looking for a beach resort in CA!!
 

I am going to CA in August, first time there, and looking to vacation by the beach. Any suggestions??

First suggestion: Please tell us what part of this very, very large state you will be visiting.

Second suggestion: If you haven't settled on a location, let us know what your requirements are for a "good" beach vacation. This can steer our recommendations.

I was thinking either the LA area or san diego. My husband and I are very simple but be able to drive into the city and downtown areas during the evenings. We dont mind driving an hour if needed.
Please help
Thanks

OK, good start. Next question: Budget? Beach resorts are generally not cheap. You're looking at two pretty popular destinations. Also: Are you looking for a hotel on a beach, or do you want actual "resort" amenities, i.e., spa?

I would like most of a typical resorts ammenities. A nice pool is a must. Dont really care for the spa itself. Really just want to relax during the day and go out at nights. I am also hoping the weather situation permits me to lay out in the sun all day, otherwise i dont feel like its the vacation I need. We are gong for 5 nights only. I dont think we should be spending more that $2000 for air hotel and car. Hope YOu can help.

As rjw said, any hotel right on a beach is expensive. You might consider the Pacific Terrace in San Diego. It is right in Pacific Beach and has a nice pool. No Spa,though.From this hotel you can walk to a number of restaurants in the Pacific Beach area.

Also look at the Sea Lodge, which is right in La Jolla Shores beach. This hotel has spa facilities although I don't think they actually call it a "spa", and it has a nice pool. There are a couple of restaurants within walking distance, including the fabulous - and fabulously expensive! - Marine Room.

There is always the Hotel Del Coronado.

Also, L'Auberge Del Mar.

Wherever you end up, have a great trip.

Do a search here - try Laguna and Santa Barbara. Both are great locations for a beach vacation.

Fly into L.A. and head north about an hour....
www.embassymandalay.com

There are also a few good San Diego resort deals on luxurylink.com. 4 or 5 night stays

That property looks very nice! Have you stayed there yet?

Of course, closer to where I live, there's the Hyatt or the Hilton in Huntington Beach, the Surf and Sand in Laguna Beach (I like it, my friend who stayed there liked it-- some say it's getting run-down, but I didn't see it)-- or how about La Jolla? The Hotel Parisi, or even the historic Grande Colonial Inn (I love that place) would be nice, close to La Jolla's scenic coves.

Still need some add'l info oritrosen to help you out considering your $2,000 budget: how many in your party? where you're flying from? etc.

Barbara has offered you some excellent ideas in the San Diego / La Jolla area. RJW has given you some excellent ideas for reasonable Orange County locales. I think the new Hyatt in Huntington Beach is fabulous, and the city (main st) has really perked up in the last few years. Laguna Beach is an excellent but crowded beach community in August due to the Arts Festival.

You might also want to consider the resorts in Santa Barbara. Great beaches and luxurious settings like Montecito and there's the very long State Street, enough rest, bars and clubs there to keep you busy for several nights if you so desire. Start from the top resorts like Bacara and 4S Biltmore and work your way down to other beachfront resorts like the Fess Parker DoubleTree.

Near LA, most will agree that Santa Monica is about the only city that offers several resorts but most aren't beachfront. But SM offers plenty of nightlife, and you're reasonably close to BH, WH, etc.

Hope this helps!

Another vote for Santa Barbara...it's gorgeous & one-of-a-kind. :-)

I agree with the suggestion of Pacific Terrace hotel in San Diego, great place, right on the beach with an outdoor pool that was heated when we were there, plus it has a wind break to make it more comfortable to swim. Another suggestion would be the Cliff House Inn near Santa Barbara. Small hotel right on the ocean with a nice outdoor pool also. Great restaurant right at the hotel. Both locations would be an easy drive to lots of things to do. Here are the websites:

http://www.cliffhouseinn.com/

http://www.pacificterrace.com/

I should clarify, Pacific Terrace is truly on a "beach", whereas the Cliff House Inn is directly on the ocean but I don't think it had a sand beach there (if that is important to you!).

Hermosa Beach. It is 15 minutes from LAX, small town feel but lots of activity, easy to walk around. Manhattan Beach & Redondo are down the street.