Questions: 9 days Palm Springs/Laguna Beach areas
 

We are planning a late February trip to the Palm Springs area with 4 days along the coast between Del Mar and Dana Point.

I cannot remember the name of the Mexican restaurant which we liked about 10 years ago near the resort at LaQuinta. If it's still there.

Also, that time of year, any gardens open to tour?

If we go to Capistrano, is it worth paying to tour the inside?

The Mission at Capistrano is one of the most beautiful.The gardens are spectacular and the buildings are well preserved and, I think , well worth the price.

Good to have an opinion on that. I like touring gardens.

Is the Laguna Beach to Solmar area one where I would see any arts and crafts bungalows? Anything else interesting to tour?

Another question: would I need shoes for walking on sandy beach or different shoes for rocky beach? am trying to limit my luggage.

You won't need shoes on the sand in Laguna but you will if you climb over the rock formations to get to different coves, such as the rocks on my profile picture, taken in one of those coves.

Sea Urchin, it looks like a neat picture. Thank you. We're just looking forward to getting out of the 22.5" of snow!

I love http://www.lascasuelasnuevas.com/ not sure if that is the one you are talking about in PD - we try to go there whenever we are out there.

In San Juan I also love the Ramos House Cafe - http://www.ramoshouse.com/

El Adobe Grill is the wonderful Mexican restaurant at La Quinta. They have outside patio dining, a huge fire pit, live music and the best Margarita's and tableside Guacamole in the desert. The grounds of the resort are beautiful and flower filled.

http://www.laquintaresort.com/dining/adobe-grill.cfm

Ramos House looks like something my DH would like. I think we can make it be on our route too.

MBnancy, thanks. My DH loved staying at LaQuinta on a business trip about 15 years ago. He drove me back there to dinner years later and I had forgotten that the restaurant was part of their resort.

Yes I agree with the Ramos House, I have been going there for years, cute historic area around it too. Have fun.

According to their website, Ramos House should be open.

Good grief! I thought a raincoat was the one thing I could plan to leave behind!

It may or may not rain at all in late Feb.

Darn. 10-day weather forecast is not looking great.

Here's a link to a garden in Laguna Beach that is free to tour, but with limited hours, and you need to make reservations. http://www.hortensemillergarden.org/

And although it is north of Dana Point, so I'm not sure you're going to be in Laguna, Heisler Park at the main beach is such a beautiful walk (even in light rain), and Crystal Cove is fun, too, with restored old beach cottages. http://www.crystalcovebeachcottages.org/

Thanks. My Sunset magazine just had a picture of Crystal Cove.

Las Brisas in Laguna has a patio overlooking the ocean, down the coast and casual menu. Wonderful setting. Las Brisas is white table cloth-fine dining indoors.

We are back--actually stumbled across Las Brisas by accident for an outdoor lunch. I'll do a separate short report.