<p>Hmmm… 60° along the shore at Newport Beach in February. You know what Lake Michigan is along the shore in February? Frozen! I’ll take 60° (but I will probably rent a wet suit if I do any paddle boarding).</p>
<p>I thank you for all of your posts and teriwit for starting this thread. I lived in Santa Barbara for a few years and agree that you cannot count on beach weather as it is often overcast.
H and a number of my friend’s had serious health issues and some died last winter. It was simply a horrid period of months.
I decided that although I do not love the desert to book a short trip to Palm Springs. We stayed in Palm Desert and for some reason I loved it!. We visited Elvis Presley’s Honeymoon House (H hates this stuff and loved it), hung around the pool and did do the gondola.I was in Teva’s and while warm enough the little stones and such made hiking impossible.
Found great food.</p>
<p>So just a few days ago we decided to go a week in Feb somewhere that is a direct flight and not to much $$ and I was looking at San Diego. All here have made us decide to go back to the Palms Springs area (I think we go further out for cheap–Indio maybe) as all we want to do is get out of the rain, hike, eat, and feel sun on our bodies.</p>
<p>Palm Springs is a nice area. When I attended UC Davis, we spent several Spring Breaks (Mar/Apr) around Palm Springs and always found it lovely. We were rather poor and had more rustic accommodations than we’d opt for now, but the weather was warm and nice – except for the occasional sand storm and once it even snowed!</p>
<p>Taking a look at Joshua Tree now. Even if we do not stay there we will take the time to hike there.</p>
<p>I went to Santa Barbara for two week last February and LOVED it. I stayed in a three bedroom in town rental and was able to drive ten minutes to the beaches and was able to walk to State Street for meals, shopping and coffee. It was an easy and very restful vacation. If you choose Santa Barbara, maybe you can go when the film festival is in town.</p>
<p>Also, every beach I walked had tons of dogs on it!</p>
<p>I’m adding Palm Springs to my list. My husband and kid#1 have been there but not the rest of the family.</p>
<p>You guys… stop it! Every time I think I have my mind made up, someone starts posting wonderful things about a pale I didn’t pick! 
</p>
<p>You just have to come visit California more often. 
</p>
<p>You’re probably right, although when we are there in February, it will make three times for me in a year! As H and I were in the car yesterday, he told me what a good idea he thought this whole trip would be… and how it works out for everyone involved (well, maybe our dog, who will be the only one left behind would not agree). I really want to take advantage of her living in So Cal, as I think within a few years, she and SO, will likely relocate up near Amador County, where his family is. If/when they do that, I’ll have to start a whole 'nother thread on what to do up there for vacations! However, I don’t think we’ll be going up there in February to experience some warm weather. Perhaps we’ll do Lake Tahoe in the summer, though. </p>
<p>Lake Tahoe is another beautiful place. One of my daughters loves skiing there and white water rafting. We may go to Lake Tahoe this summer as well for rafting. California is a big place, there are tons of things to do.</p>
<p>The Palm Desert area is a nice vacation spot, but if you don’t play golf or tennis, then you need to think about what you will do there for a week. </p>
<p>This is what we did in Palm Springs (we actually stayed in Palm Desert):</p>
<ul>
<li>Hiking in the canyons.</li>
<li>Taking the tram to the top for a nice hike in a different climate zone.</li>
<li>Outlet shopping (Mr was not excited, but went along).</li>
<li>Taking a day trip to hike in the Joshua Tree park. </li>
<li>The Living Desert.</li>
<li>Just relaxing in the sun by the pool. :)</li>
</ul>
<p>There are also casinos in Palm Springs if you like to gamble. </p>
<p>I think some people ride quads.</p>
<p>As a south OC native, I agree that Laguna Beach is fantastic. From there, you can easily head north to Newport Beach and Balboa, or south to Dana Point, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano for little day trips, plus it’s not far from Disneyland if that holds any interest.</p>
<p>Santa Barbara is also gorgeous, but maybe a little cooler with regards to weather.</p>
<p>Personally, I would stay in the San Diego area. There is just so much to do there, from the downtown area with “big city” shops, restaurants and theater, to Balboa Park’s museums, world-famous zoo, and gorgeous landscape, not to mention Coronado Island, La Jolla, Encinitas, Del Mar, Point Loma, and other fabulous neighboring towns. Surf or turf, there is something for everyone, and the San Diego area is just not as spread out as L.A.</p>
<p>I grew up in OC, but it’s been many years since I’ve been down there. My memories of Laguna Beach have to do with seeing plays at Laguna Moulton, the Sawdust Art Festival, Pageant of the Masters, being maid of honor, shops, and the beach.</p>
<p>It seems like some f Palm Sprigs rental houses have pools. Is it swimming weather in Feb? </p>
<p>Palm Springs, San Diego, Laguna, Santa Barbara are all great choices. You can’t lose no matter where you ultimately end up. I will say that the appeal of that Laguna Beach link is that you are right on the beach. That spa overlooking the sand looks amazing.
fin addition to Northern Ca you still have the central coast of Ca to see. Pismo Beach, Cambria and San Simeon, Carmel, Monterey. Plus the National parks. Lots of laces to visit if your D stays in Ca.</p>
<p>I’ve actually been to Carmel and Monterey for day trips, but not the other places mentioned. Have also been to SF a couple of times, too, but I think this will change in a few years if the kiddo moves to Amador County.</p>
<p>Sunset Cove Villas, Laguna Beach. I have a relative who rents one of their condos for 2 weeks every September.
Really nice, well maintained, right on the beach with most of the condos having a FABULOUS view, and a perfect location within Laguna. When I’ve visited, we’ve gone a whole week and never took the car out. Close walking to everywhere–shops, restaurants, even the grocery store. We did drive to Dana Point and went on a spectacular whale watching trip too.
It’s pricey though!</p>