looking for someone to critique our itinerary

[cepmom]

we are vacationing in SoCal this summer and can't wait! I am finding this board to be very helpful but am still a total newbie to CA and Disneyland (we are WDW vets however )

I'd love it if someone wanted to offer any tips or changes that need to be improved upon. Our group consists of myself and DH (40 years old) DD20, DD13 and DD10. We are used to being on the go at WDW.

Thursday 8/12 ~ arrive San Diego airport, drive to Inns of America Suites in Carlsbad

Friday 8/13 ~ beach day in Carlsbad

Saturday 8/14 ~ San Diego Zoo (should this day be switched with Friday's beach day?We could go either way on this )

Sunday 8/15 ~ check out of Inns of America Suites, drive towards LA; sight see in LA/Hollywood touristy type things. We have nothing planned specifically, DD wants to see Rodeo Dr etc. Check in to Hojo's Anaheim (would touring LA/Hollywood be ok on a Sunday)

Monday 8/16 ~ Knotts Berry Farm

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday DLR/California Adventure

Friday 8/20 beach day, maybe Huntington Beach?

Saturday 8/21 fly home out of Ontario airport


I am a little concerned about Monday - Thursday being tiring, but I really want to keep our DLR/CA days to Tues, Wed, Thurs. The family all want to go to Knotts Berry Farm; I don't think I can get out of it! We are used to being on the go at WDW and we do take our afternoon breaks as we usually go to WDW during the heat of August so I am planning on doing the same here.

Any tips you guys can add? I am open to any and all suggestions!

whoops! I meant to put this in the Southern California board! Mods, please feel free to move if this thread is better suited there!

 

[stevejanelle]

I would switch the Friday, Saturday. Saturday will be much busy (both places) but easier to do the beach when its busy. NO lines. Great job planning to travel on Sunday.

 

[HydroGuy]

You could switch but I like what you have.

o Drive from Carlsbad to the SD Zoo on Saturday is a good choice as traffic will not be an issue. So it should a 30 minute drive (maybe 40).

o Drive from Carlsbad to LA on Sunday is a good idea.

o Doing DLR during an AP blockout period. Good idea.

The only thing that was not perfect (and it is hard to get everything perfect) is to go from the SD airport to Carlsbad and then back down to the SD zoo on Saturday. But I think that is relatively minor because it is a Saturday. If you tried to do the zoo on Friday you could spend just as much time in traffic. Will it be more crowded at the zoo on a Saturday? Yes, but the SD zoo is a big place. I would not worry about it.

 

[cepmom]

it might be possible to book one night in San Diego for our arrival day,then go to the Zoo on Friday, helping with the traffic issue, then head to Carlsbad after the zoo (although I suppose traffic will be lousy then also??) then beach on Saturday in Carlsbad. I am trying to see if I can use Choice hotel points for one night in San Diego but it won't let me know this far in advance.

 

[HydroGuy]

it might be possible to book one night in San Diego for our arrival day,then go to the Zoo on Friday, helping with the traffic issue, then head to Carlsbad after the zoo (although I suppose traffic will be lousy then also??) then beach on Saturday in Carlsbad. I am trying to see if I can use Choice hotel points for one night in San Diego but it won't let me know this far in advance.

That was my concern too. If you decide to do the zoo on Friday then grab some dinner in SD somewhere (Old Town? SeaPort Village?) and go to Carlsbad after dinner (after 7:30 or 8:00) and you should be OK.