We are going to California next month, and after spending some time with our family in Northern California, are planning to drive down the coast to San Diego, where we will stay with friends for a few days before heading back to Boston.
Along the way we're planning stops to see Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara. So far we are thinking of staying 2 nights in Paso Robles, from which we can visit the castle and a few wineries, then 2 nights in Santa Barbara. The only place I know of in the LA area that I really want to see is the Getty Center, so we'd probably like to spend one night in that area en route to San Diego.
The places we have tentatively picked to stay so far are:
Does anyone have recommendations for a possible hotel not too far from the Getty? We're not looking for luxury, just something comfortable and affordable.
Roz, When I used to work out of my company's Westwood office, I occasionally stayed at this hotel in Brentwood ... but it was a Holiday Inn in those days! Good location; easy to get to the 405 from there. http://www.jdvhotels.com/angeleno
It looks like rooms start at $189/night.
Your road trip sounds great! Too bad you couldn't time it to coincide with SlowBowl ... Maybe next year.
Posts: 13719 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
We are going to California next month, and after spending some time with our family in Northern California, are planning to drive down the coast to San Diego,
Roz, of course, you are planning to see us--right?
The Holiday Inn not far from the Getty has a shuttle service that leaves from it. You can park your car there. We have done that and it worked very well.
I realze you probably don't want to spend all your time in the car. But for a road trip to miss out on one of the most scenic parts of California 1 is a real shame.
I would take 101 south to Salinas, then cut over to California 1, and go south to Cambria or Morro Bay to stay for Hearst Castle instead of Paso Robles. If it's raining, then I would forego the coast route, and take 101. There are also several wineries around San Luis Obispo.
Roz - I never did a trip report but we did the reverse of your journey last spring. I wrote about it on my blog starting here. We were a little more rushed than you. One of the highlights of my trip to the Getty (over and beyond the obvious art and architecture) was lunch in the restaurant - the food was great and the setting - all surrounded by floor to ceiling windows - was spectacular. Don't miss the Getty Villa as well. I did the two on separate days so that I was not overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all.
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
Roz, the Courtyard in Paso is in a rather charmless area. It is a good spot for easy access to the freeway and I am sure it is pretty nice since it is brand spanking new, but if you want to stay near the square and walk to dinner at Artisan you might consider staying at either the Melody Ranch (this is where I ALWAYS stay in Paso, it's a sweet little motel and I adore it) or at the Paso Inn. Especially if you are tasting during the day, it is nice to not to have to drive anywhere after dinner if you plan on drinking wine.
The Melody Ranch does not have a website... I will post the number if you are interested. The Paso Inn does have a website.
I hope when you come to San Diego you will come have a glass of wine with me at the Vine! My treat! It's beautiful here in OB, you have to come visit us.
The feature story in today's L.A. Times Travel section is on Santa Barbara. For some reason, they've divided it into separate segments on their website:
Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. Shannon, I do think the Paso Robles Inn looks like a better choice, and it's about the same price, so I've made a reservation there.
And, caodog, I saw that our pick for Santa Barbara (Brisas del Mar) was #1 on the LA Times list, so I figured I'd better book in there right away! We will probably drive down the coast from Salinas, depending on the weather, but I still want to stay in Paso Robles. I've also been advised to schedule a stop at McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park along that stretch of coastal highway.
As for LA, I am thinking now of staying in Marina del Rey because it's reasonably close to both the Getty Center and the Villa. There's a Holiday Inn Express there that looks okay.
Shannon, I'd love to stop by the Vine. Send me the info on exactly where it is.
Jerry, I enjoyed your blog; your descriptions of the Getty museums made me glad we're planning on stopping there.
There are 3 State Park sites whith "Pfeiffer" along that stretch of road so it's a little confusing, Pfeiffer Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach and Julia Pfeiffer Burns.
At most of the State Parks along the coast, you have to pay a parking fee at the entrance. Save your parking receipt, as you only need one ticket all day to park at any state park.
You'll be able to see the waterfall in about 5 minutes. I high recommend going to Pfeiffer Beach which is unmarked except for a small brown ocean access sign with a wave icon, but a spectacular beach. There is a description here most of the way down the page about how to get there: http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/beaches.html
If I could pick only one state park to stop at along this stretch of coast, it would be Point Lobos just south of Carmel because you almost always see otter, and the paths are lovely.
Posts: 355 | Location: La Canada, California | Registered: 08 July 2004
Take a look at Santa Monica for access to both the Getty Center and the Villa. Marina del Rey is a nice area, but traffic on the 405 north could be an issue in driving back and forth to the museums.
And if you have any extra time, think about coming out towards Pasadena for a visit to the Huntington Library and Gardens. The new Chinese garden is supposed to open sometime in February, but I think towards the end of the month.
As you drive down the coast, just north of Hearst Castle there is an elephant seal rookery called Piedras Blancas. This is the time of year when the huge males are hauled out along with the females and pups, and they are awesome to view. You just pull off the highway into the dirt parking lot, and walk to the chain link fence. You can get pretty close to the seals. There are interpretive signs and often rangers stationed there (both to provide information and make sure visitors don't cause any mischief). You might consider a 1/2 hour stop there on your way down the coast.
beth
Posts: 926 | Location: Southern California | Registered: 17 July 2006
We thought the location was great for touring the LA area. One day we went out to the Huntington Library in the morning (I love that place!), and then spent the late afternoon at the Getty Center.
Posts: 13719 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
Colleen, that Playa del Rey inn looks beautiful, but I'm afraid it's beyond our budget.
Marcia, I was choosing between a Best Western in Santa Monica and the Holiday Inn Express in Marina del Rey. According to Google Maps, the driving distance to the Getty Center is about 10 minutes more from MDR than from SM (with traffic Google says 50 mins from MDR and 40 from SM; less of course without traffic). There's also very little difference between the driving time to the Getty Villa from either one.
Since the Holiday Inn is slightly cheaper (especially when you factor in that it includes breakfast, which the BW does not), and I thought the surrounding area might be more interesting, I've opted for that.
Re the seals, Beth: I have twice been to the breeding colony at Ano Nuevo State Park. That was fabulous; the last time I got some amazing video of the males fighting. It's posted here.
Caodog, we've also been to Big Sur, Point Lobos, and Carmel, but not much farther south than that, so we're concentrating on the places we haven't seen yet. Do you think it would be worth stopping at Pfeiffer Beach in February? Thanks for the link to the beach sites, BTW -- good reference.
I think that you will really like staying in Marina del Rey; and I would have chosen the place with breakfast too, I think. Perhaps you will have time for a walk on the Venice Beach boardwalk. There are a lot of very good restaurants in the area, as well as in nearby Culver City. I really like the beaches in the winter, sans the summer crowds.
Re: Stopping at the Pfeiffer Beach in February. It certainly won't be swimming weather, but it's always beautiful, and it's a very short detour off the road. In winter, the ocean is stormier, and the coast gets more rogue waves, so be aware that they're at least a possibility anywhere along the coast. Also the elephant seal rockery at Piedras Blancas is literally only seconds out of your way - it is right next to the road, so you still might want to stop if you have the time.
California missions are another possible trip theme. My favorite one is San Antonio in Jolon (between the 101 and 1 near King City) because it's out in the country, and has more of the feel of what they might have been like:
The mission in Lompoc is not nearly so far off the road, and still a most interesting one. You can also see the mission in San Luis Obispo, which is a nice town. I would give Solvang a pass unless you want to take Highway 154 through the Santa Ynez valley, going the "back way" into Santa Barbara (less miles but slower than 101).
Regarding more interesting things in the neighborhood in Marina Del Rey: Marina Del Rey marina is on land leased from the City of Los Angeles, and developed as a marina in the 1960's. It doesn't have much feel of a real town, and not a lot of thought went into public access or public spaces. I don't know which Santa Monica Best Western you're looking at, but Santa Monica has a much nicer atmosphere and is a "real town". Whatever Mapquest or Google says, the 405 Freeway is often a parking lot. I would avoid it at anything near rush hour. If you stay in Santa Monica (generally much more expensive), you can just take surface streets. Even from Marina Del Rey, it might be faster at times to take surface streets.
Posts: 355 | Location: La Canada, California | Registered: 08 July 2004
For a more astmospheric stay on the West Side, you might consider Hilgard House in Westwood on the edge of the UCLA campus which advertizes a double for $179:
Living here, I've never stayed there, but it's in a nice location and convenient to the two Gettys as well as the Armand Hammer museum, LA County Museum of Art, or the La Brea tarpits.
Posts: 355 | Location: La Canada, California | Registered: 08 July 2004
Just topping this to say that we are back from our trip, which was fabulous, and thanks to everyone for all your tips. I've posted a photo album of some of the highlights here.
I didn't include a photo of meeting up with Shannon and Jane in San Diego, since Jane already posted that elsewhere, but that was a definite highlight as well!
Re those growths in the trees around Paso Robles. When we were there in Feb Dave (husband to MarciaB) explained to us that the big 'ball-like' growths were actually a parasitic plan - mistletoe.
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
) just waiting for our Slow Bowl Sunday brunch there!
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you might consider staying at either the Melody Ranch (this is where I ALWAYS stay in Paso, it's a sweet little motel and I adore it) or at the Paso Inn. Especially if you are tasting during the day, it is nice to not to have to drive anywhere after dinner if you plan on drinking wine.