Which resort?

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

We have a choice of Southern California Beach Club, Carlsbad Inn, or Grand Pacific Palisades for the specific week we want. We were also offered a Lawrence Welk Resort Villas for a week that is not out first choice, but we can make work.

Here's the ?. My brother has never been to California, more specific he has never seen the Pacific Ocean.

It will likely be just the 2 of us (we did Barbados, just the 2 of us recently).

What would be your first choice? Why?

Thanks,

Joy

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

[MARQUEE]Welcome Joyce![/MARQUEE]

What unit sizes are you considering as that would make a difference in how I would rate the choices. If they are all equal I'd lean towards SCal Beach Club as it is oceanfront.

If you have a choice of a 2 BDRM at GPP I'd take that.

Carlsbad Inn would be my last choice but I wouldn't hesitate to stay there if it was the only thing available.

Welk is pretty far inland. Not coastal at all.

Which resort did you stay at in Barbados? I've been trying to get to that island but RCI wasn't very helpful for my travel dates.

[chemteach Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chemteach]

All are nice resorts. Welk is about an hour from the coast and San Diego. It's very remote, but has great facilities. SoCal beach club is directly on the ocean if that is important, but it has no pool. Carlsbad Inn is at the ocean, but not like the beach club, being directly on the ocean. It has a pool. GPP probably is the nicest in terms of facilities, but is a about 1 1/2 miles from the ocean. There are 2 pools, one is adults only.

Hope that helps.

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

Hi Lawren,

Brother and I stayed at the King's Beach Village. We were able to grab a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit during the bulk banking that Dial an Exchange had about a year ago. We were there just before the season started (Dec 9-16). It was lovely. The resort isn't doing banking with anyone now as they want to sell the units complete.

Barbados is a difficult exchange with any of the companies. For some reason people who buy there go there.

We did check out the Crane and the Crane Residences...WOW!

If I ever see Barbados again I'll gladly let you know.

Joy

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

We are looking for 2 bedroom...it will likely be just brother and me. DH backed out of the Barbados trip the day before we left and so did DN. So, bro and I said, what the h---, we'll go anyway. Had a great time and now we're looking to do it again.

We do want to be sure we have enough room if DH and DN want to go this time.

I've stayed at Lawrence Welk through Dial an Exchange and liked it. The units were clean and nice and the kitchen was excellent. Yes, it was a little far away, but having friends in San Marco made the resort convenient.

Thanks for all your help.

I think we will go with SCBC.

Joy

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Hi Lawren,

Brother and I stayed at the King's Beach Village. We were able to grab a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit during the bulk banking that Dial an Exchange had about a year ago. We were there just before the season started (Dec 9-16). It was lovely. The resort isn't doing banking with anyone now as they want to sell the units complete.

Barbados is a difficult exchange with any of the companies. For some reason people who buy there go there.

We did check out the Crane and the Crane Residences...WOW!

If I ever see Barbados again I'll gladly let you know.

Joy

Very nice!

Beags caught a Residences at Crane from RCI about a week or 2 ago. It stinks having to live with a school calendar.

Please do let me know if you see anything.

I think just for location you will really like SCal Beach Club. I'd rather have a view anyday!

Just let your brother know that the Pacific doesn't warm up like our ocean. I won't go up past my knees even in summer.

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

What time of the year are you going?

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

My brother has a marina; summer is his busy time. We always take a December week for vacation. My slowest time or year and his too, right before annual contracts need to go out.

We actually like week 49 or 50 depending on how the weeks fall.

Neither of us is actually interested in swimming in the ocean, but since he's never been to the west coast and since he has a marina on the east coast we though it 'bout time!

Joy

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

This wasn't one of your choices but it is across the street from the beach and is available from Trading Places for exchange

Capistrano Surfside Inn - Capistrano Beach, CA, United States
Dates: Dec 09, 2007 - Dec 16, 2007
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

You might find this thread helpful as well. Our SCal members rating the SCal resorts:

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...ate+california

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

Thanks, I think my brother was interested in getting rid of some of his other banked weeks.

I'll check with him tonight!

Thanks,

Joy

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Thanks, I think my brother was interested in getting rid of some of his other banked weeks.

I'll check with him tonight!

Thanks,

Joy

which exchange company?

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

You would be fine with any of the three on the coast. It depends on what you really want.

At SCBC all the two bedrooms all have ocean views and are at the top of the resort and the units are recently refurbished. The resort has a hot tub, its right on the beach, and there is a marina nearby (not sure if that's good or bad ) and the pier is right there. But there is still limited selection in town...it is not Carlsbad...a poorer military beach town being redeveloped.

Carlsbad Inn is close to the beach ...accross the street...and has a pool. It is right in downtown Carlsbad beach town which is a big plus for dining and walking. Carlsbad is definitely up the scale economically...no need for redevelopment.

GPP is really nice too but it is away from town and the beach and near Legoland. It is more of a full scale resort and you would be fine there as well.

All of them have a different feel about them. I have stayed at all three and love all three.

Enjoy.

John

[vlariano Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vlariano]

Carlsbad Inn would be my pick also if you can get a 2 bedroom. It might be easier to get a 2 bedroom at GPP, but Carlsbad Inn is right where the action is and lots of restaurants within walking distance.

[Carol C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carol C]

I really like Carlsbad's small town vibe. Some nice restaurants and plenty to do within walking distance. You can also hop that train that runs up and down the SoCal coast...very convenient.

Joy, nice to see you here! Happy New Year to ya!

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

You guys are da bomb! We're staying in Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort. We both did like the idea of Southern California Beach Club, but the two bedroom units appeared to only have a bath and half. Now, if it only DB and me, no problem. If the herd comes along then BIG problem. DN can live in the shower

One thing that sealed it for DB is "Local marinas can outfit you with everything you need for a day of boating or fishing." DB has a 100 ton Coast Gaurd Captain license.

We'll be there in mid-December 2008.

Again, thanks for all your help.

Joy