itinerary: add LK solo LA options

days/2026-09-26.md

@@ -17,5 +17,55 @@
 
 - **1:00–2:00 PM** Group reaches Los Angeles; lunch, luggage and check-in
 - **Afternoon** Rest
-- **Late afternoon** Easy local walk only; Santa Monica Pier if the additional stay is on the west side, otherwise explore the neighborhood around the accommodation
+- **Late afternoon** Easy walk near the accommodation; save Santa Monica for the Sep 27 group itinerary
 - **Evening** Dinner together
+
+## LK solo options before returning the car
+
+These options do not repeat the group's Malibu, El Matador, Point Dume, Santa Monica or Venice day. Schedules use DTLA as the starting-point baseline and assume an LAX return target of **4:30–5:00 PM**; adjust them once LK's hotel is known. The Hertz booking must be changed and confirmed first. Drive times below are routing baselines—allow additional time for Saturday traffic.
+
+### Option A — Crystal Cove and Laguna Beach · recommended
+
+Best balance of ocean, hiking and manageable driving. Approximately 104 miles total from DTLA via Crystal Cove to LAX; about 2 hours 45 minutes of baseline driving.
+
+- **6:30 AM** Leave Los Angeles
+- **8:00–11:00 AM** [Crystal Cove State Park](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=644): Moro Canyon or a shorter ridge-and-coast walk, then the beach and tide pools if conditions permit
+- **11:15 AM–1:00 PM** Laguna Beach viewpoints and lunch
+- **1:15 PM** Leave for LAX
+- **3:30–4:30 PM** Return the car; meet the group afterward
+
+### Option B — Palos Verdes coast · least driving
+
+Best low-stress choice. Approximately 49 miles total from DTLA via Point Vicente to LAX; about 1 hour 20 minutes of baseline driving.
+
+- **8:00 AM** Leave Los Angeles
+- **9:00–11:30 AM** Point Vicente Interpretive Center and the open coastal paths
+- **11:30 AM–1:00 PM** Scenic Palos Verdes Drive and lunch near Redondo Beach
+- **2:00–3:00 PM** Return the car; meet the group early
+
+Avoid Abalone Cove Beach, Sacred Cove Beach and their access trails; the city lists them as closed because of land movement. Recheck trail alerts before departure.
+
+### Option C — Vasquez Rocks · geology and desert scenery
+
+Best non-ocean option. Approximately 98 miles total from DTLA via Vasquez Rocks to LAX; about 2 hours of baseline driving.
+
+- **7:00 AM** Leave Los Angeles
+- **8:15–11:30 AM** [Vasquez Rocks Natural Area](https://parks.lacounty.gov/vasquez-rocks-natural-area-and-nature-center/): rock formations, viewpoints and a short section of the Pacific Crest Trail
+- **12:00 PM** Lunch in Agua Dulce
+- **1:00 PM** Leave for LAX
+- **2:30–3:30 PM** Return the car
+
+This route is exposed and can be hot; carry water and start early.
+
+### Option D — Annie's Canyon and Torrey Pines · ambitious
+
+Best scenery, but by far the most driving: approximately 217 miles and 4 hours 25 minutes of baseline driving before traffic.
+
+- **5:30 AM** Leave Los Angeles
+- **8:00–9:15 AM** [Annie's Canyon Trail](https://naturecollective.org/location/annies-canyon-trail/) — 1.4–2 miles, 40–60 minutes, narrow slot canyon with stairs and short scrambles
+- **9:45 AM–12:00 PM** [Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=657) — coastal overlooks and a short trail; gates open at 7:15 AM and all trails were open when checked
+- **12:00–1:00 PM** Lunch in Del Mar
+- **1:00 PM** Leave for LAX
+- **4:00–5:00 PM** Return the car, allowing a substantial traffic buffer
+
+Choose this only if the drive itself is acceptable and both places matter to LK.