Planning is driving me crazy! 4 days Santa Monica 4 days at Disneyland...I need help

[SandraC]

Hi All ~ My family continues to change their minds on where to go, what to do , where to stay.

dd doesn't really want to go to DLR.....she said, "Maybe for 2 hours."

dh is great, he'll go anywhere.

ds is as confused as me!

So.....last time I checked, we want to stay 4 days in Santa Monica to enjoy the beach and visit Hollywood AND then 4 days at Best Western near Disneyland.

HOWEVER,

I need a great recommendation for a nice famiy hotel on the beach in Santa Monica.

AND

What can dd do in Anaheim that isn't Disneyland?

Thanks! Sandra

[farmfresh]

Try the Georgian on Ocean Ave Santa Monica. it's almost directly across from the pier.

As for the rest of anaheim, I'll let some one else help, but if DD doesn't like DLr, not sure how she'll like knotts etc. You could always consider San Diego

[c&m]

You didn't mention how old your DD is...but I'll assume she's a teenager. My 2 tweenie DDs enjoy DL but also love to shop. About a half hour's drive away from Anaheim are a couple of malls we really enjoyed. Being Canadian (as I see you are), you'll find loads of deals and things you can't get up north. Try out these malls:

Fashion Island in Newport Beach
South Coast Plaza

I even had a celebrity sighting at South Coast Plaza.

On the way to Newport Beach, stop in at Huntington Beach. It's quite interesting. During the summer, you will see the epitome of California beach culture with the loads of surfers out there, the lifeguards, etc. -- quite spectacular to watch. Some nice restaurants (Chimayo's and Duke's) and a burger place (Ruby's) where you can take out and have a nice picnic on the beautiful beach.