Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Southern California for a week in October

GreenLantern · 02-03-2014, 09:39 AM

Hi. I am heading down to 'SoCal' with the wife for a week in October. We arrive Sunday, Oct 12th at around 9 PM local time, and fly out the next Sunday around noon.

We have a lot to cram in for that week, so I was hoping to bounce some ideas, get some feedback and generally just have people tell me stuff I am not currently thinking about. Flights are already booked thanks to the help of our local YYC junkie.. so now it is just filling in the details. The trip basically goes like this - 3 nights in Anaheim - 1 night at a resort spa - 3 nights in Hollywood/LA.

I am planning on renting a car, but it seems like you really get screwed if you return it at a different air port. We are flying into Anaheim and flying out from LAX.. I have rented a lot of vehicles in the past few years for work, and always dealt with Enterprise who I liked and wanted to use. But their air port return rate basically takes the car from 500 for the week to over 1000.. which just isn't plausible. Any recommendations for a company that doesn't hose you on the return?

Sunday is a straight to the hotel, go to bed day. Monday we are planning to hit an outlet mall and basically spend that entire day shopping. Tuesday we were going to hit Disneyland and cram as much as we possibly can into one day, I know you won't even get to experience half of the park, but we can't afford anymore than one day. I am not a big rides guy anyway, this is more for the wife. I do have a bone to pick with that Whale though, he scared the crap out of me the last time I was there as a child.

The hotel I am looking at for this area is:

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/cal...HHH/index.html

I checked the convention center and there aren't any massive conventions yet planned for this time period. There is a 20k vegetable show on the following weekend, and a 5k person trade show ending the day we arrive. I picked this hotel because it appears to be nice, has a decent rate, and a lot of amenities inside like a bar, restaurant and starbucks/fast food places to grab a quick breakie in the morning. Anyone ever stay here or in this area? I wanted something close to Disney but not too close, as we are only actually spending 1 day there.

The other option was trying to book a hotel in the actual Disneyland resort. This would allow us to gain that extra 'magic hour' on the Tuesday we are planning to go. From what I have read, it is a huge advantage being in the park a hour before it opens. And it really sucks for us to make that our day to go, get in a hour after a bunch of people, and already have all the rides lined up. Kind of defeats the purpose of going there first thing. Anyone have experience dealing with an early entry day when you did not get early entry? And is there ANY way to get it without booking their $400 dollar a night hotels or having an annual pass?

Wednesday is a spa day, I tracked down what appears to be a nice winery/spa resort in Temecula valley:

http://wineresort.com/

Can get two birds with one stone, the Spa day for the wife and the wine tastings for both of us. Anyone have any experience with this area/ know of a better spot?

Thursday we are moving to LA, hoping to get in on a show taping/do the WB tour. The wife is a huge Friends fan and she really wants to sit on that couch, so I need to figure out how to make that happen. She also wants to try and get in to an Ellen taping. I know it is extremely popular but one thing that is good is it appears Ellen handles the tickets herself. So you can sort of plead your case I guess. Also what I have found on Thursdays she does two taping, which is good for us since it is about a 2 hour drive in from the wine resort.

I haven't yet locked down a hotel for this area, so any suggestions here would be great. I would like to be as close to Hollywood as possible, walking distance really to the main strip.

Friday I am going fishing for a half day, I have tracked down a few local guides already and I just need to figure out if I want to do trout or bass. The rest of that day will be spent touring Hollywood/surrounding area.

Saturday is a day dedicated to Venice beach, and I want to go work out at Golds and do some curls for the girls and hopefully bump into Arnold and become best friends.

So, who has done any or all of the above and can recommend a fresh point of view?

I have searched the forum and read the following threads:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=california

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=california

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=disneyland

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=disneyland

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=disneyland

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=disneyland

I am including them in here for future reference for anyone who searches the California topic. A one stop shop if you will. Lots of great information, but it is always nice to get a personalized updated opinion from posters.

Obviously there is no way to know yet, but I imagine that at least one of the nights we are there LA or Anaheim will play a game and I will want to go to that or both. This is why I am keeping as many nights open as possible for now. Also, if the Dodgers repeat last years performance, we have a shot at getting into a playoff game.. major odds but still a chance.

02-03-2014, 09:39 AM	#1
GreenLantern One of the Nine Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Space Sector 2814 Exp:	Southern California for a week in October Hi. I am heading down to 'SoCal' with the wife for a week in October. We arrive Sunday, Oct 12th at around 9 PM local time, and fly out the next Sunday around noon. We have a lot to cram in for that week, so I was hoping to bounce some ideas, get some feedback and generally just have people tell me stuff I am not currently thinking about. Flights are already booked thanks to the help of our local YYC junkie.. so now it is just filling in the details. The trip basically goes like this - 3 nights in Anaheim - 1 night at a resort spa - 3 nights in Hollywood/LA. I am planning on renting a car, but it seems like you really get screwed if you return it at a different air port. We are flying into Anaheim and flying out from LAX.. I have rented a lot of vehicles in the past few years for work, and always dealt with Enterprise who I liked and wanted to use. But their air port return rate basically takes the car from 500 for the week to over 1000.. which just isn't plausible. Any recommendations for a company that doesn't hose you on the return? Sunday is a straight to the hotel, go to bed day. Monday we are planning to hit an outlet mall and basically spend that entire day shopping. Tuesday we were going to hit Disneyland and cram as much as we possibly can into one day, I know you won't even get to experience half of the park, but we can't afford anymore than one day. I am not a big rides guy anyway, this is more for the wife. I do have a bone to pick with that Whale though, he scared the crap out of me the last time I was there as a child. The hotel I am looking at for this area is: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/cal...HHH/index.html I checked the convention center and there aren't any massive conventions yet planned for this time period. There is a 20k vegetable show on the following weekend, and a 5k person trade show ending the day we arrive. I picked this hotel because it appears to be nice, has a decent rate, and a lot of amenities inside like a bar, restaurant and starbucks/fast food places to grab a quick breakie in the morning. Anyone ever stay here or in this area? I wanted something close to Disney but not too close, as we are only actually spending 1 day there. The other option was trying to book a hotel in the actual Disneyland resort. This would allow us to gain that extra 'magic hour' on the Tuesday we are planning to go. From what I have read, it is a huge advantage being in the park a hour before it opens. And it really sucks for us to make that our day to go, get in a hour after a bunch of people, and already have all the rides lined up. Kind of defeats the purpose of going there first thing. Anyone have experience dealing with an early entry day when you did not get early entry? And is there ANY way to get it without booking their $400 dollar a night hotels or having an annual pass? Wednesday is a spa day, I tracked down what appears to be a nice winery/spa resort in Temecula valley: http://wineresort.com/ Can get two birds with one stone, the Spa day for the wife and the wine tastings for both of us. Anyone have any experience with this area/ know of a better spot? Thursday we are moving to LA, hoping to get in on a show taping/do the WB tour. The wife is a huge Friends fan and she really wants to sit on that couch, so I need to figure out how to make that happen. She also wants to try and get in to an Ellen taping. I know it is extremely popular but one thing that is good is it appears Ellen handles the tickets herself. So you can sort of plead your case I guess. Also what I have found on Thursdays she does two taping, which is good for us since it is about a 2 hour drive in from the wine resort. I haven't yet locked down a hotel for this area, so any suggestions here would be great. I would like to be as close to Hollywood as possible, walking distance really to the main strip. Friday I am going fishing for a half day, I have tracked down a few local guides already and I just need to figure out if I want to do trout or bass. The rest of that day will be spent touring Hollywood/surrounding area. Saturday is a day dedicated to Venice beach, and I want to go work out at Golds and do some curls for the girls and hopefully bump into Arnold and become best friends. So, who has done any or all of the above and can recommend a fresh point of view? I have searched the forum and read the following threads: http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=california http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=california http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=disneyland http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=disneyland http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=disneyland http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ght=disneyland I am including them in here for future reference for anyone who searches the California topic. A one stop shop if you will. Lots of great information, but it is always nice to get a personalized updated opinion from posters. Obviously there is no way to know yet, but I imagine that at least one of the nights we are there LA or Anaheim will play a game and I will want to go to that or both. This is why I am keeping as many nights open as possible for now. Also, if the Dodgers repeat last years performance, we have a shot at getting into a playoff game.. major odds but still a chance. __________________ "In brightest day, in blackest night / No evil shall escape my sight / Let those who worship evil's might / Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!" Last edited by GreenLantern; 02-03-2014 at 09:42 AM.