Originally Posted by
dbuckho
I usually get to a conference per year at La Quinta Resort -- and actually sort of like Palm Springs in the summer (mostly stay in the A/C during the day -- but love the dry hot air at night). But might be out for the same reason as the Arizona properties.
For July you might look into Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort in Santa Barbara (assuming this would be usable there). Santa Barbara and the surrounding wine country always make for a relaxing weekend.
I'd have to give my vote to Fess Parker's DT Resort in
Santa Barbara. It is a pretty cool property and I have to say, one of the few Hilton properties that I've been to in California for a personal trip w/hubby. I travel for my job and all of my points/energy goes into travel OUTSIDE of the USA--but we did have a really nice short, 5 day get away to this place. You won't see any state or gov't workers there--rooms are seldom below $350-$400 a night.
There is supposed to be another good Hilton--hard to get in as well (this is where the Diamond Force is worth its weight in Gold)--the Waterfront Beach Hotel - Hilton -
Huntington Beach. Another $300 - $350 per night easy.
One more place that we enjoyed, both on a biz and personal trip (might sound kind of funny), but the Embassy Suites, Mandalay Beach--
Oxnard. I'm not a fan of ES per se, but this is one of the few exceptions to my own personal feeling about ES properties. You often find rooms in the $300 area there as well....every once in awhile, you could get a state rate, but I wouldn't go to that area for often for work.
Enjoy!