Trip Planning Advice

[csharpwv]

My wife and I are planning our first trip to California together - I have been twice for work in the last year, and DW wants to see what all the fuss is about!

We are staying a few nights at the Disneyland Hotel - and a few nights at the Grand Californian. But we have a few nights left and I thought about the Hotel Del Coronado - but the reviews on trip advisor of that property are all over the place, and for the amount of money - definitely not willing to take a gamble.

We are spending 8 nights total, and have lodging for all but two night at the end of our trip - so we are totally open on where to stay, but we have to be back in Orange County to fly out on the last morning of our trip - rental car drop off is at 8:30am I think.

Any suggestions about what other things we should do?

We plan to spend 1.5 days at Disneyland and 1.5 days at California Adventure Park - so we have the Disney end covered - now it's just on to what else we want to do.

The other thing on my agenda is a morning or afternoon drive up the Pacific Coast Highway from Huntington Beach to Ventura. (Any alternate route suggestions)

We are open to Hollywood, Downtown LA, Beaches, natural wonders, museums, and just about anything else. We aren't really 'nightlife' people - we are more arts and sciences people LOL - Yes we are dorky LOL

Any suggestions? Advice? Warnings? Must sees? Don't bother?

Any advice would be of assistance!

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

For your Disneyland trip specifically, you said you plan to spend 1.5 days at Disneyland then 1.5 days at California Adventure, but I encourage you to just park hop back and forth between both parks on each of those three days. You'll accomplish far more that way. There is no need to designate one day to one park specifically.

As far as other area attractions, if you are considering San Diego, there are of course Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (about 45 min. north of San Diego proper in Escondido). Balboa Park (where the zoo is located) is also home to TONS of museums, I mean...TONS. If you're into that, you might definitely enjoy it. You don't have to do both the zoo and Safari Park if you have limited time in San Diego, and if you're only planning on doing one, I'd suggest the zoo, especially since you will probably want to see other things in Balboa Park as well

The Del Coronado is a pricey hotel and generally gets great reviews, but it's price and location don't make it an ideal "San Diego hub" if that's what you're looking for.

 

[csharpwv]

Sonny Jane - Thanks for for all the advice!

I haven't been to Disneyland for a full day yet - I've only been in the evenings and for part of the day on the weekends, so I haven't 'managed' a full day in either park yet!

We have pretty much ruled out the Hotel Del Coronado - while it would be really cool to stay there - you are correct it isn't central to the excitement in San Diego.

I definitely want to see Balboa Park - I wish we could be there on a Sunday afternoon as I hear the outdoor organ concerts are fantastic.

What beaches are less of a meat market scene than others?

 

[sonnyjane]

What beaches are less of a meat market scene than others?

I spent 10 years of my life living in Florida with white, sandy beaches and nice clear water, so I'm not much a fan of CA beaches. That said, avoid Pacific Beach and Mission Beach if you want to avoid the young crowd. Go to La Jolla instead, and while you're there you can check out the seals at Children's Pool and the other wildlife in La Jolla Cove