy the beaches and water more.
If you want wine country and romance in SoCal, check out Temecula.
Hope this helps. You seem to be getting alot of very strong opinions and it looks like its probably confusing. Enjoy your trip and .. congratulations!!
Once in LA area Santa Monica is a nice city, take some time on 3rd street promenade and watch people and street performers and do some shopping. The pier there is fun but VERY crowded on the wknds.
For beaches.. Santa Monica is nice but kind of crowded. I live in Redondo Beach and go to Hermost Beach. Its usually fairly empty. I was just swimming there 2 days ago and the water is not bad at all! The 3 beaches near me are Manhattan Beach, Hermosa and Redondo. At Hermosa beach they have good night life for the 20-somethings crowd. The bars are near the pier. These 3 beache cities will be less expensive than Laguna area and probably less crowded (and they are bigger).
As far as Irvine... nothing special there. Its a big flat city surrounded by some small mountains in the distance, but it is within an hour drive of the Orange County beaches if traffic isnt too bad (it can get hot in Irvine too).
Huntington Beach has a large beautiful beach with lots of surfers. The bars/nightlife and restaurants there are great as well, maybe even better than Hermosa. The drive along the coast (PCH highway) from Huntington Beach south to San Clemente area is just beautiful. All the little beach cities have their own unique atmosphere. San Clemente has a nice pier.
As far as Palm Springs, I was there not too long ago and I agree that its very hot in the summer. Vegas is different because there is SO much to do that you forget about the heat. Palm Springs is pretty small and you might get bored. Its a nice city but I think you would enjoy the beaches and water more.
If you want wine country and romance in SoCal, check out Temecula.
Hope this helps. You seem to be getting alot of very strong opinions and it looks like its probably confusing. Enjoy your trip and .. congratulations!!
Jul 10th, 2013, 03:58 PM
#46
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I would definitely stay in Laguna over the desert. Yes, it is just as hot in Las Vegas but no one goes outside in Las Vegas in the summer! People just stay inside the casinos and gamble. HOWEVER, for one night, it could be a great experience. I have been to the desert in the summer and sort of fallen in and out of the pool and took a long afternoon nap in the room with the A/C. Not much else you can do but it can be somehwat relaxing as long as you are in good health and your body can stand it. If you want beach visits and are staying a few days in Santa Monica, I would take the drive up the coast on PCH to Malibu. It's a gorgeous drive. You can go to either Zuma or the beach with the tide pools. You can do some window shopping and maybe a celebrity sighting at the nearby Malibu Country Mart. It really is gorgeous and a quintessential SoCal experience. If you have money to spend, you can have a dinner with a beautiful sunset view at Geoffrey's in Malibu. You can ask for the Eagle's nest table. So fun and a perfect honeymoon dinner to remember. IF you like sushi, Nobu just moved to a new location on the beach. Gorgeous and yummy!
Jul 10th, 2013, 08:11 PM
#47
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Thank you guys for all these warm suggestions. this Forum is awesome. So here how I changed my plan:
Aug 4th - Aug 10th ==>SF (This cannot be changed since it is for work)
Aug 10th - Aug 11th ==> Doubletree in Irvine close to Laguna beach
Aug 11th - Aug 12th ==> Inn at Venice Beach
Aug 12th - Aug 13th ==> Miramonte resort in Palm desert
Aug 13th - Aug 15th ==> spend some quality time with family in LA (This cannot be changed either)
So so far I think I will postponed the PCH from SF to LA another time since we will not have time for that, and we will most probably take a flight from SF to LA because it is cheap and faster than highway 5.
Any cool/fun Laguna beach or Venice beach restaurant you guys suggest to try when we are there at night? ( we eat meat, seafood and etc)
Aug 4th - Aug 10th ==>SF (This cannot be changed since it is for work)
Aug 10th - Aug 11th ==> Doubletree in Irvine close to Laguna beach
Aug 11th - Aug 12th ==> Inn at Venice Beach
Aug 12th - Aug 13th ==> Miramonte resort in Palm desert
Aug 13th - Aug 15th ==> spend some quality time with family in LA (This cannot be changed either)
So so far I think I will postponed the PCH from SF to LA another time since we will not have time for that, and we will most probably take a flight from SF to LA because it is cheap and faster than highway 5.
Any cool/fun Laguna beach or Venice beach restaurant you guys suggest to try when we are there at night? ( we eat meat, seafood and etc)
Jul 10th, 2013, 09:48 PM
#48
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Hmmmmm.
My thoughts:
First off, look at a map. You are driving south, then north, then south, then north again.
Skipping the central coast in favor of Palm Desert is a big mistake, IMHO.
If you fly, you will miss many amazing places to see and towns to visit on the coast. You have so many excellent overnight choices along the way.
Staying the Doubletree in Irvine is not close to Laguna Beach. It is easy to underestimate drive times in Southern Cal. That hour-or-more drive is not scenic, Irvine isn't special, and you will do that drive back and forth. Big waste of time.
I have stayed at the Inn at Venice Beach (a Pacifica property) a few times. It is perfectly fine for a budget choice, has cheap parking and a complimentary breakfast. Ask for a room facing the courtyard. The Inn was just renovated, and I haven't seen it since, so it is new and fresh. Venice Beach is funky; walking north or south of there is more quiet.
Another option is also a Pacifica property, the Jamaica Bay Inn, which we like a lot. Nice walk to Venice Beach from there.
Here's my suggestion:
Drive the scenic route from SF, taking time for photo opportunities and enjoying the scenery
Stay one or two nights along the way, at one of many choices: Pismo Beach, Cambria, San Luis Obispo, or drive all the way to Santa Barbara.
I can recommend a great, inexpensive little hotel in Santa Barbara, across the street from the beach.
Also I can recommend a great Best Western at the oceanside, near Hearst Castle.
Stay a couple of nights at Venice Beach or Santa Monica or Marina del Rey
Spend a couple of nights at Laguna Beach or nearby. But not in Irvine.
Visit family in LA
Fly home from LAX
My thoughts:
First off, look at a map. You are driving south, then north, then south, then north again.
Skipping the central coast in favor of Palm Desert is a big mistake, IMHO.
If you fly, you will miss many amazing places to see and towns to visit on the coast. You have so many excellent overnight choices along the way.
Staying the Doubletree in Irvine is not close to Laguna Beach. It is easy to underestimate drive times in Southern Cal. That hour-or-more drive is not scenic, Irvine isn't special, and you will do that drive back and forth. Big waste of time.
I have stayed at the Inn at Venice Beach (a Pacifica property) a few times. It is perfectly fine for a budget choice, has cheap parking and a complimentary breakfast. Ask for a room facing the courtyard. The Inn was just renovated, and I haven't seen it since, so it is new and fresh. Venice Beach is funky; walking north or south of there is more quiet.
Another option is also a Pacifica property, the Jamaica Bay Inn, which we like a lot. Nice walk to Venice Beach from there.
Here's my suggestion:
Drive the scenic route from SF, taking time for photo opportunities and enjoying the scenery
Stay one or two nights along the way, at one of many choices: Pismo Beach, Cambria, San Luis Obispo, or drive all the way to Santa Barbara.
I can recommend a great, inexpensive little hotel in Santa Barbara, across the street from the beach.
Also I can recommend a great Best Western at the oceanside, near Hearst Castle.
Stay a couple of nights at Venice Beach or Santa Monica or Marina del Rey
Spend a couple of nights at Laguna Beach or nearby. But not in Irvine.
Visit family in LA
Fly home from LAX
Jul 10th, 2013, 09:54 PM
#49
>>Aug 10th - Aug 11th ==> Doubletree in Irvine close to Laguna beach
Aug 11th - Aug 12th ==> Inn at Venice Beach
Aug 12th - Aug 13th ==> Miramonte resort in Palm desert
Aug 13th - Aug 15th ==> in LA<<
This makes NO sense at all.
First of all you list the same day in two different places -- doesn't work that way. You have to account for travel time/checking in/checking out/etc.
what you really have is 1/2 a day at Laguna,
1/2 a day at Venice Beach
about 1/2 a day in Palm desert
and 1.5 days in LA
Aug 11th - Aug 12th ==> Inn at Venice Beach
Aug 12th - Aug 13th ==> Miramonte resort in Palm desert
Aug 13th - Aug 15th ==> in LA<<
This makes NO sense at all.
First of all you list the same day in two different places -- doesn't work that way. You have to account for travel time/checking in/checking out/etc.
what you really have is 1/2 a day at Laguna,
1/2 a day at Venice Beach
about 1/2 a day in Palm desert
and 1.5 days in LA
Jul 11th, 2013, 05:28 AM
#50
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Well, if we fly to LA at 9 am, it is 1h30min to get to Irvine, and I requested a early check in, worse case we leave out stuff at the front desk and we can be at Laguna beach by 2pm (worst case), we can spend few hours there and come back to hotel to change and go out at night.
Same goes for Inn at Venice beach, we will check in around 11am, and worst case we leave our luggage at front desk and will go to venice beach which is 2 block is away (10mins walk so we should be there no later than 1pm). we will come back to the Inn to change around 5pm and we will go out at night.
whatever google map gave me for direction and multiply it by 2 for the time and I think the above estimate is reasonable.
I also know that I am coming from north (SF) and go south(Irvine) and north(venice beach) again, but I am flying to LA so it should be fine
Same goes for Inn at Venice beach, we will check in around 11am, and worst case we leave our luggage at front desk and will go to venice beach which is 2 block is away (10mins walk so we should be there no later than 1pm). we will come back to the Inn to change around 5pm and we will go out at night.
whatever google map gave me for direction and multiply it by 2 for the time and I think the above estimate is reasonable.
I also know that I am coming from north (SF) and go south(Irvine) and north(venice beach) again, but I am flying to LA so it should be fine
Jul 11th, 2013, 08:34 AM
#51
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Sorry, that sounds awful.
Why not at least stay in either Laguna or Venice-- not both? There are so many choices of motels and hotels and resorts in the southern CA beach towns.
Irvine is absurd. You have no idea what LA traffic can be like, and you are planning on a lot of it.
"we can be at Laguna beach by 2pm (worst case), we can spend few hours there and come back to hotel to change and go out at night.". Bad idea. You will be in your car more than you will be at the beach. Going back to the hotel in Irvine after Laguna, then going out at night-- where? In Irvine? Or drive another hour back to the beach? Then drive back to Irvine after your night out?
Why are you set on staying in Irvine? It is nothing special at all.
"I also know that I am coming from north (SF) and go south(Irvine) and north(venice beach) again, but I am flying to LA so it should be fine". No, you are also driving south to the dessert and back north to LA.
Look at Janis's time-frame. I am telling you that trying to so closely allot your drive time in LA is a big mistake. It will make you tense and you won't enjoy it.
Please reconsider.
Why not at least stay in either Laguna or Venice-- not both? There are so many choices of motels and hotels and resorts in the southern CA beach towns.
Irvine is absurd. You have no idea what LA traffic can be like, and you are planning on a lot of it.
"we can be at Laguna beach by 2pm (worst case), we can spend few hours there and come back to hotel to change and go out at night.". Bad idea. You will be in your car more than you will be at the beach. Going back to the hotel in Irvine after Laguna, then going out at night-- where? In Irvine? Or drive another hour back to the beach? Then drive back to Irvine after your night out?
Why are you set on staying in Irvine? It is nothing special at all.
"I also know that I am coming from north (SF) and go south(Irvine) and north(venice beach) again, but I am flying to LA so it should be fine". No, you are also driving south to the dessert and back north to LA.
Look at Janis's time-frame. I am telling you that trying to so closely allot your drive time in LA is a big mistake. It will make you tense and you won't enjoy it.
Please reconsider.
Jul 11th, 2013, 09:21 AM
#52
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Laguna Cliffs Inn
https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?local...promo=&start=1
https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?local...promo=&start=1
Jul 11th, 2013, 02:23 PM
#54
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I just don't understand the Irvine part. Irvine is a suburb -- university, office parks, shopping centers, hotels, that kind of thing. There is just no reason for a tourist to go/be there. Stay closer to the beach (any beach).
Jul 11th, 2013, 04:47 PM
#55
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alright alright alright, thanks you all. I cancelled the Irvine and got another night in the Venice.
so here is the plan:
Aug 4th - Aug 10th =>SF (This cannot be changed since it is for work)
Aug 10th - Aug 12th ==> Inn at Venice Beach
Aug 12th - Aug 13th ==> Miramonte resort in Palm desert
Aug 13th - Aug 15th ==> spend some quality time with family in LA (This cannot be changed either.
And as I said we will fly from SF to LAX and we will do a complete PCH drive and stay in enough amount of time next time.
Any other suggestion guys? I kept the palm desert because i got to see the desert this time and since the resort is cheap, so we can get some good spa deal, so for one day should not be bad.
so here is the plan:
Aug 4th - Aug 10th =>SF (This cannot be changed since it is for work)
Aug 10th - Aug 12th ==> Inn at Venice Beach
Aug 12th - Aug 13th ==> Miramonte resort in Palm desert
Aug 13th - Aug 15th ==> spend some quality time with family in LA (This cannot be changed either.
And as I said we will fly from SF to LAX and we will do a complete PCH drive and stay in enough amount of time next time.
Any other suggestion guys? I kept the palm desert because i got to see the desert this time and since the resort is cheap, so we can get some good spa deal, so for one day should not be bad.
Jul 11th, 2013, 04:53 PM
#56
You are still listing different places on the same days. It still doesn't work that way.
Think nights:
Aug 4th - Aug 9th =>SF
Aug 10th - Aug 11th ==> Inn at Venice Beach
Aug 12th ==> Miramonte resort in Palm desert
Aug 13th - Aug 15th ==> in LA
Driving all the way to Palm Desert for one night makes no sense on ANY level.
Think nights:
Aug 4th - Aug 9th =>SF
Aug 10th - Aug 11th ==> Inn at Venice Beach
Aug 12th ==> Miramonte resort in Palm desert
Aug 13th - Aug 15th ==> in LA
Driving all the way to Palm Desert for one night makes no sense on ANY level.
Jul 11th, 2013, 05:01 PM
#57
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I am sure you chose Irvine because it is less expensive than a hotel/inn in Laguna Beach. However, the area of the hotel is for business travelers, not honeymooners. (I know this area well as I watched it start as bean fields..Irvine Ranch...to what is now. Laguna Canyon Road will be sooo business at that time with traffic for the Sawdust Festival and the Pagent of the Masters. If you stay in Laguna Beach (Laguna Cliffs Inn is a great location) you will be able to walk to the beach and other activities.
Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA) is minutes away from Irvine if you MUST stay there. You would do better to fly to LAX visit Venice Beach, then down to Orange County, out to Palm Springs area an then back to LA. Personally, I would stay two nights at the same hotel near the beach of your choice.
Have fun, but please realize the traffic will be worst than you can imagine.
Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA) is minutes away from Irvine if you MUST stay there. You would do better to fly to LAX visit Venice Beach, then down to Orange County, out to Palm Springs area an then back to LA. Personally, I would stay two nights at the same hotel near the beach of your choice.
Have fun, but please realize the traffic will be worst than you can imagine.
Jul 11th, 2013, 05:04 PM
#58
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Yes that makes more sense (I was thinking about check out time) so here is the plan:
Aug 4th - Aug 9th =>SF
Aug 10th - Aug 11th ==> Inn at Venice Beach
Aug 12th ==> Miramonte resort in Palm desert
Aug 13th - Aug 15th ==> in LA
yeah I guess I want to go to Palm desert, if we leave early in the morning should take only 2.5 hours. I got a good deal and we can do SPA some EL Paseo walk and etc.
Aug 4th - Aug 9th =>SF
Aug 10th - Aug 11th ==> Inn at Venice Beach
Aug 12th ==> Miramonte resort in Palm desert
Aug 13th - Aug 15th ==> in LA
yeah I guess I want to go to Palm desert, if we leave early in the morning should take only 2.5 hours. I got a good deal and we can do SPA some EL Paseo walk and etc.
Jul 11th, 2013, 05:11 PM
#59
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Good idea to drop Irvine. Now, if you trade Palm Desert for another beach town. . ..
Near the Inn at Venice Beach is the C&O Trattoria, where we hosted lots of college kids for dinner. It's casual, has a nice outdoor setting, and amazing complimentary garlic bread knots. Food is good enough and so is service. Prices are very reasonable.
http://www.cotrattoria.com/
Near the Inn at Venice Beach is the C&O Trattoria, where we hosted lots of college kids for dinner. It's casual, has a nice outdoor setting, and amazing complimentary garlic bread knots. Food is good enough and so is service. Prices are very reasonable.
http://www.cotrattoria.com/
Jul 11th, 2013, 05:17 PM
#60
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A restaurant we like to special dinners is La Bruschetta
http://losangeles.menupages.com/rest...la-bruschetta/
It's not at Venice Beach, but it's close enough by car.
Also, search here for a thread about Eating Like A Local in LA.
http://losangeles.menupages.com/rest...la-bruschetta/
It's not at Venice Beach, but it's close enough by car.
Also, search here for a thread about Eating Like A Local in LA.
