LaJolla in Dec.-should we do Palm Springs too?

We were originally going to spend our whole week in LaJolla but are now considering a split including Palm Springs. Would both places need a week to do right or could we do both?

LaJolla in Dec.-should we do Palm Springs too?

It is not a matter of the amount of time';needed'; for each but the amount of time you choose for each. La Jolla is a neighborhood in the city of San Diego. It is on the coast so the temp will be springlike during the day and a bit chillier at night. I f you have never been to San Diego before then there are lots of things to see and do including historical sites,museums,parks,theater,hikes/walks ,zoo and many more.

Palm Springs is a 2 hour drive into the desert. The desert temps will be warmer during the day than La Jolla but can cool off sharply when the sun goes down. How much time you spend in each place is really up to you. I tis like saying can I do both Boston and the Cape in 1 week.?Saniego is NOT florida ,so if you are looking for tropical temps you will not find it here. We are more Mediterranean near the coast.

LaJolla in Dec.-should we do Palm Springs too?

I definitely get your drift. We%26#39;ve actually been to San Diego before but stayed at the Del and spent most of our time on Coronado Island. We did the zoo, etc., and did go on the beach at LaJolla. So, maybe I can squeeze in Palm Springs. Along those lines, can you tell me if the ';scenic route'; there includes roads that are really scary? Rt. 1 in No. Ca. nearly ruined my trip. Thanks for your help.

Rte 1 north of SanFrancisco did me in as well. I managed rte 1 from SanLuis Obispo up to Monterey because when you go from south to northyou are on the inside(not the cliffside )of the road. The one scenic route that I know goes over the mt into Palm Desert and I have never taken it because I don%26#39;t love mt roads. From what I understand it takes about as long as the regular route. The route we take goes north on I-15 to 215 and then cuts over the mountains on a regular highway 60,which takes you to I-10. It%26#39;s about 2hrs. From I-10 you can get off at Palm Springs or any otf the other towns in the valley like Palm Desert Rancho Mirage, etc.

If by La Jolla you mean just the village then two days is probably enough. But if you intend to include the zoo or wild animal park, Seaworld, Coronado, Balboa Park, some theater or music or golf, etc. then you%26#39;d need a full week here.

Palm Springs, really Palm Springs area which extends for about 15 miles along route 111, does not have as many attractions and is primarily a desert resort area with golf and the weather as the winter attractions. You wouldn%26#39;t need a week here unless you wanted to play golf or just ';kick back'; for the week. Probably best to stay at a resort property here.

Incidentally, although La Jolla will have some warm days in December it can be fairly cool so come prepared. Palm Springs is definately warmer.

We have often driven the ';back'; way to Palm Springs - take the 15 north to the 79 to the 371 to the 74. You will se a lot of the backside of nothing, although it is very unlike New Jersey so should be interesting, until you get to the 74. That portion, through the mountains, is very picturesque, and the descent into Palm Desert is amazing. But not scary in the way Route 1 is (I definitely agree that South to North is the only way to do that!) Make sure you do it in the daytime, so you can see the views.

You might want to look at Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, or Indian Wells as places to stay - most of Palm Springs is...tired. Things we really like to do there - Indian Canyons just outside Palm Springs is wonderful for hiking, and the tram from the desert floor to 10,000 feet (and sometimes snow) is remarkable. We really like Joshua Tree National Park as well.

Enjoy!

Oh-oh. I%26#39;m glad to know in advance that Palm Springs might be ';tired';. I%26#39;m already tired so I might not want to do that :) I would like some desert experience though. I%26#39;ll check out the places you listed. Thanks!

I%26#39;d say a day in La Jolla would be fine. More days if you visit other places in surrounding communities, like San Diego, etc.

What is it about Palm Springs that appealed to you? Just the name or reputation, or something in particular? There are lots of resorts there which are nice. I think there%26#39;s still a tram that goes up to the top of the mountain. Joshua Tree would be worth seeing. In my opinion, the best ';desert town'; if you want to experience the desert for the first time would be Tucson Arizona, but that%26#39;s not a side trip from La Jolla - it%26#39;s about 420 miles away (7 hours drive). Best to make Arizona a special trip all on its own some day - tons of stuff to do there.

Thanks Imager. Boy, I feel this whole plan going down the tubes! I figured we could see two distinct places in So. Ca. but since it will be too cold to go swimming in Dec in LaJolla and now the desert trip is also sinking..........I have a feeling I%26#39;m going to wind up in Miami--bummer!

If you want hot tropical weather then you are right Miami is fo ryou . If you want to see some new places and experience new cities and new sights then don%26#39;t give up on La Jolla and/or PalmSprings as destinations. You can swim in pools and see the sights in 1 or both of those places.

Thanks Riffsmom-I was hoping someone would talk me into sticking with the plan. I am looking at condo on VRBO ( 92035) that is on Playa Del Norte near Wind and Sea Beach. Is that a good area?