Where Californians go for vacation? (San Diego, San Francisco: insuring, gated community, live)

[OC Investor2]

Originally Posted by MapleLeaf

Just wandering what is popular vacation destination for Californians?

Mexico (Cabo San Lucas, etc), Hawaii (Pretty much the default honeymoon spot for Californians).

For So Cal residents, shorter trips are to to Vegas, "The River", Reno/Tahoe, Santa Barbara, Big Sur and Nor Cal.

Friday afternoon the I-5 thru Camp Pendleton is packed as LA/OC folks go to San Diego for the weekend and San Diegans head the North to LA/OC

[Shope]

Originally Posted by treedonkey

I drove way down the Baja Peninsula once - almost to La Paz - with some friends and we had a BLAST. We had no problems paddling out into the sea a bit and finding our own 'private' coves to camp on along the way. of course, it didn't hurt that we went in August (the off season down there -- too hot). The drive was pretty harrowing at times though, and I would not recommend it for the faint of heart of for ANYONE with kids.

No problems at the border, it just takes a long time coming back...

Here are some of the good things we did along the way:
1) Scuba/Snorkeling everyday and spearing fresh fish right next to where we were camped.
2) A secluded campground with your own palapa for $4 a night.
3) Luncherias
4) Gorgeous water to paddle in swim in where we encountered dolphins, seals and an occasional whale

Here were some of the bad things:
1) Corrupt cops in Ensenada that made is give them $100 to not go to jail.
2) Sharing a very narrow windy road with oncoming (speeding) trucks.
3) Pot holes big enough to drive right into and not get out of.
4) Stopping to repair a blown tire and realizing that the awful smell we sniffed was coming from a decapitated cow in the ditch next to us.

Did a family road trip to Cabo once from Sacramento. A lot of your points are right on the money. If you go in the off season everything is cheap outside of the tourist areas. We had a ten trailer and parked it right on the beach most days. Spear fishing was good, I even swam with a pack of tuna. The highways are extremley narrow and you will come within inches of oncoming semi trucks. Some of the mountain roads are pretty crazy also. You also have the occasional military roadblock, they just ask you a few questions and go on your way. They might want to look around in your car a little bit, no big deal.

[bmd69]

Originally Posted by Cupcake77

Most Californians I have known, never leave the state. They think the world revolves around California.

That's funny, because the natives here say the same thing. I now live in NC.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

What exatcly is a vacation? We don't do those so much as live them here in this state. For example last week I spent 4 of 7 days at the beach after work. On the weekend we were there hanging out. We will be going camping in August. A week in Malibu camping at the beach. It is a hard life I live. My kids love it though and so do I.

[LASam]

Originally Posted by MapleLeaf

Car insurance usually covers trip to mexico?

From what I understand it DOES NOT.

[humboldtrat]

If you're poster "hsw", you probably go visit venture capitalist offices on Sand Hill Rd. followed by a drive through Woodside to see where the titans of high tech and masters of the universe live. Of course, there's always the obligatory trip down to west LA for some decent grub .

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by MapleLeaf

Car insurance usually covers trip to mexico?

Umm, no. You have to buy separate "Mexico Insurance" either just inside Mexico or before you reach the border.

I made the mistake of deciding to drive around in Tijuana, and bought the insurance in Mexico -- it seemed pretty shady, they even take a picture of your car.

If you are just going for a quick day-trip into Tijuana, do not drive in, leave your car at the border, walk into Mexico, and either walk or take cabs. Oh, wait, from what I hear nobody goes to TJ anymore.

[Hollywood Inquirer]

They either vacation in their own city or vist the other city next to them.

[sb_stong]

Originally Posted by MapleLeaf

Car insurance usually covers trip to mexico?

You buy it near the border.

[bhcompy]

Vegas, Yosemite, Sierra Nevadas, San Bernardino Mtns, Laughlin, Havasu, etc