Planning trip to CA coast. Best off-season time to visit? Things not to miss?

[ger87410]

I'm planning a trip to CA for the beginning of 2008. I want to visit in the off-season while everyone's still in school and everything there isn't a mad rush with crowds that stretch as far as the eye can see. I plan on going no further north then San Francisco.
We're going there to see dolphins in the wild, ride some surf, and generally to vacation.

People in CA:
1. What's the best off-season time to visit? (This is hopefully going to be in the poll.)

2. Are there any tourist attractions/museums/stores that are considered 'not to be missed'? (Besides theme-parks.)

3. What is the best time of day to drive? (I was thinking not driving anywhere between the hours of 7AM-7PM to avoid mad traffic.)

4. What's the best beach to ski from. (Looking for opinions here.)

5. Should I avoid all freeways and stick to side roads while along the coast?


I appreciate any and all input.
Thanx guys!
G

 

[227]

People in CA:
1. What's the best off-season time to visit? (This is hopefully going to be in the poll.)

Janurary thru March- Biggest and best shape surf of the entire year. Least crowds- unfortunately the coldest water though- as low as 58* in San Diego and colder up North

2. Are there any tourist attractions/museums/stores that are considered 'not to be missed'? (Besides theme-parks.)

Lots of stuff, depends on what your into. Aeronautics Museum is San Diego any man would enjoy. The list goes on....

3. What is the best time of day to drive? (I was thinking not driving anywhere between the hours of 7AM-7PM to avoid mad traffic.)

Day time between 9:30 am and 1:30 pm Night after 8:00 pm until around 5 am in the morning

4. What's the best beach to ski from. (Looking for opinions here.)

In San Diego-Oceanside Few spots in Ventura County Pismo to the North (Can get windy)

5. Should I avoid all freeways and stick to side roads while along the coast?

No, few roads with a ocean view run along the coast and the drive is much slower than taking the freeway (even during peak traffic)

 

[ger87410]

Thanx for the reply!

Do you go skiing much in the surf?

Do you see dolphins out there?

We're probably going to charter a whale spotting boat and see dolphins that way, but it'd be cool to see them on the skis.

We'll probably set off oceanside anyways. Avalon looks interesting.

Any gangs I should worry about in that area? Any places to avoid?

 

[2006superjet]

reply

People in CA:
1. What's the best off-season time to visit? (This is hopefully going to be in the poll.)
the best i think is april-may ish

2. Are there any tourist attractions/museums/stores that are considered 'not to be missed'? (Besides theme-parks.)
-the getty in la,laker game,the universal studios deal the waterworld show,
venice beach, napa,be on price is right lol. in n out, south coast plaza huntington beach, newport beach bars. laguna beach take pch.

3. What is the best time of day to drive? (I was thinking not driving anywhere between the hours of 7AM-7PM to avoid mad traffic.)
-11am-2pm in la get in get out with no traffic or less traffic, oh dont rely on google maps or mapquest they suck.

4. What's the best beach to ski from. (Looking for opinions here.)
-oceanside between sandiego and newport beach. parking is 5$ half day or free if you wanna walk and have no trailer. overflow lot another good spot is dana point 10$ launch fee some great coastal scenery, sea lions and dolpins


5. Should I avoid all freeways and stick to side roads while along the coast?
-pch is a good way of going but lots of stop lights -101 is better than the 5 for getting up to san fran imo nicer scenery

 

[227]

Thanx for the reply!

Do you go skiing much in the surf?

I live in Oceanside and ride the surf about 2-3 times a week

Do you see dolphins out there?

Almost every time we ride, there pretty common. If you idle up to them sometimes you can get really close. I've had them swim right along side.

We're probably going to charter a whale spotting boat and see dolphins that way, but it'd be cool to see them on the skis.

Haven't been on a whale watching boat since I was a kid. Most harbors have whale charters and as I recall they are worth it.

We'll probably set off oceanside anyways. Avalon looks interesting.

Are you refering to Avalon on Catalina Island? Yes you should check that out, its cool

Any gangs I should worry about in that area? Any places to avoid?

There are gangs in most big cities but I wouldn't worry about them they usually fight each other

 

[ger87410]

OK, good.

Thanx alot!! You all have been most helpful!!!

 

[LBE]

gangs? What have you heard about Cali?

Well....
Come join LBE on his guided ghetto tours. You will see such famous spots as:
MVP records, Watts, South Central LA, Compton, the projects, and many many more. All this for just the price of 100 bullets!


Seriously

In SF see;
Pier 39/Alcatraz
Golden Gate bridge
Fort Point
Mavricks in Half Moon Bay
Marina Green in the City

Down South
If you take hwy 1, nice drive, Hearst Castle along the way.
Disneyland of Course
Queen Mary in LB (Not super exciting but it is cool)
Ride with the Oceanside Crew
Take a day trip to Catalina (via helicopter is cool, and not that much $$)

I'm sure I will think of more but I have to go..... my possi just arrived and we have some driveby's to take care of.
And go watch the movie LA Story.

 

[Mark44]

We just purchased our Alcatraz tickets from the park service, they said there are a lot of scams out there with these tickets. We will be visiting SF for the holidays. FYI

Mark44

 

[ger87410]

LOL @ LME

That was pretty good.

Last I heard there was a gangs fighting with police. Threatened the police and everything.
Or was that Florida. Can't remember or find the article.