My husband and I have 7 days to visit places including and between San Diego and LA. Will have a car. Flying out of Orange Cty Airport.
Open to all suggestions.

The Getty Museum, Laguna Beach, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Disneyland, Palm Springs ?, Big Bear Mtn & Lake ?, La Jolla, Balboa Park (museums), SD Zoo, SeaWorld, Coronado, Gaslamp District

Happy Planning!

Maybe squeeze Avalon in for the day..you can take the ferry over from Dana Pt..
La Jolla is a must along with Coronado and Del Mar too.

www.visitcatalinaisland.com

Hi lynsir! I found this while clicking around:

"Sequoia National Park is my personal favorite in California. Sequoia National Park boasts spectacular scenery, giant sequoias and is far less crowded than Yosemite. Located in east-central California, Sequoia National Park is a long day trip from either Los Angeles or San Francisco."

Except that Sequoia is not anywhere near being between LA and San Diego.

Seven days is not much time to split between LA and San Diego.

Could you give us a bit more information? What are your interests? Food? Museums? Shows? Zoos? Beach?

There is so much to do and there's also traffic to consider. Help us narrow things down for you.

Yeah mlgb I am certainly no CA expert, hah! As I said, I just happened to come across a website naming sequoia as a daytrip from LA area. I guess the website was just plain wrong....

It sounds like youre familiar with the area so Im sure youll be able to provide lynsir with lots of great suggestions!

We actually went to Sequoia from San Diego, near Kings Canyon (I think) it was about a 4-5 hour drive, as I remember.

Palm Springs and Joshua Tree NP are 2 to 2 1/2 hours from either LA or SD.

I would second a trip to Avalon--go snorkeling by the Casino, enjoy a buffalo burger! Great get-away for a day.

Definitely include some of the restored missions. Very historic old California.

I would also figure some time to spend near the beach. Venice and Santa Monica near LA are interesting. I also enjoy downtown Los Angeles and might suggest: Olvera Street, La Brea tar pits, Farmers Market, Chinatown, walk of stars and Chinese Theater area.

Getting back to Orange County you'll need to head back south from LA.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I see that there are many choices to be made.

Palm Springs would be worth a visit; you could make stops at Joshua Tree National Park and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
When in San Diego, don't miss the San Diego Zoo, a stop at the Hotel Del Coronado and La Jolla.

You don't say when you'll be going, but if you are interested in art--Laguna Beach has the "Pageant of the Masters" and the Sawdust Festival going on.

Timing of the trip is important; I'd probably skip the desert areas if you're going in summer-like Joshua Tree.

Travelmaven - my son's work is being displayed this year in the pageant of the masters - we are pretty excited

Dawnnoel--congratulations on your son's art being displayed--what an honor!

Thank you Travelmaven he is just graduated Mission Viejo High School last week - we were suprised to receive the notification that he work was selected.

wow--a high school student? What are his post hs plans?

Travelmaven -
He was going to art school, but unfortunately his high school sweetheart is pregnant...so his plans are now to attend our local Jr. College with the dreams of teaching and doing freelance photography.
It has obviously been a very hard 6 months here - she is due Sept. 6. No plans for marriage right. He works at an Apple store here locally and will go to college...it has been one day at a time for this Mom.
Signed,
Too young to be a Grandmom