We would love to visit California this February. We are from Canada and have not ever visited California. Please advise me on where you would stay and why. We love to lay on the beach/pool. We also like it on the quieter side if possible. We like to go out and tour the sites, but like to go back to our hotel and lay around the pool/beach and relax.Any advice?

February isn't a good month for sunbathing in California. About the warmest spot in February in California would be the Palm Springs area. And even there, the temps normally only get to a high of around 70-75 degrees. Hawaii or Florida would be better choices if you're set on February travel.

Feb is an OK month - but certainly not sunbathing/beach laying weather. San Diego is mild pretty much year round but it will be too cool for beach going except in warm jacket and long pants.

Palm Springs will be warmer but you would definitely need a heated pool.

The mountains are a no go unless you want to ski. And Northern CA will be cold and probably rainy (hopefully - because that is our wettest month and we need it)

I agree with all of the above. Generally, January is warmer than February. Even the desert (Palm Springs area) will be too cool for much sunbathing. It can really vary from year to year. I've gone to the beach and gotten sunburned in January (high 70's, mid 80's), but this is more of a fluke than the norm. Keli

Del Mar is in a special location and doesn't seem to get the rain in February even when the rest of Southern California is wet. It is a quiet resort town in February and you will probably have the beach to yourselves.

How about flying into San Diego, renting a car and heading north to Del Mar for a few days, then driving north to Los Angeles for some sightseeing. If the weather is bad, you can just drive up to L.A. a couple of days early.

You can't expect to sunbath in Del Mar during February. And yes, it even rains in San Diego, though not as much as Northern California. I'd suggest coming to California later in the season, or plan on flying to Hawaii.

Just wanted to say that what we consider too cold Canadians don't. I've seen them swimming in outdoor pools and the ocean in various parts of Florida and California during different seasons without a care. I was in Orlando in February a couple of years ago during a cold snap (40's & 50's) and the Canadians were having a grand old time in the unheated outdoor pool!

originally from canada but lived in san diego for 10 years. i agree that there were times that i'd lay out by the pool in january/february when no native would. you may get lovely weather for the pool area of a hotel but i wouldn't count on the beach. the breeze off the water keeps you pretty cold. but it can still be nice enough for walking along the boardwalk or going for a rollerblade. january & february are your greatest chances of rain. if you need to go in february, i'd head to san diego and see how the weather is. considering how nuts the weather is world wide, it's almost anyone's guess. however, i'd keep my options open (i.e. don't commmit to a hotel your whole time) and consider spending a few days in palm springs if the temps in san diego are cool. all the hotels there will have heated pools and 70-75 for us canadians is just fine in the middle of winter. the ocean temp in san diego will be cold.
if that's the only time you can get away go for it.

Thanks so much for all your comments! Being we are from central Canada, where in February it is very cold (-30 Celcius), I am thinking that anywhere in California would be warmer!!(hahaha) But, really, thanks for the info. I will keep reading if anyone else wants to share opinions. Thanks!!!!

I vote for Hawaii or Cancun.