California Vacation, where to go Options

[TSHACK]

Beside the Yosemite park you can drive through it to the Tioga pass. Theres a lot to see & do in the high Sierras. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[StanIROCZ]

Why not go to Hawaii instead of CA... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/drink.gif) I had been to Hawaii many times. There have nice beaches and watch the NICE many asses and partying...

Yes, Hawaii is very nice, but our free airline tickets are for the cont. US only and we went to Hawaii for our honeymoon last summer. Thats how we got these free tickets actually. Due to some delays it was a 24 hour trip home (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

[StanIROCZ]

Well, we've pretty much decided to stay in one city and do day trips. Its easy to think, "yeah, we'll just drive across the state to see ____" but California is one big ass state. To put it in perspective you probably wouldn't spend half of a vacation in Virginia and the other half in Florida.

Mom has extra time share points so she's hooking us up. Unfortunately the timeshare doesn't have much in the San Fran area.

So given a choice for your first trip to Cali, what's your vote? Ballot is below:

Windsor (closest choice we have to San Francisco, but still an hour away)
Ventura
Anaheim (too close to Disney, so we'd probably not choose this)
Costa Mesa
Oceanside
San Diego
Palm Springs

Or we could also split time in 2 of those cities (except Windsor, we'd probably stay the whole time there).

It sounds like no matter where we go there will still be plenty of things to do.

This post has been edited by StanIROCZ: Mar 7 2009, 06:52 PM

[JKnight]

How long is the trip slated to be? I did a quick scan and didn't see that anywhere. I think that would have some bearing on any recommendation.

Jason

[CMC #37]

I'd pick Windsor, there are tons of fun things to do and see around Northern CA (national parks, museums, beautiful beaches and San Fran.) that won't break your wallet. San Diego there are also tons of fun things to do that will break your wallet, also consider if you are renting a car and staying in a hotel there rates are outrageous in San Diego - check those first.

[StanIROCZ]

How long is the trip slated to be? I did a quick scan and didn't see that anywhere. I think that would have some bearing on any recommendation.

Jason

We're thinking 7 nights.

[Rob Hood]

If you go to the Ventura area, you can swing by several automotive-related facilities - Kenny Dutweiler's place (actually in Saticoy, but it's close by); Wilwood (may or may not get a tour, we didn't); Magnusson Supercharger (got a tour, very cool); Ventura Raceway (AWESOME dirt track); I think I mentioned the Petersen Auto Museum before; it's really good too with all the historic vehicles there. They have parking which is a bonus in LA. If you get on Sunset Boulevard, you'll see many of the famous (infamous?) bars frequented by rock musicians and movie stars. It gets very freaky there at night, so be prepared to see any and everything.

Now, if your wife is not all that excited about those places, heading south from Ventura is the Reagan Museum, along with the Getty Museum (closer to LA); if you go north you can see Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Solvang. You can also take the 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) south to see Malibu and Santa Monica, and see how the "other side" lives...you can also drive Mulholland, which can still be fun. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Doug Phillips]

Head to Monterey, stay in Carmel and watch the Historic Races, I think in August. A complete blast!!

If you are in San Diego, book a day at Air Combat, real air to air combat with no previous experience required. The two of you could shot at each other.

[StanIROCZ]

We have reservations for San Diego and Oceanside. We're leaving next weekend. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)

thanks everyone

[ERVRCG]

I cannot believe no one mentioned Mulholland Dr. off the coast into town.

[CMC #37]

I cannot believe no one mentioned Mulholland Dr. off the coast into town.

Definitely one of my faves! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

[Rob Hood]

I cannot believe no one mentioned Mulholland Dr. off the coast into town.

See my previous post on this page.

[JKnight]

San Diego is nice. Some thoughts:

Stone Brewing Co. - http://www.stonebrew.com/index2.php

Shakespeare Pub - http://www.shakespearepub.com/

Miramar Speed - http://www.miramarspeedcircuit.com/

USS Midway - http://www.midway.org/visitors

Of course there is the SD Zoo and Seaworld.

Have fun.

Jason

[Gimp]

So glad I saw this thread. The girlfriend and I are going from June 18 to the 25th. Starting in San Francisco and driving to San Diego.

[StanIROCZ]

The wife and I are putting a list of things to do together, we'll see how many of these things we can hit. We're planning the zoo for sure. We'll try and hit the Stone Brewing co for a drink (and dinner if they serve it).

My uncle highly recommends a winery called Roblar in Santa Ynez, so we'll try and hit that.

No NASA races the weekend that we'll be there (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[JKnight]

My uncle highly recommends a winery called Roblar in Santa Ynez, so we'll try and hit that.

If you're going to Santa Ynez wineries I can recommend them based upon the type of wine you like, what you want to spend if buying, etc.... We've been to most of them over the years, and are members at 5 or 6. We're old skool Santa Ynez winos. ;-)

Jason

[StanIROCZ]

hehe, we usually only drink Charles Shaw since we can't tell the difference between a $3 bottle and a $12, or a $30 (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Merlot is probably our favorite, but in hot weather we prefer a white. I can't even think of what kind of white we like.

We'll just head up to Santa Ynez and waste time getting wasted (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/drink.gif)

[ERVRCG]

I cannot believe no one mentioned Mulholland Dr. off the coast into town.

See my previous post on this page.

Somehow I totally missed that.

[JKnight]

So, how was the vacation? We were at a couple of wineries on 06.15.09. Looking at your trip dates there was a -slight- possibility that our paths crossed. Regardless, I'm interested to hear how the trip was, what you ended up doing, see pics, etc....

Jason

[StanIROCZ]

So, how was the vacation? We were at a couple of wineries on 06.15.09. Looking at your trip dates there was a -slight- possibility that our paths crossed. Regardless, I'm interested to hear how the trip was, what you ended up doing, see pics, etc....

Jason

Jason, we were in Santa Ynez on Friday the 19th. I was looking for a blue BMW that day but didn't see one (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I have a big summary of the trip that I am putting together. Its just taking me a while to add in the pics.