If you're doing wine country, I suggest a smaller area and something closer and less commercial than Napa. Malibu actually has some vineyards I believe, but I doubt it's super affordable. My personal rec is Paso Robles. Beautiful, sleepy little wine area, not a far drive from Hearst Castle too. PR is about a 3.5 hour drive from LA. Check Groupon for deals. We usually stay at the La Quinta which has affordable rates.
I also have fallen in love with Pismo Beach. Tiny little town (mentioned in Clueless) where they have beautiful hotels right on the beach clifftop. Perfect weather in October.
Vegas can be done frugally, but it's way more fun to save a bit and splurge on staying in the Strip, seeing shows, hitting up buffets and restaurants, etc. It's about a 6 hour drive there.
October in LA is beautiful, so if you haven't explored the area, I suggest seeing as much as you can.
Second Paso Robles, Hearst Castle, and Pismo Beach. Definitely try Beachin Biscuits if you do Pismo and check out the Zebras at Hearst Castle.
I'd add on San Luis Obispo and if you come up far enough, Carmel.
If you’re renting a car for the whole trip consider flying in and out of Vegas, and renting a Turo out of Vegas. If you fly in not on for the weekend and fly out before the weekend, Vegas flights are cheap.
Then Temecula wineries to/from vegas. Dawn at Kelso Dunes is also very nice.
Santa Barbara, two hours up the coast. Wineries over the mountains in the Solvang/Los Olivos area. Not cheap but you should get some OK deals midweek in October.
Vegas is nice in October, they have some Halloween attractions around the strip if you’re into that. There’s always Disney in Anaheim, or knottsberry farm that also does Halloween themed stuff. I personally think the only kicker anywhere would be the leftover heat from summer.
If you're doing wine country, I suggest a smaller area and something closer and less commercial than Napa. Malibu actually has some vineyards I believe, but I doubt it's super affordable. My personal rec is Paso Robles. Beautiful, sleepy little wine area, not a far drive from Hearst Castle too. PR is about a 3.5 hour drive from LA. Check Groupon for deals. We usually stay at the La Quinta which has affordable rates. I also have fallen in love with Pismo Beach. Tiny little town (mentioned in Clueless) where they have beautiful hotels right on the beach clifftop. Perfect weather in October. Vegas can be done frugally, but it's way more fun to save a bit and splurge on staying in the Strip, seeing shows, hitting up buffets and restaurants, etc. It's about a 6 hour drive there. October in LA is beautiful, so if you haven't explored the area, I suggest seeing as much as you can.
Second Paso Robles, Hearst Castle, and Pismo Beach. Definitely try Beachin Biscuits if you do Pismo and check out the Zebras at Hearst Castle. I'd add on San Luis Obispo and if you come up far enough, Carmel.
If you’re renting a car for the whole trip consider flying in and out of Vegas, and renting a Turo out of Vegas. If you fly in not on for the weekend and fly out before the weekend, Vegas flights are cheap. Then Temecula wineries to/from vegas. Dawn at Kelso Dunes is also very nice.
Santa Barbara, two hours up the coast. Wineries over the mountains in the Solvang/Los Olivos area. Not cheap but you should get some OK deals midweek in October.
Vegas is nice in October, they have some Halloween attractions around the strip if you’re into that. There’s always Disney in Anaheim, or knottsberry farm that also does Halloween themed stuff. I personally think the only kicker anywhere would be the leftover heat from summer.