kbg717

Hello,

My husband and I have a week to spend in San Diego and LA (12/25-1/2). We don't have much interest in LA and have been before, but plan to stay there for NYE and the Rose Bowl. Other than that, we are flexible. We definitely want to spend at least 2 nights in San Diego, and are trying to decide if we should visit Santa Barbara as well. We move quickly and enjoy beaches, kayaking, hiking, wineries, sightseeing outdoors.

Any suggestions to help our itinerary? Below is what we are thinking. Thanks in advance!

12/25: fly to San Diego
12/26: San Diego (zoo, kayak La Jolla)
12/27: San Diego (Coronado)
12/28: Laguna Beach?
12/29: Santa Barbara?
12/30: Santa Barbara?
12/31: LA (Hollywood hike, sightseeing around LA)
1/1: LA (Rose Bowl)
1/2: fly home

clarkgriswold

I would do two nights Laguna and 3 Los Angeles, there really is a lot to see and do around L.A., including hiking and now even some wineries popping up near Malibu. Laguna is lovely and there really is no need to leave there and head for Santa Barbara....also December is expected to be rainy from late December through January this coming winter .

happytrailstoyou

If you decide not to go to Santa Barbara, San Diego County is quite beautiful, and it is possible to drive from San Diego to Palm Desert or Palm Springs on scenic highways

HTtY

Tabernash2

I agree about Laguna being a good choice. No sense in driving north to Santa Barbara, really. 2 nights there, and 3 in LA-- or the reverse.

LA has lots of interesting things to do, but you really need to know your way around there, since it's so spread out. You don't want to spend all your time in a car, so plan your trips wisely.

We like to stay near the ocean, around Santa Monica. We like both the Getty museums, LACMA, UCLA/Westwood, Miracle Mile on Wilshire Blvd, going to a TV show taping, eating amazing ethnic foods, etc.

kbg717

Ok, this is very helpful! Thank you. We have not yet booked flights or anything. Do you think we should wait and possibly reconsider another time based on the forecasts for El Nino? I hadn't thought of that until you mentioned the rain and I have no idea if it's something worth changing the trip over or not.

clarkgriswold

I don't think you need to cancel your plans, it's just that any El Nino flooding would be worrysome up around Santa Barbara since there is basically only one way in and one way out of that city. So I'd drop plans for SB based on the time of year that you're visiting. You could easily do a day trip up there from L.A. if you feel like it and the weather ends up being pleasant. In a nutshell, just don't book any lodging that's not cancellable/changeable so you can change itineraries if need be. If the coastal weather is rough, you could always head for Palm Springs.

Airfare probably needs to be booked soon because of your January 2 flight, that date is filling up for sure. Use Southwest Airlines if you don't want to worry about a possibility of cancelling and losing value on your tickets.

Dayle

Its California. As a native born 100 yard from the ocean back I the 50s I am fully entitled to say that.

clarkgriswold

P.S. Southwest has a 10am nonstop arriving noon San Diego. And on January 2nd still some seats on a 2:30pm departure nonstop arrives 9:30pm Atlanta. They are not "refundable" tickets but they are changeable without additional "change fees".

clarkgriswold

Yes Dayle you're fully entitled to moan when someone says "Cali", just like 1000 fodorites before you have done and 1000 fodorites after you will continue to do.

logandog

California.
California.
California.

See, it's not that difficult.

tomfuller

In addition to the mission at the top of the hill, Santa Barbara also has a nice zoo.
If the weather on the coast is good, you can take one of several Pacific Surfliner trains from Los Angeles or even San Diego. The SBA station is close to the pier in downtown Santa Barbara.
If the coastal weather is not so nice, head for Palm Springs or even Las Vegas.
There is a shuttle bus service between Los Angeles Union station and LAX airport.

nanabee

Dayle >>Its California. As a native born 100 yard from the ocean back I the 50s I am fully entitled to say that.>>

I AGREE!! It's annoying to hear a tourist or wanna be hipster say Cali. At least we know they aren't from California and they stand out as a tourist for sure.

jamie99

Keep an eye on the weather and maybe book a place near Santa Barbara (although Buellton, Solvang or Los Olivos are closer to the wineries) and if the weather is too bad or rainy you can always visit some of the wineries in Temecula, about an hour's drive from San Diego. Several nice places to stay there also if you do not want to drive after wine tasting.
Thanks Dayle and nanabee, as another CA native "Cali" is really annoying to me.

clarkgriswold

only 997 to go.................

happytrailstoyou

I AGREE!! It's annoying to hear a tourist or wanna be hipster say Cali.

I don't like "Cali" as an abbreviation for California, but it is recognized as such, and it is, therefore, inappropriate to scoff at KBG717 for using it.

HTtY

logandog

Scoff, scoff, scoff.

elizzie4000

Cali is a recent silly abbreviation for Calif. I'm not sure who recognizes Cali as an abbreviation other than a hip hop singer that started it. Just one more little letter.

I'm a 4th generation Californian. It's So Cal or So Calif.

I'm not sure who recognizes Cali as an abbreviation other than a hip hop singer that started it.

I'm not scoffing at the OP. I think it's helpful to point out that to many of us this isn't an acceptable abbreviation.

kbg - I agree that Laguna Beach is a good stop. Being that it's between SD and LA it is convenient.

tomfuller

As long as we are on the subject of bad abbreviations and contractions, SD is South Dakota.
I try to either spell out the entire city or state name or if I am referring to a major airport or Amtrak station, I may use the 3 letter abbreviation (LAX, SFO,SMF).

kbg717

Thank you all for your help! I appreciate it. It sounds like Santa Barbara is out, so we will just focus on San Diego, Laguna Beach, and Los Angeles.

Sorry about the abbreviation- I never refer to California as "Cali" either but thought I would shorten it so the subject line contained my entire question. Didn't think much of it at the time, but I apologize for those I offended! I'm not a wanna be hipster/tourist nerd at all. I was just looking for advice. I will always spell out the entire state in the future!

clarkgriswold

...now comes the part where they forgive you and say they were just trying to help you so that you do not embarrass yourself when you arrive in California.