Help!

[shruley]

My vacation is rapidly approaching and due to all the other running around and madness we have going on, I have not planned for this vacation like I normally would have. We will fly into LAX Nov. 1 and fly out Nov. 8. We will have about half our arrival day and most of our departure day to do something in the area, as well as a "day off" midweek (probably a Wed.) to do stuff. We will have a rental car. We are staying at the Hojo.

Any ideas of what to do with kids ages 2, 8, and 11 in the OC area? (All girls My husband wants to see the Hollywood sign, and we'd like to go to a beach on our off day. No idea what one, lots of choices! We are also looking for good places to eat, both close to hotel/Disneyland as well any other must-sees (eats?) further out. We figured we'd find an In and Out just cause. Girls are all OBSESSED with desserts. Ice cream places, cupcakes, etc. would make their day. Also, as we have a two year old, it might be nice to have somewhere to take her where she can just run, climb, play, etc.

I would so appreciate ANY ideas anyone has- what beach, where to eat, even travel tips getting around. Or even good websites to check out! Thanks

 

[bcla]

Exposition Park in Los Angeles. There's the rose garden, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (the sculptures from the 1984 Olympics are still there), the LA Sports Arena, and the California Science Center. The latter has an aquarium section, lots of stuff on science, and the Space Shuttle Endeavour. I think it's still $2 for a timed reservation (walkups are typically available on weekdays) to see the Space Shuttle, but the rest of the museum is free.

https://www.californiasciencecenter.org/Exhibits/AirAndSpace/endeavour/endeavour.php

I wouldn't' stay there too late though. The neighborhood gets a little bit iffy at night. USC is across the street, and they've basically fenced off the campus and have gates and security at controlled entrances.

 

[Luckymommatoo]

Since your husband wants to see the Hollywood Sign, it would be easy to do the American Girl store at the Grove (which is a fabulous, fancy outdoor shopping mall. It also has at least one cupcake place, maybe two). The Grove is only a couple miles from Hollywood & Highland, which is a great place to view the sign from.

I don't have a lot of advice about the OC though, sorry. But In-and-Out is always a good idea!

 

[ncc1701]

Huntington Beach is about 30 to 40 minutes west of DL. Lot of restaurants near the pier along with a Ruby's at the end of the pier. Other than Ruby's we liked BJ's , Sugar Shack and Duke's .

 

[theluckyrabbit]

There is an In'N'Out very near LAX (north on Sepulveda) and on Harbor in Fullerton (north of DLR). There is also a Ruby's Diner on Lincoln in Anaheim. There is a cupcake kiosk in DtD. A day in Hollywood at the Grove and Farmer's Market (on Fairfax, south of Beverly) with a stop at the Hollywood & Highland center (photo op for the Hollywood Sign, Dolby Theatre (home of the Oscars), Chinese Theater next door, Walk of Fame out front, Disney's El Capitan across the street (catch a movie?), Ghirardelli's next to the El Capitan (sundaes!) would cover most of your Hollywood requests. Santa Monica beach has the 3rd Street Promenade (an outdoor mall that covers several blocks) and the pier (restaurants and a ferris wheel). And closer to DLR is the Discovery Science Center for kids -- your DDs may really enjoy whatever exhibit is going on during your visit. Have a fun trip!

 

[shruley]

Thanks! I think the grove/highland area idea is a good one. Do that for like the first half of the day and a beach for the second half? I'll check either of those out that are close. How bad is traffic going to be?

 

[usnuzuloose]

If you like ice cream there is a Farrells ice cream parlor in Buena Park, very fun place and oh so good!

 

[Luckymommatoo]

Do that for like the first half of the day and a beach for the second half? I'll check either of those out that are close. How bad is traffic going to be?

Hmmm... trying to decide if it's really feasible to do all of that in one day, considering that you're starting in Anaheim, and have three small kids. The problem is that, coming from Anaheim, you really don't want to leave until after nine. So let's say you get to the Grove at 10:15, hang out and have lunch there, then head to Hollywood & Highland, getting there around 12:30. Park, walk around, see Hollywood sign, Chinese theater, walk of fame, get ice cream at Ghiradelli's across the street. So now it's... 2:30? In November with the sun setting later I"m not sure you'll make it to the beach the same day. Unless it's a drive-by, or you guys tour much more quickly than my family does.

You could zoom straight down to Santa Monica from there and have two hours, probably -- walk down the pier and maybe put your toes in. Be prepared for it to be quite chilly at the beach. Definitely not swimming weather for the kids, and bring jackets for sure.

 

[shruley]

Hmmm... trying to decide if it's really feasible to do all of that in one day, considering that you're starting in Anaheim, and have three small kids. The problem is that, coming from Anaheim, you really don't want to leave until after nine. So let's say you get to the Grove at 10:15, hang out and have lunch there, then head to Hollywood & Highland, getting there around 12:30. Park, walk around, see Hollywood sign, Chinese theater, walk of fame, get ice cream at Ghiradelli's across the street. So now it's... 2:30? In November with the sun setting later I"m not sure you'll make it to the beach the same day. Unless it's a drive-by, or you guys tour much more quickly than my family does.

You could zoom straight down to Santa Monica from there and have two hours, probably -- walk down the pier and maybe put your toes in. Be prepared for it to be quite chilly at the beach. Definitely not swimming weather for the kids, and bring jackets for sure.

Thanks for your help! I appreciate people saying what is realistic. After looking at both Huntington and Santa Monica the latter would probably be better, especially if it ends up being quicker. We don't need a ton of beach time. We're just from MN so it would be nice to show them the ocean and stick their feet in, etc. A couple hours would be enough. They would probably like the Santa Monica pier. Even if just for the arcade. ☺

Is the grove worth a stop or just go to Hollywood and highland. We have a large american girl store near home, and are the a lot. We go to the mall of America a lot so the girls may not be so interested in shopping.

 

[shruley]

If you like ice cream there is a Farrells ice cream parlor in Buena Park, very fun place and oh so good!

Thanks! I have written down all the dessert suggestions!

 

[Luckymommatoo]

You know, maybe you SHOULD skip the Grove, since you have an AG store. It is outside, and beautiful, with a trolley and dancing fountains. Not really like an indoor mall at all. Look at some Google images and you'll get the idea.

You could also go to H&H first, see how long you spend there, and then if there's time, swing by the Grove on the way to Santa Monica. As long as you have a good GPS you'll be fine!

Also, make sure you hit Sweet!, which is a ginormous candy store at H&H. Truly an incredible selection of every kind of candy, including many international. My kids love stopping there.

 

[McNs]

If you do stop at The Grove, make sure you go to Bobs Doughnuts at the farmers market. Their bear claw is the best bit of fried goodness I have ever had. The apple fritter is pretty tasty too.

 

[shruley]

If you do stop at The Grove, make sure you go to Bobs Doughnuts at the farmers market. Their bear claw is the best bit of fried goodness I have ever had. The apple fritter is pretty tasty too.

I think we'll do H&H and see where our time is at. I think the farmers market might sound more interesting than The Grove. I did check it out online but not seeing much appeal for us!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I think we'll do H&H and see where our time is at. I think the farmers market might sound more interesting than The Grove. I did check it out online but not seeing much appeal for us!

The two places are right next door to each other (literally -- one leads right into the other), so it would be easy to see both in a short time. There is a trolley that connects the two, but you could walk from one to the other in about 2 minutes. You may get some very nice photos at the Grove -- try a family photo in front of the fountain. Make sure to get the right validation for whichever parking lot you choose -- the two lots are separate and do not validate for each other.

 

[Galaviz]

We love love love having a "jo-latte" at Joe's Italian Ice on harbor blvd near DL. Italian ice with soft serve ice cream combination. As well, we save one and even two breakfasts for the Original Pancake house in Anaheim. Cheesecake Factory near DL that is our favorite. Newport Beach is about 30 minutes from DL and balboa island is a fun place to visit with kids. Science discovery center at main place looks like a great place to visit with kids. I've never been but there is a mini train cars that ride around an area in Griffith park. Looks like a fun place to visit as well.