LOVE San Diego. Mission Bay, the Navy Yard, the ocean, the zoo, Sea World. Just a great place to relax. We ate at a place called The Reuben E. Lee, which was an old boat on the harbor. Gorgeous views of the skyline.

We've also been to San Francisco and spent a lovely day in Muir Woods and Tiburon, which was having some sort of wine festival at the time, with tastings. Of course, we also did Alcatraz, the waterfront. Stayed at The Westin St. Francis on Union Square. While the location was perfect, the hotel was terribly expensive. Because its an historic hotel, the rooms were TINY. I wouldn't recommend it.

CA is just lovely.

My ex and I spent two weeks out in Cali (about 1980). Like you guys, we loved it. Stayed at the PSA San Franciscan (right across the street from City Hall in San Francisco). It was one of the few large buildings remaining after the 1906 earthquake and was very nicely redone just prior to our visit. Did all the touristy things there but the Muir Woods were the highlight for me there.

San Diego's zoo is TOTALLY awesome and the best one I've ever visited. We knew some people there who took us out for drinks at some waterfront place and we drank our margaritas right in front of John Wayne's boat (a converted PT boat from WWII).

Its a nice place to visit but I wouldn't wanna live there.

Alcatraz! How could I forget that tour. I loved it! Very very interesting. The most frightening thing is when they allowed some of us to go into solitary confinement and closed the door. PITCH BLACK! I can't even imagine spending hour after hour in there never mind week after week!

Alcatraz is a tour that, in my opinion, is a must when visiting San Fran.

Alcatraz was really great. In addition, I was impressed how they showed the accuracy of Clint Eastwood's "Escape From Alcatraz".

SC, I did love the San Diego Zoo. It was beautiful, but the Bronx Zoo will always be my favorite.

Ha ha!! You guys have seen more partsof CA than me. I have not been to the SD or LA Zoo or the Maddonna Inn. I'm not so much into it I guess. I was at Sea World once in SD when my kids were little. Yea, it was nice, but like I say, I guess it's not my thing becaue I haven't gone since.

Now San Francisco!! I saw Alacatraz back in the 70's. However, when I went to San Francisco a few years ago, I wanted to go but the tours were booked weeks in advance so I didn't get to see it. I'd love to go again.

SB, I too stayed in Union Square but I can't remember what hotel I stayed at. I loved Union Square. That was the time Saladbar and I went to FCC's Winery and although not a huge wine drinker, I did enjoy seeing the winery, seeing FFC's house (from afar) and oh, of course tasting the wine.

As far as CA sites go, I guess I'd be a traditional tourist. I love to see L.A./Hollywood, Universal Studios, Beverly Hills, etc. I just like it. It's been a while, I'm due to do some touristing.

TIS

Beverly Hills was a trip!! I was impressed by the ritzy stores and driving around looking at some of the mansions. (I met James Earl Jones on Rodeo Drive!) I enjoyed the Griffith Observatory (site of "Rebel Without a Cause" ending), and the LaBrea tarpits (I love that kind of stuff). I was somewhat surprised at how seedy Sunset Strip was (hookers all over the place) but wasn't overly impressed by what I saw of the rest of L.A.

Chopper, while you make your way through the Monterey Peninsula (where I grew up) you could stop into Carmel and visit my families candy store, the Cottage of Sweets

Ironically our specialty is British imported candy, so you'll feel a little at home.

of course i mean its a long time before i go but when im back ill post a review and pictures