Looking for suggestions on this board instead

[KarenB]

I posted this a while ago on the Southern California board and I didn't get may replies. I thought I would give it a try over here since this board seems to move much faster:

Hi! This June DH, myself, and DS 17 will be heading to California. I was at DL in 1978 and DH and I drove through Southern California in 1985. We will be spending 5 nights at Grand Californian then 3 night at Coronado del Mar. Could you take a look at our plans so far and add any comments or suggestions? DS is a great traveler and enjoys vacations. He is also very into film and movies and hiking. I LOVE the beach, surfing areas, and hiking. DH enjoys it all!

Saturday:fly into San Deigo, drive to DL, check into GC
Sunday-Thursday: 2 days at DL, one day at Universal, one day driving to Hollywood or Burbank area (not sure where is best)
Thursday-get up early and take our time driving along the beach to San Diego, check into Coronado del MAr
Friday and Saturday- no plans yet-any suggestions
Sunday-early return flight home

I know it will be a wonderful trip! I have heard a lot of negative comments about Hollywood but I feel we are so close we HAVE to at least drive there. Thanks for any suggestions or comments,
Karen

 

[JennyMominRI]

I posted this a while ago on the Southern California board and I didn't get may replies. I thought I would give it a try over here since this board seems to move much faster:

Hi! This June DH, myself, and DS 17 will be heading to California. I was at DL in 1978 and DH and I drove through Southern California in 1985. We will be spending 5 nights at Grand Californian then 3 night at Coronado del Mar. Could you take a look at our plans so far and add any comments or suggestions? DS is a great traveler and enjoys vacations. He is also very into film and movies and hiking. I LOVE the beach, surfing areas, and hiking. DH enjoys it all!

Saturday:fly into San Deigo, drive to DL, check into GC
Sunday-Thursday: 2 days at DL, one day at Universal, one day driving to Hollywood or Burbank area (not sure where is best)
Thursday-get up early and take our time driving along the beach to San Diego, check into Coronado del MAr
Friday and Saturday- no plans yet-any suggestions
Sunday-early return flight home

I know it will be a wonderful trip! I have heard a lot of negative comments about Hollywood but I feel we are so close we HAVE to at least drive there. Thanks for any suggestions or comments,
Karen

Ok..Do you mean Hotel Del Coronado?
Is there any way you can fly into Joh Wayne in Orange county? It's much closer to DL...Then you could fly home from Lindberg Field(San Diego Airport)

Don't be shocked but Hollywood is not nice...Take a nice drive through Bevery Hills

I also reccomend Knotts Berry Farm Amusement park which is near DIsneyladn,maybe 10 minutes away..Personally I think it's much better than Universal.

In San Diego.. Have dinner in the Gaslamp District and Old Town...Take a drive on route 101 through LaJolla , Del Mar ,Encinitas and Carlsbad..
If you see a little hole in the wall restaurant ending in Bertos stop there..There are Alberto's ,Robertos, Erilbertos etc all over San Diego..Albertos is the best..For about 4 $$ you can get a Carne Asada Burrito.. This burrito is about 10 inches long and 3 inches deep and filled with steak meat...It comes with Guacamole on it and you don't like it ask them to leave it off. I also highly reccommend the Chimichangas... This meal will cost you about the same as McDonalds but it will be the best food you get on your trip
You also need to go to Mission Bay and Boardwalk It's a lot of fun..
I lived in San Diego for 16 years..If you need more advice,feel free to ask

 

[KarenB]

JennyMominRI-Yes it is Hotel del Coronado. I don't know where I got the other name. Thanks for the suggestions (both eating and touring). I have a feeling we might be disappointed with Hollywood, but I feel we are so close to it, we have to go there or at least drive through it. DS is SO into movies and film, I think I would feel guilty if we didn't visit the traditional Hollywood sites.

Karen

 

[JennyMominRI]

JennyMominRI-Yes it is Hotel del Coronado. I don't know where I got the other name. Thanks for the suggestions (both eating and touring). I have a feeling we might be disappointed with Hollywood, but I feel we are so close to it, we have to go there or at least drive through it. DS is SO into movies and film, I think I would feel guilty if we didn't visit the traditional Hollywood sites.

Karen

Oh,It is something you have to do once..I just don't want you to be surprised that it's not glamorous etc...It's rather seedy..It's worth it for Hollywood Blvd, and it's very close to Beverly Hills/Brentwood/ Bel Air.

I'm a sick because the first time we were there I went past the house(Or the gate,house is gone) from the Manson Murders and past Bundy and Rockingham...I didn't set out too,I just recognized street names.

 

[JennyMominRI]

http://www.knottsberryfarm.com/

 

[of the seas]

What about taking a boat to Catalina Island. My family loved going there.
Old Town San Diego was nice at night.

 

[luvflorida]

I posted this a while ago on the Southern California board and I didn't get may replies. I thought I would give it a try over here since this board seems to move much faster:

I also posted a few questions about our upcoming trip on the Southern California board, but the Community Board always seems to get many more replies to threads.

My husband and I, along with DD16 and her friend, 17, are vacationing in California next month. We're flying into San Francisco and spending three days there. Then we're driving down to Los Angeles, (with a stop to tour the Hearst Castle), and spending three days in LA. Our hotel is actually in Anaheim. We're then driving down to San Diego and spending one day and one night, then driving to Phoenix. We're spending a day in Phoenix touring Arizona State University, then spending three days in Tucson. We'll be touring the University of Arizona while in Tucson.

I have most of our itinerary planned for every day, except for the LA portion of the trip. I am just overwhelmed looking at all there is to see and do in LA. The girls would like to visit a beach, but I don't know which one would be best to visit. I don't know which sites/attractions are must sees and which are not worth visiting.

I'm going to follow this thread and maybe get some ideas here!

 

[JennyMominRI]

I also posted a few questions about our upcoming trip on the Southern California board, but the Community Board always seems to get many more replies to threads.



I have most of our itinerary planned for every day, except for the LA portion of the trip. I am just overwhelmed looking at all there is to see and do in LA. The girls would like to visit a beach, but I don't which one would be best to visit. I don't which sites/attractions are must sees and which are not worth visiting.

I'm going to follow this thread and maybe get some ideas here!

Venice Beach ,if you really want to see the out there culture of Ca... I would also suggest heading for Santa Monica Pier....That's where the opening to Three's Company was filmed.

 

[luvflorida]

Venice Beach ,if you really want to see the out there culture of Ca... I would also suggest heading for Santa Monica Pier....That's where the opening to Three's Company was filmed.

Do we really want to see the out there culture of Ca.? Could you be a little more specific please!

From what I've researched, the Santa Monica Pier does sound like it would be a fun place to visit. Do you know how far it is from Anaheim?

 

[holycow]

Oh, Hollywood is ok, there are just lots of homeless people around. You really should go to Graumans Chinese theater and walk the Hollywood walk of fame. They also have tours of the stars homes too which is cool if you like looking at homes and getting a view of LA.


Have a great time!


Beverly Hills is great but will not take all day unless you want to shop.

Holycow

 

[JennyMominRI]

Do we really want to see the out there culture of Ca.? Could you be a little more specific please!

From what I've researched, the Santa Monica Pier does sound like it would be a fun place to visit. Do you know how far it is from Anaheim?

Uhhh..I'm guessing 45 minutes? San Diego is more my area...Hollywood is about and hour from Anaheim..
Venice Beach has street artits, and performers etc...If you are going to Hollywood you may really see the dark side of LA.

 

[Aimee K]

I used to live in So. Ca. too, and took the family there last summer. They had never been. We did drive through Hollywood on our way to Santa Monica, but it really isn't a place I'd want to get out of the car!

Jenny is right about the mexican food. Almost any dirty looking side of the road place is well worth it! And don't forget to eat as much In N Out as you can!

We spent an afternoon at Olvera St. It's a really neat little area of Mexican Culture. There's a free museam and a mission right there if that's your thing.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

If you go to Venice Beach or Santa Monica Pier do not go at night. I would make it a day trip. It can get pretty iffy at night.
Hollywood isn't pretty at all but, interesting to see all the different folks. If you take any pics with the characters out there they will remind you that they are working for tips. Sometimes you can get tickets for different shows and even movie screenings. Universal Studios would be my pick. Knotts has kinda gone down hill. Have you thought of doing any of the dinner shows in Buena Park like Medieval Times or Pirates?

 

[JennyMominRI]

Really? That's too bad

 

[spazzyjazzy]

We went there a few years ago and the kids that went with us all wanted to leave after 3 hrs of being there. They were not interested in it at all. My husband wanted to leave also because of how dirty it was. He said that he felt like he was at the fair.

 

[luvflorida]

Uhhh..I'm guessing 45 minutes? San Diego is more my area...Hollywood is about and hour from Anaheim..
Venice Beach has street artits, and performers etc...If you are going to Hollywood you may really see the dark side of LA.

Street artists and performers I can deal with. I'm getting a little freaked out about visiting Hollywood, though. I'm not so sure I want to see the dark side of LA.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

My favorite place in San Diego is Balboa Park. There are tons of museums, the San Diego Zoo, concert/theater venues, and it's just beautiful to walk around and enjoy the San Diego weather. DH loves the Wild Animal Park, but I haven't been there yet.

If you are interested in history, you might like visiting one of the Missions in So. Cal. DH and I are trying to visit all 21 of them, and we've gotten to all but two of them from Santa Barbara on north, but we've only been to Mission San Diego in the south. It's very lovely, and very peaceful, but the Missions aren't for everyone. One of my good friends grew up in San Diego, still has family there and goes down at least every other month to visit, and she has NEVER been to the Mission. I've been once, and it was the first place I went to...

Oh, and I'll second the vote for Old Town/Gas lamp districts - they are nice for strolling around after dark and having a nice dinner. Most of the restaurants can be a little pricey, so be prepared to pay more for eating in the lovely atmosphere!

Seaport Village is a great little shopping/eating area along the bay with a nice walk along the water.

Have fun!

 

[holycow]

Ummm, if your afraid of the um culture in Hollywood I'd be very afraid of the um culture at the Santa Monica pier. The park above the pier is teeming with culture if you KWIM. We did take a walk on the pier and had lunch at Bubba Gumps which was lovely since the sun was setting and we had a perfect view. The pier was fine (we went during the day)


We just moved back her after being gone for 7 years so we've been doing the touristy day trips on the weekends.

If you drive up the 5 freeway when heading to DL get off at Redhill then go one block N to Newport turn left head down 2 blocks to Taco's El Carbon....YUMMY! Little tiny place has been there forever! We used to live in that area many moons ago.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Ummm, if your afraid of the um culture in Hollywood I'd be very afraid of the um culture at the Santa Monica pier. .

Personaly,neither place bothers me..Some people are just surprised though because it is not quite what they see on TV...I've only been to Hollywood proper once,about 6 years ago


I'd like to second the poster who mentioned Balboa Park and Seaport Village in San Diego..I don't know how I forgot them

 

[DawnCt1]

The DL and Universal portion of your trip looks fine. I would head for San Diego (inland). Leave early and stop at Wild Animal Park near Escondido. We loved it there. They have a lorakeet exhibit that is wonderful. They provide the babies for the San Diego Zoo. We left there in time to check in at the Hotel Del. We spent 5 days in San Diego and it was barely enough to do what we wanted to do. We went to the Zoo. Loved it. It is so big that we each picked two exhibits to focus on after we did the tram ride around the zoo. We loved Old Town for good Mexican food and atmosphere. Sea World was a hit. I wished we had more time, we would have spent more time in Balboa Park. We rented the bicycle surreys at the Del and peddled around parts of Coronado Island. We also walked down town for Mexican food. Can't remember the name of the restaurant. Go to www.localwally.com for more ideas.