Santa Barbara / San Diego / Palm Springs

My fiance and I will be going to Maui for 8 days of our honeymoon then we're heading to California for 4 days.
We're flying into LAX and would love personal recommendations as to where to stay! We've narrowed locations down to Santa Barbara, Palm Springs and San Deigo.

Where shoudl we go!?! Thank you!!

We're going to be doing the same thing! But I think we're going to do 2 days on the way out and 2 day son the way back...pretty sure we're going to do Napa and San Diego, never been to Napa but been to Caifornia, it's one of our favorite places. It's a little expensive but I would HIGHLY suggest Tower 23 in San Diego, it's literally on the beach and the rooms are amazing, we stayed there last year and had the most amazing time, the restaurant JRDN is amazing too! Definitely check it out. Oh and in the bathroom, water comes out of the ceiling into the bathtub AMAZING!

http://www.tower23hotel.com/

That hotel looks perfect! Thanks so much!!

Where are you staying in Hawaii? Will you be in Maui? We're staying at the Four Seasons- so excited

We haven't booked yet, but we'll probably do Marriott Villa's because we get a deal with them...I'm pretty sure we're going to do a week in Maui and a week in Kaui..

Here are some pics from Tower23, you'll HAVE to tell me how you loved it when you get back.

PICS are too big, putting them in album of me and FH for you :)

I have been to all of these places a couple of times and I like San Diego the most even we consider moving there at some point :)

Palm Spring is really in the middle of the desert, small and cute city but there is really not much to do. Maybe you can tell us what you are looking for, so I can tell you which one is better.

For now, I will tell you based on my experience and preferences. Santa Barbara is a very nice city, they have lots of restaurants, an okay beach and nice shopping strip. There are a few historical museums/government buildings that you can see. If you are into art, there are many art stores, street/beach art festivals. If you choose to go Santa Barbara there are a few nice beaches that you can stop by between LA and SB. Butterfly beach is something I remember being very romantic at sunset.

If you like to have access to everything then San Diego. It is a very very nice place to visit and tons of things to do. Parks, zoo, aquarium, downtown, restaurant, food, bars/clubs, romantic settings, Coronado island... La Jolla is our favorite spot to be at sunset. You can even cross the border during the day and shop in Mexico if you feel you must. I haven't got the guts to do that yet even though it is very very close to San Diego (about 15mins) . Plus if you pick San Diego, you can stop buy at many nice beaches before getting there. Newport beach (there is a very nice upscale outdoor shopping mall) and laguna beach are some of them.

There is a lot more of course but If you need more info please ask. Whatever you pick you will have good time. Love CA :)

---

Posted by sootobemrspm

I've heard San Deigo will be our best bet from a handful of people now. We're going to be coming from Maui so we want to extend our beach trip but have more of a laid back town atmosphere. Where we will be able to walk to shops, restaurants and a boardwalk, for instance. We're definitely looking for a nice, more romantic hotel that's on the ocean. Tower 23 was recommended above, which looks cool but I'm open to other suggestions as well. :) Thank you!

---

Once we've stayed at Se San Diego. It is an amazing hotel, service, restaurant/bar/club, location. I felt like a royalty when we entered to the hotel. They greeted us with 'welcome to our hotel mr and mrs...' we were like wow (we just told our name to the valet guy outside) and then seated us immediately and took care of the check-in process while we were sipping our cucumber waters on a comfy chair...They have a very hip swimming pool. It is an upscale hotel but so worth it...Check it out...

I've been to San Diego 4 times. BEAUTIFUL! La Jolla!! If you go to San Diego you have to go to La Jolla. Also Balboa Park was beautiful!