San Diego and LA questions....m (NEW question)

[Gupsmom]

I posted this on the San Diego thread but I think it may get burried there...


We're (family of 5 with 3 kids: 5, 6 and 8 yrs old) spending Aug 11th-Aug 14th in San Diego. Our flight arrives at 11:10am (which will feel like 2:10pm for us). We'd like to pick up our rental, have lunch somewhere and go to our hotel.

1) We need to pick a resort. It's tough because we have 5. I wouldn't necessarily mind squeezing into a room since our kids are small but I am stuck with abiding by max capacity rules. I'd really like to be on the beach because we have plans to sped our arrival day and 1 additional day enjoying the resort and beach. What is the best family beach? We like waves and boogy boarding but it can't be too rough. What resort/hotel would you recommend on that beach? I'd like to stay under $300/night if possible. I did ask this before but we've changed our minds on whattype of place we want to stay at (now we're looking for easy access to on ON the beach).

2) Where would you stop for lunch on the way to our hotel? What other places would you recommend for meals?

3) How many hours do you think we'll need for the Zoo? How many hours for LegoLand...we're willing to skip the evening fireworks because we'll be heading to our resort in Disneyland after we leave Legoland. Unless we flip the day we have planned for Legoland and the day we have planned for the zoo...

We're saving Sea World for another trip...
Any other tips?

Also...as for LA, we'd like to spend a few hours hitting a few tourist things (aside from Disney...we are staying onsite but have a car). With young kids, what would you recommend? I know they'd get a kick out of seeing some of the Stars on the Walk of Fame and we'd like to see the Hollywood sign.

Thanks...
Jess

 

[Magix]

In LA, if you want to see the Hollywood sign, you should visit the Hollywood & Highland complex (home of the Kodak Theatre, where they do the Oscars). They have a viewing bridge in their food court area that gives you the best view of the sign. Plus, the Walk of Fame is right out in front. Kind of a skanky area, but it's Hollywood. That's what it is. Check out the sign, look at the stars on the sidewalk, take your picture with the Jack Sparrow impersonator out front (don't forget to give him a tip), maybe do some shopping and have something to eat at Johnny Rocket's, then split and go to the beach (or maybe see a movie at the El Capitan, across the street).

 

[lark]

In San Diego itself, there are really not many places on the beach. The La Jolla Beach and Tennis club is right on the sand, as is the hotel del coronado. Most other places require at least crossing the road. $300 a night on a weekend in August at this late date might be a little difficult. There are vacation rental houses that you might be able to find for less than a week all up and down mission beach, but if it were me I think 5 and 6 is a little too young for that kind of scene. Paradise Point is a great resort and they have bigger units, some with kitchenettes, but it's on the bay not on the ocean. Great location, though; just near sea world and a short drive to the zoo. Again, $300/night for August is going to be tough there, though. There's a place across the street from the beach in La Jolla called the seashell inn or something like that. No frills, but you get a kitchen and a short walk to the beach as well as the restaurants and stuff in La Jolla.

Since you're headed up to Disney after 3 days, must it be in San Diego itself? Particularly if you want a gentle beach, the seaside villages up the coast all are great. You're going to Legoland anyway, so being right in San Diego doesn't seem essential. There are great places you could stay in Del Mar or Carlsbad that would be 30 minutes from the zoo, 10 minutes from Legoland, a much closer drive to Disney, and have much more manageable beaches for a family of 5 that includes little ones. For example, the Del Mar motel is right on the beach in Del Mar and is a great little place next to a park. (You need to check on when Del Mar racing season is this year, though, because $300 a night in Del Mar will be tough while the horses are running.) Another place that would fit your bill perfectly is the ocean palms in Carlsbad. It is right across the street from a great beach, has 1 and 2 bedroom units for your price, a pool, and is walking distance to all the shops, restaurants and even the blockbuster video in carlsbad village. It's no frills, but it meets your price requirements. We stay in Carlsbad each year and find it to be a perfect location, with a much better beach situation. Everything in San Diego is an easy drive or train ride away.

As for your other questions, with a 5 and 6 year old, I'd probably avoid the downtown L.A. attractions in favor of the beaches near disneyland -- like Laguna and Huntington and the boardwalk and stuff. But if you're adventurous, the walk of fame is pretty cool, albeit slightly seedy.

 

[M's_girl]

I'd second staying in Carlsbad. You will need to drive for about 30 minutes to get to the Zoo, but Legoland is right there. I like the quite feel of Carlsbad and I think the prices will be better.

 

[Gupsmom]

Ok. Leaning toward Carlsbad..if you all agree that it is the best beach area for families. I'm pretty much giving up on staying on the beach. So, I need a place convenient for a quick commute over to the beach AND a good area of the beach to go to (easy to park, good for kids, bathrooms, place to grab a bite to eat etc).

Also...can't imagine travelling 3000 miles and not seeing the walk of fame or venturing out of the Disney area. When you say seedy, Is it THAT bad?

Thanks again...
Jess

 

[almostGoofy]

In the LA area, your kids probably would like the Santa Monica Pier because of the rides. You might want to consider the California Science Museum in Exposition Park. There is also a Natural History museum there with dinosaurs fossils. Both are across the street from U.S.C. If you choose to go to the museums, just be sure you stay in that immediate area and around U.S.C. Beyond that, it's very unsafe.

There is also the La Brea Tarpits on Wilshire Blvd. This is a spot where they excavate fossils.

If you are considering going to Hollywood, the Hollywood Bowl might still have their children's summer program that week. The programs are during the weekdays in the morning and are very entertaining. The Bowl is located on Highland Blvd., very close to Hollywood Blvd. so you could easily add that onto you sightseeing tour of Hollywood. Buy your tickets for the children's program soon; they sell out.

Near the downtown area, there's Olvera (sp?) Street. It's the area where Los Angeles began and is like a street in a little Mexican village. Very touristy but still worth a visit. Chinatown is also nearby.

 

[Magix]

Also...can't imagine travelling 3000 miles and not seeing the walk of fame or venturing out of the Disney area. When you say seedy, Is it THAT bad?

Well... you'll feel like you need a shower afterward.

It's icky, but it's not the absolute worst. You just won't want to spend a LOT of time there. Go up there, see what you want to see, and then go somewhere nicer.

 

[M's_girl]

You might want to check out this link for Carlsbad beaches.

http://www.carlsbad.ca.us/beaches.html

 

[lark]

Gupsmom -- I recommend this place in carlsbad if they have availability. For a family of 5, a one or two bedroom is probably needed.

It's not big on frills, but it's steps to the beach, steps to carlsbad village, has a nice little pool, and the units have kitchens (with a grocery store nearby) to save some money.

I've personally stayed there in the last year and can vouch for it. If luxury is essential, this isn't the place, but when I say it's not luxurious, I mean it's not the four seasons. But it's nice, convenient, clean, safe, and close to the beach.

http://www.ocean-palms.net/carlsbad-ca-resort.html

 

[Gupsmom]

Gupsmom -- I recommend this place in carlsbad if they have availability. For a family of 5, a one or two bedroom is probably needed.

It's not big on frills, but it's steps to the beach, steps to carlsbad village, has a nice little pool, and the units have kitchens (with a grocery store nearby) to save some money.

I've personally stayed there in the last year and can vouch for it. If luxury is essential, this isn't the place, but when I say it's not luxurious, I mean it's not the four seasons. But it's nice, convenient, clean, safe, and close to the beach.

http://www.ocean-palms.net/carlsbad-ca-resort.html

Thanks for the response and recommendation. I did come across this place online but they won't rent for 3 days (weekly only) during our time frame.

Jess