Have just booked a holiday for 3 weeks in California and I am so excited.  We are flying out on the 14th december and coming back on the 4th January.  We have booked the flight, car and 3 nights in a hotel in LA and will book 24, 25 and 26th December and New Year somewhere too but apart from that will take it as it comes.

Now all I need to do is lose at least 28lbs so I can be in the photos this year.  Have lost 36lbs already but would really like to lose another 28lbs if I can. :)

Can't wait to buy Flynn lots of presents from the pet shops too. LOL

Oh how great! Take care in the petshops, the first time I went to California I spent about $300 in Petsmart the first time I went in there -and that's a few years ago now so would be more money now. :D Just avoid the smaller petshops as that's where you're likely to see puppies and kittens and it does break your heart..... :(

Thanks Goldmali will keep out of small petshops then.  I don't want to see any puppies or kittens for sale.  I really hate shops that sell small animals.  It makes me want to cry

Forgot to say that we have a lovely girl coming to housesit whilst we are away.  She is my friends daughter and Flynn really loves her.  She spent a week here in June whilst we went to France and he had a brilliant time with her so I am happy he will have a great xmas too.

You might want to watch this u tube video about whats going on in Calif.  not good for doggy people resident out there! it came to me via am american cocker siteENJOY [ or probably NOT]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm6Se6G-1wQ

Pauline

Oh Lake Tahoe is a great place to spend New Year's. Good skiing, great restaurants and a huge street party (well last time I went anyway). If you like casinos you can go to the Nevada side, if not stay in California. Where else are you going other than LA? California is where I'm from. I've been in this country for 10 years but San Diego is home in my heart. My sister is a doggy person that lives in LA so if you want to know a good shop tell me what you'd like to find and I'll ask her where to go.

Pack your shorts too. All my christmas fun clothes were T-shirts and shorts. It always seems to be sunny and 23/75 degrees. Not very ho-ho-ho-y. :-D

And the shopping! :-D Cabazon is the holy grail of outlet shopping malls. oh HuskyGal and Isabel you'd just be in heaven

Lori thanks for all that.  We are starting off in LA, going down to San Diego, then back up to San Francisco and back down to LA.  We want to do so much so have to sit down and look at it really.  We want to go to Palm Springs, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Carmel, Big Sur etc etc so really have to have a family meeting and see which areas are the most important to us.

I can't wait.  Haven't been to California for about 20 years and am so excited LOL  Only 23 weeks to go :)

Thanks for the advice on the shopping mall.  I am taking an empty suitcase and plan to do lots and lots of shopping

Oh, I'm jealous too, we did this a few years ago and it's fabulous. If you haven't been before, book for the Alcatraz tour as soon as you get to SF (or in advance if you know when you're going to be there) as it sells out constantly.

Try and get into Yosemite too, if the weather allows.

Are you going to Vegas?

M.

There is only one place in San Francisco for me, The Buena Vista! LOL OK, I liked Alcatraz too, and the Discover museum, and Ghiradelli square... But back to the BV. The Irish coffees are sooo good. I used to drink them when I didn't like whiskey or coffee - but they're just another story all together. Fantastic bartenders too (we got a few freebies) and it's on the water so the perfect place to duck into when it's cold. And believe me, San Francisco is the coldest place on earth. My Geordie husband and the rest of my co-workers from the NE didn't believe me but they all whined like babies at how bone chilling it was. I have been there in summer with shorts on but only occcasionally. I usually had my jeans and a coat on.

Yosemite is another place to spend New Years. You can stay at the Ahwahnee hotel.

This post is making me homesick.

Oh, I'm so jealous how wonderful and what a great incentive for your weight loss.:-P

I would be sent to coventry if I went away at Christmas and did not do the family get togethers. :-D  Mind you I enjoy them anyway.

But........... California (she dreams..........:rolleyes:)

Las Vegas is on our list of places to go but the list seems so long.  At this rate we will be in the car all day every day LOL.

The reason we are going for xmas is because I recently lost my father (my last relative apart from OH and kids) and we did OH family last year so we are purposely getting away from family get togethers. 

It still doesn't seem real.  They kids are so excited too

Oh kids!! Disneyland, you must go. Californians run and hide indoors when the rain comes. I used to go every year for my birthday in January and if it was raining there would be about 50 people in the park. Felt like it anyway. I rode Space Mountain 5 times in a row without having to get in a queue once.

Thanks everyone for all your tips.  I think 3 years would be better than 3 weeks lol.  Haven't been to california for about 20 years.  Used to go over a lot on business because I used to work for Kahlua ant they were based in LA.  I think it will all be very different now

Oh Mel, you're making me very jealous!  For the past two years we've holidayed in Santa Monica and Las Vegas and they are fabulous places.  Just ask if there's anything you'd like to know and I'll see if I can assist. :)