How would you rank the California Coastal Resorts II - Page 2

CaliDave · #11 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 11:41 AM

I'll give my top 13.. since I doubt I would ever have a reason to stay at the others unless it was a last call week or something really cheap.
My critera will be different than others.
I love being on the beach with fantastic whitewater views. I like clean comfortable places, luxury is not a big deal to me.

Laguna Surf -oceanfront unit only, the only problem is.. they are very strict on occupancy of 4.. I have 5
So. Cal. Beach Club -oceanfront unit only.. cant get any closer to the sand.
Wave Crest - love the area
Carlsbad Inn -great village, good location, very nice resort
Carlsbad Seapointe Resort - lots of amenities, worth the long walk to the beach
Blue Whale - same as So Cal Beach club.. but not as nice
San Clemente Cove - great location, small rooms, near RR tracks, best for couples.
4 Season Pacifica in San Clemente - close to ocean, great views, huge rooms..
Four Seasons Resort Club Aviara - luxury, but too far from the ocean
Marriott Newport Coast Villas - I love Newport.. great resort.. to far from beach
Tamarack Beach Resort - busy street, nice views.. would rather stay at Carlsbad Inn for a similar location
Coronado Beach Resort - lots to do in the area. good for exploring San Diego
Grand Pacific Palisades - great grounds, great pools, walk to legoland.. perfect for small kids.. too far from beach

4ARedOctober · #12 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 12:43 PM

I just ranked them at the top because they are so nice and luxurious.....I would rank them differently if it was where I was going to stay. For example, even though I rank Laguna Surf so high I would not stay there....it is too close to home for me I could just drive to the beach. When on vacation I want to get away....at least an hour away LOL. I would not stay at the Newport Marriott for the same reason. If the criteria is changed to where I would stay then my ranking would be different for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliDave

John.. I though you were a beach nut like me? You'd rather stay at Marriott or 4 Seasons and have to drive to the beach?

Most of your order is pretty much what I would choose.. I'll have to think about it some more.

CaliDave · #13 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4ARedOctober

I. When on vacation I want to get away....at least an hour away LOL. I would not stay at the Newport Marriott for the same reason. If the criteria is changed to where I would stay then my ranking would be different for sure.

Yeah I understand.. its the same reason I won't vacation at the ever popular Inn at Silver Lakes

4ARedOctober · #14 (**permalink**) 03-15-2006, 12:07 AM

Silver Lakes has a beach doesn't it???....should we make it a coastal resort?

Good old Glenn Ivy had a hand in that one I am pretty sure......they tried to sell snow to eskimos too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliDave

Yeah I understand.. its the same reason I won't vacation at the ever popular Inn at Silver Lakes

iconnections · #15 (**permalink**) 03-15-2006, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4ARedOctober

I just ranked them at the top because they are so nice and luxurious.....I would rank them differently if it was where I was going to stay. For example, even though I rank Laguna Surf so high I would not stay there....it is too close to home for me I could just drive to the beach. When on vacation I want to get away....at least an hour away LOL. I would not stay at the Newport Marriott for the same reason. If the criteria is changed to where I would stay then my ranking would be different for sure.

John, we may live even closer to Laguna Beach than you but we love having our vacation there as it feels like being far away. It is wonderful getting up in the morning and stepping out on the balcony and seeing the ocean and listening to the surf. Very different from being at home! It is also nice hanging around during the day or taking walks on the beach or going to town but coming back again to have "happy hour" on the balcony and watch the sun set with friends. We like it even more because it is so close to home!

Dave, it is true that the resort is very strict about the limit of four people in the units. They claim that it is a requirement of the fire department and the units are very small so more than four people would be way too crowded. There is a fine and they will ask the extra person to leave, if they find out. I would not chance it.

How can you not like this little resort? See pictures here or here is an example.

BocaBum99 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-15-2006, 06:54 AM

I am thinking about Marina Dunes, Pismo Beach and Oceanside Harbor.

4ARedOctober · #17 (**permalink**) 03-15-2006, 12:50 PM

Emmy, don't get me wrong

......I love Laguna Beach

.

I have probably over 300 scuba dives off the coast there......I just am not interested in vacationing there as it is too close to me....my wife objects everytime I mention staying at a timeshare in Laguna....she is ok with Oceanside and further south. If it was an easier summer trade and I could get oceanfront then I would reserve it in about two seconds. But it is not an easy trade for summer. And I could not justify paying the resale prices they are asking for Laguna Surf.

Laguna Surf does seem real nice and if you are out of the area, a great beach town. I have tried unsucessfully to internal trade there via RCIM as they only let you look 10 months out and there has been nothing for summer. And I have not seen in in RCI at all either, even with strong traders.

I prefer the Grand Pacific Resorts and now own 3 of them. They have nice resorts and a good network although they have recently instituted that new 1 in 4 rule for all their resorts....glad I bought in to get around it.

StressCadet · #18 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliDave

Yeah I understand.. its the same reason I won't vacation at the ever popular Inn at Silver Lakes

Do you live out here-Dave? They almost give that place away on Ebay.

xzhan02 · #19 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 12:11 PM

No one mentioned Pacific Grove Plaza near Monterey. I will stay there as a rental next Month. It's a Gold Crown, walk to beach, surrounded by restaurants etc. It's small and few owner deposit so as one review said "it's the best kept secret". I sure hope so.

4ARedOctober · #20 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 12:32 PM

We have been wanting to check out that place too....we love the area. Let us know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xzhan02

No one mentioned Pacific Grove Plaza near Monterey. I will stay there as a rental next Month. It's a Gold Crown, walk to beach, surrounded by restaurants etc. It's small and few owner deposit so as one review said "it's the best kept secret". I sure hope so.