We are off to California!!

[shesariver]

After many hours research and lots of help from fellow Mumsnetters on my previous thread now cant quite believe that we are all booked up (through Trailfinders) so thanks again!

Final Itinerary worked out - we fly out from Glasgow next August 31st and spend 2 nights in New York, and then fly onto California.

4 nights San Francisco, then pick up a car - 1 night Monterey - 1 night in Santa Barbara (at a lovely hotel right across from the beach) - 4 nights Los Angeles - and last but not least 4 nights in an ocean front room in a hotel on Laguna Beach!

Now we can start planning all we want to do!

thanks webwiz, are we too late for good deals do you think for flights? and do you use any particular websites or is it best to phone round old style.

sorry for so many questiosn so excited I haven't moved from the computer for days planning...

girls, dont forget to visit san diego, absolutely beautiful

OK will add it onto my list - at this rate i'll need a month!

Do you have any recommendations for accomodation in San Diego please?

We stayed here in San Diego March 2012:

www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g60750-d79868-Reviews-Bay_Club_Hotel_Marina-San_Diego_California.html

The rooms are clean and spacious, though decor is in need of an update. Parking is easy and free (a real hidden cost), and a big breakfast buffet is included in the price.

Definitely not a high end luxury place, but comfortable, well situated, and reasonably priced. We would definitely stay there again.

We only booked the flights a few days ago - I think DH found them through Opodo and then booked the same ones directly with the airline (you can't always check in online and choose seats if you book through a third party). Don't ask me who we are flying with as I wasn't listening the process was becoming very long, drawn out and painful.

We have stayed in a chain hotel in San Diego -
www.comfortinn.com/hotel-san_diego-california-CA462?source=gglocalai

We had a two bedroomed suite but I think its been remodelled since we went so I'm not sure if they are still available.

It was cheap and cheerful with a scrum at breakfast time for the enormous muffins. The location was good though, we had a week there and went to sea world and the zoo and wildlife park as well as eating out in the old town and in the gaslight district.

We've booked the best western yacht harbour. It's right across from the marina so looks gorgeous.

linky

I want to go NOW August is aaages away yet :(

Have you checked air new Zealand? Most of our friends who have visited us in LA this year have managed to travel with them from London for about £450 or less each

Oh thanks for the link to the best western I had just noted that down before looking back on here.

Not looked at New Zealand flights but off to do now...

Thank you everyone to say I'm a bit excited is an understatement really must get out of PJ's

Can I add Cheesecake Factory to list of restaurants to visit ... There is one in LA. It is heavenly!

Mmmmm Cheesecake Factory! It's practically a whole meal in cake form, the portion are so big.

Their food is as amazing! So so nice .... Has to be one of my all time fave places to eat! Joint with Longhorn Steakhouse and Outback.....

Breakfast are my favourite thing about America - Denny's, Waffle House, iHop, drool!

Their hash browns, eggs, bacon, syrup, sausage links..... What a way to start the day!

We are off to California in July. San Fran for 4 nights then onto los Angeles and San diego. This thread is making me so excited!

Seriously if you need any recs for food/bars/stuff to do I live in LA so pm me!

Cheesecake factory is good but there are some aaaaaaaaaaamazubg diners and, and you must eat Mexican and Japanese food while you're here, sushi here is incredible

ooh, poster AmericasTorturedBrow do you have any recommendations for a naice dinner? It's my 35th birthday the day after we land, so hopefully to go somewhere nice.

NOT japanese, dh doesn't like sushi, but maybe mexican, chinese or even something typically californian would be nice.

Chops - it sounds like you might be going to a lot of national parks on your trip. It might be worth getting an eagle pass which reduces the cost of getting into them.

Not sure if it has been mentioned already but the Getty is really worth a visit. Stunning views over LA. It's free to get in and $15 for parking. It was busy when we went, and there was a car booking system, but it seems from the website here that you don't need to prebook any more.

Six Flags Magic mountain is also fun, also north of LA

the getty looks lovely, and thanks for the eagle pass tip.

We're planning visiting the Canyon, a day thru death valley, a couple of days in Yosemite, and somewhere around san francisco for the redwood trees. would it be worth it?

Chops YES!! My favorite restaurant possibly in the world is Il Piccolino in WeHo, it's Italian but food is amazing and it's run by a guy who ran some if the top debaucheries clubs in Sunset in the 1950's and now the young clientele of that era visit Piccolino as the glamorous heyday types - but never any paparazzi. It's just lovely, you need to book!!

Will get thinking cap on for other nice suggestions though, I know you said no sushi but what about traditional Japanese? Where will you be staying and will you have a car?

YY to Getty, it's awesome

Rubes, we've done that in the us - smuggled extra children in via fire doors it might be worth calling them direct though and see what they say. I think half of it is the booking websites rather than the hotels.

That Italian sounds fab! Looked and the menu and I am drooling. Traditional Japanese would probably be good, though the dts have never tried it. They aren't fussy though, so would prob like it. I am very very tempted by that Italian, will show dh later and see what he thinks.

We're staying in Anaheim for the LA leg, but will have a car.