First Family Trip to CALIFORNIA!!

[kamgen]

We are currently planning our first family trip to DL/DCA for next October and are DVC members. Since we are flying all the way to the west coast, we are considering taking a longer holiday and doing/seeing more on the west coast.
Any ideas/suggestions? We have two boys who will be 11 and 9 at the time. We are also contemplating doing Aulani on this trip (DL/DCA and Aulani only).
In all honesty, we really want to do Aulani, however the cost of flights alone is a huge deal. We could use that money and do/see more in California. But I feel like since we are in CA, we are already half way to Hawaii! LOL!!!
So....what does everyone think??
Thanks in advance!

 

[bcla]

What do you mean by "California" and "west coast"? An idea of how much driving you're willing to do may broaden or narrow any recommendations. Frankly - I would recommend British Columbia, but that's kind of an expansive definition of "west coast". If you're talking the California Coast, that could be anywhere from the Oregon border to San Diego. Maybe inland such as Yosemite or SEKI? Or perhaps you're thinking just Southern California?

 

[kamgen]

We are thinking just California. We have talked about possible going to San Francisco or San Diego for a few days. Sorry that I did not clarify. I didn't realize I was being so vague when I said California.
Thanks for the information.

 

[bcla]

OK then.

I'm partial to a few days in San Francisco and then a quick side trip to Yosemite or maybe Lake Tahoe before heading to Southern California.

 

[JimMIA]

OK then.

I'm partial to a few days in San Francisco and then a quick side trip to Yosemite or maybe Lake Tahoe before heading to Southern California.

I agree, although I'd certainly do Yosemite over Lake Tahoe. Tahoe is nice and all...but Yosemite is simply the most beautiful place I've ever been.

San Francisco is also worth several days, not just one, and a little south of SFO is Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur...also worth at least one day. I like San Diego, but the Monterey/Bay Area/Yosemite package is just too much for me to pass up.

In addition (as if an addition is needed), the area north of SFO -- Marin County, wine country, and the coast north are another whole trip.

For the time spent, I would certainly do Northern California over a few days in Oahu any time

 

[JimMIA]

A suggestion for SFO. I don't know if it's possible with DVC, but you might be able to exchange into Wyndham's Canterbury in SFO via RCI. If so, Canterbury is really ideally located in San Francisco, although I believe you will only be able to get a one bedroom.

(NOTE: IF you go to Canterbury, do NOT do a timeshare presentation. Wyndham weasels are NOT anything like DVC "guides!" They are among the sleaziest people in a sleazy industry -- and this comes from a Wyndham FAN!)

There also may be other decent timeshare exchanges available in the Bay Area via RCI.

We're actually planning an SFO (Canterbury)/Yosemite trip right now for next summer.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Monterey is a great place. They have the aquarium, the beach. You can do 17 mile drive and check out Pebble Beach. You can walk out onto the 18th hole. They have shops that are fun to check out. Just across the way they have a little deli and you can get lunch and snacks. Or some gifts as well. Ask any person that works there they will tell you where it is. Carmel is also nice to see. You can eat at the Hogs Breath Inn.

 

[bcla]

I agree, although I'd certainly do Yosemite over Lake Tahoe. Tahoe is nice and all...but Yosemite is simply the most beautiful place I've ever been.

I was just thinking alternatives. Also - Yosemite in October is going to be different than perhaps early spring. The waterfalls will likely have a small amount of water from fall rains and it's going to be a bit cold. There are also going to be fewer services.

Lake Tahoe is more developed, so I'm not sure if maybe the kids will find more to do even if it's the off-season between summer visitation and the winter ski season.

 

[ncc1701]

San Diego is only a couple of hours from DL. The Zoo is a favorite of ours. Depending on how much time you have after DL it would be easier than San Francisco ( which we also love to visit) . A day or 2 at the beach is also an option. Our 1st trip to San Diego was in early October and we spent 3 days in Huntington Beach . We planned to sightsee but hung around the hotel pool instead.

 

[DallasToDis]

Maybe you could fly into LA and home from San Fran (or vice versa)? Going up the coast, Santa Barbara is a charming town with a wharf, beach, mission and nearby towns of Montecito (very upscale, Oprah has a home there) and Solvang (very cool Danish town) plus beautiful surrounding Santa Ynez Valley and wine country. Also Big Sur (beautiful), Monterey (cool family attractions as someone mentioned), 17 mile drive/Pebble Beach and Carmel (so charming). San Francisco is one my my favorite towns because there is just no place like it. Lots to do with kids - Alcatraz, Coit Tower (and the steps that lead up to it), ride the trolley, Fisherman's wharf, Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square, painted ladies, Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Marin Headlands (must do), Muir Woods, rent bikes and ride around Golden Gate park plus visit the museums there, plus great restaurants. You could stay busy for a long time there! Yosemite would be quite a detour, but worth it if you chose to do that. If you decide to go south La Jolla is beautiful and San Diego also has lots and lots to do.

 

[ImDMous]

You might need to focus a bit more. You could easily spend a month driving from the top of Cali to the bottom and stopping and fun amazing places every day. Do you like city excitement or natural wonder? Do you want to focus on the beach, the mountains, movie stars, museums, national parks, shopping, eating.... Would you be ok with just one day in each place and planning to come back later for a longer trip to a spot you really like? We live in San Diego and we've gone to San Fran for a week, Napa/Sonoma for a week, camping/hiking in the mountains, beach vacations, coastal drives to Santa Barbara/Solvang, weeks in DL. There really is a LOT to decide on.

 

[halfmonkey]

It's really hard to answer your question because there are so many directions to go with the answer and so many things that need to be clarified on your part such as how many days you would have after DL, will you have a car if you come to San Diego, what part of the country will you be coming from, etc?

So instead, I'll give you a couple of basics.
1. Go to Legoland
2. Go to the San Diego Zoo
3. Go to Sea World
4. Go to the beach. Many times in early October, beach will still be pleasant. This year is an extreme exception with a strong El Nino brewing. We've had nice and warm temps at the beach even to this date and the waters have been really warm. Even now, it's in the low to mid 70's.
5. Go apple picking
6. Go to Fashion Valley Mall
7. Take a harbor cruise
8. Take surf lessons
9. Go outlet shopping at San Ysidro Outlet Mall
10. Eat a carne asada burrito (no place in the nation does a carne asada burrito like San Diego does them. not even in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York)
11. Go and have fun in the Gaslamp District
12. Visit the Midway Carrier Museum
13. Visit Balboa Park
14. Visit Mt Soledad
15. Visit Old Town
16. Eat sushi at Sushi Ota
17. Visit The Hotel Del Coronado
18. reserve a beach camping site

These are some suggestions. Good luck.

Another side trip suggestion would be the visit Las Vegas, one of our favorite places!

 

[DLfan4]

you may want to get a southern california citypass and/or a sanfrancisco citypass

 

[DLfan4]

http://www.citypass.com/