ebjz

Trying to find out if these to cities are good places to take a 13 and 17 year old for vacation in June. What are the best things to do and see and how is the weather? Would love info. on good hotels in both cities and if a car is necessary to get around.

rjw_lgb_ca

You've done no research at all, I see. Start with the destination guides here on fodors.com, then think about what your kids like to do and the chances that two neighboring metro areas with a total population over 18 million people will have those things to do. Unless it involves glacier-climbing, you'll be covered.

Do a little research and come back with concrete questions. In both cities, there's far too much to "do and see" to list it here.

The weather's the sticking point. June is typically a period of morning overcast over the coastal desert-- the famous "June Gloom". Sometimes the marine layer (the cloud cover rolls in off the ocean) burns off by late morning. Sometimes not. It's highly variable. And if you go five miles inland, it might be 10-15 degrees hotter and sunny. California is a state of thousands of microclimates, so this is normal. The microclimate of downtown San Diego is almost identical to that of downtown Santa Monica; go north to Encinitas and the microclimate is closer to gorgeous Laguna Beach in Orange County.

Many, many good hotels in both areas, but there are too many variables to make concrete suggestions. Do you want to be close to the ocean? Do you want a resort? What's your budget?

A car is necessary to get around in both cities. They're quite spread out. Mass transit can get you wherever you want, but it will be very time-consuming. Taxis will become prohibitively expensive. Just get a car.

J_Correa

I think both are terrific places to take kids on vacation - I would probably choose San Diego over LA, but that is my preference. It may not be yours. It depends on what you guys like to do and what you are looking for. Same with hotel recommendations - depends on what you are looking for, what kind of activities you want, and of course - your budget. One thing is for certain - you will want to rent a car. San Diego is sort of doable without one, but you will be very limited. I would never attempt LA without a car. It is WAY to spread out and public transportation is way too inefficient to be without one.

I agree with rjw - do a little reading, the destination section on Fodors is a good place to start. Frommers and Lonely Planet also have good information. Yahoo travel is another good choice. You can get an idea of the different areas rather quickly, and then together with your own preferences, and some input from the board, I bet you will be able to make a good choice. You've got to give us more to go on though

janisj

Welcome to fodors

rjw has given you some good jumping off info. There is really no way we can give you any more useful advice/suggestions w/o more from you. Do as he suggests and start by clicking on DESTINATIONS above. Then come back w/ things like 1) your budget for hotels, 2) what sorts of things you enjoy, 3) how long is the trip, and so on.

the LA basin is ENORMOUS - yes you will want to rent a car.

Now go do a bit of homework and then we can help you a lot . . . .

janisj

was posting the same time as J_Correa . . .

lvk

Thanks for getting this started, rjw. I looked at this post this a.m. and did just not have the energy or patience.

Now can you go advise that other new poster who wants to stop in Santa Maria on her way from Palm Desert to L.A?

ebjz, we will be happy to answer once you give us some realistic parameters.

tracys2cents

Fly into SAN and fly home from LAX, renting a car between the two cities (yes you need a car!).
3 nights in SAN and 4 nights in LA. Visit the beach, Sea World, The Zoo or the Wild Animal Park, and Old Town in SAN. Visit the beach, The Getty, The Natural History Museum and the Science Center, The La Brea Tar Pits & Fossil Museum, perhaps the Auto Museum and a Movie Studio Tour (WB for working-studio, Univ for theme-park tour).
You don't mention a hotel budget but we've enjoyed Dana Inn or Humphrey's in San Diego, and we like Sunset Plaza Hotel, Hotel Angeleno or The Beverly Hilton in LA. If you'd prefer the beach, there are several hotels in Santa Monica, and a couple just south of there in Marina Del Rey that might fit the bill (bestwestern-jamaicabay.com) or Courtyard Marriot.

jrecm

Just want you to be aware that we can have a lot of "June Gloom" at the beaches that month. But there is so much to do in both cities that you should have a great time.

SandyBrit

ebjz - Welcome o Fodor's.

Here is a wonderful resource for San Diego www.sandiego.org Be sure and send for a free informational booklet.

Do come back and tell us your interests, budget etc. Where are you coming from?

Sandy

ebjz

Thank you all for answering such a general posting. I know you can tell I am new at this. Couple of specifics maybe you can reply to. Would like to stay by water and attractions in San Diego and like moderate to luxury hotels, any suggestions? Looking for moderate/luxury in Los Angeles as well and centralized if possible to sights. Looks like June is not a good time so which would be better, July or August and what are the temps then? We like to see new things except museums so could anyone give me their top three in both San Diego and Los Angeles? How about shoppong in both cities?
Thanks again for all your replies!

lcuy

How much do you want to spend per night on hotels?? No one wants to take the time to type out a whole bunch of reccos at $250 a night, only to have you come back and say,"wow, I only wnated to spend about $79.

And there is every store known to man in LA and San Diego, too. what kind of shopping are you looking for? High end, antiques, bargains?

June is fine if you have lots of non-beach activities...I personally like it when it is cooler. July will be hotter and more crowded on the beach; August even more so.