California Trip Suggestions?

[BrianLo]

Hello Disneylanders...

Help me plan a trip!

I currently need ideas of what to do with 2x3 day chunks that I have for August 2019.

From an itinerary perspective I have three days/nights to spend ‘somewhere’ before doing a Yosemite High Sierra multi-day hike. Then I have another four days/three nights to spend ‘somewhere else’ before doing 5 nights in Anaheim for DLR and D23.

I mean I’m technically content just doing San Fran/area and LA again as bridges, but I feel like there is something more out there to do! I’ll probably fly into San Fran and Out of LA depending on pricing.

Tell me what I’ve been missing. Active, semi active, driving, scenery. Food. Whatever. Probably don’t need another theme park, but I’m convincable I suppose.

 

[mickEblu]

Sounds like a great trip! What kind of food do you like? Maybe I can recommend a few restaurants. Have you done the PCH drive before? It’s supposed to be one of the most scenic drives in America. You could go down from San Fran to Big Sur and pretty much get the highlights. I’ve never done the drive but did a lot of research before having cold feet on doing it with my toddler. You could easily do that in 3 days. Maybe spending 2 nights in Carmel and then the third night somewhere on the way to or near Yosemite. Have you been to San Francisco before? If not, you should do at least one night there.

For the 4 “before LA” days, I’m thinking you could do a couple days in Santa Barbara with a day trip to Solvang and then do a couple days split in the LA area. Maybe Santa Monica, Pasadena, Hollywood or Downtown LA depending what your priorities are. Or 2 LA Days and 2 San Diego/ La Jolla days.

I know you are well traveled so Let me know if you have visited any of these places before or if any interest you and I’ll send you more detailed info.

What do you like to do on trips? It sounds like you re willing to get active. Do you like sight seeing? How important is good food?

 

[BrianLo]

Sounds like a great trip! What kind of food do you like? Maybe I can recommend a few restaurants. Have you done the PCH drive before? It’s supposed to be one of the most scenic drives in America. You could go down from San Fran to Big Sur and pretty much get the highlights. I’ve never done the drive but did a lot of research before having cold feet on doing it with my toddler. You could easily do that in 3 days. Maybe spending 2 nights in Carmel and then the third night somewhere on the way to or near Yosemite. Have you been to San Francisco before? If not, you should do at least one night there.

For the 4 “before LA” days, I’m thinking you could do a couple days in Santa Barbara with a day trip to Solvang and then do a couple days split in the LA area. Maybe Santa Monica, Pasadena, Hollywood or Downtown LA depending what your priorities are. Or 2 LA Days and 2 San Diego/ La Jolla days.

I know you are well traveled so Let me know if you have visited any of these places before or if any interest you and I’ll send you more detailed info.

What do you like to do on trips? It sounds like you re willing to get active. Do you like sight seeing? How important is good food?

Thanks! Already some good alternative ideas.

I have done a dedicated San Fran trip before (just for like a 4-5 day long weekend type thing). I also did the PCH in 2016 (which was actually the last time I was out to DLR).

My last major LA proper foray was 2012 so it’s been a while.

Have never done Santa Barbara/San Diego/La Jolla / Solvang, so definitely into more info than knowing San Diego has a zoo and Seaworld...

Favourite travel days are some sort of transit loop/hike/bike ride loop. I.e. I really liked biking downtown San Fran over the Golden Gate to Sausalito and taking the ferry back. Doesn’t need to be intense road biking persay. Or travel loops being some strange combo of train/funicular/gondola/hike/ferry in a loop with sites along the way. Or even biking around wineries.

I do enjoy sight seeing. I like all the food (Canada is so ethnic so really nothing is off putting for me). Probably wouldn’t spring for fine dining anywhere, but fun holes in the wall I’m into.

 

[Darkbeer1]

San Diego is a very diverse area, from Scenic Parks to Gambling Halls (Casino's), from mild weather in the city, to the most varied in the County.

It is also the city I called home for over my first 40+ years, and know it well.

Here is a good place to start....

https://www.sandiego.org/

 

[mickEblu]

Thanks! Already some good alternative ideas.

I have done a dedicated San Fran trip before (just for like a 4-5 day long weekend type thing). I also did the PCH in 2016 (which was actually the last time I was out to DLR).

My last major LA proper foray was 2012 so it’s been a while.

Have never done Santa Barbara/San Diego/La Jolla / Solvang, so definitely into more info than knowing San Diego has a zoo and Seaworld...

Favourite travel days are some sort of transit loop/hike/bike ride loop. I.e. I really liked biking downtown San Fran over the Golden Gate to Sausalito and taking the ferry back. Doesn’t need to be intense road biking persay. Or travel loops being some strange combo of train/funicular/gondola/hike/ferry in a loop with sites along the way. Or even biking around wineries.

I do enjoy sight seeing. I like all the food (Canada is so ethnic so really nothing is off putting for me). Probably wouldn’t spring for fine dining anywhere, but fun holes in the wall I’m into.

Ok cool. I will marinate on this and get back to you.

 

[Californian Elitist]

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-official-explore-southern-california-thread.872243/

 

[Phroobar]

Do San Diego. Go wander around old town. Go see the Whaley house. Go to Balboa park and see the museums and zoo/wild animal park. Go to LA and visit LACMA and the Getty. Visit the Warner Brothers studios. See Chinatown, Dodger Stadium. Do the touristy Hollywood stuff. Go to Griffith Park and see the trains and the observatory. Spend some time hanging out in Santa Barbara. Go to the mountains and the beach on the same day. The things to do around here are countless and many are free. Heck, if you want to feel adventurous go to Tijuana. (maybe not)

 

[Daannzzz]

Lake Tahoe and Virginia City

 

[BubbaQuest]

PCH from SF would be my first choice, but since you already did that... You could try Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and/or Reno while you are in the Yosemite area. Sacramento has a great train museum if you are into that and the drive to Tahoe is beautiful. Also great biking in the Tahoe area.

The drive from Santa Monica, Malibu, and Santa Barbara is also great. Expect heavy traffic on the weekends. If you don't need a car the whole time, you could look at the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Emeryville to LA. There is also the Pacific Surfliner that goes from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

As others have mentioned, lots to do in San Diego! If you are a roller coaster fan, you can increase your coaster count by riding the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park in SD. I love Pacific Beach, but it can be crazy during the summer and definitely more of a party crowd than La Jolla.

Have a great trip!

 

[JillC LI]

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-official-explore-southern-california-thread.872243/

^^^This

 

[BrianLo]

Thanks everyone. Got some reading to do tonight for sure. I am also admittedly going to Lake Tahoe and Mammoth this February to ski... I travel too much.

Thinking some sort of combo of San Diego, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs/Aerial tramway or Knott's. Which I know are like five completely different directions. Now to edit down the ideas.