I'll be embarking on a two week road trip from just before Christmas until just after the new year. My plan is to drive south out of the SF Bay Area and spend most of my time in southern California, possibly with forays into Az, Nevada, and Mexico. My interests are nature, archaeology, and history, and I'm an avid photographer. Tell me about the places I shouldn't miss. [more inside]
posted by Capostrophe on Dec 10, 2009 - 13 answers

Southern California recommendations for art/culture/history nerds in our late thirties/early forties? [more inside]
posted by acridrabbit on Aug 26, 2009 - 20 answers

I'm going to Los Angeles later this week. I've never been there, what should I do/see/eat? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by pwicks on Aug 18, 2009 - 31 answers

Seeking info on touring California wineries [more inside]
posted by fishmasta on Jun 3, 2009 - 22 answers

Visiting Los Angeles for the first time What do I need to see and do? [more inside]
posted by ColdChef on May 18, 2009 - 52 answers

How can I best prepare myself for a move out of the state? [more inside]
posted by brynna on May 13, 2009 - 20 answers

International Travel novice: What do I need to know that I don't know that I don't know? [more inside]
posted by b33j on Apr 17, 2009 - 28 answers

Driving from San Diego, CA -> Yuma, AZ in early Febuary to spend a week in Yuma and then returning to San Diego. As our flight comes in early in the morning we're thinking of hitting the San Diego Zoo or Birch Aquarium before heading to Arizona. Suggestions on places to see/go either along the route or within a couple hours drive of Yuma?
posted by Mitheral on Jan 22, 2009 - 10 answers

That's it, I'm going to Bakersfield. Tell me what to do there. [more inside]
posted by roll truck roll on Jan 21, 2009 - 13 answers

californiafilter: help us find good hotels in san francisco and san diego! [more inside]
posted by thinkingwoman on Dec 17, 2008 - 17 answers

I have a free day in California I wasn't expecting. What can one man do today in, oh, 12 hours? I'm staying in Corona, but I'm willing to travel around and spend some money (up to $200 for argument's sake). [more inside]
posted by Green With You on Nov 15, 2008 - 12 answers

So this turned in to a trip to L.A. instead, but the premise is the same: A friend and I are coming over on holiday for two weeks (from this Sunday the 26th until Thursday the 6th of November) to catch the festivities surrounding the election of Obama for president. [more inside]
posted by bering on Oct 22, 2008 - 3 answers

Potential six-hour downtime in San Jose, CA. Conditions apply... [more inside]
posted by gc on Oct 11, 2008 - 5 answers

Help me troubleshoot and enhance my roadtrip / move to Eugene, Oregon. I will soon depart Lawrence, KS for adventures that will eventually leave me in Eugene to begin graduate studies with UO. I'm going to outline the planned itinerary in the hopes that the hive mind can suggest areas to visit at our planned stops, beautiful or interesting routes to take between them, and interesting pit stops to make. Also, warnings of potential trouble spots or situations will be greatly appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Derive the Hamiltonian of... on Jul 21, 2008 - 13 answers

In San Diego for 2 days, hate zoos and most museums. Willing to travel. What should we do? [more inside]
posted by bodgy on Jul 2, 2008 - 19 answers

I will be doing a very anticipated trip to California for the first time. Please advice with good tips! [more inside]
posted by fcoury on May 6, 2008 - 23 answers

Where should we go on our California trip? [more inside]
posted by Melismata on Mar 28, 2008 - 21 answers

What should we see and do from 4/24 to 5/2 between Sacramento and Los Angeles? [more inside]
posted by Mr. Gunn on Mar 11, 2008 - 10 answers

TravelFilter: Help me plan a driving trip from Sacramento, CA to Eugene, OR. Difficulty: Two children, six and four. [more inside]
posted by DWRoelands on Mar 10, 2008 - 14 answers

Things to expect for Coachella Festival in April? [more inside]
posted by FatherDagon on Mar 6, 2008 - 14 answers

San Jose California last 3 days of Feb. [more inside]
posted by nax on Feb 4, 2008 - 23 answers

LegalFilter: My foolish friend received a misdemeanor in CA for trespassing and apparently needs to be booked and appear in court. She's set to fly to NY for school in three weeks - is she allowed to leave the state? [more inside]
posted by coolhappysteve on Dec 23, 2007 - 8 answers

Possible girl & her dog roadtrip retreat over the holidays. Nothing too expensive. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by miss lynnster on Nov 14, 2007 - 17 answers

I want to do something memorable for my 30th birthday, so my current plan is to head to Yosemite--I've never been there. However, my birthday is in December, so that's when we're going to go. Most of the Yosemite-in-winter advice online and in guidebooks seems to be outdated, and the official Yosemite website just doesn't seem that useful to me. Please give me your personal recommendations on what to do, where to stay, etc., particularly those based on recent experience. [more inside]
posted by wintersweet on Nov 6, 2007 - 15 answers

where can I stay in Santa Barbara? [more inside]
posted by drjimmy11 on Aug 20, 2007 - 14 answers

Have I got the right budget for my LA->SF drive? What are the hotels / motels really like? Are there any "bargain" towns or price blackspots? [more inside]
posted by wackybrit on Aug 15, 2007 - 14 answers

What is the quickest/cheapest way to get from Dana Point, California to San Diego? [more inside]
posted by geodave on Aug 8, 2007 - 6 answers

So I'm going to San Diego because I'm a big ol' geek and I'm finally going to San Diego Comic Con this year, about which I'm super excited. While in San Diego, what food should I eat/buy? [more inside]
posted by Samantha on Jun 26, 2007 - 28 answers

While I love my family, I want to claim the other half of my heritage (my father’s side of the family) in an upcoming visit. [more inside]
posted by Phalene on Jun 24, 2007 - 30 answers

From L.A. to Santa Fe and back. By Car, necessarily. Next month. I'm planning a 1.5 day drive, a 3 day stay in Santa Fe (already taken care of, thanks), a 1.5 day drive back to L.A. Where should I sleep en route? I'm thinking Flagstaff, right? Sightseeing in or around Flagstaff? (touristy stuff is OK unless it's something horribily overcrowded or plainly for kids). Is the drive too long/boring? Any better ideas to make the trip more fun? Suggestions? Thanks.
posted by PenguinBukkake on Jun 20, 2007 - 7 answers

What is the best method & location for live-blogging a cross country trip using a MacBook, DSLR camera, DV camera, t-mobile EDGE and intermittent wifi? [more inside]
posted by tarthur on Jun 13, 2007 - 6 answers

Visiting San Diego this weekend: do we need a rental car, and is there anything secret and great near Seaworld that we should see? (esp. good coffeeshops for hanging around in?) [more inside]
posted by LobsterMitten on Jun 4, 2007 - 24 answers

In late May, I'll be driving with a bunch of friends in an RV from Sacramento CA to George WA and back for the Sasquatch Music Festival. I've only driven as far north as the Oregon border before, so I'm looking for recommendations of interesting places to stop - your favorite diners, pie shops, waterfalls, hot springs (improved or not) and other oddities of northwest highway culture. I'm familar with many Northern California hot springs (I really like the one in Sierraville), and would love to find other very inexpensive and informal places like that.
posted by luriete on Apr 25, 2007 - 14 answers

California-filter: I'll be traveling in California for one month with my girlfriend. Please provide us with little hidden gems (hotels, restaurants, lunch rooms, best cappuccino in town, things to see and do etc) we won't find in travel guides. Please see our travel plan and other specifics inside. [more inside]
posted by IZ on Feb 11, 2007 - 34 answers

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) training in San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by littlegreenlights on Feb 9, 2007 - 8 answers

I need to make a day trip to Sacramento from San Francisco. I don't own a car. What's the best way to get there & back? [more inside]
posted by treepour on Jan 9, 2007 - 9 answers

I'll be in/around L.A. for a family reunion this December 22 - 27. Help me with my reverse-Snake Plisken(sequel) mission: I need to escape from my relatives and finding cool things to do in the L.A. area... [more inside]
posted by sluggo on Nov 13, 2006 - 15 answers

Looking for good music, drinks, dancing (no pop music), theater, food, sight-seeing, adventure, etc. in San Francisco for a summer vacation. It will be me and my girl. It will also be her birthday. [more inside]
posted by jruckman on Jul 3, 2006 - 13 answers

Driving up the California coast from LA to San Fran, 101 to 1, before turning inland at Santa Cruz. Looking for recommendations for great places to stay (relatively cheap) and great things to do along the way. Big Sur is definite, and I'm looking to overnight in the area. Everyone has favorites along this route. I want to hear 'em all.
posted by fourcheesemac on Jun 18, 2006 - 25 answers

For a late June, post-wedding escape from L.A., my groom and I would like to find an off-the-beaten-path town/hotel. Our requirements must be odd, of which [more inside]
posted by Scram on May 20, 2006 - 16 answers

I live in Massachusetts and have a quick business trip to California Sunday through Wednesday next week. I will be have free time in San Francisco 6p-10p Sunday and Monday and 4 - 10p in Irvine/LA on Tuesday. What cool stuff can I do that beats "going out to dinner and walking around the tourist area"?
posted by kaytrem on Apr 6, 2006 - 11 answers

Driving from San Diego to Portland: how do I plan a pleasant 3-day trip up the west coast? [more inside]
posted by junkbox on Mar 23, 2006 - 21 answers

I'm going to be doing some traveling in the near future to a part of the world with which I'm not familiar. I'm going to be in Santa Clara, CA for Eclipsecon, and I want ideas on what to do in the evenings assuming that I don't have a car and will be there from March 20 to March 23rd, leaving on the 24th.
posted by ChrisR on Mar 4, 2006 - 24 answers

AskMEFI Trip Planner - Southern California Coastal Mini-honeymoon suggestions: Where should we stay? Where should we eat? [more inside]
posted by sfz on Aug 7, 2005 - 13 answers

Due to a lucky alignment of stars, I have a 5 day vacation slot appear out of nowhere. I semi-randomly picked a destination: on Tuesday night I am flying out to Los Angeles, renting a car and driving into desert. What must I see/do? [more inside]
posted by blindcarboncopy on Mar 20, 2005 - 12 answers

Advice on 2 week trip to west coast USA please.. [mi] [more inside]
posted by Frasermoo on Jan 5, 2005 - 17 answers

Travel route advice please. I'll be driving from Southern California to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada in late January or early February. A native southern californian who has never driven this far, I'm much worried about the weather. I've read up on various winter driving advice. I'm wondering about the route. Most directions show a straight shot (through denver, chicago). But would it be better to stick south till like Tennessee, then do a straight shot up north?
posted by rexruff on Dec 21, 2004 - 13 answers

Recommendations for wineries for a daytrip from Oakland CA? [details inside] [more inside]
posted by allan on Dec 11, 2004 - 8 answers

Mendocimo & Napa Filter
A friend is going to spend 2 nights in Mendocima, CA in November. Currently he's tempted by the Joshua Grindle Inn's water tower. Anyone have any better/similar suggestions for some accomodation and also a place around Napa for a night as he heads back to SF? [more inside]
posted by i_cola on Oct 26, 2004 - 7 answers

On Tuesday I'm going to find myself with five or six spare hours as I pass through Los Angeles. I haven't really seen L.A. before, so what should I do? What should I see? Where should I eat?

For what it's worth, my hotel will be near LAX on Highway 1.
posted by mrbula on Oct 16, 2004 - 13 answers