Some advice for a tourist.. (Los Angeles, San Diego: beach, getaway, park)

[TheBrit]

I've been thinking about spending an extended period in California to explore the state.

California is a pretty big place and I realised it is going to take me a while to see the things I want to see so I decided to draw out an extended plan that would allow me to visit most of the places I want to see.

Chief amongst my list is:

San Francisco
Los Angeles
Santa Monica
Palm Springs
Lake Tahoe

I have what I want to see in order though there may be more to add to that but the real problem I have is trying to work out where my if you will "launchpad" should be.

While I plan to visit a few places I would like somewhere to be sort of my go to place. Somewhere to arrive and settle down and then depart from and if travelling takes its toll on me to return to and rest my head.

I am pretty open to most places but I would prefer somewhere a little more active and preferably with some night life. I'd like to be around people that wouldn't be regarded superficial or material in general and being somewhat close to a beach resort or something of natural beauty like the mountains would be a bonus.

I'd like to know where people would recommend I locate my Batcave, thanks for any input.

[Clarks]

I would drop Palm Springs in favor of Death Valley, as long as you are going to do the desert, you might as well do the desert.

[Bluesmama]

I love Palm Springs, myself, but Death Valley IS a very interesting road trip with some cool surprises. But I wouldn't go through it blindly. Find a tourists booklet before you go. (Also, while Palm Springs and Palm Desert offer a lot of cool interests, they aren't exactly a mecca for night life.)

Yosemite National Park is another cool excursion.

[mrsltd]

I'd like to know where people would recommend I locate my Batcave, thanks for any input.

That's easy. Anywhere with cheap sleeps that are far from freeways but not from civilization.

Whittier (LA County) or La Habra (Orange County) would be a good start. They are in the middle of many things and yet a little bit off the beaten path, as far as tourism is concerned.

But California has a number of good getaways for when all you want is just to "clear your head." What exactly are you looking for as a "go to" place? I gave my qualifications; what are yours?

[TheBrit]

Originally Posted by Clarks

I would drop Palm Springs in favor of Death Valley, as long as you are going to do the desert, you might as well do the desert.

Originally Posted by Bluesbabe

I love Palm Springs, myself, but Death Valley IS a very interesting road trip with some cool surprises. But I wouldn't go through it blindly. Find a tourists booklet before you go. (Also, while Palm Springs and Palm Desert offer a lot of cool interests, they aren't exactly a mecca for night life.)

Yosemite National Park is another cool excursion.

Thank you I'll look into it.

I've not worked out exactly how long I will be staying but it probably will be quite an extended visit so I am hoping to soak in quite a bit of what California offers though it seems that wouldn't be easy no matter how long you had.

Originally Posted by mrsltd

That's easy. Anywhere with cheap sleeps that are far from freeways but not from civilization.

Whittier (LA County) or La Habra (Orange County) would be a good start. They are in the middle of many things and yet a little bit off the beaten path, as far as tourism is concerned.

But California has a number of good getaways for when all you want is just to "clear your head." What exactly are you looking for as a "go to" place? I gave my qualifications; what are yours?

Actually your qualifications are spot on I don't want to be too far away from civilization or amenities but in a place that wouldn't be as breakneck as a major city or as expensive as one. Looking into the suggestions you've made so far thank you.

[TimC2462]

Originally Posted by TheBrit

I've been thinking about spending an extended period in California to explore the state.

California is a pretty big place and I realised it is going to take me a while to see the things I want to see so I decided to draw out an extended plan that would allow me to visit most of the places I want to see.

Chief amongst my list is:

San Francisco
Los Angeles
Santa Monica
Palm Springs
Lake Tahoe

I have what I want to see in order though there may be more to add to that but the real problem I have is trying to work out where my if you will "launchpad" should be.

While I plan to visit a few places I would like somewhere to be sort of my go to place. Somewhere to arrive and settle down and then depart from and if travelling takes its toll on me to return to and rest my head.

I am pretty open to most places but I would prefer somewhere a little more active and preferably with some night life. I'd like to be around people that wouldn't be regarded superficial or material in general and being somewhat close to a beach resort or something of natural beauty like the mountains would be a bonus.

I'd like to know where people would recommend I locate my Batcave, thanks for any input.

Why not have two launchpads -- one primary and the other secondary. One in San Francisco or the bay area, and the other in Los Angeles.

If you stay in the bay area, you can visit San Francisco, Monterey, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, and Sacramento. In Los Angeles, you can travel to Palm Springs, San Diego, Mojave Desert, Santa Barbara, etc.

Depending on what you want to see in California, my primary launchpad would be in a major city where most of the attractions are nearby. The secondary launchpad would be further away where I visit tourist attractions before heading back to my primary base.

But I'm sure you have/will figure this out. Good luck.