San Francisco to Los Angeles late January

Old Oct 22nd, 2021, 06:49 AM
  #101  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"Your head must be spinning along with the spreadsheet.” You are not kidding!! Hard at it this afternoon. I haven’t spent this much time with a spreadsheet since I was at work! Off to lie down in a darkened room with a wet towel on my head...
crellston is offline  
Old Oct 22nd, 2021, 09:42 AM
  #102  
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Once you make it down through Ventura county on the 101, make sure to cut back to the Hwy1 and take the drive down the Malibu coast. If you're still interested in some wineries at that point you can cruise up Kanan Canyon once you pass the infamous Zuma Beach. There's a few in the canyon including Malibu Wines and Rosenthal Vineyard. The Santa Monica Mountains are beautiful this time of year and the absence of scorching heat will provide opportunities for exploring around.

Rosenthal Vineyard
Malbu Wines

Local Guided Hiking: West Friends Guided Hiking
malibu90265 is offline  
Old Oct 22nd, 2021, 02:14 PM
  #103  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
After Cambria, there are a lot of places we have all mentioned, however most of them are only an hour to two hours away from Cambria, that's why Santa Barbara might be a good stop. I don't know about you two, but we like to go 3 or 4 hours to our next lodging spot and then spend the day getting there, possibly taking in many of the places mentioned by everyone
Tdiddy12 is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2021, 12:20 AM
  #104  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A valid point Tdiddy. That is pretty much our style of travel and, geographically, Santa Barbera does make more sense but I am struggling to find reasonably priced accommodation in SB that tempts. I have a place reserved in Solvang at the moment but may well revisit that when the guidebook arrives and I can consider the relative merits in conjunction with what we actually want to see and do and begin to flesh out the itinerary.

crellston is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2021, 12:26 AM
  #105  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mlgb
crellston, looking at your dates, what happened to the 15th?

Fortunate that you will not have to pay the holiday weekend rates around wine country/Santa Barbara wherever you settle. We are so happy to finally have a trip planning thread (not dominated by Northern California LOL). Your head must be spinning along with the spreadsheet.

Good news about the Monarch butterflies. I've seen a few dozen floating around recently.

There are some 'cute' walkable Main Street districts (aka High Streets) in Southern California, especially east of Pasadena. But we can get into that later!
15th ! Indeed! 15-17th would be the first time I have turned up at the right place on the wrong day!

"cute walkable" is good and I look forward to that. Next job is going to be a side trip from Pasadena but will wait until my guidebook arrives - a few ( well more than a few ) supply chain issues in the U.K. at present that seem to have extended to Lonely Planet. Who knew?
crellston is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2021, 05:48 AM
  #106  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Solvang area puts you around the Santa Ynez wineries and Los Olivos tasting rooms. Although "cutesy" rather than cute it should work.

Our first big winter storm is due this weekend so that should help extinguish the Alisal fire and test the coastal slope west of Santa Barbara. Solvang puts you at the detour on Hwy 154 if there are mudslides.
I

Last edited by mlgb; Oct 23rd, 2021 at 05:54 AM.
mlgb is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2021, 07:08 AM
  #107  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,329
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Pacifica Hotels has nice places to stay along your route. They sometimes have promotions, so check often.

https://www.pacificahotels.com
MichelleY is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2021, 08:18 AM
  #108  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,257
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 2 Posts
Quick Huntington Library update. Contrary to what it said on its website last week, both art galleries (including the one with Blue Boy) were closed a couple of days ago when I visited.
maitaitom is online now  
Old Oct 23rd, 2021, 09:06 AM
  #109  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,817
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
This may explain the closures at the Huntington mentioned by maitaitom... "The Blue Boy" is heading to the National Gallery in London for an exhibit opening in January and may already be on its way... Opening Nov. 20th is a new exhibit and extensive reinstallation of permanent collection works in the Gallery of American Art. So, galleries are temporarily "in transition."
Jean is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2021, 09:50 AM
  #110  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,985
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Jean
This may explain the closures at the Huntington mentioned by maitaitom... "The Blue Boy" is heading to the National Gallery in London for an exhibit opening in January and may already be on its way... Opening Nov. 20th is a new exhibit and extensive reinstallation of permanent collection works in the Gallery of American Art. So, galleries are temporarily "in transition."
I'm very disappointed that they lent "The Blue Boy". I know galleries do that all the time, I just wish they hadn't.
Barbara is online now  
Old Oct 23rd, 2021, 12:48 PM
  #111  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,817
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Yes, the loan of The Blue Boy is controversial. Works are always at risk when they're moved. Thankfully, The Blue Boy recently underwent an 18-month restoration (its first ever, I believe), and the painting's condition is the best it's been since its arrival in California 100 years ago. In exchange, the Huntington will be loaned a "candlelight" work by Joseph Wright (Derby, 1768).

https://news.yahoo.com/blue-boy-bird...175916300.html
Jean is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2021, 12:57 PM
  #112  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Actually I went today and saw both Blue Boy and Pinky. The Audubon monthly walk wristband was enough to get into the Thornton Gallery today. That Pasadena Audubon benefit is a deal, considering that an adult entry is $25 pp.

Really the main things to see are the cactus garden, Chinese Garden and the two famous paintings. Other areas will just remind you of England (rose gardens and outdoor sculptures). We were able to peek at one of the rooms today.

I'm not sure exactly when in January it leaves but it will be in Britain by the end of January.

Note: Reservations are needed on weekends, Monday holidays, and free days.

Last edited by mlgb; Oct 23rd, 2021 at 01:24 PM.
mlgb is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2021, 07:47 PM
  #113  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by maitaitom
Quick Huntington Library update. Contrary to what it said on its website last week, both art galleries (including the one with Blue Boy) were closed a couple of days ago when I visited.
The big portraits are in the Thornton Gallery, which has a temporary entrance around the back side. Also on display now is the new Kehinde Wiley portrait which I liked very much. He's the artist who painted the Obama portraits for the National Portrait Gallery (which will be in Los Angeles next month but leaving January 2). Yes, the Young Gentleman is wearing an Apple Watch.

https://www.huntington.org/news/hunt...nde-wiley-work

It should be okay to post a photo of the poster, I think.

Last edited by mlgb; Oct 23rd, 2021 at 07:59 PM.
mlgb is offline  
Old Oct 24th, 2021, 04:49 AM
  #114  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by MichelleY
Pacifica Hotels has nice places to stay along your route. They sometimes have promotions, so check often.

https://www.pacificahotels.com
Thanks Michelle, I shall check that out
crellston is offline  
Old Oct 25th, 2021, 05:12 AM
  #115  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Moving briefly on to Joshua Tree NP , I think I have nailed what we want of do and see there, namely Hidden Valley Hike, Ryan Mountain and watch dawn break from Key View. Like the look of Caliente Tropics in Palm Springs but the drive to Key View from there is 80 mins compared with 40 from somewhere like Twentynine Palms so I am leaning towards a cheap motel somewhere there. Anywhere else I should consider.

Some other supplementary questions for our trip;
  1. (I do hesitate to ask on such a sensitive topic that has got me into trouble more than once on Fodors and Tripadvisor!!) Tipping! A long time since I was in the US so would anyone care to enlighten me on the current custom and practice e.g. Who, when, where how much and how to pay (cash, card or contactless).
  2. Carolyn has asked about clothing so, rather than assume, best to ask. I am imagining spring time in the UK i.e. probably blue skies and 20c but maybe wind, rain & 10 c. Any thoughts? Are there any dress requirements for the majority of restaurants?
  3. Cell phones. Just looked at the cost of roaming in the US. Yikes! looking like we need to pick up a SIM on arrival any ideas on providers and likely cost?
crellston is offline  
Old Oct 25th, 2021, 09:02 AM
  #116  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Tipping. LOL. My basic cheapness may be exposed.
Any sitdown table service restaurants 20% is becoming standard to make up for lost wages during COVID, but 15% used to be. In California, doubling the tax is an easy way to do the math (gets you to about 20%).
15% on carryout.
Nothing at a drive-through or corporate fast food. At a donut/coffee shop, or somewhere small with a tip jar and cash only, I might leave a $1-$2 in the tip jar, depending on the size (and service). Many places take plastic with a line for the tip.

Ubers/taxis usually 10% plus a few dollars more if they handled bags.

Hotels $5/ night that I get maid service. Best to leave it with a thank you note. Some places now have tip envelopes with the name of that night's maid on the front.

I rarely have anyone take my bags to the room, but that is supposed to be $1-$2 per bag. Same with shuttle drivers etc at airports.

Private guides,10%. I don't expect to tip park rangers or employees. If you take a whale watch tour there will be a tip jar at the end, $5pp would be about right.

Last edited by mlgb; Oct 25th, 2021 at 09:48 AM.
mlgb is offline  
Old Oct 25th, 2021, 09:08 AM
  #117  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No dress requirements for restaurants. There are no fashion police.

As long as you have a warm layer, a waterproof layer, hat and gloves you should be okay with anything. I would compare Northern California( SF) to New Zealand, rain is less predictable. You need nonslip footwear for those sidewalks if they are wet! A collapsible umbrella.
Southern California just your regular pants, no need for shorts. Probably most of the time a thin jacket or flannel shirt over a Tshirt, depending on how warm-blooded you are. It won't get that hot, but maybe mid 20 C.

We do get the occasional sub-10 celsius especialy overnight, so be prepared for that. More likely in the desert.

If you need something, it's a good place to buy inexpensive clothing (Target). My friend who moved to Wales always includes a Tarjay shopping spree during her visit.

Last edited by mlgb; Oct 25th, 2021 at 09:50 AM.
mlgb is offline  
Old Oct 25th, 2021, 09:25 AM
  #118  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I use Bring your phone SIM from Tracfone. The SIMs are widely available. But I try not to use a lot of data (even to the point of using the free hotel WiFi for Facebook postings,etc.)
They have a $40/month plan with 8GB and you can top up at $10/GB.

There is some international capability on the Tracfone, but not on an unlimited calling plan (so you might want one phone on a more basic plan).
https://www.tracfone.com/shop/plans
https://extras.tracfone.com/en/ild/f...-international

Last edited by mlgb; Oct 25th, 2021 at 09:50 AM.
mlgb is offline  
Old Oct 25th, 2021, 09:46 AM
  #119  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It will be about the same time to drive from one of the north park entrances to Keys View from either Joshua Tree or 29 Palms.
Yucca Valley is anothrer 10 minutes west.

Ranch Dolores looks good. 29 Palms Inn is twice that rate.

As usual I stayed at Motel6. Nothing to recommend. Note a lot of military presence in the town.

Last edited by mlgb; Oct 25th, 2021 at 09:57 AM.
mlgb is offline  
Old Oct 25th, 2021, 10:07 AM
  #120  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
January is rainy season on the central coast but it can also be sunny and warm. Normal high temperature on the Monterey Peninsula in January would be around 15 dropping to around 10 overnight, sometimes below. If we get unusually warm weather it could be 20. Winter can be beautiful between rains or it could rain the whole time you're here. You never know.

I've been tipping more since covid, 20% for takeout and 25% for dine in. I don't think the extra tipping is expected though. At tasting rooms I generally leave $5 to $10. If you're buying wine or paying for tastings, there may be a tip line.

Patty is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -