Who: Steve and Tara Maxson of Littleton.
Where: The Blue Lantern Inn overlooking Dana Point Harbor.
Best meal: We had wonderful sushi at Gen Kai Japanese Restaurant (34143 Pacific Coast Highway) in Dana Point. It’s off the beaten tourist path, a local favorite.
Best deal: Don’t underestimate Southern California as a vacation destination. There is a lot to be said for a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (and the 5 freeway south of Orange County) from Santa Barbara to San Diego. The drive is nearly free, and you can see all of the best beaches in a day. Entertainment is built right in when you consider nearly every stretch of road is home to some of the world’s most famous places.
Best time to go: Summer is nice, but for smaller crowds, spring and fall are better. Fall months are warm enough for shorts and hotel rates drop for off-season.
Best travel tip: We frequently relied on road maps from different regions of Southern California, including: the Inland Empire, Ventura County, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego areas.
