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My kids want to go on the ultimate California road trip. They are 11 and 13. They are down to do whatever. Both are curious and adventurous. I can allocate 10 days to this trip ( It can be less ) and will fly from Austin to wherever to start. What is our itinerary? [more inside]
posted by jasondigitized around California at 12:02 PM - 14 answers

Driving from Oakland to Reno in mid May, what should I do, what should I know? [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh around Los Angeles, CA at 2:24 PM - 6 answers

Help me in finding fun/unique/normal things to do on a family vacation to Los Angeles, please! [more inside]
posted by zerobyproxy around Los Angeles, CA at 7:00 AM - 20 answers

I know SF is notoriously unaffordable, but I wanted to reach out and see if anyone had tips for less expensive places to stay in SF. [more inside]
posted by dokodomo around San Francisco, CA at 10:08 PM - 9 answers

After 22 hours of travel, we'll be landing in SFO at midnight in late April. What's our best option for getting our tired bums into beds safely? [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam around San Francisco, CA at 4:23 AM - 30 answers

Ms. Pie and I are planning a short vacation in March – the first one in years – driving up the California coast from Santa Barbara to Monterey. We're staying a few nights in Monterey then driving back down. We'd especially like to walk/lightly hike in wooded areas with redwood trees, but we know recent fires have affected some of the parks in the area. What are our best options at this time? [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie around Monterey County, CA at 4:06 PM - 8 answers

Angelenos this question is for you. Say a person is setting out from the car rental desk at BUR c 8 or 8:30 pm. This person likes Canter's style big deli sandwiches and wants to get one that night. Should this person just drive down to Canter's in Hollywood, or is there somewhere in Studio City that will be open around 9pm where she can get a sandwich like that? (Hotel is in Studio City, will be traveling with potentially cranky child.)
posted by fingersandtoes around Los Angeles, CA at 6:05 PM - 7 answers

I don’t really follow sports at all and only just realized that tomorrow is super bowl Sunday and it is being held in LA. I’m supposed to land at 12pm pacific time and then need to be on the 2pm Catalina Island Ferry from Long Beach. What’s the best way to make this happen? [more inside]
posted by raccoon409 around Los Angeles, CA at 11:56 AM - 12 answers

What are the must-see places? What are the not-worth-it places? [more inside]
posted by dancing leaves around San Francisco, CA at 7:55 AM - 54 answers

I have a San Francisco trip in the works where I drive and stay for about a week. What are some economical options for places to park my car while I’m there? [more inside]
posted by Goblin Barbarian around San Francisco, CA at 11:48 AM - 10 answers

Headed to Palm Springs and would like to drive to Joshua Tree tomorrow. I have a wife and two tweens in tow. Any suggestions on hike or drives we should take while we are out there. Any pro tips? We have the entire day.
posted by jasondigitized around Palm Springs, CA at 7:19 AM - 9 answers

Planning to spend the last weekend of February in Los Angeles with the goal of seeing art. What part of town should I stay in and what galleries, shows, events, and museums are open? [more inside]
posted by latkes around Los Angeles, CA at 10:18 PM - 7 answers

Can you recommend a lovely hotel in the Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo areas to have a working vacation for a few days? Looking for a place with great walkability (proximity to the beach or local hikes, or to downtown), and nice outdoors space in the hotel (or room itself) where I can work on my laptop for a few hours each day, possibly with food/drink service. Aiming to spend no more than $300/night. [more inside]
posted by acidic around Ventura, CA at 10:08 AM - 5 answers

I have no idea how far away anything is or how long it takes to get places. I'm hoping some of you could help guide me to a place to stay, fun things to do, and hopefully stay near/get to the ocean. [more inside]
posted by retrofitted around Los Angeles, CA at 8:29 AM - 14 answers

Looking for your best recommendations for a nice place to spend two nights near Big Sur while having to also do a bit of work! [more inside]
posted by idlethink around California at 9:02 AM - 3 answers

We are heading to San Francisco from Wednesday through Saturday with our 12 year older son and 15 year old daughter, staying at the Marker in Union Square. Need your ideas for fun things for kids that age in this pandemic era. Everyone fully vaxed. [more inside]
posted by purenitrous around San Francisco, CA at 11:26 AM - 14 answers

Can you help me get from San Diego North County to the J.Paul Getty Museum in LA? Due to driving license mixups, I won't have a car and cannot rent one. Please help me LA-savvy mefites! [more inside]
posted by vacapinta around Los Angeles, CA at 7:32 AM - 15 answers

I'm planning a solo trip to California the second week in November to decompress after a particularly stressful few months. I don't want to stay in a large city, and am not sure which of the beautiful towns on or near the coast would be best. [more inside]
posted by GoldenEel around California at 11:58 AM - 17 answers

We’re driving a 2WD Honda Element and a 20-lb dog. We're new to winter car travel in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. We’re planning day visits and hikes only, no camping in the park, November 8-12, 2021. The Park Service website has lots of information. So much. I’m continuing to research and attempt to filter it down to fit our plans and aspirations, but it’s time to ask the Wise Ones. [more inside]
posted by conscious matter around California at 11:37 AM - 4 answers

Hi! Simple question: What are your favorite wineries in Napa? We're open to any and all ideas. Thank you!
posted by DavidNYC around Napa, CA at 10:51 AM - 13 answers