Beaches in Ca

[summer718]

We were thinking of meeting our grandaughter in Ca on her way back from Australia in July. Since she'll be coming from winter season we think she'll be looking to do some beach relaxing. We know nothing about Ca beaches or if there are any beach timeshares there. Anyone have any info or advice?

 

[DeniseM]

The sunny California beaches that you see in movies, are in Southern CA. Northern CA beaches tend to be much cooler. Also note that the ocean water is cool/cold in CA.

What airport is she flying into? California is a huge state, so that makes all the difference.

There aren't a lot of TS's on the beach in CA, and July is peak season, so it will be difficult to get an exchange at this point. You may need to do a rental. The Welk resorts in-land from San Diego usually have availability, but they aren't on the beach.

What exchange company will you be using? Do you have a strong trader?

 

[summer718]

Thanks for the info, Denise. We are actually just booking the trip to AU now and have a choice to have her fly into an airport in CA. From what you said I guess it should be LAX. We have Interval and RCI - RCI in SW FL and II in Upstate NY. I think they're good trades. Nothing avail right now that I saw. There is a 2 br Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort for rent in RCI for $2520. Does that seem good to you or would we be better off with a package for air and hotel for us (& her mom (our daughter)) and she would join us at the hotel? We live in NY. Dora

 

[DeniseM]

For specifics about resorts, I would check the TUG ratings and reviews. (Click on TUG Resort Databases in the red bar, log in, search for the resort by name.)

There are no TS's in the immediate LA area, but San Diego and other areas with TS are within driving distance of LAX.

If it were me I'd:
1) make a cancellable hotel reservation ASAP
2) put in an on-going request ASAP with both RCI and II - note that the online inventory is just the leftovers after all ongoing requests have been filled, and you are unlikely to get a July beach week without an ongoing request.

Good luck!

 

[summer718]

Company on the way - will have to continue later. Thanks in advance for any replys.
Dora

 

[summer718]

Thanks again, Denise. As I said I have to go now but will continue to work on this and be back on the bbs. (Need to check my spelling (replies).
Droa

 

[DAman]

Coronado

One word comes to mind for me-Coronado.

The Coronado Beach Resort while not on the beach is very close to it. Easily walkable. Coronado is a little quiet but San Diego is right across the bay.

Closer to LA are the Carlsbad timeshares. Again not on the beach but nearby.

Tough to trade into in July. All go through RCI. You will need lots of TPU's. My GPP week 27 2 bedroom got me 51 TPU's. I assume it would take all or most of that to get in there. A 2 bedroom at Coronado in December cost me 38 TPU's.

If you have a strong trader in II look at Marriott Newport Villas. I have been there but never stayed. It too is a great location. The resort is very nice.

If you are in Southern California in July go to the Pageant of Masters in Laguna Beach. http://www.foapom.com Real people recreating art on the stage with an orchestra playing. It is unique. My children ages 15, 12, and 9 look forward to going every year. My wife and I love it too. In years past you had to book early-and you still do for the best seats-but in this economy you can buy seats at the last minute. This is a real treat.

DAman

 

[Karen G]

We've stayed at two RCI timeshares on or near the beach and would highly recommend both of them: Coronado Beach Resort (mentioned in the post above) and San Clemente Cove.

 

[zinger1457]

If you're not able to get a timeshare near the beach there are plenty of nice beaches a short ride from LAX (Manhattan, Hermosa, Venice Beaches). Manhattan and Hermosa are very nice beaches in residential areas so the beaches are never crowded. If you have Starwood StarPoints to burn there are a couple Starwood hotels near LAX there can be usually had for a reasonable amount of points. It's only a 10 minute ride to Manhattan Beach.

 

[summer718]

Sorry to take so long to get back to all of you that are so helpful. The info was very valuable and I am on my way to learning lots more about CA in general and timeshares there in particular.
Turns out my granddaughter and her mom decided it was best to book her trip to Sydney as a round trip and plan a vacation after she gets back (She's leaving this weekend to study in AU.) Coming back home to NY rather than back to CA with a vacation there before returning to NY gives us more time to plan and more options (where, when, etc.). We still may do CA or maybe Europe - possibly HI. We'll be working on it here while she's away. Thanks for the help.

Dora

 

[jaymon]

SoCal TS Beaches

Just a "heads up" on a couple of other options that weren't mentioned yet. Check out Carlsbad, CA. We own two weeks at the Tamarack Beach Resort and the Carlsbad Inn is just a block or so away. They are about 30 minutes up the coast from the San Diego area. Beautiful area and geographically well placed (IMO). Good luck!