San Diego or Santa Monica
Apr 23rd, 2000 | 09:01 PM
#1
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San Diego or Santa Monica
Hello, four of us girls are planning to go on a week trip to either San Diego or Santa Monica. We are in our 30's, love suntanning, shopping- love bargains. We all love Waikkii-Hawaii, love being around lots of people and feeling safe walking around at night. Please recommend which one you would pick for us and if so a hotel-expensive is okay. Thanks
Apr 29th, 2000 | 04:08 AM
#3
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I would either go to La Jolla in San Diego or Santa Monica. Both have great atmosphere at night, people walking around and lots of restaurants/bars, and of course, the beach. They both have tons of shopping but bargain is not the word for it. If you go to Santa Monica, check out Venice Beach during the day and have lunch in Marina del Rey.
Apr 30th, 2000 | 09:22 AM
#6
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Dear Jenny:
You've gotten some good advice, but all those things also apply to
Newport Beach,
Laguna Beach,
Dana Point,
San Clemente, and, further north,
Ventura, and
Santa Barbara.
Of those places, Ventura not only has great beaches but also gives you a lot more "bang for your buck." San Clemente is my personal favorite, because it's beautiful, friendly, and has great beaches and interesting shops (but doesn't every beach town have those, nowadays?).
You might also take a look at Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Both towns have great beaches, are close to Santa Monica (and Malibu), and are very laid back and thus very relaxing.
You've gotten some good advice, but all those things also apply to
Newport Beach,
Laguna Beach,
Dana Point,
San Clemente, and, further north,
Ventura, and
Santa Barbara.
Of those places, Ventura not only has great beaches but also gives you a lot more "bang for your buck." San Clemente is my personal favorite, because it's beautiful, friendly, and has great beaches and interesting shops (but doesn't every beach town have those, nowadays?).
You might also take a look at Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Both towns have great beaches, are close to Santa Monica (and Malibu), and are very laid back and thus very relaxing.
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May 4th, 2000 | 01:38 AM
#12
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Eric:
The Casa Pacifica, Richard Nixon's Western White House, is at the end of Avenida del Presidente, off I-5 near the southern end of town (I guess the President wanted to live as closely to Camp Pendleton and the protection its marines afforded). Here's an interesting little blurb about it from the San Clemente Heritage & Visitor Center:
THE NIXON YEARS IN SAN CLEMENTE
Richard Nixon's ties with San Clemente area began many years before he served in the Navy in World War II or entered politics. They go back to 1940 when, as a young lawyer, he proposed to Pat Ryan while sitting in his car on a cliff above Dana Point, overlooking the coastline. In 1968, a San Clemente native son who was working with the Young Republicans on the Nixon presidential campaign met John Erlichman, a member of Nixon's staff. Erlichman asked the young man if he had any suggestions for a presidential home on the coastline area of which Richard Nixon was so fond. Young Fred Divel set about searching his hometown of San Clemente for an appropriate site and found, among others, the secluded Hamilton Cotton estate on the southern tip of town.
Shortly after taking his oath of office, the newly elected President flew to Santa Barbara to survey the oil damaged beaches, but found time to visit a few prospective home sites, including the Cotton estate. President Nixon subsequently purchased it for $340,000 and renamed it Casa Pacifica.One of the original homes of the twenties, it was not large-three bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast nook, and upstairs study plus a small two bedroom, one bath guest house. It easily accommodated the Nixons and the couple who served as gardener, housekeeper, and cook. It was surrounded by spacious grounds and the view of the Pacific coastline was magnificent. This was to be Pat & Richard Nixons' home for the next eleven years. It became known as the Western White House, with offices housed in a temporary building aboard Loran Coast Guard Station, adjacent to the estate, just a golf cart ride away.
The town soon settled in, as it became commonplace for the Nixons to come and go frequently. The helicopters and limousines carrying them from El Toro Marine Air Station signalled their arrival, but townspeople respected their privacy. Pat Nixon spent her days tending her famous rose gardens, visiting her old friends from the Whittier area, and making a few local appearances. When he wasn't working, The President loved his dips in the ocean or the pool he built on the grounds and playing golf on one of the two local courses. The Nixon's often walked together on the beach.
Residents found cabinet members renting homes next door, because when the President occupied the Western White House, it was business as usual and they all came. Bebe Rebozo and Henry Kissinger were frequently seen around town. The Nixons attended the local churches, shopped in the local stores and shops, and frequently drove to San Juan Capistrano for Mexican food. The nearby supermarket stocked a supply of the President's favorite ice cream-macadamia nut.
The local police department received a federal grant, enabling them to hire and equip ten additional officers to assist the Secret Service detail. The street leading to Casa Pacifica was renamed del Presidente. Occasionally there were demonstrations, but even Jane Fonda failed to create an unruly crowd. A fire in the President's study was put out by the local fire department. The fire was caused when the President neglected to open the flue. On the President's next visit to San Clemente, the Nixon family paid a visit to the fire station and presented gifts to each of the firemen.
The dignitaries came and went-diplomats, astronauts, movie stars. President Diaz of Mexico came, as well as Prime Minister Sato of Japan. Former President Johnson celebrated his birthday with the Nixons. Julie and David Eisenhower were often in residence in the small guest house, and Tricia entertained Ed Cox here before their marriage.
On October 28, 1970, a commemorative postage stamp ceremony was held in San Clemente. The President had decreed that the anti-pollution stamp urging us to save our air, water, cities, and soil be unveiled in his town.
The President signed a bill in March of 1971 giving the State of California 2.5 miles of beach, stretching from San Clemente to San Onofre, opening up the famed Trestles Beach. A total of five million dollars was set aside to create San Onofre State Park. He also took time to meet a tiny heart patient and his family. His secret service detail and the local police department organized a fund raising softball game for the boy-the Secret Service won. The President's motorcade had to pass Concordia School on del Presidente, and the President always waived at the children and sometimes stopped to shake hands and meet them. The school children often made welcome signs for the President or sent him birthday greetings and presented bouquets to Mrs. Nixon. In November 1972, the Nixons returned to vote at Concordia School in the election where he won by a landslide.
History was made in San Clemente when South Vietnam President Thieu came in April of 1973 to meet with the President and was greeted by the U.S. Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps. In June of the same year, Soviet Communist Party Chief Leonid Brezhnev flanked by a contingent of KGB agents arrived in San Clemente. Before his departure, he and President Nixon signed the famous joint communique on the lawn of the Western White House and met the Skylab astronauts. In the same month, Chinese Envoy Huang Chen arrived.
President Nixon left the presidency in August 1974, returning home to San Clemente with his family where he was greeted by many of the townspeople. He stayed here, writing his memoirs, supporting local charities, and quietly entertaining old friends. Julie and David Eisenhower lived for a while in nearby Capistrano Beach where they were also busy writing. Their first child, Jenny, grandchild of one president and great grandchild of another, was born at San Clemente hospital with both President and Mrs. Nixon in attendence.
In 1980, after they both experienced bouts of ill health, the Nixons sold Casa Pacifica and returned to the East coast to be near their daughters and families.
San Clemente is proud of their small part in history, as home of the Western White House for over five years. It was our privilege to view a "little bit of history" in the making.
The "Nixon Years in San Clemente" was reprinted with permission from an article written by Pat Bouman, retired San Clemente Police Department. Edited by G. Wayne Eggleston, CPM, Director of The Heritage of San Clemente & Visitor Center. The Heritage is located at 415 North El Camino Real and the hours are 10AM to 8PM daily. The Heritage features "The Western White House Exhibit-President Nixon's Years in San Clemente." telephone # 714-369-1299.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written by G. Wayne Eggleston, CPM, Director of The Heritage of San Clemente & Visitor Center, located at 415 North El Camino Real, features exhibits of Ole Hanson and his vision for San Clemente. Hours are from 10 am to 8 pm Monday thru Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm Sundays. telephone # 714-369-1299.
The Casa Pacifica, Richard Nixon's Western White House, is at the end of Avenida del Presidente, off I-5 near the southern end of town (I guess the President wanted to live as closely to Camp Pendleton and the protection its marines afforded). Here's an interesting little blurb about it from the San Clemente Heritage & Visitor Center:
THE NIXON YEARS IN SAN CLEMENTE
Richard Nixon's ties with San Clemente area began many years before he served in the Navy in World War II or entered politics. They go back to 1940 when, as a young lawyer, he proposed to Pat Ryan while sitting in his car on a cliff above Dana Point, overlooking the coastline. In 1968, a San Clemente native son who was working with the Young Republicans on the Nixon presidential campaign met John Erlichman, a member of Nixon's staff. Erlichman asked the young man if he had any suggestions for a presidential home on the coastline area of which Richard Nixon was so fond. Young Fred Divel set about searching his hometown of San Clemente for an appropriate site and found, among others, the secluded Hamilton Cotton estate on the southern tip of town.
Shortly after taking his oath of office, the newly elected President flew to Santa Barbara to survey the oil damaged beaches, but found time to visit a few prospective home sites, including the Cotton estate. President Nixon subsequently purchased it for $340,000 and renamed it Casa Pacifica.One of the original homes of the twenties, it was not large-three bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast nook, and upstairs study plus a small two bedroom, one bath guest house. It easily accommodated the Nixons and the couple who served as gardener, housekeeper, and cook. It was surrounded by spacious grounds and the view of the Pacific coastline was magnificent. This was to be Pat & Richard Nixons' home for the next eleven years. It became known as the Western White House, with offices housed in a temporary building aboard Loran Coast Guard Station, adjacent to the estate, just a golf cart ride away.
The town soon settled in, as it became commonplace for the Nixons to come and go frequently. The helicopters and limousines carrying them from El Toro Marine Air Station signalled their arrival, but townspeople respected their privacy. Pat Nixon spent her days tending her famous rose gardens, visiting her old friends from the Whittier area, and making a few local appearances. When he wasn't working, The President loved his dips in the ocean or the pool he built on the grounds and playing golf on one of the two local courses. The Nixon's often walked together on the beach.
Residents found cabinet members renting homes next door, because when the President occupied the Western White House, it was business as usual and they all came. Bebe Rebozo and Henry Kissinger were frequently seen around town. The Nixons attended the local churches, shopped in the local stores and shops, and frequently drove to San Juan Capistrano for Mexican food. The nearby supermarket stocked a supply of the President's favorite ice cream-macadamia nut.
The local police department received a federal grant, enabling them to hire and equip ten additional officers to assist the Secret Service detail. The street leading to Casa Pacifica was renamed del Presidente. Occasionally there were demonstrations, but even Jane Fonda failed to create an unruly crowd. A fire in the President's study was put out by the local fire department. The fire was caused when the President neglected to open the flue. On the President's next visit to San Clemente, the Nixon family paid a visit to the fire station and presented gifts to each of the firemen.
The dignitaries came and went-diplomats, astronauts, movie stars. President Diaz of Mexico came, as well as Prime Minister Sato of Japan. Former President Johnson celebrated his birthday with the Nixons. Julie and David Eisenhower were often in residence in the small guest house, and Tricia entertained Ed Cox here before their marriage.
On October 28, 1970, a commemorative postage stamp ceremony was held in San Clemente. The President had decreed that the anti-pollution stamp urging us to save our air, water, cities, and soil be unveiled in his town.
The President signed a bill in March of 1971 giving the State of California 2.5 miles of beach, stretching from San Clemente to San Onofre, opening up the famed Trestles Beach. A total of five million dollars was set aside to create San Onofre State Park. He also took time to meet a tiny heart patient and his family. His secret service detail and the local police department organized a fund raising softball game for the boy-the Secret Service won. The President's motorcade had to pass Concordia School on del Presidente, and the President always waived at the children and sometimes stopped to shake hands and meet them. The school children often made welcome signs for the President or sent him birthday greetings and presented bouquets to Mrs. Nixon. In November 1972, the Nixons returned to vote at Concordia School in the election where he won by a landslide.
History was made in San Clemente when South Vietnam President Thieu came in April of 1973 to meet with the President and was greeted by the U.S. Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps. In June of the same year, Soviet Communist Party Chief Leonid Brezhnev flanked by a contingent of KGB agents arrived in San Clemente. Before his departure, he and President Nixon signed the famous joint communique on the lawn of the Western White House and met the Skylab astronauts. In the same month, Chinese Envoy Huang Chen arrived.
President Nixon left the presidency in August 1974, returning home to San Clemente with his family where he was greeted by many of the townspeople. He stayed here, writing his memoirs, supporting local charities, and quietly entertaining old friends. Julie and David Eisenhower lived for a while in nearby Capistrano Beach where they were also busy writing. Their first child, Jenny, grandchild of one president and great grandchild of another, was born at San Clemente hospital with both President and Mrs. Nixon in attendence.
In 1980, after they both experienced bouts of ill health, the Nixons sold Casa Pacifica and returned to the East coast to be near their daughters and families.
San Clemente is proud of their small part in history, as home of the Western White House for over five years. It was our privilege to view a "little bit of history" in the making.
The "Nixon Years in San Clemente" was reprinted with permission from an article written by Pat Bouman, retired San Clemente Police Department. Edited by G. Wayne Eggleston, CPM, Director of The Heritage of San Clemente & Visitor Center. The Heritage is located at 415 North El Camino Real and the hours are 10AM to 8PM daily. The Heritage features "The Western White House Exhibit-President Nixon's Years in San Clemente." telephone # 714-369-1299.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written by G. Wayne Eggleston, CPM, Director of The Heritage of San Clemente & Visitor Center, located at 415 North El Camino Real, features exhibits of Ole Hanson and his vision for San Clemente. Hours are from 10 am to 8 pm Monday thru Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm Sundays. telephone # 714-369-1299.
