southern california vacation?

[minnie4me]

don't really know alot about the area, but looking for a different type vacation for an eastern family. Are there any all inclusive resorts? How close to an airport? transportation provided or need to rent a car? what are the beaches like? the ocean? (is it ugly like the eastern coast Atlantic) what is there to do with a 6 yr old? I know SD has a zoo, and there are various theme parks, but don't know how close they are to one another.
Any and all info greatly appreciated !!

 

[pumpkin5156]

don't really know alot about the area, but looking for a different type vacation for an eastern family. Are there any all inclusive resorts?

No, not that I am aware of.



How close to an airport?

The San Diego airport is right in the city. It borders the harbor and you can get anywhere quickly from there.



transportation provided or need to rent a car?

I would rent a car. There are some places a little north of San Diego (La Jolla, Carlsbad) that you will need to drive. Get ready for CA drivers and traffic!!

what are the beaches like?

It depends where you go. La Jolla and Carlsbad are very family friendly and clean. You can snorkel in The Cove in La Jolla, as well as see the seals. Mission bay is fun, but there's no waves, even though it is the ocean.

the ocean? (is it ugly like the eastern coast Atlantic)

It's not dirty or gross, IMO. I think it's cold and sometimes we have Red Tide (just a lot of kelp that makes it look red).

what is there to do with a 6 yr old? I know SD has a zoo, and there are various theme parks, but don't know how close they are to one another.

Sea World is awesome and right in Mission Bay (close to downtown SD). The Zoo is also great and very close to downtown San Diego. It is located in Balboa Park, which has tons of music, museums, entertainment, fountains, parks, etc. Free parking too!


Any and all info greatly appreciated !!

You should read around the Souther Ca Theme Parks boards. There's a lot of info there. Ask away....

 

[c&m]

As tourists, here are some of the spots we really enjoy. Maybe you would too. We always rent a car, as it really is difficult to get around to all the places you want to go without one.

Beaches:
- Huntington Beach (Orange County)
- Newport Beach (Orange County)
- Laguna Beach (Orange County)
- Moonlight Beach in Encinitas (San Diego)
- Coronado Beach (San Diego)
- La Jolla Beach (San Diego)

Theme Parks/Attractions:
- Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)
- Disneyland & California Adventure
- Torrey Pines State Park
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- Legoland
- San Diego Zoo
- Sea World
- Balboa Park
- Old Town

I don't know of any all-inclusive resorts in San Diego. But you may want to check out the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa. There's a back door that leads to Legoland. There's also the Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad that some friends of ours really love.

Hope that helps!

 

[tracys2cents]

San Diego sounds like fun, because a six year old would really love Legoland, and probably Sea World. If you stayed in Del Mar you'd be really close to a nice long beach, and you wouldn't be far from those attractions. you'd have maybe an hour drive up to Disneyland however.

You'd fly into San Diego and rent a car.

You might think about flying INTO San Diego, and flying OUT OF Los Angeles, renting the car one-way and seeing a little more of the state.

Where are you from in the east that has ugly beaches? Maybe you should head up to Maine or Cape Cod for a nice long walk on a beautiful beach!!!