1st time in Southern Cal. What should we see?

[Tigger's Mom]

We'll be there, staying at Anaheim Fairfield, from June 2 to 10 for DD's graduation trip. We plan to spend maybe 4 days in and around Disney.

What day trips in the area do you suggest? We are planning a bus tour of Hollywood/LA...do you know of good ones?

What about historic and natural sites like San Juan Capistrano Mission and Joshua Tree? We might rent a car for a few days if necessary.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

 

[roymccoy]

I have lived in Orange County for 30 years. I can never get enough of Olvera Street. It is in the middle of Downtown LA right across from Union Station. Take the 5 North and get off at Alameda. Turn right. You can park at Union Station for about $10 a day. You walk across to Olvera Street. Olvera Street is the oldest street in LA. The oldest house in California is there, also. It is just such a fun little trip. You must try the Taquitos and beans at Cielito Lindo at the end of the street. Get the green sauce. Everything is home-made. Want to gain 10 pounds? Try the Churro's at Mr. Churro bakery. They make these "amusement park" Churro's taste like wood.
Good Luck and enjoy your trip!

Roy

P.S. Olvera Street is free to get into. Also, check out the Queen Mary and Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. They are right next to each other and there is a shuttle that takes you back and forth. Right now, there is a Russian Sub parked next to the Queen Mary. You can tour it for an extra .

 

[Luv2Roam]

San Diego Zoo and/or the Wildlife Park.

AK : Lions, Tiggers & Bears! Oh My!
CSR: 01/01
DL- off site: 05/01
WDW - on site: 01/02

 

[swinginevilmike]

So Cal is known for its filming so if your interested in taking a studio tour all the major studios have them.
Warner brothers and Paramount Studios have good tours
and of course My favorite (I get paid to say that but it's still the best even if I didn't work for em)Universal Studios Hollywood
NBC used to have a tour but they discontinued it a couple years ago. If your interested in seeing a live show being tapedAudiences Unlimited can help you out with tickets. Hope this helps a little

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[Judy from Boise]

I think some places that are associated with CA are:
The Beverly center
Rodeo Drive
Venice Beach
Malibu and a drive down Highway 1

Join us at the
Boise DIS meet
on Saint Paddy's day !
E-mail me for more info...

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=navy>I highly recommend renting a car.

One day you can drive the 5-605-105-110 freeways... You'll pass the LA coliseum (where the 32 & 84 Olympics were held, as well as hosting the LA Rams & Raiders). In that same area are USC and several interesting museums, including the Science Museum, which is free). From there, you go through Downtown LA, to Olvera Street, go past McArthur Park (featured in the movie Volcano), then La Brea Tarpits & Museum, & you can visit Rodeo Drive (2 blocks from the tarpits), & see the famous Beverly Hills Hotel... Go on to Hollywood Blvd & Sunset Blvd... You can visit the Mann's Chinese Theater (w/all the footprints) and see El Capitan (owned by Disney). If you have time, you can visit the Griffith Park Observatory up on the hill.

Another day, you can visit Newport Beach or Seal Beach, drive along Palos Verdes Peninsula - did you know that there are underground bunkers there, left from WWII?

San Juan Capistrano makes for a very nice visit, too.

A day trip to Sta. Barbara, and on to Solvang (Danish Community) is a very nice way to spend the day.

Then, there's always Catalina Island - makes for a nice day visit.

Down in San Diego, there is a lot to see. I especially like Balboa Park, with all the museums located there.

about.com has a nice listing of things to do here in LA - depends on what you're looking for.

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=#FF0066>Mary Jo

Disneyland & Techie Boards Co-Moderator

My DL Site
My Sequoia/Yosemite Trip

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[dshimel]

I haven't lived in SoCal for 10+ years, but I think it would be a shame to be so close to Disney, and not go to Knott's Berry Farm.

Knott's has been called the oldest theme park in the US. It started in the 30s when Mr. Knott brought in an authentic ghost town to give poeple something to look at while they waited for his wife's chicken dinner.

Many believe that Knott's was Walt's inspiration. Knott's had a run away mine train ride decades before BTMRR. It had a highly themed log ride decades before splash mountain. It had the worlds first modern inverted coaster (corkscrew), though that has recently been pulled.

The theming isn't up to Disney standards, but it does have some, and some okay rides as well. It's current claim to fame is Ghostrider which made A&E's list of top 10 thrill rides. Long, fast, thrilling authentic woody, not a steel coater painted to look like wood.

 

[dshimel]

By the way Tigger's Mom, I'll be in SoCal about the same time as you. We're doing DCA/DL June 5,7,&8 with Knott's scheduled the 6th. We'll be there for 2 weeks, so will be doing Universal, Sea World SD, and Six Flags the second week of the vacation.

 

[Zimbubba]

I see there are Sat AM programs for children at the El Capitan. Has anyone been to any?

 

[Amusement Park Junkie]

If you have any baseball fans in the family, Edison field is about 5 or 6 Mark McGwire home runs from DL. It's a wonderful place to watch baseball. I took a look at the schedule and the Angels are home Sunday afternoon (6/3) and then Tue, Wed, Thurs evenings (6/5-6/7).