Desperate UK Bloke on 1st Family trip seeks friendly US advice for perfect trip! [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

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Hornetboy84

04-17-2007, 05:26 PM

HydroGuy

04-17-2007, 05:54 PM

Thanks in advance and thanks for a great site - I need another suitcase for all the paper I have printed (Yes you Hydroguy!!)I refuse to take responsibility for the number of trees killed when printing out my threads. :rolleyes:

deletedpenguin

04-17-2007, 06:19 PM

Howdy.

I last visited DL 20 years ago on the cheap as a student.

In mid-July this year I am bringing the family to a bonus/credit card fuelled California adventure. The plan is to arrive in SF, get rid of the jet lag for 2 days then head to Yosemeti for 4 days. Then its a blast down to SCal to let the kids have the time of their lives.

Its the trip of a lifetime so i'm kind of prepared to ignore cost and just go for it and then work out afterwards how long it will take to make trip 2!!

We have 10days to burn in and around DL. The DDs (is that right ?) are 7 (Katie) and 6 (Hannah)- well Hannah will be on July 29th!

What should our plan be!

- Should we stay all our time in DL and trip out from there to San Diego or beaches etc. (We dont want to keep unpacking)

- Should we stay in DL hotel or PP ?
We want kids to have downtime in the pool meeting cool American friends and I cant find a good "outside" hotel that seems to offer both the experience and amenities

- will we go stir crazy in the hotel room for that long vs. splittng trip and maybe renting an condo for a few days at the beach?

If anyone wants to suggest the perfect itinerary for us and change all our plans - feel free.

I'm also getting worried reading this site that we are leaving booking too late for July !! (we are at the mercy of my company booking this as our bonus prize ,,, and I want to put them under pressure to sort it - but I want to suggest some options.)

Thanks in advance and thanks for a great site - I need another suitcase for all the paper I have printed (Yes you Hydroguy!!)

Ta Muchly all

John :wizard: Debbie :hippie: and the DD's:cutie: :cutie:

I'll give it a go...

I'm from San Diego originally so I can say that you'd have fun visiting SD, but if you're looking for just beach time, and no other attractions, you'll be fine going to some of the nice beaches in the OC/LA region. The beaches in San Diego are great, don't get me wrong, but they're not different enough to make a drive for. If you want to go to the SD Zoo/Sea World/Legoland, that's another story altogether.

As luck would have it, I also currently live in San Francisco, so if you have time after recovering from the jetlag (going back will be worse than coming here IMO), Fishermans Wharf and Alcatraz are must dos. Get a bowl of Clam Chowder.

Yosemite is a wonderful place, and I could be partial as I spent alot of my childhood there. If you're an active outdoor family, you'll have alot of hiking and sights to see, and at that time of year the waterfalls should be flowing still and the animals will be out, including bears (so don't leave out your trash/food). If you're more inclined to see the sights from the valley floor, 4 days may be a bit much. I love the place.

Since you're traveling with young ones who want pool time, I'd suggest the DL hotel over PP. It's got a better pool setup just out the door. There will be more people in that area as well, so a better chance for your children to meet new friends.

I think you guys might have fun at a condo, to break up 10 days. Perhaps schedule a condo in the middle somewhere before doing last day at DL to keep the memory fresh in everyones mind? A great site to rent houses/condos from for less than what you might find elsewhere is http://www.vrbo.com. It's cheaper because you're renting directly from the owner instead of a rental agency.

Hope this helped!

Are you flying out of SF again or flying home from LAX?

pindecisive

04-17-2007, 06:19 PM

Lol.

Well you simply must have the clam chowder in a bread bowl when you get to San Fran.
Just trust me on this. ;)

I thought about staying at the DLH for the pool and atmosphere, but to be truthful if you're spending all your time at the park, it won't matter much.

The Grand Californian is cheaper than the DLH, but I've heard good things of PP.

Wow...that's a lot of time at DL.

Definitely get into Pin Trading. There's a bunch of info about it on this site.

Have a great trip and enjoy Cali!

CalGal

04-17-2007, 06:25 PM

Wow! Sounds like an awesome trip!

I'd definitely opt for DLH over PP if you can. (Right now, the availability for July looks fine). You'll feel much more like you're on-sight at the DLH over PP since DLH is adjacent to DTD, and is more "themed". It also has a more festive pool and overall atmosphere. The difference in cost is usually quite justified, especially with kids.

If you stay at DL and go on many day trips to San Diego, you may find you are doing a lot of driving. It's a good 1 1/2 hour drive each way. Rather than staying 10 days at DLH, I'd probably spend a few nights closer to San Diego.

Judy from Boise

04-17-2007, 07:00 PM

Well, just to be contrary.....PP may actually have more of a "hotel" feeling since you come and go via the lobby, where as at the DLH I can almost feel like "motel wings" but of course nicer.Also if your DDs are slide people, PP has a much superior slide...it does not empty into the pool which helps if their not strong swimmers.

I would consider going to SD for at least 3 nights to see the zoo and Sea World, then come back to DLR for your remaining time.

also. if you enjoy the beach, consider adding a few nights in Santa Barbara on the trip down the coast 2 nights Santa Barbara, 3 nights San Diego, 5 nights DLR.

Judy from Boise

04-17-2007, 07:03 PM

I am also going to reccomend that you read kevin Stringers excellent trip reports from a similar trip he did. here is link to the first report
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=894068

Adi12982

04-17-2007, 07:12 PM

The Grand Californian is cheaper than the DLH, but I've heard good things of PP.

I believe this is incorrect - GC is the most expensive, then DLH, and PP is the least expensive. . . though none is cheap.

Sounds like you will have a great time . . . I'm currently planning our first trip to Cali, so I have no tips. HAPPY PLANNING!

blackjackdelta

04-17-2007, 08:18 PM

dizzyami

04-17-2007, 08:24 PM

I believe this is incorrect - GC is the most expensive, then DLH, and PP is the least ex*****e. . . though none is cheap.

You are correct that the GCH is the most expensive - I must laugh though (since I have done this before in the past) - you had a minor mispelling on "expensive" that can't actually be posted on the board :lmao:

dizzyami

04-17-2007, 08:27 PM

I love the title to your thread - so I keep coming back to it!!! The only thing I can suggest is that you do spend a couple days or so separate at San Diego, for as much as I love the mouse 10 days might be a tad to many for DL. What I like to do on multi-stop trips is pack separate suitcases for each event, rather then pack per person. Then all the dirties go back in the one suitcase, and it doesn't get opened again until you get home :scared1: .

HydroGuy

04-17-2007, 09:59 PM

I am trying to put myself in your shoes and decide what I would do. I am not a big SF fan, so two days there sounds right to me.

I haven't been everywhere but have been to a lot of places, and for me Yosemite is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. But it is hard to get accomodations in the summer. Do you have them yet? If not you may find it hard to visit there for four days. If you are into hiking then you should plan to spend a couple days hiking there as well as visiting the locations around the valley assuming you can get a place to stay.

It sounds like you are planning to rent a car. Here is a big word advice: Drive on the right side of the road! :lmao: For me personally I have never dared to drive in the UK. So best of luck to you.

If possible you should drive from Yosemite back out to the coast and drive down to SoCal along Highway 1 through Montery, Big Sur, etc.

You might consider stopping and spending a half day at Hearst Castle in San Simeon on the way down.

I liked Judy's suggestion to stop in Santa Barbara which happens to be the location of my alma mater, UCSB (go Gauchos!). But that would involve an extra stop and luggage unloading, so you will have to make the call. Santa Barbara is a beautiful city.

OK, so 10 days in SoCal with emphasis on DLR...

If you want to not move around too much I would suggest 6-7 days staying at DL and 3-4 days in San Diego. Of the days at DLR, I would say four days or so at the parks and a couple day trips to nearby beaches. If it was me I would go to Newport Beach (an old favorite from my teen days) which is maybe 15 miles (25km) from DLR.

I would take a day to drive up to Hollywood and spend at least one entire day there on Hollywood Blvd. Take a bus tour of Beverly Hills or something like that for a couple hours.

In San Diego a day at the SD Zoo and Sea World would be fun. The zoo is really good but, to some degree, a zoo is a zoo is a zoo. Sea World is more unique and I would guess harder to experience something equivalent in the UK. So do Sea World. The zoo depends on your priorities.

Make sure you visit La Jolla. There are shops, nice restaurants and some beautiful spots on the rocks there.

Seaport Village is another place to spend half a day. Go on a hot air balloon ride in Del Mar (north San Diego).

Check to see if the Padres are in town and catch a baseball game in San Diego. Or catch the Angels in Anaheim (only a few miles from DLR).

If you want something more cultural/historical you may want to visit the mission in San Juan Capistrano in south Orange County and maybe 20-30 miles (30-40km) from DLR.

You may want to take a day to visit Catalina Island.

Well, I think that is more than 10 days worht of stuff. Make your Yosemite plans as soon as possible, and then DLR after that.

pindecisive

04-17-2007, 10:21 PM

[QUOTE=pindecisive;18193936]Lol.

The Grand Californian is cheaper than the DLH, but I've heard good things of PP.

No offense meant, but I think you check prices. I have never found the GC cheaper or I prefer less expensive(nothing is cheap) than the DLH.)Apples to apples) There is a UK guy called simbaone(I think that is correct) who can give out a vast amount of ideas of what to do along with Trey, of course.

Jackpirate:

None taken.

I saw i'd made a mistake when I reread it but got distracted and forgot to change it.

Sorry if this caused confusion.

But like I said, PP is my vote as thats where my friends have stayed before. They said good things of it.

AZMickeyfans

04-17-2007, 11:20 PM

Hi Hornetboy! Welcome to posting on the DIS!:yay: I agree your title and post cracked me up! :rotfl2: I love it

Sounds like you have a fabulous trip coming up! I would definitely stay onsite at DL and take maybe 4-5 days there.

I think San Diego is a must. I love La Jolla and Coronado! They are not to be missed for us and we go there quite often. It's absolutely gorgeous. The gas lamp district is fun to go have dinner in! We've taken kids to the restaurants there and have had a blast.

Good luck on all your planning and have a great trip!

JennCa

04-17-2007, 11:59 PM

I will 2nd the recommendation to finding out about Yosemite ressies 1st. In my opinion it makes sense to stay in Yosemite and spend the money there, it's worth it! Driving back and forth each day isn't nearly so fun. (if I had to cut from the budget, looks like you don't... but if I did I would cut out the fancy hotel by Disney.) I would do a couple days in San Fran, then only 3 days in Yosemite, and I would stop at the seqoia trees on the drive south to anaheim. I think the trees are amazing and completely worth while. (if you prefer the coast trip that is doable also, but I don't think you can realistically do both)

As for the so cal thing I would want to see San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park as well as at least 1 beach day. I would skip Catalina just since there is a lot of travel time and not sure you would want to deal with the traffic to get to the port during the week or brave the crowds on the boat for the weekend. Are you flying out of San Fran again?

How many total days?

Cheers,
Jenn

LucyKate

04-18-2007, 12:29 AM

Hi Hornetboy.

Australian family here who did something very similar to you 2 1/2 years ago (and dad is originally from Manchester UK BTW).

Unless it's too late, I would change your schedule to have a a bit more time in SF. It's a great city, and needs more than 2 days to see properly, especially when you need to get over the jetlag. Check out our trip diary to see the amazing fire engine ride we had across the Golden Gate.

You'll love Yosemite - the most beautiful spot on the planet IMHO.

We stayed at the Howard Johnson in Anaheim - partly due to cost, but also because it came with such great recommendations here and on tripadvisor, and it matched up. It had a nice heated pool, great rooms, very good service and was a very short walk to the parks. We met many other families in the pool.

I think 10 days is too long in Disneyland. I also think that if you want to see San Diego you should travel there for a few days rather than commute. It's about a 2 hour drive but if traffic is bad this can easily blowout. The zoo and Seaworld are both superb and well worth a visit. They are both the sort of attractions that you won't find back home.

We were VERY disappointed with Santa Monica, but have since been told other beaches such as Newport, laguna etc are much more attractive.

We spent a day doing Hollywood etc on our own in a rented car and we're also disappointed with that. In retrospect I would recommend you instead take a proper tour of the stars homes to get full value out of this. many tours pick up from Anaheim.

Have you thought of Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon? It's possible to drive to vegas in 5 hours, and from there take a day trip by coach or plane to the Canyon. We loved vegas and many of the great attractions and sights are free. If you go mid week the hotels are very cheap.

Hornetboy84

04-18-2007, 07:35 AM

Wow - thanks all for the advice so far .... i'm subtlely changing my plans in my head and all the advice is helping greatly.

I guess every trip and experience is individual. The hard bit for me is the kid factor --- our family trips for the past 4 years have been to Spanish Islands where we play in the sun for 14 days and dont move anywhere !!!
We are keen to expand the horizons but not deprive our kids or ourselves of the relax factor. I studied at DUKE for a year and had a friends at UCSB, SF and Palo Alto - so spent 3 months in Santa Barbara one summer and have travelled around most of the area before.

The tricky bit for me is to make sure we dont over travel (I would rather come back again some time) and Debbie has never been to Ca so I want her to experience as much of it as she can whilst not making it one big suitcase trip.

For background

I first went to DL when I was 21 (20 years ago) and loved it. I then travelled twice with an ex round Ca and so have been back to DL 2 further times (again 16 years ago). Always a day trip though. Love Yosemeti and Highway 1 route. Love the beach at Santa Barabara, have had a short trip to Sea World and Old Town San Diego. Got really drunk at a Britich Pub in Santa Monica and many fun happy memories. But all a bit of a blur now.

I'm not sure who is more excited me or the DD's. ! (what does that stand for by the way !!! Disney Diddy's?

So Where's my head now after all the great ideas!!

1. I think the front end of the trip for 6 days is about right (SF and Yosemeti) - but I want to try and get a Cabin or something in Yosemeti right in the valley - so depending on that I will split the days up (maybe 3+3 nights in each). This is unwind time for us. Prepare for the Disney full on experience.

2. Take a slow drive from there down Highway 1. Is Hearst Castle cool for kids? I had a couple of hours there once so unsure. I think we will do that al fresco .... just as it comes!!

3. Will split back end 10-11 days between DL and San Diego. Maybe 8 & 3.
we fly out of LAX home. Consensus is that

- A long time at a DL resort is not an issue for me. Its more to have the hotel as a playground and base and have some real R&R..... that way we might do the resort on 6 days but in smaller chunks. (The other 2 days go to Hollywood or just do nothing!!) Maybe the overlal budget wilL scare me and i will have to adjust.

- Just got to work out logistics now ..... Do we finish in San Diego or DL?

4. On other ideas Vegas is a trip for me and the misses in the future. I got out there on Business last year - Grand Canyon for me is when the kids are bigger. I want to see them live the Disney Magic mainly.

5. You will be all glad to know I have refused to take the DDs to Disneyland Paris. I dont see the point of going to France. Its not real Disney !!!

6. For those who have sent personal e-mails - I have tried to respond but cant for some reason..... We aren't going to WDW Florida as the basis of my bonus trip is a free package to California. I'm throwing in our usual holiday budget (plus more) to top it up to a special special trip. But our original plan was WDW as I have a cousin in Florida and liked the idea of the resort.

7. Anyone get married in DL. Me and the better half have yet to tie the knot. We would rather have holidays than spend the money feeding our friends!!!! --- maybe I might surprise her !!!

Thanks y'all again

Anyone want info on the best pub in UK .... please ask.

John AKA Peter Pan

anabelle

04-18-2007, 08:35 AM

7. Anyone get married in DL. Me and the better half have yet to tie the knot. We would rather have holidays than spend the money feeding our friends!!!! --- maybe I might surprise her !!!

John,
Marry that girl !!! Do you think you could take a side trip to Vegas?

HydroGuy

04-18-2007, 09:32 AM

1. I think the front end of the trip for 6 days is about right (SF and Yosemeti) - but I want to try and get a Cabin or something in Yosemeti right in the valley - so depending on that I will split the days up (maybe 3+3 nights in each). This is unwind time for us. Prepare for the Disney full on experience.Yosemite cabins can be and are reserved 1 year ahead of time. I doubt you will find anything like that at this late date. Whatever you might find, you had better start NOW.

2. Take a slow drive from there down Highway 1. Is Hearst Castle cool for kids? I had a couple of hours there once so unsure. I think we will do that al fresco .... just as it comes!It depends on the kids. I threw that out as an idea, but as you have been there you can make the call. I visited once as a young teen. Your girls may be a little too young.

5. You will be all glad to know I have refused to take the DDs to Disneyland Paris. I dont see the point of going to France. Its not real Disney !!!I am very curious to hear you say this. I have business trip to Spain and France coming up and was thinking seriously about doing DLP solo for 2-3 days. I know the park got off to a rough start, but it is my understanding they have got things going in a good direction now. Is there something I don't know?

newfamilyman

04-18-2007, 12:29 PM

I would be totally depressed if I flew all the way from the UK to stay at the PP. That hotel is a TOTAL dump, depressing even if you are only coming from an hour's distance (which was our case). The water slide is great, but you can always visit it from DLH or GCH; there is no security there to stop you. Unlike the other two hotels, a significant number of guests were smoking in the patio area, and it just feel really cheap and trashy. It is so obvious that the hotel was taken over by Disney and lightly themed. Do yourself a favor and do the vacation right.

Hornetboy84

04-18-2007, 06:22 PM

I am very curious to hear you say this. I have business trip to Spain and France coming up and was thinking seriously about doing DLP solo for 2-3 days. I know the park got off to a rough start, but it is my understanding they have got things going in a good direction now. Is there something I don't know?
__________________
Trey (aka HydroGuy)

Thanks for all the info .... I think I know what we want to do and will firm it up as we go along. I keep knocking days off DL and then thinking "no - I will want more" .... so i'm really relying on the gut feel of the forum here.
Our last day in DL is also our DD Hannah's birthday.... (day 7 in DL --- Day 15 of 18 day trip) - should we sort a character dinner the night before (Saturday) or go for breakfast at Goofys on our last day.... my gut says the latter !

Re: Yosemeti --- I am owed a favour here and will be mightily pissed if we cant find anything in the valley..... this was meant to have been sorted and I have chased for 3 months - knowing its a tough call --- this was meant to be the centre piece "wow" of the trip. I'll let you know what they say to me.

On EuroDisney - sorry DL (Paris) --- Its not for me to say really as I have not been .... but I guess you would enjoy it as an alternative experience. I just want the kids to have REAL Disney first and then maybe we will take a trip. Its so much more expensive though. We worked out we could pay for flights to Florida and have a day trip there just as cheap.

Really they should always have built the resort in Barcelona... better weather -- nicer people !!

LucyKate

04-19-2007, 01:38 AM

To follow up on a few of your additional points:

1..We stayed in the Yosemite Valley Lodge and we had a great time. Accommodation is basic, but clean. It's quite a drive into the Park each day from the outside accommodation so if you can get accommidation inside take it. We went in December so we didn't have any problems with bookings. We had only 2 nights. On your timeframe I think 3 would be perfect. 2 nights gave us just one full day, which was not enough.

2. You realise that will involve a very long drive and a lot of doubling back? You'll pretty much have to drive the entire distance back to SF (or Monterey to be precise) to start the drive? Unfortunately it was blocjkd when we were there. We also decided to miss Heart castle, guessing it would take up too much time and not be that interesting for kids.

3. I think 8 and 3 for Disney and SD would be fine. Personally, I'd finish in Disneyland. I'm assuming you fly out of LA, so that's less hassle, plus, dismneyland was the highlight of the whole trip for us so it would be great to keep that for the end. You can easily see Hollywood etc in a day trip from Anaheim, it's about 70 minutes drive. perhaps consider Universal studios? But this is mainly aimed at kids older than yours.

4. Our kids (then 5 and 9) loved both vegas and the Grand Canyon, but totally see your reasoning here.

5. We went to DLP last year when in Paris and loved it. I'm glad we went to the original one first, but we were very impressed with DLP and had a great time there. It was also a very useful pressure valve for the kids after weeks of driving round Europe.

Please feel free to contact me direct, or check out our trip diaries if you have further questions.

http://www.ballofdirt.com/journeys/5333.html

limace

04-19-2007, 11:22 PM

A couple of other things:
-Universal Studios and LegoLand both might be great. I love US, but your girls might be a little young. Haven't tried LegoLand yet, but I think they are the perfect age.
-DD means "dear daughter"...you can figure out DH, DS, and DW for yourself, I bet :)
-I liked the Paradise Pier Hotel, unlike the poster above who had a really bad experience. We're doing HoJo's this time, as I don't think PP or DLH are really nice enough to justify all the money. If you're staying 10 days, though, you might want to try a hotel with suites, so you can have a little more room and relax.
-My australian friend who was recently in SF loved the exploratorium (http://www.exploratorium.edu/) for her kiddo.

tinkermell

04-20-2007, 11:37 AM

WOW!!! What a great and wonderful trip!!!

Now for my 2 cents for what they are worth...:rolleyes1
I think the first part of your trip sounds just right. 2 hotels that I have stayed at in SF are the Handerley and the Villa Florence. Both right smack dab in the middle of Union Square. Perfect for shopping and grabbing a trolley, bus or cab to other sites. They are both older hotels, but kept up very nice for the money. And the restaurants in both are also very good! My dear friends and I go every year in December for Christmas shopping, and it has worked out perfect. Oh, and don't forget to try the Cheesecake Factory above Macys for eats. YUM YUM!!!

I live about 2 hours from Yosemite. It is truly gorgeous as you know, and hopefully you will see some of the big trees on that trip. They are spectacular!!! We live in the valley below the Sequoia National Forest. That is where the biggest trees are, if you already didn't know that. Have fun there and good luck on the ressies!!

You can cross over to the coast from there and see some of that beautiful scenery. You can still drive down from San Simeon, even if you don't stop at Hearst Castle. I'm thinking to myself, that here you are contemplating a trip to a castle, when you come from the land of REAL castles. Geesh, can I trade places with you????:rotfl: Anyways, down the coast from San Simeon is an elephant seal colony that is really cool, and I think your Dear Daughters would love it. Our 3rd graders from school always take a field trip the see the colony. That's how I learned about it. Going down the coast is so much to see, but if you plan it right, stop at Pismo Beach for lunch and have clam chowder at Splash Cafe. Very fun and well known. Another must do is Hot Licks for their weird candy. Lolipops with bugs in them and so forth. They've been featured on the Travel Channel in the states. Oh an one more stop, is the cinnamon roll shop. Sooooo good. Just ask anyone and they'll tell how to get there. All within walking distance. Now down the beach just a little ways, you can drive your car on the beach. One of the very few places in the states that it is allowed.
You've been to Santa Barbara, so you know how beautiful it is.

Neptunes in Malibu for great shrimp and so on. Been around for years and you can tell.

Now to DL and SD. I would also do SD first. If your children love animals, take them to the zoo. Probably one of the best in the world. Also Sea World. Legoland would be fun for your DD's ages.

Back to DL... I would probably stay at the DLH, for the atmosphere and benefits. One of the most important ones would be, Early Entry for all of the days it is offered. If you stay off site, I believe you would get a voucher for only 1 day. FYI... yes the GC is more expensive than DLH, but also right next to DCA and DL. There is a gate from the GC that goes right into DCA!!!!! We stayed there last time and loved it. Next time we will be staying at the DLH for the first time since all of the Downtown Disney changes. Looking forward to that experience too.

And yes...Peter Pan, make a honest woman out of Wendy, while you are there!!!!:rolleyes1 :yay: :yay: :yay: :groom: :bride:

Hound 109

04-20-2007, 12:39 PM

I wanted to add my opinions. Since i have family in CA. i have visited over 15 times over the past 25 years. I mention this because I am sure you will get plenty of tips on SF, SD, LA & Yosemite, but i wanted to add to what Tinkermell, the very knowledgeable Central California poster has mentioned.

You can cross over to the coast from there and see some of that beautiful scenery. You can still drive down from San Simeon, even if you don't stop at Hearst Castle. I believe the drive down from Monterey/Carmel (including the 17 mile drive through Pebble Beach) all the way to San Simeon, is mind blowingly beautiful. Stops along the way would include Monterey, Pebble Beach, Nepenthe (glass of wine & a sandwich) in Big Sur, Julia Phieffer (sp?) beach, the elephant seal colony, San Simeon. This drive is a must do (imo) & then a few miles south is Cambria (a logical place to stay).

I'm thinking to myself, that here you are contemplating a trip to a castle, when you come from the land of REAL castles. Geesh, can I trade places with you????:rotfl: I agree. And the castle tours are 4-6 hours (heck it takes over 45 min. just to get up the hill) and (imo) might be better enjoyed as adults. But stop in the museum/gift shop & at the old pier & town. (note: San Simeon is a tiny town.)

Anyways, down the coast from San Simeon is an elephant seal colony that is really cool, and I think your Dear Daughters would love it. Our 3rd graders from school always take a field trip the see the colony. That's how I learned about it. I SO agree that this is very cool to see with kiddos (heck, i loved it too) & they make quite a racket.

Also, just south of San Simeon & the Seal Colony is Cambria, a beautiful little town. We have stayed twice on Moonstone Beach, where there are a dozen or so B&Bs.

20 miles south of Cambria is Morro Bay which has a great fishing villiage, great seafood restaurants (duh :thumbsup2 ) & a very cool rock. Again, our kid had fun here (& we had a great meal).

Going down the coast is so much to see, but if you plan it right, stop at Pismo Beach for lunch and have clam chowder at Splash Cafe. Very fun and well known. Another must do is Hot Licks for their weird candy. Lolipops with bugs in them and so forth. They've been featured on the Travel Channel in the states. Oh an one more stop, is the cinnamon roll shop I'm gonna have to try that on our next trip. In fact on my next trip down the coast, I'm going to have to ask Tinkermell about additional stops & tips since she seems to recommend the same type of things that i enjoy :).

A couple of other stops (that we enjoyed for food & for kiddo) was (Jocko's) in Nipomo (portuguese bbq sandwiches) & that Danish touristy town. To get some pastries and a cup of coffee.

The reason i mention all this is that the drive on the PCH from Monterey to Santa Barbara is filled with a neat "stops" virtually every 20 - 40 miles, & is a perfect 2 day drive on a beautiful coast road.

In regards to Santa Barbara...I am of the Yogi Berra school of thought: "Nobody goes there anymore...because it's too crowded". :rotfl2:

If your children love animals, take them to the zoo. Probably one of the best in the world. Also Sea World. Legoland would be fun for your DD's ages. San Diego is definitely worth a visit for the World Famous Zoo, Old Town (& if you've never been) Sea World. (But..my family's opinion of Legoland was that it is "Lamoland". ;) )

And yes...Peter Pan, make a honest woman out of Wendy, while you are there!!!!:rolleyes1 :yay: :yay: :yay: :groom: :bride

Poor guy... he asks for travel advice & all the women here are working him like the ladies in Fiddler on the Roof. :lmao:

Have a great time and try to commit Hydroguy's FP rules (& other rules) to memory (then you won't have to pack so much paperwork). :hippie: