Please help - Southern California visit?
November 3, 2023 6:43 AM Subscribe
Hello, we will be in Palm Springs in January visiting family and will have 5 days with a rental car to go wherever we like. We'll go to Joshua Tree with our family separately so don't need to cover that in the five days. So far I've come up with:
Day 1: Drive to Las Vegas, go to the area 51 museum, look around, see a show, stay overnight
Day 2: Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam tour from Vegas, stay another night.
Day 3: Drive to San Diego, go to the beach
Day 4: Look around San Diego
Day 5: Drive back to Palm Springs
Is this a good plan please? I'm very open to being told it isn't and would love to get other suggestions please. Maybe my plan is too much driving?
Also any hotel recommendations would be great, please. We would like to stay in low-rise hotels where we can walk up to our room because my partner has a fear of elevators. Hotel budget is around $250 a night but would love to spend less of course.
Anything we're missing? Any alternative itinerary you would suggest? Any must sees along the way? It's just the 2 of us, a 50something couple. We love nature but aren't able to go on long hikes (bad knees). We love art, culture, theatre etc but we get plenty of that in Europe where we live. We prefer to avoid LA due to the traffic. Not into theme parks. Thank you for any ideas.
Day 1: Drive to Las Vegas, go to the area 51 museum, look around, see a show, stay overnight
Day 2: Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam tour from Vegas, stay another night.
Day 3: Drive to San Diego, go to the beach
Day 4: Look around San Diego
Day 5: Drive back to Palm Springs
Is this a good plan please? I'm very open to being told it isn't and would love to get other suggestions please. Maybe my plan is too much driving?
Also any hotel recommendations would be great, please. We would like to stay in low-rise hotels where we can walk up to our room because my partner has a fear of elevators. Hotel budget is around $250 a night but would love to spend less of course.
Anything we're missing? Any alternative itinerary you would suggest? Any must sees along the way? It's just the 2 of us, a 50something couple. We love nature but aren't able to go on long hikes (bad knees). We love art, culture, theatre etc but we get plenty of that in Europe where we live. We prefer to avoid LA due to the traffic. Not into theme parks. Thank you for any ideas.
When in San Diego, go to the Cabrillo National Monument, which is a peninsula not far from downtown that has amazing views of both the city and the ocean. It also has a fairly gentle set of paths along the cliffs; you can park at several places and get away with very minimal walking if you want. Mid January is also peak whale migration.
posted by puffyn at 7:22 AM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by puffyn at 7:22 AM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
Vegas to San Diego will take all day and by the end you’ll be knackered.
In Theory it’s short but by the time you hit traffic you’ll wish you’d never been born. You could overnight outside of SD like in Oceanside.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:38 AM on November 3, 2023 [8 favorites]
In Theory it’s short but by the time you hit traffic you’ll wish you’d never been born. You could overnight outside of SD like in Oceanside.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:38 AM on November 3, 2023 [8 favorites]
We visited Palm Springs in April this year and had a really good time doing short hikes and hanging out in and around Palm Springs! To my mind, you should have some time to enjoy the Palm Springs area in addition to all of that driving. The architecture tour (midcentury modern) was fun and the tram up to the peak was great, although perhaps that is out because of the fear of elevators.
posted by Mid at 7:39 AM on November 3, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Mid at 7:39 AM on November 3, 2023 [4 favorites]
Personally when I go to a new place, I like to spend time there just hanging out, getting a feel for what the place is like. Hit the library, relax at a coffee shop, people-watch. This itinerary would be way too much driving for me. Road trips are fun but this sounds like a lot of time on the road vs time spent at your destination. It's four and a half hours from Palm Springs to Vegas, and 5 hours from Vegas to San Diego. That takes a whole day out of your vacation. Pick one.
posted by olopua at 7:43 AM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by olopua at 7:43 AM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
Also, we rented an airbnb/vrbo in P.S. and we found that there were tons of good options, many with swimming pools - definitely check that out versus a hotel.
posted by Mid at 7:47 AM on November 3, 2023
posted by Mid at 7:47 AM on November 3, 2023
Best answer: Seconding "too much driving". You'd be fine to do either San Diego or Vegas, but not both.
Maybe do:
Day 1: Drive to LV, find dinner, collapse, maybe walk the strip if you have time.
Day 2: Explore LV, go to a show.
Day 3: Hoover dam tour or etc.
Day 4: Drive back to PS.
Day 5: Explore local art galleries or history spots or go to the cactus nursery or sit by the pool (or you could easily spend another day in LV instead).
Or:
Day 1: Drive to SD, grab dinner, collapse. Walk on beach if you get there early.
Day 2: Balboa park museums
Day 3: Aircraft carrier and downtown
Day 4: SD Wild Animal Park - splurge for the tour where they drive you around the exhibits in a truck. I literally fed an apple to a Rhino. 10/10.
Day 5: Poke around a bit then drive back.
Keep in mind there can be (lots of very slow) traffic on the way to Vegas, but I'm not sure how much from PS so check that in advance.
Also if you want a specific show you might need to get the tix well in advance.
Vegas is more iconic than SD, and more of "Wow! What an experience!", but SD has TONS of great art museums, safari park, zoo, aircraft carriers, aircraft museums, the list goes on and on. Depends on your interests. Also, there isn't really a direct route to Vegas from PS - that's a looong drive. Google says 4-5 hours. SD is 2-3 hours.
Palm Springs are has the Shields Date Garden, which is historical and pretty interesting. There's also something out there that's like a "complete silence experience" that's been on my list but can't remember the name. You're within shooting distance of Quartzsite Arizona if you're into rocks/crystals/gemstones (there are gem and mineral swap meets there in January, as well as quite the electlic set of human life if you're into people watching and chatting with interesting folks). Do you have outlet malls in Europe? If not, you might want to visit the Cabazon one if you like shopping. To get a sense of CA history/eclectica in the PS area, you might check out some old Huell Howser "California's Gold" episodes on youtube or wherever they live now. There's a bunch of "Old west" historical places around the area.
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:22 AM on November 3, 2023 [5 favorites]
Maybe do:
Day 1: Drive to LV, find dinner, collapse, maybe walk the strip if you have time.
Day 2: Explore LV, go to a show.
Day 3: Hoover dam tour or etc.
Day 4: Drive back to PS.
Day 5: Explore local art galleries or history spots or go to the cactus nursery or sit by the pool (or you could easily spend another day in LV instead).
Or:
Day 1: Drive to SD, grab dinner, collapse. Walk on beach if you get there early.
Day 2: Balboa park museums
Day 3: Aircraft carrier and downtown
Day 4: SD Wild Animal Park - splurge for the tour where they drive you around the exhibits in a truck. I literally fed an apple to a Rhino. 10/10.
Day 5: Poke around a bit then drive back.
Keep in mind there can be (lots of very slow) traffic on the way to Vegas, but I'm not sure how much from PS so check that in advance.
Also if you want a specific show you might need to get the tix well in advance.
Vegas is more iconic than SD, and more of "Wow! What an experience!", but SD has TONS of great art museums, safari park, zoo, aircraft carriers, aircraft museums, the list goes on and on. Depends on your interests. Also, there isn't really a direct route to Vegas from PS - that's a looong drive. Google says 4-5 hours. SD is 2-3 hours.
Palm Springs are has the Shields Date Garden, which is historical and pretty interesting. There's also something out there that's like a "complete silence experience" that's been on my list but can't remember the name. You're within shooting distance of Quartzsite Arizona if you're into rocks/crystals/gemstones (there are gem and mineral swap meets there in January, as well as quite the electlic set of human life if you're into people watching and chatting with interesting folks). Do you have outlet malls in Europe? If not, you might want to visit the Cabazon one if you like shopping. To get a sense of CA history/eclectica in the PS area, you might check out some old Huell Howser "California's Gold" episodes on youtube or wherever they live now. There's a bunch of "Old west" historical places around the area.
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:22 AM on November 3, 2023 [5 favorites]
Your plan includes about 5 hours of driving every day, which sounds exhausting. That number assumes ideal traffic conditions, which rarely exist.
I’d spend time exploring Palm Springs, pop down to the Ski Inn for a touch of the eccentric, then head down to San Diego for two nights and spend time soaking up the local culture. See if you can’t get a tour of the Salk Institute.
posted by Foie G Biv at 8:26 AM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
I’d spend time exploring Palm Springs, pop down to the Ski Inn for a touch of the eccentric, then head down to San Diego for two nights and spend time soaking up the local culture. See if you can’t get a tour of the Salk Institute.
posted by Foie G Biv at 8:26 AM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
Yes, this strikes me as "too much driving," too. We spent a weekish in Palm Springs a few years ago and found plenty to do in that area.
And if you're already planning to visit Joshua Tree, you'll be quite close to the fascinating, one-of-a-kind, not-a-little-creepy place known as Slab City. Highly recommended if you like weird stuff.
You'll also be very close to the Salton Sea, another extremely weird place.
posted by Dr. Wu at 8:36 AM on November 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
And if you're already planning to visit Joshua Tree, you'll be quite close to the fascinating, one-of-a-kind, not-a-little-creepy place known as Slab City. Highly recommended if you like weird stuff.
You'll also be very close to the Salton Sea, another extremely weird place.
posted by Dr. Wu at 8:36 AM on November 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
I realize you've marked this as answered but allow me to suggest Anzo Borrego State Park which is very close to Palm Springs. A pretty drive and they have a Native American owned gift shop and learning center (we saw mountain sheep grazing there), and there is a beautiful small botanical garden in the area too.
posted by j810c at 9:20 AM on November 3, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by j810c at 9:20 AM on November 3, 2023 [5 favorites]
There's also something out there that's like a "complete silence experience" that's been on my list but can't remember the name. The Integraton Sound Bath.
posted by vunder at 10:02 AM on November 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by vunder at 10:02 AM on November 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
I agree, too much driving. Another option would be to do some combo of Vegas + Valley of Fire + Red Rock Canyon + Death Valley + Lone Pine/Alabama Hills + Mojave NP. That would be a lot to cram into 5 days, though you could do it. Obviously, if a big snow storm came in, Lone Pine might be off the table, but it's possible even in Jan for the snow to be mostly in the Sierras, which are breathtaking. I just checked, and despite the road damage, most of the main roads in Death Valley are open, so still worth visiting (in my book, it's more impressive than Joshua Tree - really out of this world).
posted by coffeecat at 10:13 AM on November 3, 2023
posted by coffeecat at 10:13 AM on November 3, 2023
A low-rise hotel in Vegas that is both not terrible and not very spendy might be a bit tricky. It might mean staying off the strip, for better or for worse. This old traveladvisor thread might be a helpful start.
posted by vunder at 1:30 PM on November 3, 2023
posted by vunder at 1:30 PM on November 3, 2023
Best answer: Come to San Diego! and skip Vegas, the Hoover Dam is cool but the rest of it is not really worth all the driving.
Where to stay:
I would look for a hotel in the Old Town area, I think they're pretty affordable and will not be tall. Old Town is a pretty interesting area if you're into historical things, it's a bit touristy but kind of in a good way. There is lots to see within walking distance, but it also puts you in quick access to most of the major freeways and will give you a lot more flexibility than being downtown (plus downtown is not very interesting). Something like the Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town, but there are several similar ones in that area.
You can also take the Coaster train from Old Town up to some of the beach cities along the coast--beautiful views from the train and cute little places to walk around when you get off. Just check the schedule though, because it doesn't run very many times during the day.
Weather:
January often has some of the most beautiful weather of the entire year--golden days in the 70s and crisp cool nights, but you also might get some chilly or rainy days, especially since this is an El Niño year. The ocean water will be cold, you probably won't want to swim, but it's still nice to go to the beach and just look at the sea. Check out Coronado or Sunset Cliffs.
Things to do:
If you like maritime/naval history, the USS Midway museum (a real aircraft carrier!) and the San Diego Maritime Museum (a clipper ship, a steamboat, and a submarine!) are very cool.
The San Diego Zoo is truly worth a visit, it's not only a zoo but also a giant botanical garden. Do not be influenced by other zoo experiences you may have had! This is a whole other thing. The related Safari Park up in North County is also amazing, you get to see all kinds of animals roaming around together! That's kind of on your way to/from Palm Springs so that might work out better driving-wise.
Balboa Park itself is lovely but the museums are not that exciting especially if you're from a place that has a lot of them. The zoo is right next to it so you could explore the park after going to the zoo. I would see if the restaurant there (Panama 66) has any live music while you're there, it's a fun place for dinner.
You could also explore some of the "back country" parts of San Diego, there are lots of fun little towns like my hometown of Julian (an old gold-mining town that's famous for apple pie) or Campo (beautiful countryside and a rad train museum if you're even slightly into trains). There are even some casinos if you want a taste of Las Vegas!
Where to eat:
If you come, memail me with what kind of things you like and I will give you lots of recommendations! I'll even meet up with you if you like. Always fun to meet other MeFites! :)
posted by exceptinsects at 2:08 PM on November 3, 2023 [3 favorites]
Where to stay:
I would look for a hotel in the Old Town area, I think they're pretty affordable and will not be tall. Old Town is a pretty interesting area if you're into historical things, it's a bit touristy but kind of in a good way. There is lots to see within walking distance, but it also puts you in quick access to most of the major freeways and will give you a lot more flexibility than being downtown (plus downtown is not very interesting). Something like the Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town, but there are several similar ones in that area.
You can also take the Coaster train from Old Town up to some of the beach cities along the coast--beautiful views from the train and cute little places to walk around when you get off. Just check the schedule though, because it doesn't run very many times during the day.
Weather:
January often has some of the most beautiful weather of the entire year--golden days in the 70s and crisp cool nights, but you also might get some chilly or rainy days, especially since this is an El Niño year. The ocean water will be cold, you probably won't want to swim, but it's still nice to go to the beach and just look at the sea. Check out Coronado or Sunset Cliffs.
Things to do:
If you like maritime/naval history, the USS Midway museum (a real aircraft carrier!) and the San Diego Maritime Museum (a clipper ship, a steamboat, and a submarine!) are very cool.
The San Diego Zoo is truly worth a visit, it's not only a zoo but also a giant botanical garden. Do not be influenced by other zoo experiences you may have had! This is a whole other thing. The related Safari Park up in North County is also amazing, you get to see all kinds of animals roaming around together! That's kind of on your way to/from Palm Springs so that might work out better driving-wise.
Balboa Park itself is lovely but the museums are not that exciting especially if you're from a place that has a lot of them. The zoo is right next to it so you could explore the park after going to the zoo. I would see if the restaurant there (Panama 66) has any live music while you're there, it's a fun place for dinner.
You could also explore some of the "back country" parts of San Diego, there are lots of fun little towns like my hometown of Julian (an old gold-mining town that's famous for apple pie) or Campo (beautiful countryside and a rad train museum if you're even slightly into trains). There are even some casinos if you want a taste of Las Vegas!
Where to eat:
If you come, memail me with what kind of things you like and I will give you lots of recommendations! I'll even meet up with you if you like. Always fun to meet other MeFites! :)
posted by exceptinsects at 2:08 PM on November 3, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best route from PS to Vegas , Ca. 62 to 29 Palms, Amboy Road to Amboy Ca. route 66 historic Roy's diner, Kel-Baker Road to US 40, stay on Kel-Baker to Kelso Ca. dunes and historic train station. , Cima Road to Cima , Morning Star Mine Road to Ivanpah Road to Nipton Road , Interstate 15 visible in the distance, as are blow carts on the lake bed.
All two lane paved across the Mojave preserve , light traffic,no trucks, vast expanse, lots to see out there. The 15 and 40 are not very interesting .
posted by hortense at 3:01 PM on November 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
All two lane paved across the Mojave preserve , light traffic,no trucks, vast expanse, lots to see out there. The 15 and 40 are not very interesting .
posted by hortense at 3:01 PM on November 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Piggy-backing on Dr. Wu's excellent suggestion, one thing out at Salton Sea and specifically near Slab City is Salvation Mountain. Doesn't matter if you're any form of religious or not - it's an astounding thing to behold. One man's vision sort of thing.
It's not the most direct route by any means, but it is on the way to San Diego.
posted by queensissy at 4:13 PM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
It's not the most direct route by any means, but it is on the way to San Diego.
posted by queensissy at 4:13 PM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
Palm Springs is the greatest. Personally, with five days in January, I'd drive up to Death Valley for a few days. Other suggestions here (Anza-Borrego, Salton Sea/Salvation Mountain) are great too. I love Idyllwild but it'll be chilly in January.
If the Integratron sounds interesting to you, book well in advance.
I've linked this here before, but in case it's helpful, this is the list of stuff we put out for guests at my mom's house in the Coachella Valley. Scroll down for non-hiking activities (art, shopping, and day/weekend trips).
posted by goodbyewaffles at 5:34 PM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
If the Integratron sounds interesting to you, book well in advance.
I've linked this here before, but in case it's helpful, this is the list of stuff we put out for guests at my mom's house in the Coachella Valley. Scroll down for non-hiking activities (art, shopping, and day/weekend trips).
posted by goodbyewaffles at 5:34 PM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
I think the warning that trying to do every single thing in a radius of you will be (probably!) more driving than you really will want to do. You will come to hate California freeways.
Many many terrific ideas so far, I'll add mine:
You don't give a sense of what's important to you (gambling? museums? chill experience? frenetic sightseeing? restaurants? people-watching? animals?), and they're all super different. Grand Canyon has some deeper experiences that are wonderful and very sedate. Hoover Dam is great to see and very much a "grand architecture and achievement" type thing but does take a whole day. San Diego can be multiple different kind of experiences, if I were coming in January just going on some of our piers and walking around the ocean is great, but I'm biased, I do that all year. There's also the Hotel Del Coronado which is alongside the beach and could cover your day. Check prices for hotels along Coronado in January - you may find deals.
Vegas is an entirely other kind of experience, and if you love gambling, or shows, you could make the trip all about that and not go southward at all. I'd look at events in Vegas around that time and see what's what.
If it were me I'd be looking to visit The Cheech museum (1 hr from Palm Springs), and make sure to do the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (the first time I saw snow on the ground I remember was going from the desert floor to the top of that).
If you've not done San Diego Zoo, well, it really is good. That's 2-3/4 hour drive from Palm Springs. The Zoo opens at 9am (typically, check their calendar) and you could actually do it as a day trip.
If you want to see lots and lots of things all over I would game it out and set up a calendar, make calendar events for driving times and add an hour fudge factor for each run of more than 1-1/2 hours and see how much time you *really* have between things. That will help you prioritize and see what you're up for. Don't forget to eat.
posted by artlung at 11:35 AM on November 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
Many many terrific ideas so far, I'll add mine:
You don't give a sense of what's important to you (gambling? museums? chill experience? frenetic sightseeing? restaurants? people-watching? animals?), and they're all super different. Grand Canyon has some deeper experiences that are wonderful and very sedate. Hoover Dam is great to see and very much a "grand architecture and achievement" type thing but does take a whole day. San Diego can be multiple different kind of experiences, if I were coming in January just going on some of our piers and walking around the ocean is great, but I'm biased, I do that all year. There's also the Hotel Del Coronado which is alongside the beach and could cover your day. Check prices for hotels along Coronado in January - you may find deals.
Vegas is an entirely other kind of experience, and if you love gambling, or shows, you could make the trip all about that and not go southward at all. I'd look at events in Vegas around that time and see what's what.
If it were me I'd be looking to visit The Cheech museum (1 hr from Palm Springs), and make sure to do the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (the first time I saw snow on the ground I remember was going from the desert floor to the top of that).
If you've not done San Diego Zoo, well, it really is good. That's 2-3/4 hour drive from Palm Springs. The Zoo opens at 9am (typically, check their calendar) and you could actually do it as a day trip.
If you want to see lots and lots of things all over I would game it out and set up a calendar, make calendar events for driving times and add an hour fudge factor for each run of more than 1-1/2 hours and see how much time you *really* have between things. That will help you prioritize and see what you're up for. Don't forget to eat.
posted by artlung at 11:35 AM on November 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Also, Dana Point is NOT San Diego but in a radius - Orange County (2 hour drive) - if whale watching holds interest check out Captain Dave's. They do a great job I've done it twice and loved it each time.
posted by artlung at 11:42 AM on November 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by artlung at 11:42 AM on November 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Just popping back in to say thanks very much for all the suggestions and advice. Based on what's been said we've decided to focus on just San Diego this trip to avoid doing so much driving. We've booked in for whale watching at Dana Point, staying there one night and on to San Diego old town. And we will definitely be checking out the San Diego zoo and several of the other places mentioned. We will most likely be back in a couple of years to see Vegas, Hoover Dam, etc rather than trying to squeeze everything in on this trip. We really appreciate all the advice and I'll come back after the trip to report on how it goes.
posted by Tanya at 12:38 PM on November 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Tanya at 12:38 PM on November 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
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You can certainly go to the beach in San Diego in January, but it's probably not going to be like "going to the beach" - air and water temperatures won't be like winter cold in a lot of other places, but they likely won't be warm enough to really go swimming or hang out on the sand in a bathing suit.
posted by LionIndex at 7:01 AM on November 3, 2023 [3 favorites]