31. California Dreamin’: The Ultimate Guide To Making Your SoCal Adventure A Reality
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Hello, fellow travelers! We're the Travel Mom Squad—Pam, Jess, and Alex. In this episode, we're taking you on a virtual journey to sunny Southern California, and the best part? We're showing you how to do it all on points and miles! We all love visiting Southern California. It's a quick flight for Pam from Denver and Alex from Salt Lake City, and even for Jess from Houston, it's not too bad. The weather is always perfect, and it's a hit with our families. In this episode, we're covering all our favorite ways to get to Southern California, the best places to stay, and so much more.  We've flown into various airports depending on our destination within SoCal, including San Diego, John Wayne, and Long Beach. And we've found some really good redemptions. For example, Alex's recent trip to Huntington Beach cost just 48,000 miles round trip for four tickets. That's less than one signup bonus for a Southwest card! When it comes to accommodations, we have a few favorites.  But that's not all! We also discuss tips for making the most of your points and miles, and so much more. So come along with us as we take you to Southern California today, all on points and miles, of course! Hit play to hear the full conversation! A trip to Southern California is sure to be a memorable one for the entire family. There is so much to do and see all for pennies on the dollar! Make sure you register for our Free Masterclass “How to Start Traveling for Nearly Free.”  Links below!

  Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad)   Links For This Episode: 

Manchester Grand San Diego)

Andaz San Diego)

Park Hyatt Aviara)

Coronado Island Marriott)

Grand Pacific Palisades Resort)

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach)

The Seabird)

  Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 Favorite ways to travel and stay in Southern California 

1:21 Alex gives her preferred flights when traveling to Southern California

2:58 Why smaller airports can make for easier travel and better redemptions

3:54 Why Southwest prices and redemptions are best for large family travel

4:15 Pam always flies United and saves miles and points for business class seats

5:13 Jess prefers Southwest for her family, utilizing the companion pass

6:02 Favorite places to stay in San Diego

6:21 Jess gives a glowing family review of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego 

9:57 Pam loves the Andaz San Diego for a more bougie, classy feel

11:56 Jess mentions the most luxurious and expensive option, the Park Hyatt Aviara

16:30 Pam offers the Coronado Marriott as another family friendly alternative 

18:04 Alex shares her experience staying at the Grand Pacific Palisades Resort

20:06 The Grand Pacific is walking distance from Legoland and condos for families 

21:35 Places to stay in Huntington Beach

25:28 Jess and Alex give their review of the Hyatt Globalist breakfast

28:47 Alex shares her experience at the Seabird 

29:08 The Seabird has more of a boutique feel that overlooks the ocean

31:51 The Hyatt Regency and The Seabird are both great ocean-side options for families 

37:04 A look into the Travel Mom Squad next planned trip to Southern California