California Dreaming

I've lived in Southern California and for the last 10 years I've lived in the bay area on the San Francisco peninsula.
Northern California tends to get more rain than southern California and winters are colder than southern California but the summers are more delightful as our temperatures are cooler.Right now southern California has triple digit temperatures where in my area temperatures have been in the 70's.
Scenery wise north or south cannot be beat,I just have a preference for northern California.There's of course the wine country.I enjoy Healdsburg when I visit the wine country.
There are so many places to see and so many activities to participate in it's unbelievable.A couple of years ago my daughter Amy spent a few days white water rafting east of Sacramento.
Lake Tahoe is the most beautiful lake I've ever seen but during the winter Lake Tahoe get's a lot of snow.I don't particularly like snow even though it's looks very pretty but we have so many places where one can ski if that's what you like to do.
I rarely go into The City(San Francisco) because even though I was born in New York City I much prefer the country.

daBronx

 

First things first, if you're within 50 miles of me we must get together, I live 5 miles from Disneyland so the chances are good you'll be near me at sometime. Second I'd be happy to show you around the LA area, being a tourist and seeing the sites is one thing, having a local show you around is another. When Alex had his VNS here in LA I took his wife and sister-in-law for the tour and they loved it. But LA is a big city so you're talking a full day. If you can't take me up on the tour offer, I can give you a list of must sees that are off the beaten tourist track.

One really can't say north is better than south or vice versa as they both have their good things. I think Southern California beaches are better than Northern California basically for swimming and stuff, but northern California beaches are more picturesque. I don't think you'll be doing much swimming in California in December/January as the water tends to be very cold that time of the wear, around 55 degrees. Lot's of cool beach cities between San Diego and LA, but Laguna Beach and Newport harbor are must sees, ride the ferry in Newport harbor, it's short (5 minutes) and cheap (less than $2.00)!!! Venice Beach is something that everyone needs to see at least once in their life, it really is different than any other beach in the world. For the best scenery in the state you must drive the coast highway from LA to San Francisco, but plan a long drive, average speed is about 30 MPH (lots of twist and turns) and you'll want to stop at all the view sites. Big Sur is absolutely amazing, my wife and I had our honeymoon there.

San Francisco is also a must see, I think it's one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but one warning the homeless problem is very bad, and all over the city, no matter where you go you will be "panhandled" so be prepared. If you have the time two things in San Francisco that should be done, the view from twin peaks is fantastic and a harbor cruise (with a stop at Alcatraz) and of course the golden gate and fisherman's wharf.

Finally no California trip is complete without a drive through Yosemite, it's a large national park but the valley where all the cool stuff is is not that big, it can be driven in a day. Yosemite is only a 3.5 hour drive from San Francisco. Sequoia national park is pretty neat as well but if you only have time for one park Yosemite is the one.

A couple of tips, no one west of Las Vegas calls this place "Cali" and there is no city in the state named "frisco" avoid those two blunders and you'll love it here.

 

uh ohhh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdizL4on-Rc

 

LL Cool J was born in New York. 'nuff said.

 

If you can,I suggest you stay even for just one night at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo.Then from there drive north and visit San Simeon.Continue north on the coast road to Big Sur.Continue north to Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula where the Monterey Aquarium is located and drive along Ocean Avenue to 17 mile drive starts taking you into Carmel.Pacific Grove is a lovely little village on the peninsula.From there continue driving north through Scott's Landing on Route 17 into San Jose where Winchester house is located.Silicon Valley is located north of San Jose where many high tech companies including Facebook and Apple are located.Then from there I suggest staying in San Francisco where there are many places to see.You might even drive across the Golden Gate bridge into Marin County.
I suggest buying a copy of Sunset Magazine that has many articles about our State.

 

I prefer Northern CA to Southern CA.

 

I live in Southern California, but I do like northern California, but they both have their good things and their bad things. Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Blvd., Malibu, Disneyland, San Diego Zoo, all great So Cal locations, San Francisco, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, all all great No Cal locations. That's probably the hardest thing about seeing California it's a BIG state.

 

If you rent a Winnebago during Christmas make sure the vehicle has snow tires on it and make sure it comes with chains.Many roads like the Grape Vine in southern California on Route 5 are in higher elevations,4000 feet, that require snow tires or chains.
Also be aware that often times it can get awfully windy especially in high profile vehicles in the desert like Palm Springs.

 

Ever since you posted this I've been trying to figure out what part of California is better, Southern or Northern. They both have their good parts and all of California is beautiful, then it finally dawned on me, Southern California is better than Northern California because Southern California has the Playboy Mansion.

 

Rain Predictions
http://www..almanac.com/weather/longrange/CA/San%20Francisco