Visiting LA while at Disney?

[NJlauren]

We were planning a trip 8 days and hitting, San Diego, Disneyland and Los Angles. However after some discussion we thought it was to much jumping around and trying to fit to much in.

So now I am thinking just San Diego and Disneyland and taking 1 day to do some things outside of Disneyland, either Newport, Long beach, Santa Monica. Is this a crazy idea?

If you don't think its crazy what are some good day activities?

I know I could do DL for the full 4 DL days, but we are thinking a day to break it up and see some other stuff.

Eta: It will be me, my husband, and 22 month old daughter.

 

[Ckkk]

It really depends when you're going and who you're going with. Assuming its a family trip, Universal Studios/tourist hollywood/griffith observatory are things I often recommend for LA. Santa Monica Pier and Malibu are always nice visits when its warm. I cant think of much to do in Long Beach other than bars and the beach.

 

[vettegirl]

We like the Hollywood area and Beverly Hills for the window shopping. Also the Peterson Automobile Museum is amazing and was just remodeled.

 

[NJlauren]

It really depends when you're going and who you're going with. Assuming its a family trip, Universal Studios/tourist hollywood/griffith observatory are things I often recommend for LA. Santa Monica Pier and Malibu are always nice visits when its warm. I cant think of much to do in Long Beach other than bars and the beach.

Thank you! And it's not crazy to stay in Disney and do a day trip?

We like the Hollywood area and Beverly Hills for the window shopping. Also the Peterson Automobile Museum is amazing and was just remodeled.

Thank you!

 

[luulu1999]

we liked griffith observatory and santa monica we will prob go to Santa Monica again our next trip we havent done San Diego yet because we usually drive from MO so all that extra driving is a little much for us lol I have been looking into touring the uss IOWA this trip also!

 

[Bud Ice]

Within OC...

- Knotts Berry Farm.
- Medieval Times / Pirates Adventure Dinner Shows.
- Costa Mesa - South Coast Plaza is a huge upscale mall area. IKEA nearby.
- Newport/Huntington Beach - Beach stuff if youre interested.

LA...

- Hollywood would be a cool daytrip. Disneys El Capitan and Chinese Theatre.
- Studio Tours in Burbank.
- Universal Studios.
- Santa Monica Pier.

 

[mummabear]

We were planning a trip 8 days and hitting, San Diego, Disneyland and Los Angles. However after some discussion we thought it was to much jumping around and trying to fit to much in.

So now I am thinking just San Diego and Disneyland and taking 1 day to do some things outside of Disneyland, either Newport, Long beach, Santa Monica. Is this a crazy idea?

If you don't think its crazy what are some good day activities?

I know I could do DL for the full 4 DL days, but we are thinking a day to break it up and see some other stuff.

Eta: It will be me, my husband, and 22 month old daughter.

We normally hit the LA area for 2-: weeks, we stay in San Diego for 2-3 nights and the rest in Anaheim, we have always visited around LA as well as DLR.
I will earn you the traffic to Santa Monica can be terrible last trip it took us over 3 hours to get back, we like it there and always have a good time renting bikes and going for a ride but o don't think it is worth the time investment of getting there and back.
I wouldn't recommend US for a 22 month old but SW in SD would be perfect and both the Zoo and the Safari park are great

 

[Ckkk]

Its a little bit crazy to do a day trip from Disneyland, but it can be done if planned correctly. I actually did this a few weeks ago. I live about 15 from Disneyland and decided to have breakfast and see star wars in Hollywood. Only took me about an hour to get into the city and I then had to make my way back to Disneyland around 2PM and didnt make it to Anaheim until almost 5.

It will probably take anywhere from 1-2 hours to get to Hollywood from Disney and a little bit less to get into Santa Monica and those are generous estimates with consideration for morning traffic. As long as you leave LA past 8/9PM your trip home will be around an hour. Whatever you do, do not attempt to leave LA between the hours of 3-7PM

 

[beachdreamr1229]

With a little one, Long Beach Aquarium might be fun...Honestly, there isn't a lot to do in LA for a toddler. I'd recommend sticking with San Diego and DL. If you need something else to do one day and really can't find anything at Disneyland, check out the Discovery Cube. There will be hands-on activities for your toddler at least.

 

[NJlauren]

we liked griffith observatory and santa monica we will prob go to Santa Monica again our next trip we havent done San Diego yet because we usually drive from MO so all that extra driving is a little much for us lol I have been looking into touring the uss IOWA this trip also!

Thank you, i was thinking Santa Monica, but don't really want to spend to much time driving..

Within OC...

- Knotts Berry Farm.
- Medieval Times / Pirates Adventure Dinner Shows.
- Costa Mesa - South Coast Plaza is a huge upscale mall area. IKEA nearby.
- Newport/Huntington Beach - Beach stuff if youre interested.

LA...

- Hollywood would be a cool daytrip. Disneys El Capitan and Chinese Theatre.
- Studio Tours in Burbank.
- Universal Studios.
- Santa Monica Pier.

Thank you!

We normally hit the LA area for 2-: weeks, we stay in San Diego for 2-3 nights and the rest in Anaheim, we have always visited around LA as well as DLR.
I will earn you the traffic to Santa Monica can be terrible last trip it took us over 3 hours to get back, we like it there and always have a good time renting bikes and going for a ride but o don't think it is worth the time investment of getting there and back.
I wouldn't recommend US for a 22 month old but SW in SD would be perfect and both the Zoo and the Safari park are great

This is what i am worried about the drive...

Its a little bit crazy to do a day trip from Disneyland, but it can be done if planned correctly. I actually did this a few weeks ago. I live about 15 from Disneyland and decided to have breakfast and see star wars in Hollywood. Only took me about an hour to get into the city and I then had to make my way back to Disneyland around 2PM and didnt make it to Anaheim until almost 5.

It will probably take anywhere from 1-2 hours to get to Hollywood from Disney and a little bit less to get into Santa Monica and those are generous estimates with consideration for morning traffic. As long as you leave LA past 8/9PM your trip home will be around an hour. Whatever you do, do not attempt to leave LA between the hours of 3-7PM

Thank you! I am thinking maybe its not worth it.

With a little one, Long Beach Aquarium might be fun...Honestly, there isn't a lot to do in LA for a toddler. I'd recommend sticking with San Diego and DL. If you need something else to do one day and really can't find anything at Disneyland, check out the Discovery Cube. There will be hands-on activities for your toddler at least.

Oh i am sure i could find enough to do in DL and SD. The original plan was go to Santa Monica for 2 days so cutting that out seems like maybe we are missing something. DH feels there is enough to do there for 2/3 days but doesn't want a whole week at Disney either..

 

[luulu1999]

I really didnt remember it being that long of a drive but I remember now we went to the observatory first and went to Santa Monica from there so it didnt seem that far, we also went to Newport beach one day they have Balboa fun zone and Island we never made it to that the day we went only to the beach