What to Do?????

[spongebobxxx]

This is the situation. I'm guessing I'll have about 5 or 6 days in the Disneyland area and theme parks are a main draw for me. However my wife is not nearly as big into theme parks as I am. I also have a 17 year old duaghter and a 10 year old son.
We went to Disneyworld and Universal studios Florida last year for vacation and I had a blast so thats why I'm trying to convince everyone one to try the California theme parks for our next vacation.
Disneyworld was very crowed when we went so the rest of the family did'nt think much of it, but we did take a pontoon boat cruise to watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom which my wife really enjoyed. Universal studios was a big hit for my kids and myself plus I think my wife even liked it a little. We also did other things like drove to the beach at Daytona which was a huge hit with the kids since they have never even seen the ocean before. My duaghter liked parasailing and my son liked driving the golf cart rental along the beach, but my wife got extremely worried when the rest of us went out in the water so I don't think that was her favorite thing. Skull Kingdom in Orlando was a big favorite of everyone.
I don't know much about the LA area except what I read. So I'm asking anyone here to suggest things that might convince the rest of my family to take a vacation there.
After reading a few posts here I kinda liked the thought of taking in a movie at El captian Theater, although a movie will sound like a waste of time on a vacation to the rest of the family the extras sound good to me and I'm thinking everyone else would like that. I'm also thinking about a tour but I don't now if anyone else would care for that since my duaghter and son might think thats boring. We've never been on one so I don't know what exactly they do or how to explain it to my wife. But anyway I don't want to focus too hard on touring since one would probaly be our limit for first timers. I'm looking more at limiting the themepark adventures to one or 2 places (where?) and increasing the rest of the activities but I just have no idea how. Help!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I've never been (taking my first trip in a few weeks, and then going only to DL), but here are some things I'd love to do if my kids were older: Visit Catalina Island, San Juan Capistrano, San Diego, a beautiful beach, maybe Universal Studios. La Brea Tar Pits? San Diego Zoo is world-class, but your kids may not care for zoos anymore. Your kids might like Santa Monica, Venice Beach or something with more interesting people to watch.

 

[tmt martins]

Look at the Southern Cali pass It gives you 3 days DL/CA ,1 Day US, 1 day Seaworld,and a Day at either SD zoo or wildpark .This was great for us in June .
We also did Mission beach in SD ,venis,huntington and san monica peir in LA .Hollywood also has a lot of great stuff as well.

 

[cinderella_mom]

You didn't say when you're coming. If it's warm enough, you'll want to spend a few hours at a nice beach.

 

[spongebobxxx]

You didn't say when you're coming. If it's warm enough, you'll want to spend a few hours at a nice beach.

I'm not sure when were going yet, just started to plan things. A visit to an ocean beach is a must when the chance comes around for us folks that live in the frozen north .