Originally Posted by
s0ssos
Traffic in south OC isn't as bad as LA, so you can definitely go to most places. The other posters saying traffic is a mess are just exaggerating. Even the "mess" that is Oceanside to San Clemente is 50 minutes for 20 miles. In LA traffic you can take an hour to go 10 miles.
But if you are talking about "much", there is definitely more around South Coast Plaza. And this location isn't next to the beach, though it isn't far either. South Coast Plaza is definitely not next to the beach.
Thanks!
I'm using my remaining free night certs next month, and only have one 50k left (and one 35k). I had thought of using the 35k on the way down and the 50k on the way back (Renaissance Newport Beach and the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano), but there a fabulous restauratn in the South Coast Plaza (Knife Pleat), and staying at the Westin seems extra appealing. But it's 40k that night.
So any suggestions for the way back among Marriott Newport Beach, Rennaisance Club Sport Aliso Viejo Laguna Beach, Marriot Harbor Newport Beach, Renaissance Newport Beach, Westin South Coast Plaza (again)? The way down will be a long day (want to visit Laguna Beach for lunch and walkaround after a few hour drive, then dinner after a break); the way back would just need to be a nice room (perhaps with a real chance at an upgrade on a Tuesday night), as I will be taking meetings in AM from the room and then driving back the rest of the way. Might make sense to do Westin again just because of proximity to the highway (and keep my wife occupied at the plaza while I'm working) but am pretty open.