Now you need hotels. Do you have names to research?

We forgive you, we just didn't want you to embarrass yourself.
It's a fairly long haul up to Santa Barbara and the scenery in Laguna is as good or better than Santa Barbara, unless the wineries are beckoning.

You could have written SoCal which is acceptable.

the apologies never work kbg, sorry but 995 more scolds to come.................

Yep, SoCal, or CA or Calif is fine, no need to spell out the entire state name, it is long.

That's what she said.

kbg - I think you are wise to stick with sights / cities in So Calif. I love Santa Barbara but for the purposes of this trip I think you are better to stay South.

No need to spell out the whole State name, as said.

Tom, Re: SD - when you are on the San Diego Forum or a Calif Forum and talking about travel in Calif, and abbreviating to SD no one is going to get confused and think we are referring to South Dakota !!

There is no San Diego forum here - and honestly, no one is going to be confused by "Cali" either, they just don't like getting the willies!

Just wait until you come to San Francisco some day and refer to is as San Fran or heaven forbid Frisco LOL!

No worries in L.A, the people are laid back and welcoming. You can even call it Smog Angeles if you want.

Yes, hotel recommendations would be great. We are hoping to stay at Del Coronado in San Diego, but any great resorts/hotel suggestions would be very helpful. We would love beachfront resorts 4 or 5 stars around the same rates as Del Coronado, nothing too extreme.

Now that we are skipping Santa Barbara, should we do an extra night in San Diego and an extra night in LA? Or would Laguna be nice enough for 2 nights?

Hotel del Coronado is lovely at Christmas. All decorated and the ice skating rink right on the beach! It's one of the very few hotels we have here that is on the beach.

The other is the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and the La Jolla Shores Hotel.

When you stay further north you can look at the Ritz Carlton Dana Point and the Montage Laguna Beach. Also in Laguna Beach, but right in town, is the Surf & Sand. Which is nice because you can walk to many restaurants and shops and art galleries. Right in town.

I will always spell out the entire state in the future!

This is the kind of submission the Hollier-than-thou were hoping for.

HTtY

"Cali" ripped from today's headlines: http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/...-solitary.html

HTtY

If the Pope is willing to forgive women for having an abortion, we should be willing to forgive you and The Daily Beast for using "Cali."

HTtY

Laguna is definitely worth two nights. We like the Laguna Riviera, beautiful spot right on the water, though maybe not as upscale as you are looking for. Check the reviews.

Are you looking for a hotel in Orange County or LA County? I have always wanted to stay at Terranea in Palos Verdes, beautiful views of the ocean.

kbg - if it's been mentioned I apologize.

L'Auberge in Del Mar is a nice property
http://www.laubergedelmar.com/

Del Mar is about 15 miles north of La Jolla so it might not be what you're looking for in a San Diego stay.

Priceless definitions of 'Cali' from Urban Dictionary.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Cali

My favorite - #7:

>Stupid and pointless with no purpose except pissing off Californians. Might as well refer to Arizona as Arizo, Virginia as Virgi, Oregon as Oreg, or maybe Vermont as Verm.