California

[RedHotDobe]

As a Christmas/Hanukkah gift from Adam's parents, we'll be visiting California mid-January. Since he sucks at the whole planning thing, he's making me come up with a list of things to do.

Sooo... Where should we go and what should we see?

We're limited to staying in San Francisco and/or LA. I think he wants to split our time between the two.

 

[Renee750il]

San Francisco.

Everything that is non-tourist related

 

[CaliTerp07]

I think, for people who aren't from California, the size of the state is difficult to understand. How long are you going for? If it's only a week, I wouldn't do both. I'd pick either Northern or Southern California, and base everything around that. You'll spend a very boring 6-8 hour drive, or a very long (but pretty) 10-12 hour drive getting from one city to the other. That's 2 days of your trip right there (assuming round trip), leaving only 2-3 days in either city.

In January, I'd vote for LA...SF is COLD. Even in August, it's sweatshirt weather there daily. If you don't mind the cold, there's some fun things up north, for sure--but be prepared to dress very warmly.

What sort of things do you want to do? State parks? hiking? Beaches? Shopping? Touristy things like Alcatraz? Museums? Theme parks?

I find LA a very difficult city to play tourist in, because there aren't good public transportation options, and everything is really spread out. If you know what you want to do, you can sort out an itinerary, but it's not a "wander around and find something to do" city.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

LA and San Fran are a good amount of time apart, like 6.5 hours. Just a heads up... but both are amazing to visit!

 

[RedHotDobe]

Yeah, I know they're not right next to each other. Lol. Adam wanted to fly into San Francisco, spend a few days there, then drive down Route 1 to LA. Originally the plan was to spend 10 days out there. I'll have to ask and see if we're sticking with that or just doing 7 days. If we drive from San Fran to LA, it wouldn't be round trip. We'd fly into SF and then out of LA.

It looks like our hotel options are in San Francisco, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and San Diego.

His parents are out there all the time, but I don't really think we're interested in seeing the same things they are. I've only been out there once, and I stayed in LA. I want to see Disneyland, Legoland would be awesome, the San Diego Zoo would also be awesome... Beaches and shopping are good, too. I think Adam would have little interest in things like state parks and hiking.

I think we need to figure out what we want to see in each city, and see if it's really worth splitting time between the two. I think the main reason he wants to spend time in SF is because we have friends at 034 Motorsport, which is in Fremont.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Sounds like everything you want to see is in LA or San Diego. I think SD is the best place to visit if you're seeing California for the first time. Plus, the drive from LA to SD is much more reasonable (although Route 1 is very pretty along the coast, especially if you set aside time to stop and enjoy the small towns.)

If you go the route 1 trip, I'd highly recommend stopping to see the elephant seals somewhere (there are lots of places--we usually go to a beach outside San Simeon/Cambria and have toured Hearst Castle at the same time). January is the middle of mating season for these critters, so they're all up on the beach and it's pretty neat.

 

[eddieq]

Between the two, I prefer San Francisco. There is lots of "touristy" stuff to do but there is also lots to do otherwise just by being in the city. I end up there every couple of years on business and I always look forward to it.

If you go, visit Scoma's. They are on the Wharf. Seafood place. One of my favorite restaurants in the country.

 

[RedHotDobe]

Sounds like everything you want to see is in LA or San Diego. I think SD is the best place to visit if you're seeing California for the first time. Plus, the drive from LA to SD is much more reasonable (although Route 1 is very pretty along the coast, especially if you set aside time to stop and enjoy the small towns.)

If you go the route 1 trip, I'd highly recommend stopping to see the elephant seals somewhere (there are lots of places--we usually go to a beach outside San Simeon/Cambria and have toured Hearst Castle at the same time). January is the middle of mating season for these critters, so they're all up on the beach and it's pretty neat.

Those are my thoughts exactly. I need to see what in San Francisco interests him, other than being close to Fremont. I would love love love to visit 034 Motorsport, but if that would be our only reason for staying in SF, it seems kind of silly to stay up north rather than down near LA.

Last time I was there we went to Disneyland, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica Pier... And probably a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting. I was sick the entire time, which made for a less than pleasant trip.

If you go, visit Scoma's. They are on the Wharf. Seafood place. One of my favorite restaurants in the country.

Will do. I love seafood.

 

[Gempress]

I vote San Fran. I think LA is only so-so. It never impressed me, but then again, I'm not much for amusement parks.

San Fran itself (unlike L.A.) is beautiful and very distinct. It's actually a fairly small city. You can see quite a lot just on foot. Walk the Golden Gate bridge. Visit Chinatown, my favorite place to glut. Alcatraz makes for a neat visit...they occasionally offer night tours, which I highly recommend. Sausalito is a little community across the bay that is great to visit, and there's a regular ferry.

While you're in the area, take scenic Highway 1 down to Monterrey. Monterrey is one of my favorite places to spend the day. It's beautiful, both the drive and the city itself. The aquarium there is one of the best in the country and is not to be missed.

 

[eddieq]

San Fran itself (unlike L.A.) is beautiful and very distinct. It's actually a fairly small city. You can see quite a lot just on foot. Walk the Golden Gate bridge. Visit Chinatown, my favorite place to glut. Alcatraz makes for a neat visit...they occasionally offer night tours, which I highly recommend. Sausalito is a little community across the bay that is great to visit, and there's a regular ferry.

If you have a car while there, drive across the Golden Gate and up into the mountains. There is a scenic lookout spot where you can look straight out across the golden gate, through the towers and onto the city. It's breath taking.

 

[SailenAero]

i lived in LA for a few years. Some of my suggestions for the LA area are:
The Getty Center
Hamburger Mary's
Venice Beach
Amoeba Music
Pink's Hot Dogs
The Viper Room
Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater
Bar Marmont
Disneyland
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
The Edison Downtown
Knotts Berry Farm (which is an awesome theme park)
Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles

ahh I could go on forever ... can I come too?! ;p

 

[misfitz]

As a resident of LA, I'll tell you to go to San Francisco. There's not much to do here as a tourist, really. I never know where to take visiting family here. Hollywood is overrated. Disneyland, if you're into that. San Francisco is much cooler (I grew up near there, so I'm a little biased.) Basically what gempress said! SF is a LOT prettier. I love Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, boat rides on the bay, the Ghiradelli chocolate factory (yum!), Chinatown, and just walking around the city is nice.

In January, I'd vote for LA...SF is COLD. Even in August, it's sweatshirt weather there daily.

Actually San Fran usually has nicer weather in the winter than in the summer...less fog. Probably warmer in LA though.

It looks like our hotel options are in San Francisco, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and San Diego.

I live in Santa Monica, so I'm biased again, LOL. It's nice by the Promenade and the Pier...there's outdoor ice skating through the end of January which is kinda fun. West Hollywood is nice, too, plenty to walk to, super dog friendly and better for bars/clubs than Santa Monica. Marina del Rey is neat, small though, but you can take a water taxi around. I think they also have boats to Catalina Island, which is supposed to be pretty. Venice Beach is...interesting.

I'd recommend San Diego over LA though. There's the zoo, Sea World, the gaslight district, and it's a prettier town, and the beaches are nicer.

Plus, the drive from LA to SD is much more reasonable

Actually, that's a good point! Or from LA to Santa Barbara.

I second SailinAero's recs for: The Getty, Amoeba and Roscoes! We now also have a Chick Fil A which is apparently a huge deal.

Sorry this post is so wandering, I was trying to respond to a lot of thoughts...

 

[CaliTerp07]

Actually, that's a good point! Or from LA to Santa Barbara.

I'm quite biased to Santa Barbara, having grown up there and my whole extended family still living there If you're looking for wineries, spending a day in SB and trekking over the mountains to Santa Ynez would be fun. You can also do a whale watching trip, go kayaking, walk the outdoor mall, etc. It's really a 2-day town though. You'd definitely want to combine it with LA/SD.

 

[RedHotDobe]

I vote San Fran. I think LA is only so-so. It never impressed me, but then again, I'm not much for amusement parks.

San Fran itself (unlike L.A.) is beautiful and very distinct. It's actually a fairly small city. You can see quite a lot just on foot. Walk the Golden Gate bridge. Visit Chinatown, my favorite place to glut. Alcatraz makes for a neat visit...they occasionally offer night tours, which I highly recommend. Sausalito is a little community across the bay that is great to visit, and there's a regular ferry.

While you're in the area, take scenic Highway 1 down to Monterrey. Monterrey is one of my favorite places to spend the day. It's beautiful, both the drive and the city itself. The aquarium there is one of the best in the country and is not to be missed.

In the flurry of trying to plan, I completely forgot about Monterey! I've wanted to visit there for quite some time. And I LOVE aquariums. Another vote for San Fran! Lol.

If you have a car while there, drive across the Golden Gate and up into the mountains. There is a scenic lookout spot where you can look straight out across the golden gate, through the towers and onto the city. It's breath taking.

We will be renting a car, and I will most definitely be doing that. Thanks.

ahh I could go on forever ... can I come too?! ;p

THANK YOU for all the links, and yes you can!

As a resident of LA, I'll tell you to go to San Francisco. There's not much to do here as a tourist, really. I never know where to take visiting family here. Hollywood is overrated. Disneyland, if you're into that. San Francisco is much cooler (I grew up near there, so I'm a little biased.) Basically what gempress said! SF is a LOT prettier. I love Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, boat rides on the bay, the Ghiradelli chocolate factory (yum!), Chinatown, and just walking around the city is nice.

Actually San Fran usually has nicer weather in the winter than in the summer...less fog. Probably warmer in LA though.

I live in Santa Monica, so I'm biased again, LOL. It's nice by the Promenade and the Pier...there's outdoor ice skating through the end of January which is kinda fun. West Hollywood is nice, too, plenty to walk to, super dog friendly and better for bars/clubs than Santa Monica. Marina del Rey is neat, small though, but you can take a water taxi around. I think they also have boats to Catalina Island, which is supposed to be pretty. Venice Beach is...interesting.

I'd recommend San Diego over LA though. There's the zoo, Sea World, the gaslight district, and it's a prettier town, and the beaches are nicer.

Actually, that's a good point! Or from LA to Santa Barbara.

I second SailinAero's recs for: The Getty, Amoeba and Roscoes! We now also have a Chick Fil A which is apparently a huge deal.

Sorry this post is so wandering, I was trying to respond to a lot of thoughts...

Okay, so maybe splitting time between San Francisco and San Diego would be better, if we do decide to stay in more than one city. You guys are selling me more on SF at this point. The main reason I'd like to visit LA is to make a trip to Disneyland. I've been there once, and was literally too sick to do much more than sit.

Oh, and we already have plenty of Chick-fil-As here.

I'm quite biased to Santa Barbara, having grown up there and my whole extended family still living there If you're looking for wineries, spending a day in SB and trekking over the mountains to Santa Ynez would be fun. You can also do a whale watching trip, go kayaking, walk the outdoor mall, etc. It's really a 2-day town though. You'd definitely want to combine it with LA/SD.

How far is Santa Barbara? Close to the hotel locations I listed? I only have a select list of hotels I can stay at. I'll also have to put winery on our list of things to do. Thanks.

 

[milos_mommy]

I'm really hoping I'll be in California in January...trying to make the funds work out. We'd be going to LA, and possibly driving up to San Francisco OR Yosemite, but I'm not too sure. Either way, I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

 

[CaliTerp07]

How far is Santa Barbara? Close to the hotel locations I listed? I only have a select list of hotels I can stay at. I'll also have to put winery on our list of things to do. Thanks.

Santa Barbara is about 100 miles from LA, 375 from SF. It's on the coast, so if you take the 5 from SF down south, you'll miss it entirely (the 5 goes inland). I wouldn't base your whole trip around it. There are wineries and beaches elsewhere

 

[Renee750il]

If you're looking for wineries, take a day from San Francisco, drive up to Napa and spend the day there

 

[misfitz]

If you stay in LA, Santa Barbara is about a 2 hour drive north. It's neat but there isn't much to do there besides wineries. It's nice for a weekend kind of trip though - drive up, spend the night and drive back to LA.

 

[Kristen1980]

I don't know why people suggest Venice and Santa Monica beach, they are so ugly and the water is disgusting and brown lol. If you want a pretty beach with clear water and not a lot of people visit Laguna. There are shops everywhere and its not as crowded as Huntington, Venice and Santa Monica!

 

[iwantmypup]

I've lived in both places for a while...San Francisco is way awesomer.