Dateline Disneyland

[Amy]

Depending on the week it can be over 80, a common occurrence during the month is a return of the Santa Ana winds, which spikes the temperature during the days and sends them back down during the nights.

If you are flying into SNA and you are flying in over the ocean as opposed to over land, that means the winds are present.

Yup, we are flying into John Wayne airport...still working on how we are getting up to San Francisco to my brother's house after we done at Disney. I need to check and see if it will be cheaper to rent a car, or get two commuter tickets. My brother who bought the tickets for us with his frequent flyer miles said he would buy our commuter tickets, but I don't want him to have that expense.

[Wizzard419]

It will probably be a minimum 8 hour drive, I think about 400 miles. The commuter flights (I usually take American eagle) only take about an hour and if you go during the off times (pretty much anything other than Monday at 7 am) the prices do a decent drop. If you drive you basically lose 2 days (one for each way), when I fly up there for work I literally can arrive at the office at the start of the work day, like it was just a normal morning.

[Amy]

It will probably be a minimum 8 hour drive, I think about 400 miles. The commuter flights (I usually take American eagle) only take about an hour and if you go during the off times (pretty much anything other than Monday at 7 am) the prices do a decent drop. If you drive you basically lose 2 days (one for each way), when I fly up there for work I literally can arrive at the office at the start of the work day, like it was just a normal morning.

Thanks for the tip on flying during the off times. We definitely would be trying to do that. My brother and nephew will be at work during the week, and I think my sister-in-law works about 3 days a week. I suppose it will depend on their work schedules. If they are at work, we might as well take the scenic drive up the coast as opposed to sitting in the house. We do want to spend a day in San Francisco at the Wharf, take in the Walt Disney museum, and probably go to the aquarium as well once we get up there. We will be flying out of Oakland so it would just be a one way rental. Gas shouldn't be too bad, even at around $5/gallon.

[DisneySpin]

I suppose it will depend on their work schedules. If they are at work, we might as well take the scenic drive up the coast as opposed to sitting in the house. We do want to spend a day in San Francisco at the Wharf, take in the Walt Disney museum, and probably go to the aquarium as well once we get up there. We will be flying out of Oakland so it would just be a one way rental. Gas shouldn't be too bad, even at around $5/gallon.

I absolutely recommend a leisurely drive up the coast if family work schedules make it an option. December is normally quite mild and coastal towns like Cambria, Carmel, Monterey, etc are really nice to visit during the holiday season. The aquarium is awesome any time of year. If you need any overnight recommendations, let me know, I've been a frequent visitor to that area; it's where I always suggest visitors to Calif head to as opposed to people thinking they'll actually see something in Hollywood

[Wizzard419]

You could go like half way up and either stay n the coast in Cambria or go inland a bit to Solvang (a weird concentration of dutch people who had ancestors that fell for a land scam) and then continue your drive the next day. It is a pretty drive but it is a long drive.

[Amy]

I suppose it will depend on their work schedules. If they are at work, we might as well take the scenic drive up the coast as opposed to sitting in the house. We do want to spend a day in San Francisco at the Wharf, take in the Walt Disney museum, and probably go to the aquarium as well once we get up there. We will be flying out of Oakland so it would just be a one way rental. Gas shouldn't be too bad, even at around $5/gallon.

I absolutely recommend a leisurely drive up the coast if family work schedules make it an option. December is normally quite mild and coastal towns like Cambria, Carmel, Monterey, etc are really nice to visit during the holiday season. The aquarium is awesome any time of year. If you need any overnight recommendations, let me know, I've been a frequent visitor to that area; it's where I always suggest visitors to Calif head to as opposed to people thinking they'll actually see something in Hollywood

We really did enjoy the aquarium when we went the last time. I wonder if my brother and his family might also want to go though. We ate in Carmel at Clint Eastwood's place, that was pretty good as I recall. We really need to get moving on making some plans. It is just hard carving out time in everyone's schedules to discuss anything.

You could go like half way up and either stay n the coast in Cambria or go inland a bit to Solvang (a weird concentration of dutch people who had ancestors that fell for a land scam) and then continue your drive the next day. It is a pretty drive but it is a long drive.

Solvang sounds interesting...I think we have some Dutch ancestry so we'd probably feel right at home The drive is the one thing I am not looking forward to. I spend several hours a day commuting for my job and what I look forward to most on weekends is that fact that I don't have to drive. anywhere. at all! That said, we could probably do the whole 8 hours in one day if we weren't too intent on seeing anything along the way. It is about 3 hours for us to Chicago, so we are used to longer hauls in the car if necessary.

Does anyone know if there would be possible whale or dolphin sightings in early December? That seems a bit late to me, but I don't know for sure.

[DisneySpin]

Does anyone know if there would be possible whale or dolphin sightings in early December? That seems a bit late to me, but I don't know for sure.

No, December through March are the months of the annual gray whale migration, so you'll be right on time, especially in the San Francisco area. I don't get them until February normally, but they really are wonderful to see. Just be sure to use a reputable company that doesn't get too agressive with proximity to the whales; I see smaller boats all the time sneaking their passengers way too close to the pods.

[Amy]

Does anyone know if there would be possible whale or dolphin sightings in early December? That seems a bit late to me, but I don't know for sure.

No, December through March are the months of the annual gray whale migration, so you'll be right on time, especially in the San Francisco area. I don't get them until February normally, but they really are wonderful to see. Just be sure to use a reputable company that doesn't get too agressive with proximity to the whales; I see smaller boats all the time sneaking their passengers way too close to the pods.

We were thinking more about whether we could see them on the drive. I don't imagine we will be able to do a boat tour.

[Wizzard419]

Correction to DS saying no to dolphins, you actually might be able to see them in Laguna (though no boat tours) because the little bastar*s follow lobster boats when they are out fishing. Though that is only sometimes.

[DisneySpin]

We were thinking more about whether we could see them on the drive. I don't imagine we will be able to do a boat tour.

If you do end up driving and are on Highway 1 through the Cambria\San Simeon area, there is a very nice spot that you might see whales, Leffingwell Cove. There are places in Cambria to grab food and, weather permitting, you can sit at picnic tables or, if need be, adequate parking to try your luck at spotting the whales. You will almost be certain to see seals and sea otters.
My previous "No" was in reference to you thinking December might be the wrong time of year for whales , dolphins are always around but it's just random when you might spot them, they don't have a strong pattern, just feed up and down the coast. When it's closer to your trip, I can let you know if we've got any hanging around in the Orange County area.

[Amy]

We were thinking more about whether we could see them on the drive. I don't imagine we will be able to do a boat tour.

If you do end up driving and are on Highway 1 through the Cambria\San Simeon area, there is a very nice spot that you might see whales, Leffingwell Cove. There are places in Cambria to grab food and, weather permitting, you can sit at picnic tables or, if need be, adequate parking to try your luck at spotting the whales. You will almost be certain to see seals and sea otters.
My previous "No" was in reference to you thinking December might be the wrong time of year for whales , dolphins are always around but it's just random when you might spot them, they don't have a strong pattern, just feed up and down the coast. When it's closer to your trip, I can let you know if we've got any hanging around in the Orange County area.

Thanks DisneySpin I knew what you meant with your "no" ~ sometimes I just ignore Wizz...it's more fun

[Wizzard419]

Yes, because I then totally stop all behavior. .

[Amy]

Yes, because I then totally stop all behavior. .

[GeoffS]

You may want to check out a train trip for at least a portion, if not the whole ride up to the Bay Area. The Coast Starlight is a great trip for the entire length. If you want to just do a portion, the Pacific Surfliner runs all the way up to San Luis Obispo. You could stop there for a while, and then rent a car for the rest of the way. Kids seem to love the trains, too. They can get up and move around, instead of being seat-belted in for a long car ride. Saves the parents the stress of driving and missing the view along the way.

[Amy]

You may want to check out a train trip for at least a portion, if not the whole ride up to the Bay Area. The Coast Starlight is a great trip for the entire length. If you want to just do a portion, the Pacific Surfliner runs all the way up to San Luis Obispo. You could stop there for a while, and then rent a car for the rest of the way. Kids seem to love the trains, too. They can get up and move around, instead of being seat-belted in for a long car ride. Saves the parents the stress of driving and missing the view along the way.

Hmmm, I might have to see what the cost of that is as well. No kids with us, well, I suppose F1gment will have her youngest with her ~ me! ~ but I am pretty good about not being too restless...mostly...sometimes....