OK Southern Cal people...Help me with my vacation...

I just got back from Arizona...I spent 4 days and 3 nights there...rode my bike and watched a couple Cactus League ball games.  Great sunshine (I got sunburned)...It was in the low 70s.  Below are some of the drawbacks about going...and I would like some insight into cheap Southern California vacations for next winter/spring...
It took about 11 hours of driving to get down there...It takes almost a day to recover.  I brought my bike...a touring bike more than racing one.
 
They jack up the prices of the motels in the winter.  My Best Western room was $100 a night...The same room is $60 in July.  Phoenix is about 5 degrees warmer than LA in general on a normal winter day.  I, like many of you, am cold all the time.  If I fly down there I would have to go to Sacramento (about 90 miles + traffic)...go through security...park the car in long term parking...rent a car...rent a bike...fight traffic in AZ to get to the motel...Not what I call a quick and easy vacation.  I'm thinking of Palm Springs...but the prices are jacked up the same there in winter also.  Is there a "poor mans" Palm Springs that is warm and not too expensive in Southern Cal??  The things I'm looking for are warmth, cheap motels, paved bike pathes, safty.  The beach would be nice, but not necessary.  I wouldn't mind being 20-30 miles from the beach and take my car-truck and bike there for a ride.  I'll throw out a few names and would love comments...The Murrietta area, Oceanside/Carsbad, Costa Mesa, Coachella, La Mesa/Santee... Are any of these areas a good value and a bit warmer in the winter?  Thanks for listening.  Brian  PS  My wife has to work...but with the budgets of schools coming up...she may get layed off and could come with me next year...Just pipe dreaming for now...

oceanside/carlsbard, wonderful place to vacation.
Santee? don't bother
Costa mesa, kind of surburbanish, not really a destination.
Try Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San onofre

where are you ?

Thanks for the info.  I live in Turlock...

We love to go to Morrow Bay. It is so  much more relaxed than say Montery/Carmel. this is usually the best time of year to go. You can stay at the Travel Lodge in the winter for about $80 a night. It is really clean and quiet. If you go to Morrow Bay go up to San Simeon to see Hearst Castle. It is amazing! I can't remember how much the tour is. They have several tours to choose from. They also have some great shope to explore in Colusa and Cambria. We eat at this sea food restruant in  Morrow Bay named the Whales Tale. It is very reasonable and very good. Look up Morrow Bay in your search engine and they have a bunch of stuff to look at. 

I sure hope that your wife does not laid off. It makes me so mad that they keep cutting the budgets from school. My DOL teaches 1st grade. Education is so important for our children.  

Oh there is always Bakersfield! LOL

I go to Palm Springs in March every year for a conference.  I stay at the Royal Sun Inn (http://www.royalsuninn.com/ ) It ain't the Hilton, but WiFi is included, for about $90 a night (including all taxes, etc.).

Hey people...What about Yucca Valley??

If you want to go to Palm Springs you can do a bike ride in Feb. Its called tour de palm springs. Great ride many different ride options too

I love Morro Bay too!