What else to do in LA

[bcparker]

Hi! My family is from Missouri and we are taking our kids (three girls ages 11, 9, and 6) to California for the first time ever in two weeks! We will be flying into San Diego and going to SeaWorld and then going to Santa Barbara to see my sister for a few days. For our last two days in California, we will be driving down to LA one day, going to Disneyland the next day, and then flying home the day after that. I'm wondering if there are cool things that we should try to do in or on our way to LA on the day before we go to DL. We are planning on doing DTD the night before, having dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, going to Build-A-Bear, and hopefully doing all of our DLLL shopping in DTD that evening. The kids will also swim in the pool that day. Are there other things we should try to see/do that day on our way down from Santa Barbara? We don't want to tire everyone out before DL, but we do want to take advantage our time in California. Cheap is good, but free is even better! My sister had suggested maybe stopping at Malibu and we had considered maybe going to the Getty and to Chinatown. Are those things worth our very limited time? Do you have better ideas? Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Purrkins]

Daytrip to Catalina?

See the Space Shuttle in LA?

Beach day?

Griffith Park?

The Natural History Museum?

 

[Huff]

Whale Watching out of Dana Wharf or Santa Barbara

Farrells Ice Cream Parlor in Brea, about 8 miles from Disneyland

San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park

Santa Monica Pier

 

[OldKeyWelsh]

I would definitely recommend a trip to Griffith Park - great views of LA and the Hollywood Sign, and also free.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I would do a second day at Disneyland. One day will barely scratch the surface.

 

[SMD]

Unless you have a recommendation for a specific restaurant, skip Chinatown. It's not much of a tourist destination like San Francisco. I agree with PP, consider doing 2 days at Disney at a more relaxed pace. It's better than trying to jam in LA sightseeing followed by a hurried day in the parks. Maybe you can pick something to do when you pass between San Diego and Santa Barbara. Maybe Farmer's Market/The Grove (they have an American Girl store) for lunch and then a stop in Griffith Park. I personally like the cafeteria and the Getty, though it might not be a great choice for a 9 and 6 year old unless they do well in art museums. Seeing the Space Shuttle was also a great suggestion.

 

[julm26]

I would skip Build a Bear - you can do that any mall in America. We plan on going to Griffith Observatory, La Brea tar pits, graumans, walk of fame, santa monica, farmers market and the grove

 

[perlster]

I would definitely recommend a trip to Griffith Park - great views of LA and the Hollywood Sign, and also free.

Photos of the Observatory and some of the other places mentioned are here.

 

[wiigirl]

I would do a second day at Disneyland. One day will barely scratch the surface.

Agreed!

 

[Epek]

Go right to Disneyland from SB! It takes 2+ hrs to get to LA, then another 1.5 to get to DL. (Assuming traffic) Add in a stop (3+ hrs) and your kids won't have any pool time, nor will you have a very leisurely evening at DTD.

 

[summerw]

I'm for another Disney day or the beach if your kids havent seen it.