Any California aficionados?

[Scarydinosaurs]

Hello!

After years of listening to songs about California, reading books set there, and watching re-runs of Veronica Mars, I am finally going to visit!

Looking at California for either next summer or October. Ideally we'd love to spend some time in LA (and do Disney for one day) and then San Fransico.

Any reccomendations for a beach house near San Fransisco? Is it ok to drive between the two, or is a flight better?

Flight-wise, is there a better airport to fly into, or is it much of a muchness?

Thank you! All wisdom gratefully received!

Alcatraz was booked up a month in advance when we went, so if you want to see it, make sure you check tickets early.

I would second whale watching in Monteray, they have an underwater canyon that is twice as big as the grand canyon that whales come to feed in.

We drove from San Francisco to Los Angeles and stopped overnight in a small place called Cambria. We were right next to the beach and went to sleep and woke up to the sound of the waves lapping. We drove past a beach full of elephant seals in San Simeon, which was quite a sight. I would definitely recommend driving down/up the coast (we went down so we were on the coast side of the road), it was a real highlight of our trip.

We did a very similar holiday. The weather in California can be mixed - dress as if for an English summer except when you are at the parks (when inland it can be very hot!)

Second the recommendations for San Simeon (elephant seals) and Santa Barbara - really nice place - not a lot to see and do but just a nice place to be. Monterey was to be the highlight of our trip - we stayed for 3 days - but the whale watching at Moss Landing was a bit disappointing after watching BBC Big Blue! We did see a few whales but we saw more from the coast at Point Lobos. We also preferred Carmel to Monterey - the beaches were nicer there. And don't go onto Monastery Beach which must be one of the spookiest beaches ever as well as very dangerous. Julia Pfeiffer state park is also good for photo stops

We spent 2 and half weeks in California this summer (before travelling further East). Yosemite was our favourite part, San Francisco is a great city but I was less keen on LA (we stayed in Santa Monica). Pismo, Monterey and Oceanside were all lovely coastal towns. The Joshua Tree NP was well worth the visit too. Enjoy!

Definitely seconding the Getty, we spent a lovely few hours there a few weeks ago. We were based in Santa Monica, and also ended up taking our DD to Kidspace in Pasadena which I'd definitely recommend. We also had lunch and did some shopping in Pasadena which was a bit more relaxed than the shops in Santa Monica (we were there over Labour day weekend so it was quite busy).

We drove up the coast, can recommend Monterey for a stop, we did two days there (aquarium is great if you have kids with you).

I wasn't too keen on San Franscico, but really enjoyed Alcatraz and would definitely recommend booking in advance, it's worth doing.

I've been to LA and SF many times and Done the PCH quite a few.
There's a town called San Luis Obispo which was once voted Americas Happiest Town. There's a hotel called The Apple Farm and it's so worth a stop. You can book a room with its own back yard with a hot tub in. They serve Apple cider and freshly baked cookies in an evening. They have a restaurant, shop, swimming pool etc.
If you arrive mid afternoon get together where they serve wine and soft drinks and little delicacies. We've met people from all over the USA at these little get togethers.
We've booked for next September, flying into LA and back from SF.
SF is my happy place! X

Yes to Pasadena and Glendale (in LA). Not too far from everything and very nice/safe. Also a fan of SanFran and even north of San Fran (where it gets much hotter). Enjoy planning your trip.

Too jealous! Definitely take the PCH between SF and LA. Loved Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, Cambria, St Simeon and the elephant seal, also Hurst Castle. Thought Monterey was disappointing. Hire bikes in SF to cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and come back on the ferry. Do book ahead for Alcatraz. Also loved Yosemite, JoshuaTree and the cable car from Palm Springs to Mount Jacinto. We stayed with friends in LA otherwise I'd stay in Santa Monica - use a Sat Nav and you can't go wrong.

California Native here. Glad you all like my state! I agree, it's a wonderful place, I wouldn't want to live in any other state. You've received a lot of wonderful ideas.

Just a note regarding Disney in October. There is a separate ticket event (Mickey's Halloween Party) during Sept and October which means that Disneyland closes early 2 to 3 days per week, usually 5 or 6 o'clock, and unless you have a party ticket, you will have to leave the park. Tickets for the party range from $79-99 USD depending on when you purchase them and the tickets grant admission starting usually around 4 pm. If you want to be in the parks all day you must purchase regular admission in addition to party tickets. California Adventure is not impacted by the party, other than to increase the nighttime crowds.

I'll also add that both Santa Ana and Anaheim have some pretty sketchy residential areas, so if you decide to rent a house there, please be aware of that. I'd strongly suggest staying onsite at Disneyland, it's worth every penny. The Grand is my favourite, but all three hotels are nice.

I agree to staying on site for Disney is worth it but we also have stayed in a hotel outside of Disney and it's pnly a very short walk across the road, a place called Hotel Montage. This place was okay to stay in, but very safe and easy access to the park early everyday and close enough to pop back after lunch for a break before heading back for a night session if they have it. Definitely worth staying close by to do this.

Lots of great ideas on this thread, surprised noone has mentioned Death Valley. We did LA to LA via San Fran, Yosemite, Death Valley and Vegas (plus stops on PCH, in Arizona and down to San Diego) and whilst it was all amazing, Death Valley stood out as our favourite, for its sheer other-worldliness. Highly recommend a visit if time allows.

Otherwise as others have said PCH/Big Sur drive is fab. I'd concur with driving south to north, being on the edge as the passenger when driver is on the 'wrong' side (so tends to position badly) is utterly terrifying if you are cliff side and it's not like you can't see the view from a couple of metres in! Yosemite has the same issue driving up to some of the viewpoints.

Enjoy, I really hope to go back someday.

Personally I found LA kind of a hole. Was good to see Hollywood Blvd, etc, but not worth hanging around there.

Agree with those suggesting Monterey & surrounding area, without doubt the most beautiful place I've ever been.

Also adore San Fran, it's such a clean, cool city. But v windy when I was there!

I actually thought HOllywood Boulevard was the most disappointing bit of LA! Loved Santa Monica, Griffith Park and the Observatory, Beverley Hills was a hoot, also enjoyed seeing the Getty villa - you just need to be aware everything is very sprawling, there is no centre as such and you need a car to get everywhere as public transport is sketchy and walking is considered weird. Walking a shortish distance from my friend's house in the Hollywood hills to Griffith Park a passing policeman stopped to ask if we were OK - he thought we must have broken down or had our car stolen as we were on foot!

We did S to N a couple of christmases ago. Stayed for 3 nights in Santa Monica then took a couple of nights to drive to SF. Went via Monterey (disappointing), and Big Sur area - really stunning. We also spent a night in San Luis Obispo and really enjoyed it! Had a very drunken outdoor dinner (Fabulous whisky cocktails) and it just generally had a nice vibe. We then drove up to Napa Valley and spent NYE and 1st Jan at a vineyard up there - not much to see in terms of vines and wine production at that time but it was still beautiful. We swam outdoors on the 1st Jan which was nice :)

Drove to SF after that.

We found that it took much longer than expected to clear immigration when we flew into LA (near on 2 hours?) and security took nearly as long when leaving from SF. Not sure whether it was busier as Christmas period though.

Driving in SF was fine to be honest.

Enjoy your trip planning!

Hey now! LA is my old hometown and it's not a 'hole'. Just as with any major city there are great parts, good parts, not so good parts, and shit holes.

LA has great ethnic neighbourhoods with wonderful food, beautiful architectural areas, as well as fantastic shopping (mainstream and eclectic). You just have to know where to go. I'm sure the same can be said for Paris, Rome, and, yes, even London.

Hello - longtime LA lover and visitor here (and hopefully some day resident). I would suggest 2 days for Disney - they have two parks and although they're not huge (nowhere near as big as Florida) it would still be a rush to do it all in one day if you've not been before.

Also, Radiator Springs Racers as the most popular (and best) ride ever and often has 2+hour queues. To try and avoid this head to the California Adventure park first thing in the morning to grab Fast Passes (they're located by the Bug's Life area).

Have fun!

Thanks Dixie!

Mulholland is a beautiful drive. Defo no fast driving as it's also home to the infamous 'Dead Man's Curve' made famous by the Jan & Dean song.

One of my favourite 'cruises' was driving around the Los Feliz area. Beautiful Art Deco and Spanish style homes built in the first few decades of the 20th century, many by early film stars and studio bosses.

Yeah, Hollywood. What can one say? Once you do the 'tourist area' there isn't much there. I do love the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, though. Lots of interesting monuments and Old Hollywood history. And a great view of the Hollywood sign!

We ( dh and ds 20 and dd 18) have just got back from our dream holiday
It was Las Vegas 2nights
Flagstaff 2 nights
Gran Canyon north rim 1 night
Las vegas 1 night
Bishop 1 night
Yosemite 3 nights
San Francisco 4 nights
Monterey 1 night
Santa Barbara 1 night
LA 2 nights
San Diego 3 nights
Flew home from san diego.
Las Vegas only really got a day there but saw Ceasers Palace, Bellagiobreakfast at the Harley Davison diner and evening went to see Blue man Group. Drove via Hoover Dam to Flagstaff
Flagstaff is a lovely little town,stayed at the Courtyard which was a nice hotel. We did the Grand Canyon trip which was plane,antelope canyon and rafting on the Colorado. It was an amazing day. Then drove to north rim where we stayed in wooden lodges for the night which are right on the rim. Absolutely amazing views. Went back to Vegas via Death Valley ( i think) . Then to Bishop were we visited a charming railway museum,stayed a lot longer than expeted then off to Yosemite

In Yosemite we had an airbnb in Wanona which was a bit of a drive to the centre but not too far and coul happily of stayed another night. It is stunningly beautiful but end of season in august/september so waterfalls had dried up. We did a morning photography walking tour which was really interesting. Booked that at last minute at the Ansrll Adams centre.
San Francisco we stayed at the Handlery,which is a nice hotel and very central. Bought hop on hop off tickets and also spent a day walking. Did a behind the scenes tour of Alcatraz which was brilliant,tickets sell out early for Alcatraz so you need to buy online before you go. Als went to the Walt Disney family Museum which is more of an adult museum but very interesting.
Drive to monterey wasnt bad and found an interesting lighthouse to stop off and look around.
Monterey was okay but didnt get to see much.
The next day drive to Santa Barbara was very long and if we did it again would stop off over night in the middle. The state parks were all closed because of the fires, although worth seeing the elephant seals on the beach.
Loved Santa Barbara, went to the couthouse and the pier. The sealions were pinching fish off the fishermans lines
LA we stayed in Majestic Garden which i think used to be the Sheraton. Very nice hotel next to Disney. Fantastic view of the fireworks each night.However it was wrong side of LA for Warner brothers and Universal. After Warner bros we did the tourist bits ie chinese thestre and then went up to the Observatory for sunset which was lovely. However it was over an hour to hour and half each way each day.
We drove from Universal to San Diego. San diego is very pleasant and we spent the last day at the zoo.
We did 2500 miles in total, brilliant holiday and we cant wait to go back and do parts of it again.