Was hoping to get help from Southern California experts. Here is the plan 4 women mid 30’s to mid 40’s. 12 days (early June) we want to go to the beach as well as hiking. I know ideally would be for us to arrive into one airport (maybe LAX) and leave from another (SAN) BUT two of my friends are terrified of flying so LAX will probably be our choice since they offer non-stop service from MIA. We want to visit Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs and as much as possible in between, what I want is to know how to demographically put it together, since we are arriving and departing from same airport I figured we could probably drive the day of arrival to one of the other cities and leave Los Angeles for last. Your help will be greatly appreciated

how about spending the first night or two at laguna beach. it's between la and san diego and if traffic isn't bad, doesn't take too long from the la airport. laguna is a lovely town with some nice restaurants, funky galleries, beautiful homes and beaches.
then head down to san diego for 4 nights. be aware that sometimes in june, the coast has "june gloom". the coast may be overcast in the mornings but often lifts in the afternoon. so i'd plan your activities so your more inland in the mornings and save beachtime for the afternoon. the ocean will likely be too cold for most people to swim in without a wetsuit.
then head on into palm springs for 3 nights. it should be wonderful and hot. pick a place with a nice pool.
then, the remainder of the time in la.

It really doesn't matter too much which airport you use - and if the non-stop makes it easier on the two nervous flyers, LAX would be best.

But I do have a question - any particular reason you want to visit Palm Springs? By June PS is HOT. It isn't hot like you are used to in FL. Not medium high temps and high humidity - but VERY hot and dry. The dry bit is a good thing, but it can easily be 100-110 or even hotter. June is not a hot as August - but it is definitely too hot to do much outdoors.

Itt:
Thank you, this is what I was looking for, something I can start planning. Again thank you

Janisj:
I have always heard so much about it, that I wanted to see it. I’ve seen some beautiful pictures from there so thought we could take a look since we will be so close. So in your opinion do you think I should skip it all together? I am not sure when I will visit California again. Or should I just go there for 2 days instead of 3? Thank you for your help, I appreciate the time you all take to answer questions and help other travelers.
Gina

12 days is a nice long trip, have you considered arriving San Francisco then doing the classic coastal drive trip down to Los Angeles? 3 days SF, 2 days Monterey/Carmel, 3 days Hearst Castle/Santa Barbara and then 4 days for Los Angeles /Laguna Beach?
Normally I would not say 3 days Santa Barbara, but 4 women who want beach & hiking would be in heaven there. Winery tours are nearby as well if that is of interest.

In fact, even if you limit this trip to SOUTHERN california, I would try to include some Santa Barbara time.

Palm Springs would be worth a day trip since you've always wanted to see it, but be sure to include Joshua Tree National Park.

Clarkgriswold:

Thank you for the suggestions but, we did San Francisco, Carmel, Monterrey up to Big Sur 2 years ago. Santa Barbara was in my plans while we are in Los Angeles, is it too far from there?
Gina

June in Palm Springs is nothing like July or August. It will be hot enough to sit around the pool but not brutal, and June is not humid. Usually people get up early, take a break between 1 pm and just before sunset, and head back out for a night on the town. For 4 people you might want to rent a house or condo. If you're going mid week you can also sometimes pick up some great Priceline deals on resorts.

Drive time for each leg is about two-3 hours each way (LA to PS, PS to SD, and SD to LA).

Plan on your beach time being in San Diego, Los Angeles is notorius for "June gloom", second worst month, after February. My husband's niece came out from Missouri a few years back in June and almost froze to death, we had to get her some long sleeved shirts.

San Diego also suffers from "June gloom", although most days I've noticed it clearing by noon or one o'clock.

FWIW, I've been in Palm Springs in June when it's been 113 degrees.

I agree. Skip Palm Spring! It's a small boring town and it will be hot. There isn't much to do if you don't gamble or want to go to a spa. And you can do that in any other place you're going to anyways. I would definitely concentrate on San Diego (3 nights), LA (6 nights) and Santa Barbara and the wine region there (3 nights). Santa Barbara is only 1.5 hr drive from LA. Flying in and out of LAX is best anyway. I would go to Santa Barbara once you arrive and then make your way south to LA and then to SD (possibly with a spot in Laguna). Then make the 2 hour drive back to LAX on your last day in SD.

May and June are the two worst months of the year to visit this area due to May Gray and June Gloom. If you can possibly defer to early July it would be better. I live in San Diego and much prefer it to LA. If you have a large budget for hotels, I recommend the Estancia in La Jolla. It is lovely elegant Southwestern style property. Or, there is a Kimptom group hotel downtown in the happening Gaslamp area; I am blanking on the name. It is on J and 6th. San Diego is good for 3 days plus. You can do Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, downtown, etc. A train ride to LA is very scenic. San Juan Capistrano is a quaint stop for half a day. Santa Barbara is lovely as well. I would probably just do 3 days in LA. Pasadena is a nice stop there. A pretty good schedule is 4 nights in 3 places: San Diego, LA, and Santa Barbara. I find Palm Springs boring as well.

I love the Palm Springs desert area (Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta) and would tell you to go for a couple days at least. It's beautiful being right next to the mountains. Stay in a hotel with a nice swimming pool.

Shopping and restaurants are great on Palm Canyon Dr. The Palm Springs aerial Tram to the top of San Jacinto Mountain is fun and you can hike around up there. There is the Desert Museum, the Follies, celebry tours, Living Desert, and every Thursday night is a Street Fair from 6-10 PM, with musicians, crafts, food.

This is just a few things to get you started. And yes, I have been in June, many times and it is not that bad. Also Aug. and Sept. which are hotter.

why would you think Palm Springs is notable to anyone who hasn't been to S. California before due to shopping, mountains and hotel swimming pools which are all available in other parts of S. Cali that they're already visiting only better and in better climate? I think it's only of interest to someone living in LA who wants to get away for a few days, but not go far.

Thank you for your assistance. I guess I will bring all this points to my friends (Palm Springs) and we will just see as time gets closer. The reason we are going last day of May into first weeks of June, it’s actually right before kids get out of school and find that rates are somewhat better (airfare, hotels) also we live in Miami and it’s the start of Hurricane season and again one of my friends does not want to go on vacation during the season in case something happens. You guys are great thank you for all the suggestions.
Gina

I would skip Palm Springs there is nothing there except heat .. unless you are a golfer .. even then not Palm Springs out by Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert. It is off season so you will get good rates at condos. Although you may enjoy Cabazon Outlet which has all kinds of name brands at very low prices. This is about 30 miles before you get to Palm Springs.

I would, first, drive up North from LAX and spend couple of days in Santa Barbara and Paso Robles with all its wineries.

Then south .. spending time in Laguna Beach, La Jolla, San Diego and, maybe, cross over the Mexico for a day if you can handle that kind of thing.

The desert scenery in PS is much different, if you need activities the list by MBNancy is a good start. I would also add the Coachella Preserve which isn't too far away from PS.

Yes the Cabazon Outlets are worth a stop if you are doing a leg between LA and PS and don't have any premium style outlet malls near home.

You probably will not be able to comfortably relax by a pool in either SD or LA, they both do get June gloom, although you never know.

Just park yourselves at the Wiltshire on Rodeo Drive and shop til ya drop!

I too love Palm Springs, but for relaxation, not sightseeing. We go once a year for 5 days usually and all we do is sun, maybe hit some golf balls or swing a tennis racket, shop and eat. I wouldn't take time from a real "trip" to go there.