California or Florida Road Trip

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Next May we are considering a fly drive type holiday, This will be a once in a life time type thing due to costs.

I did all the Florida parks as a child around 15 years ago and the wife isn't that bothered, however would like to see Sea World and Universal Studios.

For those that may have visited both, would you say you enjoyed California or Florida the most and what were your favorite places to see??

Thanks

[HOGEPH]

In terms of scenery, California would offer much more. I love Florida, but it's a bit, well, flat!

[BIGDAI]

For the theme parks - Florida - but for everything else - California

[anonymous-user]

california every time... florida is like hot east anglia.

[HOGEPH]

Plus Sea World is in San Diego, and Universal is in Los Angeles. Add in the coastline, the deserts, Death Valley, Vegas, etc etc. Has to be California for that once in a lifetime trip you want.

[Minemapper]

Cali, hands down. Apart from the Keys, FL is the armpit retirement home of America.

Start in San Diego, dip a toe into Mexico (just to say you did), hit SeaWorld and the USS Midway aircraft carrier. Then head up I5, jumping onto Rt.1 at Capistrano. Spend a day or two in LA (make sure you get lunch at Langers), then hit the coast again, stopping in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Stay on Rt.1 going north and hug the coastline. Camp on the beach in the national parks (just about the most amazing sunsets you will ever see), and then roll into Carmel. Take in a motorsports event at Laguna Seca. Then head up into San Francisco, and give yourself at least 3 or 4 days there. If you have time, keep going north and see the Redwoods and Napa Valley.

That's what springs to mind if you say 'Cali Road Trip' to me, anyway...

Edited by Minemapper on Thursday 7th June 11:26

[Nigel H]

California every time. Florida is so dull in comparison, plus the weather can be better in California - less humidity

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Done both. California is great, but Florida is good too. And Florida flights are a whole load cheaper. If you're on a budget, and it sounds as if you might be, I'd do Florida with some decent money in your pocket rather than California on a shoestring.

[blindswelledrat]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Done both. California is great, but Florida is good too. And Florida flights are a whole load cheaper. If you're on a budget, and it sounds as if you might be, I'd do Florida with some decent money in your pocket rather than California on a shoestring.

Although I would argue that FLorida can be cheap enough not to need to be a "once in a lifetime" thing, thus if you are having that big blow-out then go to California and Florida some other time

[Robatr0n]

I love Florida but California wins hands down. The scenary is just indescribable on the PCH1 and what should have been a 4 hour drive ended up taking us over 8 hours on one of your stretches as we just had to stop at every possible view point.

[Matt..]

California.

If you want easy then do the standard SF > LA > LV > SF loop with stops at Yosemite and Death Valley, and a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway.

[blindswelledrat]

Robatr0n said:

. The scenary is just indescribable on the PCH1 and what should have been a 4 hour drive ended up taking us over 8 hours on one of your stretches as we just had to stop at every possible view point.

Oddly this road is one of the biggest anti-climaxes of my life. HIring a convertible and driving this road was to be the highlight of the trip and yet it turned out to be an irrelevance to me. TO me it was just like any other coast road in any other country. I think there are more stunning coast roads in Scotland/Cornwall. Im still rather bewildered as to why it is so famous. Be curious as to what you loved about it so much

[Robatr0n]

I can see where you're coming from. Although I'm not that well travelled, I have amassed a great amount of time in quite a few states and I can honestly say that I've never been to another state in America where you could drive on such a long windy road that had such fantastic scenary. I will concede that the likes of buttertubs pass or any other mixture of roads in the Dales or around Cornwall are better driving for making progress whilst enjoying the scenary.

Maybe it was made a little more special as I was travelling with a group of my best friends in a convoy of muscle cars? Maybe it was because it's so different to other states I've visited? Perhaps the perfect weather (perhaps too perfect in places as I had to put the roof up to stop ourselves from getting burnt) helped things too? All I know is that it just felt perfect. Sorry, not the most rational of opinions I know!

Infact, we all enjoyed it so much that we're looking to do it all over again but this time I'm hoping we can visit Yosemti and Yellowstone Park.

I'd also like to spend a little more time in Vegas to take a drive around Red Rock Canyon (done this before but it was just too hot to get out the car) and Death Valley. We did drive to Bad Water where it was about 115F and if it wasn't for the a fail safe I would have locked us out of the car with no access to food or water...

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There are some great replies so far, thanks.

I think its fair to say California looks like the place to go, its just deciding where to go now and how long to spend where?

[Little Dave]

Definately CA. I wouldn't be too bothered about going to LA but San Fran, Yosemite,Death Valley and Vegas are a must.

[AnotherClarkey]

I have no experience of Florida but lived in California last year. California is great but I would not spend too much time in the south - Seaworld is worth a visit (Monterey aquarium is also highly recommended) but we found SoCal fugly for the most part. IMHO Universal Studios is rubbish compared with the Warner Bros tour.

[blindswelledrat]

AnotherClarkey said:

SoCal

>cringe<

[DoctorX]

Definitely California. If you want to go to Universal Studios you get the real sets where things are actually filmed.

[AnotherClarkey]

blindswelledrat said:

AnotherClarkey said:

SoCal

>cringe<

Exactly. Everyone there thinks it is simply the greatest place on earth. I found it a bit meh and got somewhat tired of SoCal style, SoCal life, SoCal cuisine, SoCal freedom etc. etc. etc. ad nauseam. Prefer Brighton to be honest........

[Matt Harper]

AnotherClarkey said:

Exactly. Everyone there thinks it is simply the greatest place on earth. I found it a bit meh and got somewhat tired of SoCal style, SoCal life, SoCal cuisine, SoCal freedom etc. etc. etc. ad nauseam. Prefer Brighton to be honest........

I think you missed the point there....

So, how did you get to live in California for a year?