Please help plan California trip
 

Hello~
I know that this topic has probably been addressed a million times (and I do plan to do research), but I have a baby & not a lot of time to read and research like I used to (hours and hours for each trip!). So, I thought I would ask for some help and suggestions.

In July we will be going to Cal. to visit family (near DisneyLand). It will be myself, my husband, and our baby, who will be 15 months. We will spend 3 days with family & do things in that area (Disney, etc). Then my husband and I will have 3 nights to spend traveling on our own. We will have a car to use (hopefully a convertible:-)).

I am trying to decide how to best spend those 3 days. We love to travel and see new things (don't just want to go to one hotel & stay for 3 days). We will be on a budget. My husband would like to go to San Francisco for one of the nights, but we are definitely open to other ideas.

Thanks in advance for any advice offered.

San Francisco is an awfully long drive for that short a time, although if you are willing to do it, you could take 2 days driving up coast highway 1 then 1 day back on (boring) interstate 5.

With only 3 nights and a baby, I probably wouldn't head all the way up to SF. Even if you take the fast, unscenic route, it's 6 hours in the car each way. That's a lot of time in the car and doesn't leave a heck of a lot of time to see anything once you get to SF.

I would probably choose to go down to San Diego instead, or maybe up to Santa Barbara, or the Pismo Beach/San Luis Obispo/Morro Bay/Cambria area.

San Diego is only a couple hours from LA, and there is quite a bit to do and see there.

Santa Barbara is only a couple hours the other direction and San Luis Obispo is about an hour further north.

Thanks guys! That's exactly the kind of advice that I need. We don't want to spend too much time on a non-scenic drive. We want to relax and also have a lot of fun. I will look into San Diego & the other places. Thanks!

You could just get on the Pacific Coast Highway and head north, taking your time, and see how far you get. When you're "1/2 way tired" (as my parents used to say on a hike) turn around and head back.

San Fran is too far to make it on the scenic route with only 3 days to spend IMO.

San Diego-- great idea, and on a good day only 90 minutes from Anaheim. If it weren't July, I'd say head to the desert, but 110F temperatures make that less attractive.

If you want beach a bit closer to Anaheim, Seal Beach is 15 minutes west and charming, if a bit sleepy. Laguna Beach is a bit pricey, but people love the budget-level Laguna Riviera, so you could look into that. Santa Barbara is a little too rich for my blood, but that's me. It is beautiful up there, I will tell you that.

Hi KEC! I second the suggestion for Santa Bargara. We spent three glorious days there last month. Our stay at the Harbor View Inn was very nice. www.harborviewinnsb.com

There are lots of gorgeous beaches, Stearn's Wharf (try the lobster bisque), lots of shopping on State Street and beautiful scenery. ***kim*** :)