Must see things in Cali?

[BitsnBearsMom]

I'm just starting to plan for a trip for March break next year - my family of 4 (myself, dh, 14.5yo ds' and 9yo ds') have never been to California before.

the main purpose of our trip is to spend 4 nights at Disneyland - have done DW many times so are looking for something different.

We will have 10 days total hopefully arriving on the Friday and leaving for home on the Sunday - what else should we see/do? We are thinking of Universal but don't want the vacation to be all theme park hopping - would like to see 'other stuff' too!!

Thanks!!

 

[Pucka1378]

Universal is fun and can easily be done in one day.

Depending on what your family likes Santa Monica and Venice are nice.

Hollywood is nice.

Magic mountain although it will be a bit of a drive.. not sure if you want to stick close or not.

San Diego has a lot to offer as well.

 

[Blisskitty]

There are some really great museums in the LA area- the Getty is the one that pops into my head first. If you or anyone in your fam is big into clothes or costumes, do a quick google search for FIDM- it's one of the big design schools in LA and they always have some really cool exhibits- they have costumes from movies and I know they had a Star Wars exhibit. And, if you're not planning on staying in just the LA area, check out some places in San Diego(the zoo and sea world) or the central coast- about 3.5 hours north of LA there's a great little town "Solvang" that is basically a re-creation of a German town- it's very cool, and there are some AMAZING pastry shops. Not to mention, it's a beautiful drive. And, if you do drive up that way, make sure you stop at a roadside strawberry stand- you will NOT be disappointed, California strawberries are not to be missed! (I moved away about 2 1/2 years ago and miss California terribly.)

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Sounds like there's lots to do...... what about the mountains or any provincial parks or rather state parks I guess they are called down there? Don't mind driving and the boys are great travellers. We wouldn't have an issue flying into one airport and out from a different one and we will definatly have a rental car.... dh is too lost without a set of wheels!!

We'd definatly like to take them to see that big 'hollywood' sign and my 14.5yo has asked if we could go to a beach that's what I get for letting him watch 'Beach Patrol' and wild hogs!!

Will definatly have to try the strawberries.... but nothing can be as good as Ontario Strawberries

 

[fairycat]

First I have to say I grew up on Ventura County Stawberries and so far no one has been able to convience me otherwise, that they are not the very best strawberries in the world
Those fruit and veggy stands are also great for the fresh oranges (many sit on the edge of orange groves), avocados, corn in summer and other treats. I love the little honey place we found YUMMY! The Cactus and Wildflower honeys are the best!

For Tips on Hollywood and the surrounding area I would check out this thread to start

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1741375

I have to agree the drive up (or down) the coast is lovely. I love Solvang (its actually a Dutch town) besides being so cute it is also in a very famous wine tasting area. The area has become even more famous since it was featured in the Movie Sideways.

I suggest looking into the studio tours so you can see how movies are made, see the beach, do Disney, maybe a musuem like La Brea Tar Pits and/or Peterson Auto Musuem.

There is so much to do us Californian's could probably give you things to do for weeks without you ever stepping foot into a Theme Park hahah!

 

[Blisskitty]

First I have to say I grew up on Ventura County Stawberries and so far no one has been able to convience me otherwise, that they are not the very best strawberries in the world

I agree whole-heartedly- I miss the strawberry stands in Santa Maria like crazy. The strawberries we get in Oklahoma just can't compete.

I have to agree the drive up (or down) the coast is lovely. I love Solvang (its actually a Dutch town) besides being so cute it is also in a very famous wine tasting area. The area has become even more famous since it was featured in the Movie Sideways.

Darn, I knew I'd get it wrong.

 

[Juliah]

When is the season for strawberries in California? Are the fruit and vegetable stands on the main highways and easy to find?

 

[fairycat]

In Ventura I know the season is approx March to June, I am unsure if Irvine's season in the same.

In Ventura they are very easy to find and in many farming communities you can also find the stands. If not check out the farmer's markets, that are all over. These also showcase much of the amazing produce that is grown in CA.

 

[eduk8r26]

Strawberries are practically year-round now. They start picking in March and go clear through till fall at least. In Ventura County there are some fruit stands right off 101 but many more are located on side roads. Highway 126 has tons of them between Santa Paula and I-5.

 

[Juliah]

Thank you! I'm looking forward to the farm stands and markets when we visit California this summer. We'll be there in early June, so it sounds like we'll get to try the strawberries.

 

[3Down1Up]

Long Beach has a great aquarium - the Aquarium of the Pacific. Other museums, depending on your family's interests - someone mentioned the La Brea Tar Pits, which is very interesting from a natural history perspective. Legoland is towards San Diego, about a two hour drive from Disneyland, but your kids may be too old to enjoy it. Universal Studios would be a big hit for them, I would think. They have some great art history museums - The Huntington Library, the Norton Simon museum, both in Pasadena. Griffith Observatory, in Griffith Park in LA, can offer some beautiful views of the city, and if they like space, that would be a great stop.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

Family fun has a great California road trip www.familyfun.com I think it starts in Montery , with Montery Bay Aquarium then goes on to Big Sur, Solvag and ends at Disney.

My personal favorite place is Laguna Beach. The horse races at Del Mar are alot of fun also.

Maybe take the Catalina Express to Catalina Island .
www.catalinaexpress.com

 

[dizzi]

And i have been on the boards and searching websites for the past few days as i usually take a year to plan a trip and ended up having to plan this one in 6 weeks.................uuuuuughhhhhhhhh

We are thinking about purchasing the Go Los Angeles Card, you an look it up on the web, It offers alot of tours and Points of interest for one price.

We have used them before we had actually gotten a Go Orlando Card one Christmas when we decided Not to do WDW.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

You could also consider the Southern California City Pass.

www.citypass.com

 

[Caseydilla]

My favorite So Cal must sees are the Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach, a drive down Sunset, and the Mann's Chinese theater. I used to love going to Ed Debevic's restaurant but not sure if that's still there.