Laguna Surf vs. Southern CA Beach Club vs. Grand Pacific Pallisades

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

I'm trying to decide which resort we should stay at next fall. We like LS and are owners there now but want to see if we should try SCBC or GPP vs. staying at LS. We're also owners of the GPP resorts so getting in there wouldn't be a problem. It's just that we haven't stayed there yet.

Just to add that we wouldn't be doing a lot of exploring. It would be more of a surfing and golfing week trip. Space isn't as big of an issue as there would only be the two of us.

I've heard that SCBC is on the water? I'm leaning towards staying with what we know, which is LS. We just fly into Santa Ana and we're there. If we stay at Oceanside or Carlsbad, I think we'd have to fly into San Diego.

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

I'll bet John (4aRedOctober) will chime in here and Emmy too-but I'd totally choose Laguna Surf over SCBC. I'd choose Laguna over Oceanside all day long. Yeah-it's on the beach but to me Oceanside has a different beach "clientele" and neighborhood than Laguna and/or Carlsbad.
I live in So Cal and I stayed at the Four Seasons Aviara in March and we basically spent a day seeing all the different t/s from Coronado to Oceanside. I now know which ones I'd choose and which ones I'd decline. I'm sorry-but I'd decline SCBC. JMHO of course.

[Quimby Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Quimby]

I feel that Grand Pacific Palisades is geared towards families with the kids pool, rec room etc. If are taking kids it is great, but if it is just adults I would stay at Laguna Surf for the local close to the beach and walking to downtown etc. There is an adult pool at Grand Pacific, but since it is across the street from Legoland I still think it is preferred by families.

Just my thoughts. Can't beat Laguna...What about staying at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas?

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I was going to wait until John had replied to you but he is in Maui. I am not familiar with the resorts in Oceanside or in Carlsbad either so can't give an opinion.

I read that the SCBC resort was completely refurbished and that the units look very nice inside today. Are you guaranteed an oceanfront unit or are there non ocean view units too? I don't know if there is one or a second building behind the first one when I look at the picture of the resort? I have never been to that beach so cannot compare that to the beach in Laguna. I know that the Carlsbad area is very nice but I haven't been to that beach either because we love Laguna Beach and it is so much closer to home for us.

You cannot compare LS with the Marriott NCVs at all. The condos there are much larger and more luxurious too and the pools and grounds are beautiful but it is away from the beach and surf which LS has plus you can walk to many restaurants, galleries and shops and to the main beach too. You can't beat the location.

If you decide to make reservations at LS, you need to make them 13 months out exactly and use your atomic clock just like with a Marriott resort to get the week you want in an oceanfront unit. They are all gone in a few minutes. Good luck, if you decide to go to LS but please, don't compete with me as I also want to go in October.

Why don't you stay two weeks and try both your resorts since you come all the way from Canada.

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

Emmy, I thought John was on holidays as I knew he's on the board of SCBC as may be another TS4Ms member. I think GPP is out. I know that Oceanside is rebuilding their reputation as a town so that does have a bit of bearing for a non-local.

Emmy, I like your idea of coming for 2 weeks but California is typically our shorter trip. We usually go on a longer trip every 2nd year to some new place like South America or the Pacific south.

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

I would stay at Grand Pacific Palisades.

I would go for GPP. I visited SCBC this spring (didn't go in a room) and didn't really like the feel of it-I'm also not much of an Oceanside fan. It is RIGHT on the beach-but the grassy area down below had a million or so squirrels-it was weird there were so many-I didn't feel comfortable. You did say surfing-so maybe this might work for you. I don't think they have full kitchens-but I'm not positive.

GPP is a beautiful resort-although not walking distance to beach. Nice full granite kitchens, great family pool with water play, and huge adult only pool. I think 3 jacuzzis on property, fire pits they will light for you. Carlsbad is a very nice town. Easy access to San Diego and waterfront areas.

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

A lot of people really love SCBC for its directly on the beach location. There are some non-ocean view units. I'm not sure if the room number RCI gives you is guaranteed to be the room you get. The beach is great there. I haven't been to Laguna Surf. I do love Laguna and would choose that city over Oceanside myself for travelling without kids. I like the San Diego area more for the family.

I am on the board at SCBC.

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

SCBC with an ocean front or ocean view unit is great. When at SCBC we rarely go anywhere but the beach about 10 steps from the resort. Oceanside is improving but it is not the same as Carlsbad or Laguna Beach. But if beach is what you want.....hard to beat.

Laguna Surf is also nice if one can get an Oceanfront unit....ask Emmy how to confirm that. We would not want a unit right on busy Pacific Coast Highway. We have visited LS and loved it but do not stay there as it is too close to home and if we want Laguna Beach we just drive the 20 minutes to get there.

Carlsbad Seapointe is accross the street from a surf school and there is a break there as well so you may want to consider that.

At GPP you would end up driving to the beach so if that is primary consideration then choose the above three first. GPP is really nice and we love it too.

I would be happy staying at any of the above resorts.