My husband and I will fly into San Diego, drive to Capistrano, Big Bear Mountain Area and then to Palm Springs for 3 days followed by return flight out of San Diego. Please, what to see and do on this trip? We enjoy historical sights and scenic views of God's beautiful countryside. Not into strenious hiking. Also, accommodations are set for Palm Springs, but can anyone recommend clean, affordable lodging in other areas?

Wow!, my family and I are also planning a trip over Christmas 12/24-12/31 to Palm Springs. I am looking for things to do with our children 10 & 14 in that area. We have never been to Southern Calif. before. We are also flying into and out of SanDiego. We are planning to visit the zoo but haven't really made other arrangements yet. We're not even sure how to pack. Any suggestions?
We live in the Cleveland area.
I also need accomodations in San Diego for the night of the 30th.

I took my children, ages 9 and 13 to Palm Desert last Easter. They really enjoyed the Living Desert Museum (sort of like a 'zoo' museum.) Also, take the Tram Ride. There will probably be tons of snow on top. Enjoy!

Polly/Livia:

Ditto the Tram.

Another consideration: en route to Palm Springs, you might consider a detour through Joshua Tree National Park. If it were me, I'd take route 62 north from I-10. After about twenty-five miles, in the town of Josua Tree, take a right on Monument Road (this is the first main entrance, NOT Black Rock entrance). This road will take you to the park gate, and then through the park. If you want to stop for a leisurely walk, try Hidden Valley and follow the trail. If you want something requiring a little more exertion, climb some of the boulders (kids love it). Following the same road will take you out the "back" entance of the park and eventually back to I-10. You will then be about 20 east of Palm Springs and thus will have to double back on the 10. The great thing about this route, aside from the bizarre beauty of the park itself, is the descent from the high desert to the low desert. The information supplied by the park explains what you are seeing. Total drive time--maybe two hours from the time you leave the 10 until rejoining it in Coachella.

Polly: Generally, you can save a lot on rooms by driving inland. For instance, if you're driving from Capistrano to Palm Springs, try searches on eastern San Gabriel Valley towns such as Diamond Bar, San Dimas and, especially, Ontario, where there are a ton of airport-type hotels. Closer to Capistrano, maybe Irvine or El Toro--try not to search too close to Disneyland.

Livia: Jackets at night and maybe during the day--probably not necessary during the day in Palm Springs. If you go up the Tram or into the high desert, it WILL be cold and probably windy. At the end of the Tram, sweaters and jackets and maybe a hat. As for San Diego accomodations, there is an Embassay Suites right downtown--perfect when traveling with the family.

Just bumping this back to the top to see if anyone else can give additional imput. TY

Polly - How many days is your entire visit? There are no direct freeways connecting San Diego and Palm Springs, so travel time will take up quite a bit of a day. What time of the year are you planning on traveling? Big Bear will have snow in the winter, which will require snow chains as well as completely different attire than the rest of your destinations (may cause a hassle in packing light).

Hmmmmm...I did not think about snow in Big Bear area. Will arrive SD on 1/10...drive to Capistrano...then the plan was to drive around Big Bear area and be in PS for 12 through 14 leaving morning of 15 to return to SD for a flight home on 1/17 red-eye.

Hi Polly,

I don't know where you're from, but unless you never get to see snow and want that experience, I'd skip the Big Bear part of the trip and devote that extra day to either PS or SD. Either place has so much to do that it would be a shame to waste a day in the mountains. While Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead (my preference) are nice mountain communities, neither offers much to do if you don't ski. And you'll find much better dining in PS or SD. If you do choose to go to Big Bear, please go to Madeline's for lunch...wonderful food and desserts.

I live in San Diego and visit Palm Springs and Big Bear quite frequently.

There will definitely be snow at Big Bear. That is Southern California's ski area. The above poster is in error when they said it will take most of the day to travel between San Diego and Palm Springs. It will take approximately 2 hours depending on where in San Diego. The quickest route is to take I-15 north from San Diego to Rancho California ( Temecula area ). At Rancho California, exit I-15 to 215 north to Riverside. At Riverside exit to 60 East and cut across to I-10. It is freeway all the way. If you miss the 60 exit then just keep going north on 215 and take I-10 east. In any event it is about a 2 hour drive.

Things to do - Palm Springs

1. Take the tram up San Jacinto Mountain.

2. Desert Musuem

3. Palm Canyon

Things to do - San Diego

1. Sea World

2. Zoo

3. Wild Animal Park.

4. Ferry to Coronado Island.

You will have a wide choice of accomodations as you are traveling in a pretty slow time of the year.

Would agree with SDSam re the cablecar up San Jacinto mountain. Lovely clean, clear air up there. Nice trails etc.