SoCal people - family vacation coming up...

[PersianKitty]

Calling all So Cal people..

Looking for suggestions.... Where should I stay if I'm hauling the family down in October for a week and we want to do the touristy stuff in the LA area and San Diego? (not Disneyland though). Two of the group does have to be in Anaheim for the first two days though.

There is a possibility of switching hotels partway through.. spend some days in a LA hotel and then a few days in an SD hotel.

[brassmonkey]

my family is boycotting cali a shame i wanted to hit up universal studios there.

[Semi-Retired-Dave]

That all depends, do you want to be in the heart of Hollywood? Or maybe near Universal Studios?

Anaheim is about an hour away about an hour and half with traffic.

[PersianKitty]

Originally Posted by CyberAge-Dave

That all depends, do you want to be in the heart of Hollywood? Or maybe near Universal Studios?

Anaheim is about an hour away about an hour and half with traffic.

Kinda thinking somewhere central. The first two days, one of the group is staying at the Anaheim Marriott for a convention, then will be join the rest. A second person will go back and forth both days from wherever we are staying. During those two days, myself, my daughter in law and the grandbaby will be playing tourist in and around LA. I'm trying to convince them that at the age of two, the grandbaby is too young for Disneyland and they should wait to take her in a few years. My daughter-in-law is the only one in the group that hasn't been and she's itching to go, but I think the rest of us would be miserable.. waiting around why she rides rides and hanging onto the 2 year old cause there's only so much she can ride.

I'll be renting a vehicle big enough for 5 adults and a car seat.

I definitely will be doing a couple of days in the SD area the last of the trip.. do the Zoo, the wildlife part, etc. I want to hit Coronado also.

When I took the boys in 1998, we stayed the entire time at the Disneyland Hotel in two adjoining rooms at the end of a hallway... but then we drove down and spent our time driving back up 101.

This time it's flying down and back, renting a car, figuring where to stay, etc. I'm not beyond a decent vacation home rental if there's one in a central location.

[Semi-Retired-Dave]

Originally Posted by PersianKitty

Kinda thinking somewhere central. The first two days, one of the group is staying at the Anaheim Marriott for a convention, then will be join the rest. A second person will go back and forth both days from wherever we are staying. During those two days, myself, my daughter in law and the grandbaby will be playing tourist in and around LA. I'm trying to convince them that at the age of two, the grandbaby is too young for Disneyland and they should wait to take her in a few years. My daughter-in-law is the only one in the group that hasn't been and she's itching to go, but I think the rest of us would be miserable.. waiting around why she rides rides and hanging onto the 2 year old cause there's only so much she can ride.

I'll be renting a vehicle big enough for 5 adults and a car seat.

I definitely will be doing a couple of days in the SD area the last of the trip.. do the Zoo, the wildlife part, etc. I want to hit Coronado also.

When I took the boys in 1998, we stayed the entire time at the Disneyland Hotel in two adjoining rooms at the end of a hallway... but then we drove down and spent our time driving back up 101.

This time it's flying down and back, renting a car, figuring where to stay, etc. I'm not beyond a decent vacation home rental if there's one in a central location.

Funny you say that about Disneyland, My twins just turned One, everyone has been asking me if I took them to Disneyland yet. I said now, I'll wait till they are around 3 or 4, they think I am being selfish. How much can a kid do at 1 or 2 years old at Disneyland.

I personally don't think there is anything decent in between LA and Anaheim,
If you are going to hangout around the LA area, Maybe the Hilton in Studio City
would be your best choice. It also sits right off the 101, minutes away from everything in LA.

Not sure about a Vacation Home Rental, SD is about 2 hours away from LA.

If you like Downtown, LA Live just opened last year.
http://www.lalive.com/

[PersianKitty]

I waited to take my boys to Disneyland until they were 14 and 11. They really enjoyed it at that age. There's only so much a 2 year old can do there and then she's stuck with someone waiting while others ride. It's my DIL that wants to go so bad and she's the baby's momma so she'd been riding and I'd be watching the gbaby get crankier and making everyone miserable.

I'd love to stay in town somewhere, but then I'd be stuck driving one of the group to the Anaheim Convention Center two different days and then back again. I'm thinking it may be better to stay down that way somewhere at least the first 2 to 3 nights. That way I'm only driving out and back once (for example if the girls go into town for shopping or something).

[Grapesoda]

Originally Posted by PersianKitty

Kinda thinking somewhere central. The first two days, one of the group is staying at the Anaheim Marriott for a convention, then will be join the rest. A second person will go back and forth both days from wherever we are staying. During those two days, myself, my daughter in law and the grandbaby will be playing tourist in and around LA. I'm trying to convince them that at the age of two, the grandbaby is too young for Disneyland and they should wait to take her in a few years. My daughter-in-law is the only one in the group that hasn't been and she's itching to go, but I think the rest of us would be miserable.. waiting around why she rides rides and hanging onto the 2 year old cause there's only so much she can ride.

I'll be renting a vehicle big enough for 5 adults and a car seat.

I definitely will be doing a couple of days in the SD area the last of the trip.. do the Zoo, the wildlife part, etc. I want to hit Coronado also.

When I took the boys in 1998, we stayed the entire time at the Disneyland Hotel in two adjoining rooms at the end of a hallway... but then we drove down and spent our time driving back up 101.

This time it's flying down and back, renting a car, figuring where to stay, etc. I'm not beyond a decent vacation home rental if there's one in a central location.

I rent cars very often... tell them $450 a week unlimited miles for a big SUV

[ASW]

I would say Universal Studios

[Atticus]

2 1/2 - 3 is perfect for a kids first trip to Disney. I've always loved Disneyland but being able to see my sons face the first time he went was priceless. Just having them meet a character is great and plenty of little rides they can go on. It's that wild eyed wonderment age.

Since that first time my wife and I got annual passes and we drive in from Vegas 2-3 times a year. Call me a dork but I love it. Ride Splash Mountain, eat a Churro, have a gumbo bread bowl in New Orleans Square, leave everything behind for a day. One of my Happy Places. lol

[PenisFace]

Originally Posted by PersianKitty

Calling all So Cal people..

Looking for suggestions.... Where should I stay if I'm hauling the family down in October for a week and we want to do the touristy stuff in the LA area and San Diego? (not Disneyland though). Two of the group does have to be in Anaheim for the first two days though.

There is a possibility of switching hotels partway through.. spend some days in a LA hotel and then a few days in an SD hotel.

Stay in Anaheim at the Disney Land hotel. I did that when I was 12, and it was the best ever. Man you can totally go to Disneyland like 5 times in a week! It will be so cool. Go to that island in the park where they have the forest setup that you can run around in. Also do the haunted mansion thingy with that stretching elevator!

Er, I'm all grown up now, but I want to do all that again... Isn't that normal?

[MovieMaster]

Im Partical to Orange County... Newport Beach, HB, Anaheim

[PersianKitty]

Originally Posted by Jesus H Christ

SD, SeaWorld, ZOO, TJ (day only)
LA, 6 Flags, Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier, ..I could write a book on the best restaurants.

Won't be doing SeaWorld.. we have before.. and I don't relish taking a 2 yr old to TJ. Mainly the Zoo and maybe the Wildlife park down there.. would love to hit up Coronado, but I think it might bore the 20somethings..

As far as restaurants.. I know I want to find a good sushi place and definitely will be heading to BH for Fogo de Chao since they don't want to put one in Seattle.

[Semi-Retired-Dave]

Originally Posted by Jesus H Christ

Finding good Sushi in LA is about as hard as finding a beautiful sunny day in LA.

Well Said,
There are some good ones in small alley streets, and there are some good ones owned by A-List Celebs with the ambiance of Celebs.

[Blazing]

YEAH!!!! The OC is the place to be.... an easy hour drive to LA, 20 min to Disneyland, and 90 min. to S.D. Let me know what type of lodging your looking for and I will point you in the right direction.

I do suggest Huntington or Newport Beach... You wont even need to change hotels, you can easily get to all of So. Cal. from here.

http://www.shorebreakhotel.com/

http://www.waterfrontresort.com/

http://www.huntingtonbeach.hyatt.com...tels/index.jsp

http://www.hienewportbeach.com/

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=05598&disablenav=false &sob=C05

http://www.newportbeachwalkhotel.com/

You also have the option of renting a beach house. There are a ton of those available, and decent rates that time of year. Let me know and I will show you where to look.

For San Diego, I suggest either in the Gas Lamp District, or down by the Harbor...

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...el-and-marina/

http://www.hardrockhotelsd.com/?chebs=gl_hrhsd

Lets try to hook up at least for dinner while your here....

[PersianKitty]

Originally Posted by Blazing

Lets try to hook up at least for dinner while your here....

Thanks for the suggestions... I'll get into checking them out. The first couple of days it will be just my daughter-in-law, the gbaby and myself. She knows all about you two ;) and I know you've heard enough from me about them. We will definitely have to hook up.

[PornMogul]

Hit up newport beach in the OC and mission beach in SD. send me a thank you card after your wonderful trip.

[PersianKitty]

After alot of research and the fact that I'd have to get at least two hotel rooms, I've decided to go the vacation rental home route. Looking for a week in October.. 21st to the 28th. Started with VRBO and homeway, etc. Most places have discounts for a week or more. Now to decide close to the beach or with a pool.. (the 20somethings are saying pool).

[LeRoy]

Newport Beach is the spot for OC twenty somethings.

[PersianKitty]

Originally Posted by LeRoy

Newport Beach is the spot for OC twenty somethings.

What about 40somethings? ;)

[JenniDahling]

PK take the Gbaby to Legoland in Oceanside! She'll dig it! There are sometimes good package deals with Legoland and Seaworld including accommodations. You can actually leave the car at Anaheim stadium and take the train down to SD, Legoland has a trolley that picks everyone up at the train stop. A nice way to enjoy the scenery and not worry about traffic and parking.

Baddog has an amazing place in Torrance to get killer sushi, not as overpriced as LA and very original and fresh. If you stay in the South part of LA county, North part of Orange County around the South Bay or Long Beach area, you'll be about an hour away from 45-60 min from BH and only 30 min from anaheim/D-land. You can always do Knotts Berry Farm while you're in Anaheim, my little one actually prefers it to Disney, and its more affordable if you have a group and need to feed everyone at the park.

[LeRoy]

Originally Posted by PersianKitty

What about 40somethings? ;)

Ooops I'm pushin 40 lol

I'll be there

[aimeesweet]

Originally Posted by PersianKitty

Kinda thinking somewhere central. The first two days, one of the group is staying at the Anaheim Marriott for a convention, then will be join the rest. A second person will go back and forth both days from wherever we are staying. During those two days, myself, my daughter in law and the grandbaby will be playing tourist in and around LA. I'm trying to convince them that at the age of two, the grandbaby is too young for Disneyland and they should wait to take her in a few years. My daughter-in-law is the only one in the group that hasn't been and she's itching to go, but I think the rest of us would be miserable.. waiting around why she rides rides and hanging onto the 2 year old cause there's only so much she can ride.

I'll be renting a vehicle big enough for 5 adults and a car seat.

I definitely will be doing a couple of days in the SD area the last of the trip.. do the Zoo, the wildlife part, etc. I want to hit Coronado also.

When I took the boys in 1998, we stayed the entire time at the Disneyland Hotel in two adjoining rooms at the end of a hallway... but then we drove down and spent our time driving back up 101.

This time it's flying down and back, renting a car, figuring where to stay, etc. I'm not beyond a decent vacation home rental if there's one in a central location.

We took our daughter to Disney on her 2nd birthday for the first time... we had a great time... I think you should consider it as there's a ton of stuff for the smaller kids... I'd also check out Legoland in the Carlsbad/SD area...

[PersianKitty]

Originally Posted by aimeesweet

We took our daughter to Disney on her 2nd birthday for the first time... we had a great time... I think you should consider it as there's a ton of stuff for the smaller kids... I'd also check out Legoland in the Carlsbad/SD area...

My worry with Disneyland is that she'd get extremely bored while waiting with me a couple of the twentysomethings to ride the rides they want to. I talked about me taking her to the kiddie stuff and them going off on their own, but they want to be around for what she does. It's just my daughter-in-law who hasn't been there. None of us have been since they put in California Adventure.

[venus]

we just got back from San Diego about 2 weeks ago, did seaworld, the zoo, beach, and went to see the seals/sea lions that took over the "kids pool" I think its called, I am thinking it was in La Jolla, but if your interested I can get the exact address, it was 10 miles from where we stayed (Hyatt Mission Bay)... my 3 yr old daughter loved the shamu show at sea world, and the seals at the kids pool.. but she loves all animals and never gets tired of seeing them.

[munki]

http://huntingtonbeach.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Handled... You'd be in my city... mid Orange County.... good halfway point to LA and SD, also close enough to Anaheim to not be a bitch of a drive... plenty to do local... and close to everything else.

[Blazing]

Originally Posted by PersianKitty

Thanks for the suggestions... I'll get into checking them out. The first couple of days it will be just my daughter-in-law, the gbaby and myself. She knows all about you two ;) and I know you've heard enough from me about them. We will definitely have to hook up.

Excellent!! We will plan accordingly...

Let me know what vacation homes you are selecting from, I can give you the lowdown on the actual location and surroundings...

[aimeesweet]

Originally Posted by PersianKitty

My worry with Disneyland is that she'd get extremely bored while waiting with me a couple of the twentysomethings to ride the rides they want to. I talked about me taking her to the kiddie stuff and them going off on their own, but they want to be around for what she does. It's just my daughter-in-law who hasn't been there. None of us have been since they put in California Adventure.

Well you always have the option to do some rides together then split up for the others... she can still do Pirates, The Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World etc... and in October it won't be too crowded so the waits are likely to be short, especially if you go midweek.

Whatever you decide... I'm sure you will have a GREAT time

[EZRhino]

Originally Posted by PersianKitty

Calling all So Cal people..

Looking for suggestions.... Where should I stay if I'm hauling the family down in October for a week and we want to do the touristy stuff in the LA area and San Diego? (not Disneyland though). Two of the group does have to be in Anaheim for the first two days though.

There is a possibility of switching hotels partway through.. spend some days in a LA hotel and then a few days in an SD hotel.

In Anahiem not much to do but Disney. Dont buy the ticket for the park and just go to Downtown Disney. Not bad for the family, some music in the open air in the evenings and the food is good at the New Orleans themed restaraunt.
Richard

[PersianKitty]

Update on where I'm at...

Booked hotel today. Now I'm looking for a rental for 7 nights in the OC...Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, etc. At least 3 bedrooms and a house not a condo or a 'villa'. Kids would love a place with a private pool or at least hot tub.