Suggestions and Help with Planning with 10 y.o.

[Figment&Piglet]

DH, DD 10 and myself are going to DL area Fri. 4/12 - Sat. 4/20. For lower crowds, we want to "save" our 4 park days for Mon Tue Th & Fri, and know we wan to go to the San Diego Zoo on one of our free days (Sat Sun or Wed). Would we be smartest to go on the weekend, assuming less traffic? IF so how long should the drive reasonably take?

Second, we need suggestions for our other two free days. Have been reading these boards for ideas, but none strikes us. We think it'll be too cold for the beach, but wouldn't mind driving the coast just to see it for a few hours, if that's logical/reasonable. Where would we head to?

Also, would like to do Hollywood, but are unsure if it would be best to drive there and find a tour (what's best with a 10 y.o.) or try to find points of interest (def. the Hollywood sign and walk of fame, etc.) and map it ourselves (where would we start)?

We don't think we want to go to USH or SW, because 10 y.o. is not a thrill-rider and we can do similar things during our annual trip to Orlando. Science museum would be interesting only for shuttle. Any other ideas?

Thanks,

 

[SA mom]

We were in California last June and went to San Diego Zoo on a Saturday. The morning was great, but by noon, it was really crowded. Plan to be there first thing in the morning and prepare yourself for crowds. It is so wonderful, we wished we has another day to spend there!