Maybe this is the time for you to look into an Amtrak vacation, especially if you have never done that sort of thing before.  The national train network makes it possible to get around from most major cities.  Getting there can be half the fun on some of the more scenic routes.

One of the most popular vacation destinations is San Diego.  It is easy to take a train to the historic station and then use public transit for getting around locally.  Compared to other parts of Southern California, San Diego is actually relatively close together.  You can even get around to a lot of vacation attractions by walking if you enjoy that.

There is no shortage of fun places of interest in San Diego.  You could really spend weeks at all the museums, historical places of interest, beaches, theme parks and other attractions.  There certainly would be no problem filling a busy week of vacation in this beach-oriented city.  One of the major features that San Diego offers its guests and residents alike is its wonderful, moderate weather, especially in the summertime.

If you wanted to extend your vacation, it is possible to continue the train travel up to the Los Angeles area, and beyond that up the West Coast.  AmTrak runs from the downtown San Diego station to downtown Los Angeles Union Station with a few stops in between.  This would make it possible to spend an easy week or two in Southern California without your car.

Of course, traveling by train could add 3-4 days to the overall vacation schedule but that could be part of the charm if you have the right attitude.