02-06-2006
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#1 (permalink) |
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Happy Disney Dreams
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,455
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*need advice* Soarin' California trip planning
We are planning a trip to California this summer. Our plan is to start in Sacramento and drive for 1 to 2 hour increments per day until we reach Disneyland. We need help from some local folks. Can anyone give some advice on the areas we pinpointed below and maybe some local insights. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Sunday Fly from Indianapolis to Sacramento Sacramento hotel Monday Drive from Sacramento to Napa (1 hr) Spend day in Napa Napa hotel Tuesday Drive from Napa to San Francisco (1hr) Spend day in San Francisco San Francisco Hotel Wednesday Drive from San Francisco to Monterey (2 hrs) Spend day in Monterey Monterey Hotel Thursday Drive from Monterey to ??? (2hrs) Spend day in ??? ??? Hotel Friday Drive from ??? to Santa Barbara (2hrs) Spend day in Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Hotel Saturday Drive from Santa Barbara to Beverly Hills (LA) (1.5 hr) Spend day in Beverly Hills Beverly Hills hotel Sunday Spend day in LA Drive to DL Hotel Monday Spend day in Disneyland DL Hotel Tuesday Spend day in California Adventure DL Hotel Wednesday Spend day in Disneyland DL Hotel Thursday Spend day in California Adventure DL Hotel Friday Drive to LAX airport Home |
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02-06-2006
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#2 (permalink) |
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I have a fever! More MB!
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pacific Northwest! Near Portland!
Posts: 1,704
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Re: *need advice* Soarin' California trip planning
That sounds like a really fun trip!
Beverly Hills, that's where I want to be!  Can you also give me/us a rundown of the gang you will be travelling with??? 
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Everybody's got a laughing place A laughing place to go ho ho Take a frown, turn it upside down And you'll find yours we know ho AVATAR - me and the little dude taunting Splash Mountain!  |
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02-06-2006
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#3 (permalink) |
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Dole Whip Apostate
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Shasta in my heart
Posts: 2,813
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Re: *need advice* Soarin' California trip planning
Driving down the coast, huh? What kinds of things are you looking to do?
Me, I'd spend less time stopping and more days at Disneyland. 
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x*´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•*´¨"...make sure you don't grow up stupid.¸.•´¨) (¸.•´xxxxxxxxxxxxIt's bad for the world."xxxxxxxxxxx ¸.•´ xxxxxxxxxxxxx--Tami Taylor, Friday Night Lightsxxxxxxxxxx(¸.•`* |
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02-06-2006
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#5 (permalink) |
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Big Rescue Rangers fan
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: MIAMI,FL
Posts: 1,745
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Re: *need advice* Soarin' California trip planning
Erin don't look down in soarin' go straight ahead to the screen.
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JEANY SANCHEZ MUSKETEER I  Mickey Mouse3 Musketeers Jeany, Ingamba, Erin!I Erin! I IngambaI EpcotI Rescue RangersOctober 2006- Pop Century March 2007- Disney's Port Orleans Resort-Riverside May 2007- Disney's Coronado Springs Resort Nov 2007- Disney's All Star Music Oct 2008- Disney's All Star Music May 2009- POP Century Nov 2009- Disney's All-Star Movies resort |
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02-06-2006
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#6 (permalink) |
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Starting over
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 1,989
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Re: *need advice* Soarin' California trip planning
OH! I've done a drive through tour of California many times, most recient was a month long trip in 2003, it was amazing! My parents grew up all over California so we drive around and see their old towns.
Monterey is where my Mom lived most of her life, it is such an AMAZINGLY beautiful town, I really want to live there one day! Make sure you take a visit to Carmel Valley while in Monterey. A visit to Santa Rosa would be a good one too, quaint little town with wonderful missions to visit along the way. Ask away anything else you can think of, driving through California is my favourite vacation 
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Disneyland Trips 1989, 1994, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2004 (yes, twice, I'm obsessed okay?!) 2005, 2007 (I'm missing three trips but I don't remember what years) WDW Canadian Cast Member 2006 - 2007 |
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02-06-2006
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#7 (permalink) | |
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Dreams do come true!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: somewhere between here and there
Posts: 2,344
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Re: *need advice* Soarin' California trip planning
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I'm in the SF bay area and I'm going to assume a few things here--it will be your family (are you a family of 4?) and you are looking to spend the night in moderate hotels, nothing fancy or super low-cost (but I may have suggestions for that as well). Keep in mind I'm not sure yet what you want to see or where in these towns you want to stay... Sacramento: Do you wnat to see anything, or are you just spending the night here? Napa: I take it you want to tour the region and drive around here this day. My mom recently stayed at the Napa Valley Redwood Inn (a simple motel that was very, very clean) and I have stayed a the Embassy Suites in Napa (the actual town of Napa is very built up). These both make a good starting/ending point to tour the valley. You can drive up the Silverado Trail and back down the 29 making a loop (or up the 29 and down the ST) stopping at wineries to tour and having lunch with the family at Taylor's Refresher (taylorsrefresher.com for menu and map) in St Helena (it's a burger stand with a Napa Valley twist- think wine and Ahi burgers- and a big grassy lawn for the kids to run on) or you can buy a picnic lunch from one of the many little markets along the way find a spot and call it yours. This is a lot of driving and you can make a full day of it if you like, or just drive for 2 hours one way then turn around and drive back. San Francisco: Only one day  If you would like to stay in the city and do city tourist things (see fisherman's wharf/Pier 39, ride a cable car, etc) I'd suggest staying at the Handlery on Union Square (I am very comfortable with my kids here). It's a nice property in a fantastic location (avoid the restaurant--too $$$ for what you get--I can give you suggestions). Smallish rooms, but very clean and 1/2 block off the square and around the corner and down a block from the cable car line (the hotel is on Geary at Powell), and a block from the Disney Store (not big, but it's there). One of the best things about this property other than location and value is the PARKING is very easy to get in and out of (Cyril Magnum st ends at the lot--easy to navigate in and out of). Parking in the city is expensive even as a hotel guest, so ask about fees and see if there is a rate that includes parking (where ever you stay). If you just want a place to rest your head for the night and not see the city, there are lots of places near SFO on 101 that I can suggest, let me know. Monterey: You have to see the Aquaruim--buy your tix in advance if you can. I like the Otter Inn. It is 2 blocks from the aquarium and Cannery row is fun to ramble about with your family. The next day, I'd suggest driving from Monterey to San Simeon (Hearst Castle is here), **Cambria, Morro Bay (I have family here) or Cayoucus. It is longer than you hope for (95 miles, but you must drive slowly on curvy Highway 1 ), but it will put you about 150 miles from Santa Barbara. This part of the coast is one of my favorite places in California--sleepy and just beautiful. I'm not sure how old your kids are, but look into touring Hearst Castle or just taking a quiet day beachcombing here. Cambria would be my fist choice to stay. Look at cambriachamber.org Cambria Pines Lodge is the only hotel I personaly have stayed at and it was just great (we rent a cottage or stay with family). My SIL is from Cambria, so I can get the scoop on other properties if you see one you like. Santa Barbara: Look at the West Beach Inn, or for a splurge Fess Parker's Doubletree are two places I stayed and like a lot. I like to visit the Mission Santa Barbara for some CA history and beauty, Stearn's Wharf for fun and eat at Brophy Bros (better places in town, but it's a tradition to eat here). BH--Are you staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel (I used to work there) or do you need a suggestion for BH? I hope this post isn't too long, lol. As you can see, I have lots of ideas and I'm all too eager to share them  This really will be a great trip for your family. Can I ask what month you are traveling?
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R2G your avatars rock!  DL--too many times to count WDW--just once, Oct 2006 |
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02-06-2006
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#8 (permalink) |
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Waiting for BLT!
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: I'm right here! HI!
Posts: 12,705
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Re: *need advice* Soarin' California trip planning
For your thursday with the question marks I CANNOT suggest more strongly Big Sur (located only about 30 minutes south of monterey). the Big Sur lodge is located in Pfeiffer state park with beautiful redwoods, hiking trails, etc. One of the BEST restaurants I've been to is located there too, "Ventana." You will never look at another dining experience again after making a visit here.Pfeiffer Beach is the most beautiful natural formation in nature I've ever seen and a sunset there is nearly heartstopping.
Big Sur has to be one of the most BEAUTIFUL and impressive places I've EVER traveled too. http://www.bigsurlodge.com/ Look at some of the photos on this page http://jrabold.net/bigsur/ PS: I HAVE TO second Daisyd's suggestion on the Monterey Bay Aquarium... WOW! It's amazing!
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Disneyland & College Program Moderator  Upcoming Trips Dec. 16th - 20th '09: Bay Lake Tower June 2010: Alaska Cruise  Oct 2010: Spooky Halloween in Disneyland   "Life without a vacation countdown is like a cupcake with no frosting." Banner by Mickeysgirlz, she's a rockstar! |
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02-06-2006
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#9 (permalink) | |
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: WDW in my dreams
Posts: 18,278
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Re: *need advice* Soarin' California trip planning
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02-06-2006
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#10 (permalink) | |
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Dreams do come true!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: somewhere between here and there
Posts: 2,344
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Re: *need advice* Soarin' California trip planning
Quote:
, only I didn't suggest it because you said Monterey and I was in aquarium mode, lol. But staying in Big Sur is like no where else. Just Heavenly. But you can stop at Nepenthe http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/ for a hot coco by the fireside or an iced tea and appetizers on the deck as you pass through. Or if it's early, at the same location but even more dramatic is their Cafe Kevah for breakfast. You'll be clinging to the side of a mountain looking over the Pacific.
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R2G your avatars rock! DL--too many times to count WDW--just once, Oct 2006 |
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02-06-2006
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#11 (permalink) |
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Starting over
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 1,989
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Re: *need advice* Soarin' California trip planning
hey yeah! My mammy lived in Big Sur growing up too
 garsh, I LOVE California!!!All this talk reallllly makes me want to go back there!
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Disneyland Trips 1989, 1994, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2004 (yes, twice, I'm obsessed okay?!) 2005, 2007 (I'm missing three trips but I don't remember what years) WDW Canadian Cast Member 2006 - 2007 |
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