I want to fly as far as possible. Can anyone give me any ideas of some great vacations--we LOVE ocean and pristine beaches-Florida is a cheap flight for us and too close to use for these nonlimiting tickets--any ideas about California? when is the best time to go, road trip? land where? best beaches to visit and should think about may be cruise on that side of the us? Ideas please because I need to plan by January and I am stagnated and cannot find enough info on California as to their beaches and do we rent a car and drive up the coast? Also, when is their summer because I dislike cold weather - I live in it 10 out of 12 months where I live. Thank you to everyone that can help me with some insight......all ideas will be considered....other than giving the tickets up because they are nontransferable and could only be used on the "continent" of the US. Thanks
2007-10-24 19:46:54 · 9 answers · asked by mac 6 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Other - United States
'I'm not from Nebraska but NE Pennsylvania--probably just as cold but a much longer flight to california--which is what I want
2007-10-24 20:05:06 · update #1
How about flying into San Fran and visiting the city then driving down HWY 1 through Monterrey and Big Sur, visiting Hearst Castle then checking out the central coast area?
Very nice weather after March or so. It doesn't really get very cold here anyway.
Also after SF all of the rest of the places I mentioned aren't heavily populated, so it could be a very nice, relaxing time for you both.
2007-10-24 20:00:29 · answer #1 · answered by BigTip$ 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
My husband and I use to live in Sonoma County.. and without a doubt,.. that is the most worthwhile place to go.
Do this.. get tickets to fly into San Francisco.
You can tour San Francisco which is an amazing city..
but you can get a rental car.. hop on the 101 and go north about an hour and half to two hours into Sonoma.. you'll hit Petaluma.. (nothing there, but some outlets).. then Rohnert Park and then Santa Rosa.. (again, nothing amazing about these cities.. ) but if you go north a little further there is Windsor.. and while the city of Windsor has nothing to really offer.. there is an exit there called River Road..
exit River Road, and go West.
You will be passing some of the most BEAUTIFUl country side ever.. you will first start through some basic scenery.. but then it turns into rows and rows of vineyards.. the Martinelli vineyards (and yes, they give tours and tasting).. then as you go further up there is the Korbel Winery.. again amazing vineyards.. (it looks like Europe) and they also do tours and give taste samples..
My husband and I lived over there and we don't even drink, but we were in awe of the beautiful vineyards.
Okay.. now here's the good part.. you'll go through this little city called Rio Nido and Guerneville.. and that's kinda the last stop before you head out further.
By the way by this time you'll start seeing the vineyards disappearing, and you'll notice these mammoth Red Woods .. absolutely beautiful !
They go along the Russian River.
Anyway.. you keep going, and you will see some of the most amazing scenery ever.. and I swear, it all looks like Europe.. and then the road forks.. you go left.. and it will take you to the most beautiful beaches !!
Remember the movie Goonies.. and how at the end the Pirate ship is exiting.. that was shot at Goat Rock.. which is one of the beaches you'll be at.
Now here's the cool thing.. there from March to May.. the seals come in onto some of those beaches to give birth to their pups. The local naturalist close certain sections of the beach.. but with binoculars you can still see the seals.
By may the beaches are reopened, and you can see some of the seals playing in the waves as they crash onto the shore.
And all of this.. is 28 miles from the time you exit off 101 to the time you hit the beach.
Trust me.. it is the MOST beautiful drive ever.
Now.. need something else to do there??
You can go further north to Fort Bragg and take a ride on the Skunk Train.. and see more HUGE Redwood trees.. and there's even part there where you can drive through a red wood tree.. it's that freakin' big.
So that's all fun stuff you can do..
If that's isn't enough.. (because you can do that stuff in a couple days... )
From San Franscico you're about an hour and a half from Napa.. but keep in mind.. Napa is very commercial now, and traffic is heck over there.. still it's a nice place to visit.
And then there's some history too.. in Santa Rosa, that is the city of Charles Schultze (the creator of Charlie Brown) and they have a museum for that there.
On your way up the 101 to Fort Bragg if you do that.. you'll pass cities that Jack London use to be at.
Now.. if you're back in San Fran.. you can go a couple hours south.. and see the Monteray Aquarium.
Anyway.. there's oodles of cool things you could do.
I have some pictures too of the Russian River area I was telling you about and can clarify any directions if you're intersested.. but absolutely amazing.
Hope your vacation is a blast !!
Almost forgot.. they have boats that I think leave from San Fran.. and from Fort Bragg and stuff.. that are Whale Watching Tours.. the whales migrate to and from Alaska.. and anyway.. I think it's between March and May that they do these tours so you could see whales ..
2007-10-24 20:03:06 · answer #2 · answered by Chris 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Renting a car in California is pretty much absolutely necessary if you want to get anywhere. Cities are simply not connected enough to allow for easier travel. And Driving up or down Hwy 1 is a great idea, not only will it put you close to all the beaches it's also considered one of the most beautiful highway drives in the country if not the world.
Considering you're from Nebraska, you're going to see that winter doesn't "exist", at least in the way you know it. The weather here is usually very warm and pleasant for mostly all the year, and cold, to most of us, is something below 55 degrees.
But California is a VERY diverse state in terms of terrain and things to do, and it couldn't possibly be encompassed in here. So you may want to give a look at Wikitravel's Entry of California, and start digging, there's plenty of info on everything you might want to know.
http://wikitravel.org/en/California
2007-10-24 19:58:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I live in the Los Angeles area.... we don't really have winter.. but for "us" it usually stays cold until early march (cold being in the 60-70's...50's at night. I do suggest renting a car because its almost impossible to get anywhere without one unless you plan on taking buses. As for beaches... my favorite is Leo Carrillo..its beautiful and not too many people are around. Plus if you like to camp...they have camping right by the beach. Its kind of rocky and their is caves all over...but overall it's beautiful. Cruises are usually located in Long Beach area. Also San Diego is beautiful (although i'm not so sure where the fires are down there) If you like pubs, beach and good food Gas Lamp San Diego is the perfect place. Hope this helps!
2007-10-24 19:57:59 · answer #4 · answered by KittieKatten 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Visit Sunny and warm California in Jan, hwy 1 is the best route to drive, you can go from San Francisco to Carmel and big sur( hearst castle) and Santa babara and Malibu to LA, and then drive along all the beaches( most famous are Manhattan beach, newport beach, laguna beach, dana beach, torrey pine beach, la jolla beach and mission beach to San Diego) see picture htttp://www.bayareavisit.com
2007-10-25 06:12:16 · answer #5 · answered by tom c 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
florida is a great vacation spot . if you go to key largo transportation is provided by holiday inn ( a limo ) ride was only 15.00 to any where in largo. . From Key West you can take a seaplane to Fort Jefferson this is a day trip.. the beach there is completely unspoiled.( the dry tortugas) and you can go or snorkling scuba diving .. In Key largo at Holiday Inn, your husband can go on a fishing boat during the day while you go shopping ..We always stay at holiday inn and the one in Key West .. your balcony is over the water .. In key largo your room is beside the marina ..The scuba diving is out of this world . You have a wide variety of boats to pick from . If you do anything go scuba diving it will be the best trip of your life. The owners of the boat Dual Porpoise Steve and Gabriele will take you out on the water anytime day or night to dive i did both.
2007-10-24 22:43:55 · answer #6 · answered by wendy dive 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the suggestion that "Big Tip$" gave you.
That area of California's coast Highway 1 is pristine, breathtakingly beautiful and the weather is usually mild, even in winter. (But you'll still need warm clothing.)
If you try it and explore it, I think you'll love it!
2007-10-26 12:13:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Texas Gulf Coast can be nice.
South Padre Island area and so on is pretty nice.
It's also not currently on fire, which is a plus.
2007-10-24 19:50:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Alaska, the last frontier.
2007-10-24 19:50:45 · answer #9 · answered by Just wonderin' 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋