Help Needed for California road trip -San Francisco, LA, Palm Spring/Desert
Jul 11th, 2013, 07:13 PM
#61
I honestly don't get it. Not at all!
As we've mentioned, one needs to do 'stuff' in the morning. By afternoon you won't want to be outside. You'll get to PD around noon - so what do you expect to do w/ one afternoon/evening in PD? And then you turn around the next morning and drive 3+ hours back to LA.
What is the fixation w/ PD?
As we've mentioned, one needs to do 'stuff' in the morning. By afternoon you won't want to be outside. You'll get to PD around noon - so what do you expect to do w/ one afternoon/evening in PD? And then you turn around the next morning and drive 3+ hours back to LA.
What is the fixation w/ PD?
Jul 11th, 2013, 07:44 PM
#62
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I just drove from Los Angeles, throught the desert to Prescott, Arizona and back over this past weekend. It was 115 for of part of the drive during the day and even at midnight it was 104*... does that REALLY sound ok to you?for a fun honeymoon
If you need to "see" the desert, just find a coffee table book somewhere... or come back in the winter! ( it looks the same)
Also, the Pacific Ocean, no matter where you go in CA will be between 53 and maybe 63* if you are lucky. Bring a wetsuit if you want to swim.
You are getting excellent advice here with regard to travel times and staying near the coast and not driving several hours for just one night. You are getting information from people who have lived and traveled here their entire lives... I do hope you appreciate their efforts! HAve a great trip!
If you need to "see" the desert, just find a coffee table book somewhere... or come back in the winter! ( it looks the same)
Also, the Pacific Ocean, no matter where you go in CA will be between 53 and maybe 63* if you are lucky. Bring a wetsuit if you want to swim.
You are getting excellent advice here with regard to travel times and staying near the coast and not driving several hours for just one night. You are getting information from people who have lived and traveled here their entire lives... I do hope you appreciate their efforts! HAve a great trip!
Jul 12th, 2013, 11:48 AM
#63
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Thanks Tabernash2 for the suggesting the places next to venice Beach, I will fore sure try them out...
As for the Palm desert drive, I think we will take the risk and will do it, we will be there as you said at noon, so we try the couple spa at noon, and we will relax (in high heat) by the pool around 4 or 5pm... we still can go out to el paseo at 7 or something and have dinner at night...
Driving back from Palm desert, we probably want to see Cabazon outlet since we do not need to rush to join the family...
As for the Palm desert drive, I think we will take the risk and will do it, we will be there as you said at noon, so we try the couple spa at noon, and we will relax (in high heat) by the pool around 4 or 5pm... we still can go out to el paseo at 7 or something and have dinner at night...
Driving back from Palm desert, we probably want to see Cabazon outlet since we do not need to rush to join the family...
Jul 12th, 2013, 02:10 PM
#64
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DS is your age and lives near Venice in Culver City. I will give you a couple of ideas for things to do around there. (You will discover that LA is a series of interconnected areas with various personalities)
Culver City is a very cool little pocket of LA to check out for food. Really cool wine bar/restaurant there. This area was developed by Sony, for its home base.
Santa Monica, of course. The little Main Street and Abbott Kinney have lots of shops and food places that 20-somethings like.
Marina del Rey has some chain places, like Chipotle, California Pizza Kitchen, a burger place or two, and some stores.
Culver City is a very cool little pocket of LA to check out for food. Really cool wine bar/restaurant there. This area was developed by Sony, for its home base.
Santa Monica, of course. The little Main Street and Abbott Kinney have lots of shops and food places that 20-somethings like.
Marina del Rey has some chain places, like Chipotle, California Pizza Kitchen, a burger place or two, and some stores.
Jul 12th, 2013, 07:19 PM
#65
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I almost forgot Tony P's steak & seafood restaurant at Marina del Rey. Kind of dated, a step back into the 70s. But great marina view tables outside, plentiful servings at a low price and good service. Not fine dining, but darned good. I get their grilled scallops skewer.
For fine dining, the Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey has a classy restaurant with nice outdoor patio overlooking the marina. Excellent breakfast, too.
If you like Irish pubs, there's one on Main in Santa Monica. Very diverse menu. Great location with ocean a block behind it. Will get the name and post it.
You should stroll Rodeo Blvd and get cupcakes at Sprinkles' outdoor vending machine, attached to their bakery. It's a kick. And the cupcakes are fresh. It's open 24/7. Say Hello to a Red Velvet for me!
Finally, a rely old fav of ours is the Charthouse Malibu. Great location right on the beach. Fun place with great food. True Southern Cal vibe.
Not far from there is the MoonShadows restaurant where Mel Gibson did something stupid. We ate there before that and it's nice. More contemporary menu, as I recall.
You might like Westwood, the little entertainment district which adjoins the impressive UCLA campus. Check their bulletin boards for events.
Drive Sunset Blvd beginning at the Pacific Coast Highway. Lots of history on the Strip, like the Hotel Marmot, the Viper Room, etc. A young music scene.
Will Rogers' ranch is off Sunset. It's a public park now. Sometimes cool polo games to observe for free.
TMI. You can tell I like this side of LA!
For fine dining, the Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey has a classy restaurant with nice outdoor patio overlooking the marina. Excellent breakfast, too.
If you like Irish pubs, there's one on Main in Santa Monica. Very diverse menu. Great location with ocean a block behind it. Will get the name and post it.
You should stroll Rodeo Blvd and get cupcakes at Sprinkles' outdoor vending machine, attached to their bakery. It's a kick. And the cupcakes are fresh. It's open 24/7. Say Hello to a Red Velvet for me!
Finally, a rely old fav of ours is the Charthouse Malibu. Great location right on the beach. Fun place with great food. True Southern Cal vibe.
Not far from there is the MoonShadows restaurant where Mel Gibson did something stupid. We ate there before that and it's nice. More contemporary menu, as I recall.
You might like Westwood, the little entertainment district which adjoins the impressive UCLA campus. Check their bulletin boards for events.
Drive Sunset Blvd beginning at the Pacific Coast Highway. Lots of history on the Strip, like the Hotel Marmot, the Viper Room, etc. A young music scene.
Will Rogers' ranch is off Sunset. It's a public park now. Sometimes cool polo games to observe for free.
TMI. You can tell I like this side of LA!
Jul 13th, 2013, 07:49 AM
#67
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Take a day in San Francisco, rent bicycles, ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, and then take the ferry back to San Francisco. If you can, do it on a weekday. Very popular activity and crowded with bikes on weekends.
irwin
irwin
Jul 13th, 2013, 10:14 AM
#68
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San Francisco- weather may be foggy and cool or beautiful, just go with the flow. consider city streetcar/bus pass and go everywhere, bikes are good too, small mini like a gocart rental at wharf, takes you on the 49? mile drive map & commentary circle of all major sites of SF, dinners early at Beach Chalet or 2 restaurants at Cliff House(Ocean Beach), Chestnut street, 24th street (hip neighborhoods) some parts of Mission and SoMa also, museums excellent exbitions (FAMSF)and free Friday nights at DeYoung main court, music etc, Ca.Academy of Sciences,Asian all have evening programs 1 night of the week usually free entrance entertainment, watch the Bay Bridge new (artist) lights show evenings free from sidewalk or nearby bar if cold and foggy take Caltrans (train)to penisula (San Mateo, Palo Alto (Stanford) always sunny and warm 30 mins from SF, across Bay Bart to Berkeley.Go down to Crissy Field, if walkers, hikers check out this as it is part of the trail sysytem to GG Bridge and Ocean Beach
Drive to LA, take 101 south or 280 south leave real early morning avoid the commute traffic 280 will merge back to 101 near San Jose or 85 south to 101 at Gilroy, cut over to Monterey/Carmel (could be cool & foggy or beautiful) like SF, Point Lobos (walk in save the fee) just south of Carmel, go back to 101, Aquarium can be busy with lots of kids but it is special, Highway 1 is spectular however time consuming, drive south, stop in Paso Robles walk the Square, and/or running late take 46 to Cambria (hotels night at Moonstone Beach dine in Cambria nice walks on beach cliffs) is romantic unspoiled California (Hearst Castle is close drive north on 1, then just continue South on 1 to LA as 101 & 1 merge just below San Luis. Santa Barbara is small and beautiful "people land" see the Mission, taste the wine could be beautiful weather here or again it is the coast great surfers here usually.
Advise you get tickets to sites as you can online as lines may be long.
Drive to LA, take 101 south or 280 south leave real early morning avoid the commute traffic 280 will merge back to 101 near San Jose or 85 south to 101 at Gilroy, cut over to Monterey/Carmel (could be cool & foggy or beautiful) like SF, Point Lobos (walk in save the fee) just south of Carmel, go back to 101, Aquarium can be busy with lots of kids but it is special, Highway 1 is spectular however time consuming, drive south, stop in Paso Robles walk the Square, and/or running late take 46 to Cambria (hotels night at Moonstone Beach dine in Cambria nice walks on beach cliffs) is romantic unspoiled California (Hearst Castle is close drive north on 1, then just continue South on 1 to LA as 101 & 1 merge just below San Luis. Santa Barbara is small and beautiful "people land" see the Mission, taste the wine could be beautiful weather here or again it is the coast great surfers here usually.
Advise you get tickets to sites as you can online as lines may be long.
Jul 15th, 2013, 10:27 AM
#69
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Hi CamMoj!
I know you said 2.5 hours to get to the desert if you leave early and that could def be true! The others can prob say better than I but just wanted to say it took us nearly 5 hours in April (lax to joshua tree). We left mid day (2 ish) so maybe you truly will be fine since you want to leave earlier. But wanted to mention "the traffic" just in case!
Your trip sounds great!! Im so excited for you guys!
And glad you are keeping the desert in your itin-its a nice drive out there as you head towards the mountains and such gorgeous terrain once you arrive! A final plug for joshua tree if you find the time (i know your schedule is packed!). the park is open 24 hours so even if you go in the evening for a drive or at night to look at the stars. A dif experience than the day, sure, but still worth it i think! ok i wont mention it again (zipping lips) =)
I know you said 2.5 hours to get to the desert if you leave early and that could def be true! The others can prob say better than I but just wanted to say it took us nearly 5 hours in April (lax to joshua tree). We left mid day (2 ish) so maybe you truly will be fine since you want to leave earlier. But wanted to mention "the traffic" just in case!
Your trip sounds great!! Im so excited for you guys!
And glad you are keeping the desert in your itin-its a nice drive out there as you head towards the mountains and such gorgeous terrain once you arrive! A final plug for joshua tree if you find the time (i know your schedule is packed!). the park is open 24 hours so even if you go in the evening for a drive or at night to look at the stars. A dif experience than the day, sure, but still worth it i think! ok i wont mention it again (zipping lips) =)
