Day trip

[Aussiefamof5]

Hi guys,
We have decided to hire a car for our trip in October November this year, and basing ourselves in Anaheim. Was just wondering what a good day trip would be? Not theme parks, San Diego maybe?

 

[aussie shaz]

I know a lot of people rave about SanDiego, but I wouldn't bother. We did a couple of things there, but I think there's better things closer by.
Have you got some shopping days planned. Citadel was great, and so was the Block at Orange.
On our first trip, we just drove around Hollywood, LA, Beverly Hills. We found an absolutely gorgeous gardens somewhere in the Hills of Beverly Hills.
We also did a tour at Warner Bros, which was nice. Not a theme park.

 

[PrincessInOz]

It depends on what you want to see and what your interests are and how much you want to spend.

I love San Diego; but that's because I have family living there and we keep going back to stay with my aunt and her family; and having the opportunity to see different things. So if you decide you want to head to SD, there are things you could do there with the family.

Alternatively, it is nice to spend time around Huntington, Venice, Seal, Long Beaches and/or maybe Santa Monica pier. There is an aquarium at Long Beach; or you could do a gondola ride (I think they are an hour or two) around the Naples canals and then head to Seal beach.

Alternatively, you could head into LA proper.

If you're after a place to get out of the city and see a bit of the countryside, then maybe a drive towards Julian, look at the little country town and have apple pie with the potential to stop at the San Diego Wild Animal Park might be something you could do. Julian isn't wildly exciting but it's a cutesy little country town and the drive is quite pleasant out.

 

[mindy32]

I loved San Diego but a lot of that had to do with Seaworld and the zoo which are both excellent.

I'd recommend driving along the coastline towards LA, places like Huntington Beach, Newport, etc are pretty seaside areas, we enjoyed the drive.

 

[Aussiefamof5]

Thanks for the hints guys, I guess if we had more time to spend in San Diego it could be worth it to visit the zoo and what not.

Our first day will be shopping at outlets at orange and we have another day planned for citadel.

What's it like driving around LA? Is it easy to find your way around?
I'm thinking maybe Huntington or long beach, really like the idea of a drive through the country, I guess we don't really need a destination just see where the road takes us...... Who am I kidding ima planner girl

 

[PrincessInOz]

Depending on what time you set out and where you are going, traffic can be pretty busy in LA. There are lots more lanes in the major freeways and it may seem that traffic is a lot faster; but the American drivers are a lot more polite than Australian drivers. If you indicate, someone will let you in.

If you leave after peak hour, then traffic is going to be better.

Make sure you have a good map to help you navigate your way around.

 

[aussie shaz]

Regarding finding your way around, just take a GPS. You can just drive wherever you like, and be confident the GPS will find your way home. We couldn't do without ours. Ours also has restaurants, shopping, tourist attractions, which was great if we wanted to find a nearly In N Out burger or a Walmart.

 

[Aussiefamof5]

ah yes a gps for sure is bound to help us out. Great that they have restaurants shopping etc. thanks for your tips guys

 

[LeanneDownUnder]

Ours also has restaurants, shopping, tourist attractions, which was great if we wanted to find a nearly In N Out burger or a Walmart.

In and Out Burger!!
We loved that place!!

 

[AustralianJetsetter]

We really enjoyed Santa Monica and spent a couple of hours at the pier....fun

Venice Beach was also a lovely spot.....you can roller blade or bike ride along the esplanade pathway, it is really nice

Both spots were easy for parking. I think from memory at Santa Monica Pier we paid for parking but it was only a few dollars if we did!!

Have a fun time planning but maybe the best plan will be to be spontaneous on the day

 

[Melbourne5]

Two good options
1. Hollywood - walk of fame, farmers market
2 Santa Monica - pier , 3rd st (?) walkway for shops/ food & Venice beach

Or do the lot on one long day...