We plan on visiting California next fall. We are coming from the East Coast and it will be our first visit. We have researched the whole state and just can't make up our minds about which part of the state to visit. We are leaning towards Coranado as our base with visits to San Diego. We've also looked at Monteray, Carmel, Los Angeles, and SF and Napa. We would like to get the true California experience and I was hoping that those familiar with the state could give us some advice. We are interested in doing the typical tourist things and would like to spend some time at the beach, which is why we narrowed it down to Coranado and San Diego. Is it crazy to come that far and limit ourselves to one area or do we really need to rent a car and get out and explore? Thanks!!

Need more info, please. 1) who is "we"? kids, spouse, eldery, etc. 2) how much time do you have--a week, 4 days, 2 weeks, etc. 3) your interests--theme parks, museums, etc. I'm partial to the Monterrey Peninsula--the most stunning scenery IMO. I think that combined with San Francisco, Napa areas would be a nice trip. To do Monterrey area plus San Diego would need about 7-10 days to do well and unless you're willing to fly in and out of different cities, the return backtracking would be a drag.

The "we" is my husband and I. We have about 8 days to vacation and are looking to relax without a jam packed schedule or lots of driving. Although we will not be doing any this trip, my husband is a huge hiker and camper so we would love to see some beautiful scenery. We are not interested in theme parks or tourist packed venues. We picked Coranado because it seems like there is a lot to do without needing a car. Lots of shopping, bike riding, beaches and parks, and easy access to San Diego because we would be interested in going to the zoo. We are looking for a relaxing, unhurried beautiful spot. We're just not sure if Coranado is the spot for us.

San Diego can be busy in the early fall with lots of vacationers.

If you want to see beautiful scenery and relax with a book on a beach, forget San Diego. Go for the Central Coast.

With 8 days, I would suggest narrowing it down to either the North or South. If South, spend a few days in LA and then go to Santa Barbara for a couple of days and visit some wineries/lay on the beach. If North, go to SF and see the city, then head to Napa or Monterey for a few days.

I do not think you will get the California experience by spending 8 days in San Diego. You have to drive.

If you only have 8 days and want to get a good "taste" of California, I would fly into San Francisco, stay 2-3 days, drive down the Pacific Coast highway to LA and spend the next 2-3 days there. Or something like that. The drive will give you that look at Big Sur and orange groves and the Pacific Ocean, ending up in LA which could be boring after a while, so a couple of days might be enough.

San Diego has all you want and more. You will need a car, though. There are beautiful, quiet beaches to sit on and read, or walk along for miles if the mood takes you. There is a lot to explore around San Diego. If as you say, you don't want to spend all day driving and moving from one hotel to another, then come to San Diego and relax.

There is no one, true California experience. The northern part of the State is quite different to the south.

I agree with Barbara that San Diego has what you are looking for. There is so much in California that you will never see it all anyway, so you've got to pick and choose. Remember, you can always come back

I would definitely get a car though so you can explore the area. San Diego is pretty easy to navigate. There are some great beaches and sights that you can't easily get to with public transportation. One that comes immediately to mind is Point Loma. On our first trip to SD, this was definitely a highlight. There is a neat old lighthouse there and some terrific views of San Diego. Also, the tide pools down at the waterline are really great. The mission is also something I think is definitely worth a visit. You will need a car for that. And with 8 days, you can see a lot of the "lesser" sites that most people don't get to on a 3-4 day visit.

I think that Coronado is a perfect base. It's just a really nice and relaxing area. If it's in your budget, stay at the Hotel Del Coronado. It's great. If not, then definitely plan to spend some time there. The location is terrific.

I took my first trip to California from the East Coast last April. We drove from San Diego, to LA, up the coastal drive, San Fran, and a Sonoma day trip.

I absolutely loved San Diego, and there is certainly lots to do and choose from: Balboa Park museums, fantastic shopping, beaching, Mission, etc. It is a beautiful, clean, and wonderful city, and an amazing "desert" by the ocean.

However, if I knew I could only go back once more, I would choose to split my time between Santa Barbara (a beautiful Mission and Old Town Hall; nice outdoor shopping plaza) and the Monterey/Carmel area (Pier, Aquarium, Scenic Drive), and do the Highway One drive again. It was just such incredible scenery, and had the California "vibe" I'd always imagined. I also loved Sonoma, and found many of the vineyards very interesting.

But if you are a younger couple who wants lots of beach time, and really don't want to deal with driving, you may want to stick with your original impulse. But you'll just have to plan to return to the San Fran area another time, and include side trips to Monterey and Wine Country!

Good luck with your decision. Have a great trip!

As much as I prefer San Francisco, it sounds like you're looking for San Diego. I'm not sure I'd stay on Coronado if I were you since it will require driving over the bridge everytime you want to see all of the things San Diego has to offer. Maybe somewhere in Mission Bay? You will want a car, wherever you stay.

We do have beaches in No. Calif. but they are usually a bit chilly!

Please don't leave our gorgeous state without spending some time in the Carmel/PG/Monterey/Big Sur area. It is truly beautiful! Visit the aquarium in Monterey, walk the paths along the ocean in PG, shop in the quaint town of Carmel and try to have at least one meal at the Sierra Mar restaurant in Big Sur.

A visit to Disneyland is also a CA must and I do hope you get to tour the Napa Valley/Sonoma wine country. Of course, Cambria is also a beautiful place to spend some time. And what about Yosemite? With a dinner at our five-star restaurant, Erna's Elderbery House.

CA has so much to offer. Then again, there's Lake Tahoe!! Good Luck! ***kim***

There is a passenger ferry that runs between Coronado Island & the Embarcado in San Diego. You don't need to transit the bridge. San Diego is loaded with stuff to see such as Balboa Park, the adjacent San Diego Zoo, San Diego Mission, Gas Lamp Quarter, Coronado Nat'l Monument on Point Loma etc. I don't know if the new ball park is completed downtown or if Old Town has been taken over by the new contractor but they are possible places to see. Further from San Diego is the Wild Animal Park in Escondido or the unique little town of Julian.

I don't know about everybody else, but I absolutely love driving over the bridge between San Diego and Coronado. The views from the bridge are great and there isn't a toll anymore.

And what about the trolley? Is that just for tours, or do they offer public transit, as well?

Two different trolleys, the Old Town Troley Tours offer tours and the San Diego Trolley is public transportation.

The San Diego Padres played their whole season this year in the new Ballpark, Petco Park.

The concession at Old Town is still tied up in court, so nothing has changed.

JCorrea, I also love to drive over the bridge. I remember when the Republican Convention was here, thousands of people were crossing the bridge to find viewing spots for the firework display at the end of the convention. We had gone to Puerto Nuevo for the day and came back later than planned, so we got stuck in traffic right in the middle of the bridge. We watched the entire fireworks display from there. As they were on barges in the middle of the Bay, it was the perfect place!

Julian is a lovely place to visit, especially if you like apple pie. You would need a car for that, but it would be a lovely drive and you could see all the different climate Zones in San Diego County in one day-coast, inland, mountain and desert.