Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well folks, I am having to make some difficult decisions. Mikey will be starting school in 2008, so this Spring is really the last time we can take an extended vacation outside of popular school break dates. When school breaks up, beside the aweful crowds, the prices of flights from the UK to California go from $600 to $1200 each. And hotels go up by about %40 - %50. We could go in Jan 2008 to ensure seeing IASW before it goes down, and it is very cheap. But it is California's worst weather time. Also we are worried other things may be closed at DL for refurb. And it's a bad time of year to head for Yosemite, or to spend on the Coast. We thought April because it is our wedding anniversary, nice weather too. But I am worried about refurbs at DL and it's so soon before TSM and WWoC are due to open. Also, would HM be reopened? Also, we want to avoid Spring Break. And if we do that, we cannot meet Lisann in Spain. May - the temps and prices creep up. Now we can stay at Marriott Newport Beach for a week free. So it is still tempting. But I am trying to reprofile our finances and sort out moving house next year too. We were originally thinking November 2008, but Mikey will be in school and the UK are borderline fascist about these things now. Confused. I welcome your views. BTW - we considered flying home to San Francisco and spending about 5 days in the bay area. Then a drive down Highway 1 stopping off in Monterey enroute. Spend a week at Newport - taking in Legoland, Sea World, San Diego Zoo, and LA attractions. Then a couple of days at the Grand Californian. Up to the Alwanhee Lodge for 2 nights (or one night in Merced, 1 night Alwanhee). A night in Sacramento, and fly out of San Francisco. And a few LP meets around our great state. Or I can be responsible and just take the kids to DLP next year (maybe see Lisann), move house and make it back to California in 2009/2010. What are your thoughts?
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Here's my recommendation - ditch me and Spain and take the kids on the big full blown family vacation in the US before they both start school and you cannot do it. ;> I think May weather is beautiful. I'm not sure what temp because uncomfortable for you guys? If I were you I'd reverse the order of the trip though. I'd do SF, then go to Yosemite, driving down to DL, then back up 1 doing Newport, Monterey and back to SF. That was it's a full circle vs. zigzagging. As LA to Yosemite to Sacto to SF is a lot of driving with 2 nights stay at Yosemite - IMHO! I'm no help.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Also I know several of us Bay Area LPers would love to meet up with you wherever. Monterey, Yosemite, SF - just name it. All favorite spots and within easy driving distance. ;>
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ hmmm... let me think about this. I may need to make one of the meets, either in SF or DL! I have to meet all the Baloos.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo That works too. I'm cool either way. That said, we could head to Yosemite within a couple of days of arriving. After all, 6am Pacific time feels like getting up at 2pm here. At least with the National Parks, it does not matter if you are up early.
Originally Posted By smedley I'm watching this thread with interest, because although this now looks like we'll be there at a different time to the Baloos, we're planning something almost identical for Nov 2008....
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Sorry Smeds. I actually forgot Mikey will be school age next year (would rather go in November).
Originally Posted By smedley Shocking! lol, I understand I suppose, darn kids and schools, guess at least you'll be able to scope it all out for us first
Originally Posted By LuLu I don't know if this is helpful, but I wouldn't base a decision on January vs April on average weather. We've had very cold and rainy April weather before, and we've had 100° in January. It's unusual, but it can happen. May is probably the best bet for weather. Not sure when the middle school field trips start descending on DL.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<We could go in Jan 2008 to ensure seeing IASW before it goes down, and it is very cheap. But it is California's worst weather time.>> Worst is relative. I'll take California's "bad weather" over the bad weather of a lot of other places!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Sadly in May, flights jump up from $2200 to $3600. Otherwise we would.
Originally Posted By Mr X I agree with Lulu and Russ...DON'T plan your trips based on the weather. It's a setup for disapointment. Rather, set up your trip based on what works best for the family, and EXPECT bad weather as a condition of the trip...(glad half empty mentality)... That way, if you happen to have good weather, great! If it rains, pours, snows, etc...well, that's what you were expecting anyway right? Think of it this way...if you PLANNED your trip based on the weather, and it still ended up being crappy weather, wouldn't that just put a big old cloud over the whole trip?
Originally Posted By Mr X Is that $2200 to $3600 per person?? Holy cow...if so, the three of us X's are travelling to America for the price of ONE!! (total price of our tickets to Boston for the three of us was $3500 when we bought them yesterday)
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Nope, that price is for the whole family. I thought about it over night. Jessica will be 3 next year and we will have to start paying for her everywhere, so we think it is more likely we will go next spring.
Originally Posted By smedley I'm expecting full trip reports Dave so that we know what was great and what wasnt for when we (hopefully) go in November 2008
