I figured. It's very temperate by the beach, even in the middle of summer. Keep in mind also that our hottest month tends to be September; July often isn't as bad.

Okay, so I'm leaning towards just picking a time and place to meet and letting everyone find their own way there if they want. Does that make sense for everyone? Or do we need a central hotel?

That sounds reasonable.

I know I'll want to be there, but I can't tell at this point what I'll be able to swing in July. But if a time and place is chosen, I can make plans when I can.

I know I'll want to be there, but I can't tell at this point what I'll be able to swing in July. But if a time and place is chosen, I can make plans when I can.

This is me. I have no conflicting travel plans for the summer, but I don't know what my financials will look like.

I have no conflicting plans either but I don't know how much leave I will have (or if I need it). It would be nice to stay near each other, but not enough to put any burden on you, Pix. I would say just give us some recommendations and we can figure the rest out ourselves.

I was thinking about the weekend of July 18-19 if that sounds okay to everyone.

It’s no burden on me—it’s more just that I don’t know if we have enough people to get a block of rooms somewhere, and I know that money can be tricky. Maybe we can pick a couple of hotel options and people can make a choice based on that.

I’m just going to put a list of hotel options in the Santa Monica area in a range of prices ($150 is as low as we’re going to get in that area; the Ambrose is “midrange” at $319) that don’t sound bad as per their tripadviser reviews, but I haven’t stayed at any of them. And then I’ll leave this for now. But let me know what you all think about that weekend. And if it’s good, let’s plan on July 18-19 to gather.

[link] Travelodge Santa Monica ~$150

[link] Comfort Inn Santa Monica ~$160

[link] Days Inn Santa Monica ~$199

[link] Best Western Plus Gateway Hotel Santa Monica ~$239

[link] Ocean Lodge Hotel ~$278

[link] The Ambrose Hotel ~$319

I was thinking about the weekend of July 18-19 if that sounds okay to everyone.

I'll put this on my calendar. Not sure if financials will work out (given we are able to buy a house here) but maybe I can work out a work/personal trip to the Bay Area and drive down. But having dates means I can start working on this.

I'll block those dates off, too.

Thank you, Pix, for doing all of this. I really want to be there if I can.

$239 for Best western? Whoa.

I have a potential concert that weekend. Now I have to think.