Let's get the hell out of SoCal!

January 17, 2007 7:38 PM

Help us choose a winter vacation journey or destination...of Southern California origins.

My boyfriend and I would like to get away from it all over the long President's Day weekend in February, but we're having trouble finding a destination that grabs our attention, without necessarily spending a ton of cash. We definitely love a good road trip and are based in Orange County, California so anything within 8 hours or so of driving any direction is fair game.

We've previously enjoyed trips up through Central/Northern California and Yosemite and wouldn't mind venturing up/out there again. Any helpful suggestions could include places, cities, accomodations, activities, beautiful sights, or outdoor recreation.

Alternatively, we've talked about waiting until a week before and perusing last minute deals on travel websites, good idea, yay or nay?

posted by Asherah to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

I'm from Southern California & I'm a total road trip girl so I understand exactly what you mean.

Palm Springs is great for a getaway. Driving to Arizona is good too... you can go to Sedona or Phoenix & on the way are all sorts of cute little mining towns & whatnot. You can head up north towards Santa Barbara & San Luis Obispo. Head up to Cambria & see Hearst Castle. You can also head south to San Diego (I grew up in North County San Diego so I have a weakness for it).

Do you want to go to a town? Or see nature? What are your interests?

I was a tourguide in Southern California for years so if any of these places sound good to you, you can always e-mail me and I can send you a list of suggestions on places to check out. How's that?
posted by miss lynnster at 7:52 PM on January 17, 2007

Rent a park ranger cabin in a national forest?
posted by Methylviolet at 7:59 PM on January 17, 2007

Big Sur. Highway 1. Carmel. Monterey. Case closed.
posted by frogan at 8:47 PM on January 17, 2007

A wine country tour might be fun.
posted by caddis at 9:47 PM on January 17, 2007

Big Sur. Highway 1. Carmel. Monterey. Case closed.

I totally adore Big Sur, but even I'd think twice given the weird weather lately -- speaking from experience, I can say that the stretch of Hwy 1 between San Simeon and Big Sur in fog/rain is definitely not a fun drive.

My vote for a February getaway would be the desert (I'm off to Twentynine Palms for the week of Presidents Day, myself!) or Ojai.
posted by scody at 11:06 PM on January 17, 2007

Palm Springs was the first thing that came to mind, perfect for February since the weather is usually much more pleasant than the rest of CA (although with the insane weather recently, I can't be certain!). Nearby is Joshua Tree National park, which is great to drive through, stop at all the marked areas of interest, or stop and do a day hike or even some rock climbing if you're into that (just take a lot of water). There is also the Aerial Tramway, for a cool view up to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains, and a short hike at the top (bring your own food though, the cafe is appalling). Palm Springs itself is a bit cheeseball in a glitzy-old-person kind of way, but there are some kick-ass restaurants there. I love the Blue Coyote in particular. Also some great 50s architecture you could drive around and check out, or just window shop for some 50s/60s furniture and lighting.

If you are on a budget, there are several motels there which are a short drive from downtown. I think I've stayed in two different Motel 6s there, they are nicer than your average roadside motel 6.
posted by Joh at 11:08 PM on January 17, 2007

Thanks so much for the suggestions so far, I'm game for just about anything, although I had been harboring doubts about the current frosty weather (if it continues) and how it may affect any possible Central/NorCal destinations. We've done the Hwy 1 route before from San Fran to Santa Barbara hitting spots along the way, but not during winter, is there enough to see and do during the chilly season?
posted by Asherah at 8:59 AM on January 18, 2007

Might be more than you want to spend, but there's great skiing/snowboarding at Tahoe. I'm partial to Heavenly and Kirkwood. Lift tickets are $60-70/day -- a little on the steep side, but not as bad as Colorado. (And both the skiing and the scenery are *much* better!)
posted by LordSludge at 10:04 AM on January 18, 2007

santa barbara:
hikes
beer
hashing
incredible indian food
posted by kooop at 5:09 PM on January 18, 2007