Southern California

[Gold60]

either in, or near SOCAL, where could you see one of those really big, not necessarily tall, redwood or Sequoia trees - or something similar ?

I don't even know where to start with this one. I've done so many trips all over California from San Diego to San Francisco and out to the Sierra Nevada and beyond.
It's really all going to be down to what you want from your trip. There are so many amazing places to see and stay that you are totally spoiled for choice but you can easily waste your whole time missing them all and spending time in places to avoid.
I always base myself in Long Beach and go from there. It's a really great place that's just out of LA enough to be comfortable. Not a long drive to San Diego and you get get cheap budget hotels etc if you want as they are everywhere. Apart from the beaches though anywhere south of LA tends to be the less attractive parts in my opinion. If you head to the mountains or Yosemite, Seqouia, Mammoth Lakes etc then it's amazing scenery.
The best part of San diego is the Gas lamp district for bars and restaurants and it's a great city.

 

[ozjuice]

either in, or near SOCAL, where could you see one of those really big, not necessarily tall, redwood or Sequoia trees - or something similar ?

Sequoia National park is 4 - 5 hours from LA but well worth it and you can stay close or rent a cabin. Visalia is close...ish if you need a hotel with some options for dinner.

 

[dajop]

If you’re talking about Southern California, I actually enjoyed Palm Springs, and some walks and drives in the surrounding area (canyons, mountains etc), cable car ride amongst other things. Only about 2-2.5hrs drive from both LAX and San Diego.

 

[harvyk]

If you’re talking about Southern California, I actually enjoyed Palm Springs, and some walks and drives in the surrounding area (canyons, mountains etc), cable car ride amongst other things. Only about 2-2.5hrs drive from both LAX and San Diego.

+1 for Palm Springs, plus keeping on the military theme, the Palm Springs Air Museum has the (self proclaimed) largest collection of WW2 aircraft in the world.

They will let you go inside some of the aircraft as well, thus I've climbed (crawled) through a B-17 there.

 

[robtemt]

If you’re talking about Southern California, I actually enjoyed Palm Springs, and some walks and drives in the surrounding area (canyons, mountains etc), cable car ride amongst other things. Only about 2-2.5hrs drive from both LAX and San Diego.

Oh, good one. I forget about Palm Springs, Joshua Tree.... It's a big spot for us for multi-family Thanksgiving trips, lots of golf, spas, tennis, relaxing.....

You can actually go to Palm Springs from Temecula, and then out to Ontario (a great easy airport to fly in and out of.....).

 

[ozfflyer]

We still use the car trawler site Arguscarhire for renting our cars. Last car I had was a Kia and it was quite ok for the freeway runs. Take the insurance!
What budget do you have for accommodation? We have used Ayres for our staff and they have been happy with the quality.
Days Inn would be lower as would EconoLodge properties. I was always happy with La Quinta and Embassy Suites but they were a bit more expensive.

WWW.DRIVEAWAY.COM.AU - Oz wholesaler based in Syd, which usually has best rates on cars by far, if book far enough in advance. Rates change daily & all rates include insurance & often $0 excess. In USA, insurance can often be more than cost of car. In other words local rent cars often sound cheap, until add the insurance.

For accom, why not look at holiday inn expresses. They seem to be everywhere & generally the less urban the location, the cheaper. They all include breakfast & if near an airport, they include transfers. eg. if you fly into LAX & want a night/day to recover from long haul flight, stay at one near LAX & then get their transfer back to airport, where you can then get a rental car bus to the depot of company you've booked with.

www.hiexpress.com

or a travel agent can do this for you at same price, as you pay online.

 

[ovtraveller]

Hi Gold60. Would strongly suggest San Diego’s Gas Lamp District. Booked an apartment right in the middle; it was huge, but lacked double glazing, but the place was a blast over the weekend. Attractions: harbour cruises, the famous Zoo, a tram ride to the Mexican border ( how to astonish fellow tram riders and then talk Aussie!). Check it out in Google maps.

 

[BAM1748]

either in, or near SOCAL, where could you see one of those really big, not necessarily tall, redwood or Sequoia trees - or something similar ?

Go for a ride on the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad in Felton south of San Francisco. They run through and stop in the red woods.

Home - Roaring Camp Railroads

Explore the ancient coastal redwoods aboard Roaring Camp's authentically preserved trains, the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train.

www.roaringcamp.com

 

[Townsend]

I would suggest Yosemite, Joshua Tree and the other National Parks. They are terrific.

 

[BAM1748]

My angle, fly to SFO, get the BART (train) into Union Square and stare there the first couple of nights. Ride the midnight cable car back from the Buena Vista coughtail Bar The Buena Vista

After a couple of night then pick up the rental car and drive south to Felton, Monteray Bay and Highway 1. Head to LA and plenty to see and do. Try the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena for some high brow art and Henry Moore sculptors.

Then drive back slight north towards Mojave and loop around via Palm Springs, Joshua Tree NP, the Salton Sea to San Diego and back via San Clemente and the coast.

 

[BAM1748]

I would suggest Yosemite, Joshua Tree and the other National Parks. They are terrific.

The Parks are amazing, you could head up to Truckee, Feather River and Lake Tahoe drive down the other side of the Sierra Nevada's and back into SoCal west of LA near Barstow , there is so much to see but alas you'll need to pick what you are interested in and go for it and start planning your next trip there.

 

[aggie57]

Some really good information here; I have a place in Newport Beach and the one thing I will say is there is just so much to see and do around there that you really are best to pick a theme and plan around that. You say military and aviation, as others say there are plenty of places that cater for that. I didn't see anyone mention the Planes of Fame or Yanks Museums in Chino, or the Intrepid in San Diego. The first two are a day on their own, it's a bit inland (about 45 mins from NB) and are both amazing collections. You can walk in and around the aircraft, including the bone yard at Yanks. Then there is the Lyon Museum at John Wayne Airport (Orange County / SNA to the airlines) which is privately owned by Billy Lyon who was one of the main residential developers in Orange County through the 70's and 80's. It's amazing, very accessible and cheap. He also has an amazing car collection which is often on display as well.

Talking of cars, the Petersen Museum in really LA is worth a visit, as is the Mullin Museum in Oxnard (an easy day trip up the PCH from LA). And talking of the PCH, if you want to experience SoCal you've got to allow time to wander through places like Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. Blackie's in Newport Beach is a great hole in the wall style place to grab a cold beer and a bite. Hire a bike and take a ride down the boardwalk, or cruise over to Lido village and grab a fish taco at Bear Flag with the locals.

in principle avoid anything advertised in travel guides or the in-flight magazines. Full of tourists and tour buses. If you do really want to visit them get there at opening time, or early in the day. Either way smile, say thank you and 'my pleasure', wear shorts and a polo, you're good to go.