Our first day to sunny California (Friday) is predicted 70% rain. We are coming from Ohio, where we just got 3 inches of snow yesterday. This is not the preferred forcast, but what can we do.

So what does one do when it rains in California?

If you like shopping, there's South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa (http://www.southcoastplaza.com/). All the upscale shops that you'd find in Beverly Hills, Paris or any other major city are here, like Chanel, Christian Dior, Gucci, etc.

Laguna Beach has art galleries all over town. In Santa Ana, there's the Bowers Museum.

I say go to Disneyland. No lines.

A second shopping option is Fashion Island in Newport. You can venture to Balboa Island for lunch. If the rain lets up, walking the perimeter of the island is always pleasant.

If you don't mind hiking in the rain, the walk along the beach path from Corona del Mar to Laguna Beach is beautiful in any weather.

If the weather is truly awful, you can drive down the 5 or the 405 to the restaurant/entertainment/movie complex and spend the day watching movies. I believe its called the Centrum, right at the confluence of the 5 and 405.

The shopping center at the 5/405 that stumpworks73 is referring to is the Irvine Spectrum, but that's mostly outdoor shops. The only indoor things are a movie theater, a Dave & Buster's, and the restaurants.

Fashion Island is also outdoors.

So South Coast Plaza is indoors? We had plans to do that one day when our friend (who lives there) has to work.

Well we'll see how it turns out. Maybe we'll hit up the grocery store, chat with our friend and relax a bit.

Yes, South Coast is an indoor mall.

Of course, it didn't rain at all!

mlgb, I know! we walked around Huntington Beach. What a nice day outside today! South Coast Plaza tomorrow.

May need advice on Newport Beach for Thursday....

South Coast is a great indoor mall - if it is a nice day out - I still recommend you go to Fashion Island - or the spectrum (at the 5/405 split) MUCH more of a lovely California feel. As someone above recommended if you go to Fashion Island you can head over to Balboa Island and walk around as well if it is a nice day. South Coast is a good big mall - but not much different then many "malls" across America - Fashion Island is beautiful with Kio <sp> ponds and the Spectrum is fun with a huge ferris wheel -- if you want a treat - go to Veggie grille - it is all veggies my girls did not believe me it is yummy. (It is at the Spectrum). Enjoy our fine area!

All Good Weather forecasts the rest of the week.

Newport we like to take the ferry from Balboa Island over to Newport Landing. They have some good happy hour specials upstairs in the bar at Newport Landing, sit out on the balcony if you can, watch the sun set over the harbor. Half off appetizers 4 to 6pm and Thursday is Taco Night 7pm to 9pm with $1 Tacos, $3 beers and margaritas. I would call to confirm that this is still the schedule at Newport Landing Restaurant - 949-675-2373 - Toll Free 877-Landing

We ended up at South Coast because it's 2 minutes from my friends house and she dropped us off while she worked at home. Also, saw a movie there to extend the time.

Went to Newport Beach on Friday and did park at Balboa Island and took the ferry over. Very nice!

Stayed at Laguna Beach as well.

My favorite beach was Huntington though.