<p>“It seems like some of Palm Sprigs rental houses have pools. Is it swimming weather in Feb?”</p>
<p>It was definitely swimming weather for us last January! 
If the pool is heated, then it does not matter that it is only 70-75 degrees outside (although it was warmer when we were there). Might be a bit chilly for sunbathing, but still fine for dipping in the water. </p>
<p>Palm Springs sounds like a good day trip for me.</p>
<p>Well, this thread is certainly getting me thinking about a winter trip to visit S in San Diego. He may not always be there, and I need to take advantage, as a counter to my usual Arizona trips to visit family. Any input on the area south of San Diego? Ensenada, and places nearby on the coast? He goes on occasion, and likes the area very much. </p>
<p>Great Lakes Mom,
We stayed at the Horton Grand Hotel in the Gaslamp area of San Diego. It was a good location–near lots of good food, walking distance to the water, and always had a lot of activities if you were interested. It was also a short walk from the trolley or water taxi (tho we never caught it). Of particular interest to us (because I was attending a meeting at Convention Center), it was a short walk to the convention center. S drove and parked his car in a nearby lot instead of the overpriced hotel lot when he came to visit.</p>
<p>We also stayed in Gaslamp area for 3 nights and enjoyed SDt. The hop on/off trolly was really convenient for sightseeing. </p>
<p>We had a very nice dinner at restaurant Jim Croce’s wife ran. (Was so sad to discover DS didn’t know Jim Croce, despite me having sung Time in a Bottle often to him as a baby.) </p>
<p>Years ago I stayed in that hotel at Horton Plaza. Perhaps it was a different name at that time. I agree, great access to the trolley to Mexico, as well as waterfront. I rented a bike and rode all over the place. S now lives in Hillcrest, and it is rather an interesting area, great restaurants, farmers market, and not far from Balboa Park, and in the other direction, Mission Beach. </p>
<p>However, I was talking about a short distance south of SD, in Mexico, Ensenada. On the water. Anyone with experience? </p>
<p>Colorado, my daughter enjoys that song. It’s no wonder when I was pregnant with her I had that tape in my car. I only had one tape otherwise we might not have to listen to it most of the time. Interesting how she still likes it from the womb.
I also want to go eat at that restaurant.</p>
<p>I used to go to that part of Mexico all the time. We used to rent houses at a place called Las Gaviotas. My (then) husband was a surfer, and the waves down there are good, which is why he wanted to go. My main motivation for going was the food – the lobster, fish tacos and carne asada tacos were out of this world. Sadly, I haven’t been back in many years – probably 10 years – because of the crime issues. I’m not an alarmist but I think there is too big of a risk to travel there right now. </p>
<p>Ensenada itself is nothing special in my opinion (other than the fish market with all the fish taco and ceviche stands). Inland from Ensenada is a cool little art town and some picturesque wineries. And the coastline is of course beautiful. But, even in the absence of the crime issues, it wouldn’t be high on my priority list if I had limited time in the region. There’s way more to see and do in California.</p>
<p>The best time to go is shortly after a rain. The landscape is pretty when it is green. Otherwise, the hills are very brown but the views of the ocean are gorgeous – but very similar to the California coastline though not as developed.</p>
<p>We, too, used to go down to Las Gaviotas several times a year. It is a lovely gated community right on a great surf break with private homes for rent, near the little town of Puerto Nuevo, where lobster and margaritas can be had for a song. We made so many wonderful memories there, and it is much nicer than Ensenada. Unfortunately, as nottelling said, it is just too sketchy to drive down to Mexico anymore. We are not wimps, but decided it was just not worth the safety risk to drive south of the border for pleasure. </p>
<p>Very interesting, thanks! S has spoken specifically of the lobster. Sad that it still is thought unsafe. I really like Mexico, and haven’t set foot in the country for many years. </p>
<p><a href=“http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html”>http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html</a></p>
<p>Here’s what the State Department has to say. Apparently the situation in Tijuana and Rosarito (on the coast just south of Tijuana) is getting worse, not better. :-(</p>
<p>We did walk along the waterfront in SD when staying at the Grand Horton. It was nice walking along the area and stopping at the boutiques and restaurants. Sorry, I have no experience of Mexico as none of the times I was in SD did anyone have any interest in going there with me. I have never been south of the border at all.</p>
<p>Laguna Beach fits your criteria. Beaches, coves, hiking (nothing that requires full on hiking gear), a ton of artist galleries, a lovely museum, a sweet village to stroll and window shop, a great grocery store, some amazing restaurants (should you want to go out a time or two) and for the most part you could park the car and walk almost anywhere. In February most of the tourists are nowhere to be seen, and it is a very mellow and beautiful place. The one thing to know is that our February’s are not predictable. If it is an El Nino year (or even La Nina) the weather can be crazy with rain. Or we could have the bluest skies you’ve ever seen. Should you find a place on the beach (or near the beach…Malibu, Laguna, etc.) try to find one with a fireplace, you might be surprised at how cozy and lovely that adds to the experience. </p>
<p>Edited to add: another lovely coastal town that has a TON of rental homes is LITTLE Balboa Island. (do not confuse this with the larger Balboa). Little Balboa will offer all you seek, except for “hiking” which can be had with a short drive. And it’s only 15 minutes from John Wayne airport (SNA). The island is a dog’s paradise, and everyone is super friendly. It is another park the car and walk place.</p>
<p>SNA is a nice little airport, an oasis of travel sanity compared to LAX! :)</p>
<p>If you are ever in Santa Ana, this restaurant has spectacular views, as if you are flying above a sea of city lights:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32825-d343874-Reviews-Orange_Hill_Restaurant-Orange_California.html”>http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32825-d343874-Reviews-Orange_Hill_Restaurant-Orange_California.html</a></p>
<p>One can even see the Disneyland fireworks in the distance! :)</p>
<p>That restaurant is the most overhyped in OC for a reason.
I rather travel to SNA than LAX. 3 hours is over hyped.</p>
<p>So I’ve had some exchanges with the owner of the place in Laguna Beach. Her calendar was a bit confusing, so I needed to clarify. I was hoping to go mid to late February, but she’s booked then, so we need to decide if we want to do early February or early March. If we do early February, it’s only been a few weeks since I saw Ds when they are home for Christmas, but that’s when it’s most miserable here. Early March might work out best. </p>
<p>I don’t know if anything like this would hold appeal, Teri.
<a href=“http://www.celebrategoodtaste.com/”>Visit Laguna Beach | Official Tourism Site For Laguna Beach, CA;
<p>Maybe someone here knows more about this early March event?</p>
<p>March is a pretty time in So Cal because the hills are often green and the wildflowers are starting to bloom. The grey whales may be gone by then if you are interested in whale watching. </p>
<p>The hills are very dry right now. I drove my daughter back to San Diego and I’ve looked around the hills. California needs rain is an understatement.</p>
<p>DH and I have gone to Palm Springs in February for a couple of years now, with the goal of getting a) warm and b) dry. The dry is way more important than the warm, since we’re coming from the wet and rainy Pacific NW. We like to rent a house (there are lots of small houses to rent) in PS proper, near the restaurants. We bike/run/hike in the morning while it’s cool, go out for a late lunch (lots of good restaurants), then hang around and watch bad movies all afternoon, make a light dinner in the rental, and swim in the pool–it seems all the rental houses have pools 
We even take our dogs.</p>
<p>I’ve been to Santa Barbara in the winter and the fog in the morning depressed me no end. </p>