Calling all CA experts!

[amcnj]

I am pre-planning a trip to California, with the idea of visiting both the LA area and San Francisco area.Current plans are to drive between them. ANy recommendations on which end of the state to start, how long the drive will take, and what stops along the route are your favorites, what things are musts to see in both areas? Has anyone used points at any of the CA Concierge Collection members? Are they worthwhile places to stay? From what I saw there is Shutters in Santa Monica, of course the Disneyland Hotels, and The White Swan in San Francisco. Thanks for any help/suggestions/comments!

 

[Fenceman]

I would highly recommend taking the Pacific Coast Highway. I picked it up north of LA and drove it all the way to Monterey. The scenery is breathtaking. Make sure you stop at the Hurst Castle, Carmel and drive along Pebble Beach.

There is also a lot to do around Disney Land. We ate at a place called Tinsel Town which is located in the parking lot of the Angels Stadium. Every night is like the Academy Awards and you are the star.

You will need a lot a time to see just a little bit.

 

[sueg]

I wish I could answer from experience, but our trip isn't until August. We are starting in Frisco 2-3 days there. We opted to not stay in the White Swan or Petit Auberge. There was some negative reports about them, esp. "P.A." I called them directly- spoke about the size of the room (sounded too tight for DH, DSs (14 &7) and me) There also is a charge for additional occupants over 2 in rm. This is because they serve a breakfast. I considered Shutters briefly, but it seemed like too many points for a brief stay. We are ending in DL and staying at GC on points. I can't wait, but I'm still trying to decide the details about our rental car, passes etc. Hope this helps, feel free to share your details as they develop.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Definitely take the Pacific Coast Highway. I've driven it both ways, and I think from San Fran south to LA is better. Be sure to stop in Carmel and Monterey. Nice place to eat in Carmel is the Mission Ranch. Take the 17 mile drive at Pebble Beach - this is a toll road, but definitely worth it. There are many pull offs on the road through Big Sur - make sure to stop now and then. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is nice, too. Gee, you make me wish I was going!!!

 

[winjos]

Since I lived in Northern California (10 years) and have lived in Southern California (total of 23 years), hopefully I can help you out.
The drive down highway 1 is gorgeous. It is very windy (lots of curves) and it will take you a bit to go from Monterey to Santa Barbara (10 or so hours). It is worth it. The Aquarium in Monterey is fantastic. Hearst Castle in San Simeon is also pretty neat. There is a town called Cambria that is about 20 minutes south of S.S. and it is really quaint.
San Francisco is a TERRIFIC city. If you decide to spend a lot of time there and drive a straight shot to LA it will take about 8 hours on the 5 freeway (boring drive). Remember, the traffic in SF and LA is horrible.
When in Orange County, visit Balboa Island and Newport Beach. Fashion Island (outdoor mall) is very beautiful.
I really like San Francisco and I love Disneyland. So, it really doesn't matter which one you start or end with because they are both great.
Hope this was helpful! (There are many more great things to see. If you want more suggestions, just e-mail me)

 

[BobH]

This resort is also in the SF bay area in Berkeley. I am looking into trying it. The website is:

http://www.claremnt.com

This is listed as 33 points per night for a Superior Bayview Room or 40 points for a Dluxe Bayview Room.

 

[RLMS56]

We went to DL 2 years ago this week and after our stay at DL Hotel spend 4 nights in Rodondo Beach. We found it beautiful and interesting with Huntington Beach, etc within walking distance. We rented a Mustang convertible and drove up the coast for a day. We stopped in Santa Monica, Venice Beach (Muscle Beach), Malibu and stoppe in Santa Barbara. I think the best part of our west coast trip was that day! We plan on returning to CA next summer and will split our time between GC and Santa Barbara enjoying the towns along the way.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Can anybody tell me about the Claremont Resort...It's 8 pts per night higher than the White Swan...is it worth it?

 

[castleri]

Spent 10 days in CA in July and can't comment on the other hotels but enjoyed both GC and DH (3 days at each on points) Would opt for DH if ever go again since you can use any of the pools at the 3 hotels and the room was bigger and the view better that at GC. We had a room directly over the front entrance and looked out towards the Paradise Pier hotel and the parking lot at the GC. At DH we had room with two queen beds and day bed with view of Downtown Disney and the pool area of the hotel. I would definitely consider flying into or out of Ontario CA airport over LAX. The distance to Disneyland is about the same but the drive is much easier and more scenic. If you are not planning on going to Disneyland then I guess it might not be worthwhile. Hope your trip, from planning to the very last minute of it, is as great as ours was.

 

[Muushka]

We did the drive from SF to LA several years ago. I cannot add anymore to what has been said except that we did not have reservations to go into Hearst Castle, and therefore were not able to get in. I guess they book up months in advance. Things may have changed, but just in case....

 

[larry_poppins]

Don't forget to get tickets for Disney's The Lion King at the beautiful Pantages Theatre
in Hollywood!

Larryinkbounc

 

[BobH]

Double Trouble

I intended to go to the Claremont Resort this year and had to cancel my plans. They did have availability for me on only about 2 months notice. I have a friend whose uncle lives in San Francisco.
I asked his opinion about the Claremont and he stated it was a very nice resort and would not hesitate to stay there. He described it as a turn of the century hotel that has been re-done. Hope this helps. My research showed Oakland Airport about 20 minutes away. San Jose about 1 hour away. I was advised to stay away from San Francisco Airport (about 35 minutes away). Hope this helps. The website I listed before gives a prety good overview of the complex, but I it doesn't show the difference between the superior bayview rooms (33pts) and the deluxe bayview rooms (40 pts). I would call them and find out exactly what you are in for. I also noticed a California energy charge and a charge for parking on the website. I am unclear if our points would cover any of this. Good Luck!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Thanks BobH...I'm trying for the reservation. Turns out a friend of mine stayed there for a convention & also recommended as worth staying there just to try it. I sort of doubt I'll get in as they only had 4 rooms left for either weekend I wanted.

There aren't too many reasons I'd want to crest 35 points a night for so I'm really hoping I can get the Superior Bay view.

 

[winjones]

Born & raised in So CA. Moved to SF to complete college, then
never left. Live in Bay Area, members of family live No and So...
What do you wanna know ??? (Employed by City of SF)

P.S. We NEVER call The City "Frisco"!

 

[amcnj]

Thanks to all for your replies. How convenient would the Claremont in Oakland be for seeing the San Francisco area? Is ther a rail line into the city or is parking readily available in SF? Also, How far is from this area to Yosemite and Sequoia? Is it better to stay nearer to these parks in order to see them most efficiently? What in your opinion are must sees for the visitor to Southern Ca and the SF area? How do Muir woods, Yosemite and Sequoia compare? If driving up the coast from LA area to SF area, and hoping to stop at Hearst castle too, is that doable in one day, or is an overnight needed somewhere along the way? Any other tips on where to stay or things to see are greatly appreciated!

 

[BobH]

I was planning some of the same vacation destinations with my wife. I work with a guy who spends a month in SanFrancisco every December. I can tell you the following. Muir Woods is about 1/2 hour north of SF. Trees are impresive but much smaller than the giant sequoias. Yosemite is about a 5 12 hr drive from SF. I was planning on staying over. Kings Canyon National Park (home of the biggest Sequoias) is about 100 miles south of Yosemite I believe. You can use the Bay Area REgional Transit system to go from Berkely to SF, my friend tells me that a lot of attractions have parking, you just have to be sensible as to what time of day you drive. Try these sites:

http://www.nps.gov

http://www.sfvisitor.org

http://www.visitsequoia.com


Good Luck!

 

[teri]

Check out my post about the beautiful, brand new Bonfante Gardens Theme Park in Gilroy. The post has lots of pictures, it may be slow loading. There are links to the park's website there as well.

If I were going between Santa Barbara and SF with friends who like interesting places , and had plenty of time to tour, here are the other attractions I would check out, for interest:

Hearst Castle
Madonna Inn (classic kitsch, stay one night, definitely eat one meal there)
Pismo Beach and Avila Beach
Big Sur
Pt. Lobos
17 Mile Drive
Pebble Beach
Carmel
Monterey - the Aquarium is wonderful, stay in the wharf area
Capitola Beach area and marina in Santa Cruz, eat breakfast or lunch at Aldo's
Santa Cruz Downtown (very intersting shops, college town, quite hip )
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (historic coaster and carousel)
Rt. 9 and Skyline Drive, through the Santa Cruz Mountains (especially if you decide not to do the 5 hour drive to Yosemite or longer to the Sequoias... stop in Boulder Creek for lunch or dinner at Adelitas, check out the Brookdale Lodge, lots of interesting restaurants on that route)
Big Basin State Park with the 12-mile Skyline to the Sea Hiking Trail (incredible redwoods, waterfalls, leads right to the ocean)
Ano Nuevo State Reserve (if the elephant seals are there)
Bonfante Gardens Theme Park
Great America (cheesy park with great coasters, if you need your coaster fix )

If you see a Hobee's restaurant, definitely choose that over other chains. Trust me!

 

[smiley]

If you are driving on the Pacific Coast Highway and want to stop off at the Hearst Castle I would definitely recommend an overnight stay in either Cambria or San Simeon. Cambria is a quaint artsy town. San Simeon is a spot next to the road. Cambria is located south of San Simeon, about a 7 minute drive. If staying overnight in either town, you do not need hotel/motel reservations as there are several places to stay in both towns. Also if you stay in Cambria and love great food at reasonable prices go to Linn's http://www.linnsfruitbin.com/rest.html They specialize in pot pies and have the best mouth watering desserts, so many in fact it's difficult to choose. We usually get a dessert for the road when leaving town, mmmmmmmmmm.

If you choose to stay at the Claremont there is a light rail called BART. Here is there web site
http://www.bart.gov/ When you take BART get off at the Powell street station in San Francisco which stops at one of the ends of the cable car line. Hop on the cable car and ride it all the way to Ghirardelli Square http://www.ghirardellisq.com/ and it's a few blocks to Fisherman's Wharf http://www.fishermanswharf.org/Restaurants.htm.

Have a great time planning your vacation.

 

[teri]

Be sure to check out the Disneyland Board - I just added a few things to the FAQ about Other Things to Do In California, and I think I will add some more from other suggestions here...

 

[teri]

My husband just read through this, and said to warn you, if you plan to drive on Hwy 1, and you are afraid of heights or cliffs or not used to winding roads, you are better off driving North on 1, from LA or Ventura to SFO, than driving south. Otherwise you are on a cliff's edge the whole way down. Good point, FYI