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LA & San Diego days out advice
debs66_2
Posts: 304 Forumite
Hi all,
we are going to California this summer (2 fortysomethings + 2 teen girls 16 + 18). we went last year, so know where we are going, and have done quite a bit. that said, we don't just want to go back and do a repeat holiday, so thought i'd ask the wonderful people on this forum for some recommendations for days out at parks etc.
to note, last year we did Universal, Hollywood, The Getty Museum, Vegas, Sea World.
We are staying our first week in Dana Point, just south of LA, then move down the coast, 30 mins north of San Diego, for another 8 days.
Bearing in mind our ages, does anyone have any experience of Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland or Catalina Island tours?
Re San Diego area, and recommendations re San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, or a day trip to Tijuana?
Any other ideas very welcome.
Thanks in advance
we are going to California this summer (2 fortysomethings + 2 teen girls 16 + 18). we went last year, so know where we are going, and have done quite a bit. that said, we don't just want to go back and do a repeat holiday, so thought i'd ask the wonderful people on this forum for some recommendations for days out at parks etc.
to note, last year we did Universal, Hollywood, The Getty Museum, Vegas, Sea World.
We are staying our first week in Dana Point, just south of LA, then move down the coast, 30 mins north of San Diego, for another 8 days.
Bearing in mind our ages, does anyone have any experience of Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland or Catalina Island tours?
Re San Diego area, and recommendations re San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, or a day trip to Tijuana?
Any other ideas very welcome.
Thanks in advance
Blonde jokes are one-liners so men can remember them...;)
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Comments
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Knotts berry farm is good fun, there are 2 really good coasters. It is quite small but you can normally get reduced prices with a coke can or by visiting a fast food outlet first (check on their website). If you are more into real thrill seeking you could go to Six Flags (north of LA) where there are some of the biggest, fastest, tallest coasters in the world, about 16 I think.
If you like horse racing try Santa Anita races where you can get a private box for about $15 a head, it again is north of LA in/next to Pasadena (good shopping). The races is an experiance as it has a 26000 seat grandstand, with a view over the mountains0 -
Thanks for the tips about the races. On our second week we are fairly close to Del Mar, and was wondering about the races there. anybody been??Blonde jokes are one-liners so men can remember them...;)0
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Did a day trip to Catalina by boat then took the bus tour when we got there, it was a sunny day which made all the difference and 1 day was just about enough for me but if you are into horses there is a pony trecking outfit on the island that does overnight trips.
Knotts Berry Farm is also worth a day and there is a waterslide park not far from there that is good for about half a day
Huntington and Newport beaches are good for surfing.
For history there is the mission at Capestrano and for nature the Joshua Tree National Park is not too far.
Slightly further is Calico Ghost town off I.15 it is a bit tacky but fun just the same.
These are just some of the place that I could suggest, part of the fun is when you just stumble upon something rather that plan a visit to the last detail.0 -
It's many years since I've been, but I loved San Diego Zoo, beautiful surroundings - and they had a "European Hedgehog" on show because it was a novelty!:heartpuls Mrs Marleyboy :heartpuls
MSE: many of the benefits of a helpful family, without disadvantages like having to compete for the tv remote
Proud Parents to an Aut-some son 0 -
Calico Ghost Town is great. I didn't find it at all tacky! We loved it. My daughter who was 14 at the time loved it too. In San Diego go for a boat trip around Mission Bay. Also worth a visit is San Diego Old Town. Disneyland is well worth a day out. It is a lot smaller than Disney World so very do-able in 1 day. When we were in LA/San Diego, we drove down the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco - a gorgeous drive. Whatever you decide to do - have a great trip.0
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Calico is way too far out for a day trip in my opinion as its on the way to Vegas,
The Zoo is a great day out as is the surrounding park area, visit the old town of San Diego its like a living museum lots of little shops curios and how it was back way back.
Tijuana now yes it was a great day out for us 3 years ago nice to see the difference between Mexico and the US but since our visit 3 years ago i am thinking its gone down hill some, great for buying leather belts and goods cheap but crap fake watches, but the town is run by drug barons and is now murder capital of mexico some 300 since the new year dont worry its the drug gangs mainly. If you do decide to go go by bus which is locaated just on the US border they know the quick way back into the US if you drive you will be waiting for hours potentially as its the busiest border crossing in the world.
Palm Springs is a good day trip, visit their walk of fame go up one of the man made wonders of the world, yep a revolving cable car up the mountain will take you 8500 up and its a great ride with great views take a picnic up or enjoy the restaurant.
San Diego visit the Harbour do a tour of the air craft carrier probably not a girl thing but its ok.
Sunday do a all u can eat and drink champagne brunch at Oceanside harbour, this is a fantastic deal if still running runs from 11-2pm but once sat down the deal runs and runs, was sat there gone 4 and still sipping champers over looking the harbour.
Girls do shopping dont they ...ummm yes, then go visit the outlet malls again i found one in San Diego near the border and one up towards Oceanside the exact location i cant recall right now but designer lables and good prices. Visit La Jolla and watch the seals splash in the sea.
Just a couple of thoughts:hello: Lets all save a £ or two, lets all earn a £ or two, and lets all enjoy spending that £ or two wisely.
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thanks to you all - now surfing to check them all out!
mitchg, the mall near Oceanside is the Carlsbad Mall. we did it loads of times last year as we stayed fairly close by.Blonde jokes are one-liners so men can remember them...;)0 -
Debs your right thanks for the reminder. Shopped there ourselves a couple of times whilst in the area.:hello: Lets all save a £ or two, lets all earn a £ or two, and lets all enjoy spending that £ or two wisely.
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Check out AmTrack. Much of the line between LA and San Diego runs beside the Pacific Ocean, and so the views are glorious. The railway station in LA is worth a visit in its own right -- built like a cathedral but virtually deserted.0
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How close to The walk of Fame, Chinese theatre etc is LA station? wondering if it will be practical to jump on an Amtrack from Anaheim into LA as its only working out about $30 a return for 4 of us0
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