Using VGC as our base....what are other "must see" daytrips?

[KarenB]

We will be staying at VGC in July for 8 nights in a 2 bedroom. It will be DH, me, and our DSs 21 and 20. We will be getting at least a 3 day park hopper, possibly just getting the So Cal City Pass. We also want to hit Universal for a day. We will be renting a car.

What are some other "must do" things you feel we should do? We would like to try to see a taping of or live show, go to the tacky, touristy part of Hollywood, and at least one day at a beach (I vote for more than one day).

What do you think about a day or part of a day at Venice Beach? Is Catalina Island worth going to? We are hikers and I saw that there are hiking paths throughout the island. DSs are HUGE movie buffs, so maybe a Hollywood bus tour? I would love to go to a surfing beach, mostly to take photographs.

We are game for anything!! We also like to eat where the locals eat rather than chains.

Thanks,
Karen

 

[Duane]

Thanks for asking this Karen. We are leaving weekend after next from NC to DL to do the very same thing. We will be staying on DVC points at VGC, "doing" DL and DCA for a couple or three days, and will probably explore around the area for some other "neat stuff".

I am anxious to see what the "natives" suggest...

Duane

 

[Sherry E]

Hi! I definitely think Catalina Island is worth it! That is a great place to go for a day trip - a full, well-rounded day - or a weekend trip, however you want to shape it. It is my other favorite place in SoCal (DLR being my first)! I have not been to Catalina in about 6 years, sadly, just because of money and what not, but prior to that, I had spent many a summer trip there, ranging from one-day trips to one-week trips, over the course of 15 years or so.

First of all, you can view the 2010 Catalina Visitors Guide online, but they send it out for free, and it is thick like a magazine, so I always like to actually have a copy of it to thumb through at home. Here is the link to either view or order the FREE Visitors Guide:

http://www.catalinachamber.com/catalina/

Also, I have two full pages of Catalina photos on Pages 26 and 30 of my existing DLR Trip Report ("FOUR Trip Reports and a Trip Down Memory Lane (1972-2009)! 37 Years of Pics!!!"), in case you would like to take a look:

Catalina Island pictures:

Page 26 (post #376, #377, #387, #388 and #389): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1979268&page=26

Page 30 (post #439, #440, #441 and #442): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1979268&page=30

You will see that I kind of explain my love for Catalina (in the DLR TR), and the reasons I like to be there. As I said, I have done day trips there as well as week-long trips. I have done very slow, lazy trips and I have done action-packed, busy day trips with 4 tours and a golf cart rental. You can kind of tailor it to your preferences and needs. It is beautiful in Avalon - you should make a visit!

 

[Sherry E]

Karen, I merged your two identical threads together - we only need to have one.

 

[KarenB]

Thanks Sherry....for both the info and the merge. I wasn't sure which board I would get replies from.

I am going to request the Visitor's Guide and take a look at the pictures! We can't wait to go. Went did a similar trip a few years ago, but split our stay between DL and San Diego and with only youngest DS.The kids are getting older and this will probably be one of our last trips together so we really want to make the best of it!

Karen

 

[jlmarr]

DSs are HUGE movie buffs, so maybe a Hollywood bus tour?

Universal Studios would be good for the movie buff. They also have a VIP tour, for which the Disboard Podcast gave a great review. Nearby Warner Brothers Studio has a tour which I've heard good things about, and Disney and NBC Studios are nearby. I'm not sure what the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien situation will be in July, but they both tape in that vicinity.

 

[Quilter007]

We like the Peking Dragon in Dana Point for fabulous Chinese. It's very close to the beach.

At the Dana Point Beaches there are good BBQ areas to BBQ w/ coals. There is usually a tall ship in the harbor.

We also like the San Clemente Pier area. At the San Clemente Pier there is a restaurant right on the pier that has good seafood. You can also rent surf boards & wetsuits right down there. There is a park area for little kids, picnic area if you want to get El Pollo Loco.

We have to get Inn N Out & El Pollo Loco fix when we go.

Dana Point & San Clemente are about 25 minutes south on the 5. It takes a little longer, but is more scenic if you drive south on PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). You can also explore Laguna Beach, although be warned that it has gotten very touristy.

 

[La2kw]

I would do Universal Studios. It's a real studio with some theme park elements (as opposed to Florida's which is a them park with a few fake studio elements). You will see real movie sets being used currently on the backlot tram. Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives and Grandview from Ghost Whisperer are often on the route, as well as the plane crash from War of the Worlds and the Psycho House.

Venice beach is a fun experience, as is Newport Beach. I would also plan a trip to the Getty museum and perhaps a movie at the El Capitan theater in Hollywood (an old movie house restored by Disney showing Disney movies). Plan a lunch or dinner at the adjacent Disney soda fountain, which serves sandwiches and ice cream sundaes from Dewar's (a great old-time ice cream parlor in Bakersfield California).

The Griffith Park Observatory in Hollywood is also a fun, free diversion and happens to be where scenes from James Dean's Rebel Without a Cause were filmed. You can also find the real "Hollywood Tower Hotel" in Hollywood of the 170 freeway if you are interested. I think it's an apartment building now, but it's interesting to see the inspiration for the Florida TOT.

 

[Jollean]

My votes:
Catalina Island - Do this trip once and it will always be a part of your Disneyland vacations. We have been once for a day trip and this time we are staying over night!

Hollywood Tour - Don't bother. This was good in the 70's, not now.

Universal - Is worth experiencing. I liked it best in Florida though.

Knott's - Is worth experiencing but not if you don't like regular rides or if you are theme parked out.

Medieval Times Dinner Show - I think this is a unique experienced that should be had.

Six Flags - If you love coasters you should go. Otherwise skip this one.

Shopping - There are some really neat malls in Orange County. One outdoor mall that I really enjoyed going to and then some discount shopping areas as well. They are all really close. Ask your hotel where is close and good there are quite a few. Do not ask your cab driver. They want to take you a ways to make money and we ended up on a $35 cab ride to a mall that was very exspensive. We liked the $6.00 cab ride to the discount stores much better!

Hope this helps



This is what we have done

 

[endy]

Since no one else mentioned baseball...
The Angels may be in town. Angel Stadium is very close.

 

[DDhunter]

Pirates Dinner Adventure in Beuna Park down the street from Knotts is extremely fun. You get to sing and interact extensively with your "pirate." They also have a fun pre-dinner show and "free" appetizers.

I actually prefer it to the Medieval times.

 

[jlmarr]

Since no one else mentioned baseball...
The Angels may be in town. Angel Stadium is very close.

Yes, true. In fact the All Star Game will be here on July 13th.

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=ana&m=7&y=2010

 

[blackjackdelta]

Universal Studios would be good for the movie buff. They also have a VIP tour, for which the Disboard Podcast gave a great review. Nearby Warner Brothers Studio has a tour which I've heard good things about, and Disney and NBC Studios are nearby. I'm not sure what the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien situation will be in July, but they both tape in that vicinity.

I have done the VIP tour at USH x 3and it can not be beat. If you decide to book it. Ask to have Tim Hodgin as your guide. They will not gaurantee, but they will do their best. The catered lunch is amazing. They will take you down to where Conan shoots, the sound rooms(dubbing) etc.

Jack

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Jimmy Kimmel tapes in the building next to Disney's El Capitan theater and the Disney Soda Fountain. You might be able to kill two birds with one stone and check out a bunch of freaks in front of the Kodak theater, too...three birds with one stone!

 

[jlmarr]

Sure, Grauman's Chinese Theater across the street, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame underfoot - 5 birds with one stone.

Maybe the OP and group could do homework to find out which stars they are interested in and seek those out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stars_on_the_Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame

 

[Brady's Mom]

For food choices we always check out Yelp.com for reviews and suggestions in the area where we are staying. The reviews are by local people who go to the local restaurants. You can find reviews for chains - but we usually skip chain restaurants and opt for local flavor and local experiences when we travel. One of our current favorite places in the Anaheim area (Garden Grove) is Boiling Crab. Louisiana crab boil flavor and fresh seafood - we can't get those easily where we live. And we found them through Yelp, gave it a try and had a great time.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Just bumping up to see if anyone else might have something to add as I am interested in the local sights and dining also.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I would do a day at Venice beach and surroundings. Great for people watching, I sometimes think the night folks from Hollywood and Vine go there during the day.

Jack

 

[plutorules]

We're doing the same thing. Staying on points... If your vacation budget can stretch it, the cruise ships leave out of Long Beach. We're doing 8 days at VGC and then a cruise to Mexico on Carnival...

We're not getting a car, but we arranged a day at Knotts Berry Farm, and we bought tickets to an Angels game. It looks like the stadium is less than 3 miles away. It would be a cheap cab ride there if it's that close!

Just sharing what we're doing next month!
Shawn in AK

 

[the donut]

We are game for anything!! We also like to eat where the locals eat rather than chains.

Thanks,
Karen

If you're an adventurous eater, there are some really excellent Korean and Vietnamese restaurants not too far away. Some friends of my parents (who are Korean) took us to an excellent restaurant on one of our trips that was about 15 minutes drive from Disneyland. I can look up the name if you're interested.