California weather and hotels???

[Claire L]

We are flying to San Francisco on June 14th then heading down the coast arriving at Newport Beach on June 26th. Can anyone tell me what type of weather to expect so that I know what to pack?
Also any info on the following hotels and areas would be appreciated:
Sheraton - Fishermans Wharf
Carmel Mission Inn - Carmel
Shore Cliff Lodge - Pismo Beach
Santa Barbara Inn - Santa Barbara
Hyatt Newporter - Newport Beach
Another quick question how busy will Disneyland and Universal Studios be?
Many thanks for any info anyone can give.
Claire

 

[DonnaS]

You need to expect anything but snow. San Francisco can get pretty cold and windy, while the further south you get the warmer it will probably be.

Monterey/Carmel can be hot or it can be socked in fog and cold, too.

Have a great trip!

 

[mtemm]

June is notorious for fog along the coast...I grew up in Santa Barbara and in was typical to have dense fog from morning till around 3 in the afternoon from late May thru June. Doesn't guarantee you won't get a nice spell, but I'd plan for it. Makes it cold! But at 3:00 suddenly it will be the most perfect day you'll ever see anywhere. So I would pack everything but real winter stuff...sweaters and pants, but also shorts and summer stuff. San Fran always seemed cold to me, so I would have stuff like that anyway.

If you have specific Santa Barbara questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Don't really know about the hotel, though, because I have yet to stay in one there. The location is great, I can tell you that, though. Let me know how you liked it...we are hoping to go back for a visit and don't want to crowd out friends that live there.

Marcia

 

[mtemm]

if you can do Disneyland and Universal on weekdays, it will be less crowded. You're going right around when school lets out in a lot of places, so can't guarantee no crowds.

 

[Claire L]

Marcia,
Any really good restuarants to try around the SB area, we are only there for two nights? Also anything interesting to do/see besides the Mission?
Thanks.
Claire

 

[mtemm]

There are so many good restaurants!! Let me think and I'll post back, though. What time are you planning on getting to SB? Since you are driving down the coast, if you are coming in in the morning, you might want to think about stopping in Solvang and having breakfast there. Its kind of a cheesey faux-Danish town, but they have killer Aebleskivers. They are little round puffed fried cakes that they coat with powdered sugar. Don't worry if you don't have time, but if you do its worth the stop.

The Mission in Santa Barbara is beautiful. I was confirmed there, so know it well. There is plenty to do in SB, depending on your interest. There is a very interesting Natural History Museum, a Botanical Gardens, the beach (of course!). Many different beaches depending on your interest. Stearns wharf, the Presidio, a smallish but well done Art Museum. The Old Courthouse is stunning. I used to study on the lawn all the time. Can't tell you how many tourist's pictures I ended up in! LOL! I believe you can take a tour of the old part of it. Worth taking a look at. Just walking around downtown is one of my favorite things to do. If you are daring, drive up the old pass into the foothills. Or if not so daring, drive up the new pass. Beautiful views, and a very cool old-west type tavern to eat at if you are interested. I can't think of the name...I'm e-mailing a friend who is still there so will let you know once I get an answer.

Let me think and I'll send you more info...especially restaurants. Lots of good eating there! Don't be surprised if you run into a few famous people in SB...many live there, many visit. Most locals give them plenty of privacy.

 

[mtemm]

I just checked your profile to see if you posted any interests that might help me recommend things. Noticed your birthday is the same as my son's! (he's 15 months now).

 

[mtemm]

Oooh...just thought of something else. There is a theatre called the Arlington that is right on State street. They show movies and plays. It is absolutely gorgeous...the inside feels like you are in the middle of a Spanish/Mexican courtyard...lots of trompe l'oeil, and the ceiling looks like a nighttime sky...tons of stars. If you are looking for something to do at night its worth seeing. I believe its the home of the SB Symphony, too.


There is also Whale watching in Santa Barbara, or you can visit the Channel Islands not far off the coast.

 

[mtemm]

okay, sick of me yet?

The restaurant I was talking about is called the Cold Springs Tavern. Its rustic...an old stagecoach stop...but good, I would do lunch there. Its right on the new pass:

5995 Stagecoach Road
San Marcos Pass, Santa Barbara
Tel: (805) 967-0066

 

[TheLionKing]

The Santa Barbara Inn is on Cabrillo which is across the street from East Beach. Good volleyball action there.

What kinds of resturants do you like. Do you like fancy/expensive or nice and reasonable?

If you are in town on Sunday morning, there is a nice local art show along Cabrillo Blvd.

Marcia certainly hit the highlights including the Queen of the Missions, the Natural History Mueseum. The Botanical Gardens are nearby there and are nice. The Santa Barbara Zoo is very quaint for it's size and is almost walking distance from your hotel. It is open 10 AM to 5 PM.

If you can swing a trip out to the Channel Islands for a day trip, that would be a unique experience.

The fog usually burnsoff by noon, but this may vary depending upon the on shore winds. Even foggy, it is comfortable but a sweater may be nice for the outdoor eveinings.

 

[mtemm]

TheLionKing is probably right about how cool it will be. You are coming from England, so probably wont feel as cool as it always did for me. I'd still have sweaters and longpants on hand, though. Especially for San Francisco. brrrrr

TheLionKing...is the SB Inn near the bird sanctuary? I always loved that.

 

[TheLionKing]

The Santa Barbara Inn is on the corner of Cabrillo and Milpas.

It is about 2 to 3 miles from The Bird Refuge and the Santa Barbara Zoo. A bit of a longer walk than I realized.

Citronelle, which is a fancy resturant is in the Santa Barbara Inn.

 

[Claire L]

TheLionKing,
We are not really into expensive restaurants just something perhaps the locals would use. Usually fish or steak/ribs goes down well with both of us.
As for the Channel Islands is there a boat from Newport Beach? We are there for 9 nights and may have more time to do the journey than when at SB.
Marcia thanks for all the ideas I think I will print this post out and take it with me. I did visit Solvang 12 years ago so a visit back is worth it as it is so different and we may get there for late breakfast/lunch depending how long the drive is from Pismo Beach!!
Claire

 

[TheLionKing]

You might be able to take a trip to Catalina Island from Newport Beach or Long Beach. That would be fun. I have never been to Catalina. The Channel Islands is a National Park while catalina is not.

A local place on state Street near Cabrillo that is reasonable is the Enterprise Fish Co. I haven't been there in a couple of years though our family used to go there fairly often when I was a teenager 20 years ago.

On Stearn's Wharf, there are some seafood resturants. Some nicer than others.

 

[honeymom]

Stayed at the Hyatt Newporter about 10 years ago and it was very nice back then.

It is not on the beach, but not too far. I think we walked there through a shortcut. I don't know if any of the Newport Beach hotels are at the beach anyway.

 

[Claire L]

TheLionKing,
I was obviously having a blonde moment having looked on the map a couple of hours ago I was talking about the ferry to Catalina not The Channel Islands!! Oh well not long to go now until we board the plane.
Honeymom,
Thanks for your reply.
Claire