I need ideas
 

My birthday is this weekend, and I feel compelled to do something really fun, to celebrate. I have a friend who has agreed to do anything of my choosing. I've thought about getting out of town, but I'm not sure where to go, seeing as how I'd have to be back on Monday. I live in Southern California, so I've considered the San Diego zoo, but I already did that for one birthday a few years back...any ideas? Throw it out there.

Catalina.

Really? What is even out there? I heard it's kind of boring after a couple of hours and then you're trapped.

GO North. Monterey, or SF.

I thought it was a nice place. I skipped the gambling and just hung out with my wife for a few days. Very beautiful there.

http://www.catalina.com/main.html

Are you up north? How is the air quality up there with the fires?

Santa Barbara can be nice for a weekend is not too far for you.

San Diego is always a nice choice, or Laguna Nigel or Balboa Island might be your cup of tea.

I don't believe Catalina would interest you for more than a few hours.

I am in the bay area. To tell you the truth, the air is pretty lousy today btu it is supposed to clear up tomorrow and be clearer and a little cooler on Saturday, which would make it perfect (probably around 70 in SF)

I suspected as much...

I go to San Diego once a month, and I'll be down there next weekend. What do you do when you go there?

I work in Laguna Niguel area, and lived here for a month while I was doing training in SD...although, I have never hiked Crystal Cove, which I hear is beautiful.

I went to Santa Barbara a few years back, drove up PCH, went to the beach, toured Hearst Castle while we were up that way. What else do people do there?

Those are the principle activities one does. But the small downtown also leads to shopping for those who like such things.

Here's a link for your perusal.

http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/