Mammoth & LA

[TiggerTrigger]

So, we're heading out to CA and while we're spending time at Disneyland, we have a few days to play in LA and we'll be heading up to Mammoth for a few days. It will be ski season, so in Mammoth, there will definitely be time for skiing/boarding/tubing as well as the gondola. In LA, we've been thinking of everything from a Hollywood tour and whale watching to Knotts Berry Farms.

Does anyone have anything that they wouldn't do in either of these destinations? I mean, I've seen lots of cool things we'd consider in both spots, but is there anything you would really discourage? Like it's a rip off, unsafe, boring, parking is a nightmare, bad area, etc. Thanks!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Sounds like you're planning a really fun vacation.

I think it would be a good idea if you throw out what you are thinking of doing and we can let you know our opinions. I can't think off-hand of anything I would discourage without knowing what you're thinking of doing.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Sounds like you're planning a really fun vacation.

I think it would be a good idea if you throw out what you are thinking of doing and we can let you know our opinions. I can't think off-hand of anything I would discourage without knowing what you're thinking of doing.

Ultimately, I think Mammoth is the easy part. Skiing/boarding a couple of days, gondola and tubing/sledding park another day, and exploring town during "down-time." If it weren't winter, I'd look to visiting Yosemite, but I know that entrance won't be open in the winter.

LA is where I get hung up. I've only been once and never with the kids. I'm looking at a Go Los Angeles card for each of us (2-day card), but with all of the options afforded with the card, it's hard to know what's good and what's something to skip. And of course much of that hinges on our personal interests. I know we'll only be able to do a fraction of these things, but this is what interests me right now...

- Pacific Park - Santa Monica Pier
- Aquarium of the Pacific
- Knott's Berry Farm
- LEGOLAND
- Queen Mary
- Whale Watch by Newport Landing
- Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
- LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens
- La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
- California Science Center IMAX
- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
- Behind-the-Scenes Hollywood Tour by Red Line
- Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood
- Sony Pictures Studio Tour

I know LEGOLAND is a bit of a drive and not totally practical + I can't see us doing that and Knotts. Beyond that, I worry that the studio tours may be intended more for adults, if it's really necessary to visit Santa Monica Pier if we're going to Disneyland and possibly Knotts Berry Farms, and if any of the other stuff is so hit or miss that it might be worth skipping. i.e. the whale watching...sounds great, but obviously wildlife is not guaranteed and at some point I saw a worrisome review about life jackets. Sorry for the long list, but any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[disney144]

What time of year will you be here? Whale watching varies a lot by month.

As for the aquariums, Aquarium of the pacific is the best and largest. They offer combo tickets with a lot of other organizations that may be more economical than the go la card.

Where in la are you staying? What ages are your kids? All important things to consider.

 

[bcla]

Are you prepared for driving in snow? That may mean chains in certain conditions. If you've got a rental, that makes things a lot more interesting regarding whether or not you can use chains.