Visit to the west coast

[locomotive engineer_imp]

Hi all,
Really looking forward to our trip to the west coast end of April. Would love to do it on the cb maybe some day, however this is coach trip from San Francisco, stops at Monterey .Carmel , Cannery Row, Pismo Beach , Santa Barbara, LA [Buena Park], Las Vegas.
Would like a bit of input from you guys, There is an optional excursion when in LA to Palm Springs not sure if we should do it or use the day to go to maybe, Hollywood, Malibu, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, or maybe Sunset blvd to see Whisky a gogo, [big west coast music fan] . Main point i guess ,is Palm Springs a must see? Any input greatly appreciated.
Dave.

[Randy B]

You're going to be zipping right passed me. Wave as you go by.

[LongRanger_imp]

It all depends on what you're after. There are some very scenic areas in the Palm Springs area, including Joshua Tree National Park, and there is also a scenic tram ride from Palm Springs to the summit of Mt. San Jacinto, but the area itself is a few hours from LA when you factor in the traffic, so it'll consume most of a day to see it and come back. Others may disagree, but I don't think the town itself is worth the drive. I think your current itinerary sounds better.

[spechg]

Hi all,
Really looking forward to our trip to the west coast end of April. Would love to do it on the cb maybe some day, however this is coach trip from San Francisco, stops at Monterey .Carmel , Cannery Row, Pismo Beach , Santa Barbara, LA [Buena Park], Las Vegas.
Would like a bit of input from you guys, There is an optional excursion when in LA to Palm Springs not sure if we should do it or use the day to go to maybe, Hollywood, Malibu, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, or maybe Sunset blvd to see Whisky a gogo, [big west coast music fan] . Main point i guess ,is Palm Springs a must see? Any input greatly appreciated.
Dave.

Dave,
I’ve visited LA a few times. If I was in your position I’d probably get a bus or Uber to Wilshere Boulevard to visit the La Brea Tar Pits followed by the Petersen Automotive Museum. Then spend the afternoon wandering from Santa Monica to Venice Beach and the Venice Canals. Good place to watch the world go by over a nice cold beer.
Hollywood and Malibu aren’t very exciting (in my opinion!). Palm Springs is a bit of a long journey, but the flying museum is worth a look. There is a cable car up the mountain for good views and the tour of the original Indian settlement is interesting. You really need a week in LA, rather than a day, to do it justice. Have a great trip.
Simon

[dave]

Hearst Castle should be on your list, since you'll be so close. There are multiple tours - they're all good.

Alcatraz and Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco are really good - suggest you get tickets NOW if you want to reserve a spot to go to Alcatraz.

May not be anything going on, but you could y Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey.

[gmike_imp]

Hearst Castle should be on your list, since you'll be so close. There are multiple tours - they're all good.

Alcatraz and Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco are really good - suggest you get tickets NOW if you want to reserve a spot to go to Alcatraz.

May not be anything going on, but you could y Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey.

I would 2nd the trip to Alcatraz. We took the self guided tour with headphones. They had many sounds of the prison when in operation. There is a lot of other history there also. Would take most of a day though.

https://www.alcatraztickets.com/offer/18...Day-Ticket

[GoldOxide_imp]

(+1) Alcatraz.

[Desert viper_imp]

The space shuttle is on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles....

[Randy B]

I took this when they had the shuttle on it's last flight.
[url=https://s90.photobucket.com/user/esmykm13/media/Space%20Shuttle%20Endeavour%20SF/DSC02217.jpg.html]

[Cormanus]

Great shot, Randy B.