18 days In California with the Family....Where so I start.
Mar 24th, 2010, 07:18 PM
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18 days In California with the Family....Where so I start.
Hi All,
We are regular Asian travellers from our home base in Oz but we are looking at taking advantage of our soaring $Aus and take the kids to Disneyland this July/August.
So after 3 Days there, where next. My thoughts are to spend a few days in San Diego, check out Hollywood and tour through the Napa Valley. I would love to do Vegas but will have to convince the DW that it will be child friendly to do so.
Our kids are 8 and 11, both boys and both pretty adverturous and I am in my early 40's and my wife,late 30's. We are heading to a mexican beach or 2 after this leg of the trip so Cities and a bit of rural life would be on the agenda. We all love sports but will be there after the NBA and before the NFL so might try to take in some baseball.
What can you recommend as the "must-do's" and "must-sees". This may well end up our one and only trip to the West Coast so we want to spend our time wisely and effeciently. Any recommemdations would be greatly appreciated. I will do a heap of searches on the forum but would love some personal feedback.
We are regular Asian travellers from our home base in Oz but we are looking at taking advantage of our soaring $Aus and take the kids to Disneyland this July/August.
So after 3 Days there, where next. My thoughts are to spend a few days in San Diego, check out Hollywood and tour through the Napa Valley. I would love to do Vegas but will have to convince the DW that it will be child friendly to do so.
Our kids are 8 and 11, both boys and both pretty adverturous and I am in my early 40's and my wife,late 30's. We are heading to a mexican beach or 2 after this leg of the trip so Cities and a bit of rural life would be on the agenda. We all love sports but will be there after the NBA and before the NFL so might try to take in some baseball.
What can you recommend as the "must-do's" and "must-sees". This may well end up our one and only trip to the West Coast so we want to spend our time wisely and effeciently. Any recommemdations would be greatly appreciated. I will do a heap of searches on the forum but would love some personal feedback.
Mar 24th, 2010, 07:41 PM
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Where are you flying into, and does Disneyland have to be done first? Assuming you're flying into LAX, and the answer is yes, I would consider the following:
3 days Disneyland area (is this JUST for Disneyland -- that's a lot of days for one theme park!)
3 days San Diego
3 days Los Angeles
2 days driving up the coast ending up in Monterey
2 days Carmel-Monterey
3 days San Francisco
2 days Napa (actually, I wouldn't do this at all, but other people think it's great even with kids. It is beautiful, but I'm just not into wineries and wine tasting). Instead, I might head to Lake Tahoe for a couple of days of R&R
You can go into the Desination tab above and find out what there is to see and do in each of those places.
Vegas in summer is NOT pleasant, at least not for doing anything other than sitting in the shade by the pool under a mister - it can be 115 °F
3 days Disneyland area (is this JUST for Disneyland -- that's a lot of days for one theme park!)
3 days San Diego
3 days Los Angeles
2 days driving up the coast ending up in Monterey
2 days Carmel-Monterey
3 days San Francisco
2 days Napa (actually, I wouldn't do this at all, but other people think it's great even with kids. It is beautiful, but I'm just not into wineries and wine tasting). Instead, I might head to Lake Tahoe for a couple of days of R&R
You can go into the Desination tab above and find out what there is to see and do in each of those places.
Vegas in summer is NOT pleasant, at least not for doing anything other than sitting in the shade by the pool under a mister - it can be 115 °F
Mar 24th, 2010, 08:16 PM
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Thanks for the reply sf7307. You are probably right, 2 days in Disneyland would probably do. I would also like to take the kids to Leggo land, is that in the same vacinity?
We will most likely be flying into LA but may save some time for LA/SD at the end of our trip after returning from Mexico.
Lake Tahoe sounds like a better bet than Napa, could I also squeeze in Yosemite if I can add a few days?
Would love to see the Grand Canyon and spend 1 night in Vegas. We live on the outskirts of the Aussie outback, in Mildura and are pretty used to the dry desert heat.
Using your outline for a guide, how does this sound..
Arrive in LA late on day 1.
Day 2...Drive to Aneheim
Day 3/4/5 Disneyland and surrounds.
Day 6/7 Drive up coast
Day 7/8 Monterey
Day 9/10/11/12 SF inc Yosemite
Day 13/14 Lake Tahoe
Day 15/16 Drive to Grand Canyon
Day 17 Vegas
Day 18 Drive back to LA for flight to Cancun.
Day 19-27 Playa Del Carmen and surrounds.
Day 28 Fly back to LA.
Day 29/30/31 San Diego
Day 32/33 LA
I've managed to extend my trip by a week here and this would be best case so may need to trim a little. If so, were could I trim?
Does this sound achieveable?
We will most likely be flying into LA but may save some time for LA/SD at the end of our trip after returning from Mexico.
Lake Tahoe sounds like a better bet than Napa, could I also squeeze in Yosemite if I can add a few days?
Would love to see the Grand Canyon and spend 1 night in Vegas. We live on the outskirts of the Aussie outback, in Mildura and are pretty used to the dry desert heat.
Using your outline for a guide, how does this sound..
Arrive in LA late on day 1.
Day 2...Drive to Aneheim
Day 3/4/5 Disneyland and surrounds.
Day 6/7 Drive up coast
Day 7/8 Monterey
Day 9/10/11/12 SF inc Yosemite
Day 13/14 Lake Tahoe
Day 15/16 Drive to Grand Canyon
Day 17 Vegas
Day 18 Drive back to LA for flight to Cancun.
Day 19-27 Playa Del Carmen and surrounds.
Day 28 Fly back to LA.
Day 29/30/31 San Diego
Day 32/33 LA
I've managed to extend my trip by a week here and this would be best case so may need to trim a little. If so, were could I trim?
Does this sound achieveable?
Mar 24th, 2010, 10:00 PM
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How about Lake Tahoe to Las Vegas to Grand Canyon and then back to Vegas for the flight to Cancun?
Or, actually, you might like to skip Tahoe. See Yosemite and then head south (instead of north to Tahoe and then back south again) to Las Vegas. From Las Vegas go to Zion National Park. Bryce Canyon and then the North Rim of Grand Canyon (they are in the same vicinity) and then return to Las Vegas to fly to Cancun.
Or, actually, you might like to skip Tahoe. See Yosemite and then head south (instead of north to Tahoe and then back south again) to Las Vegas. From Las Vegas go to Zion National Park. Bryce Canyon and then the North Rim of Grand Canyon (they are in the same vicinity) and then return to Las Vegas to fly to Cancun.
Mar 24th, 2010, 10:29 PM
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That makes sense. I presume that most hire car companies will let me drop off at a different point to the collection?
I may have to choose between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe if I want to get the best out of my time.
How long will the drive take from Vegas to the Grand Canyon? Will one night at the Canyon suffice and is it worth the travel for such a short visit? We were all "blown away" by the grace and magnitute of Uluru on a trip a few years back and I assume that the Canyon would have a similar effect.
I may have to choose between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe if I want to get the best out of my time.
How long will the drive take from Vegas to the Grand Canyon? Will one night at the Canyon suffice and is it worth the travel for such a short visit? We were all "blown away" by the grace and magnitute of Uluru on a trip a few years back and I assume that the Canyon would have a similar effect.
Mar 25th, 2010, 12:05 AM
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If you can fly INTO somewhere besides LAX, I would reverse the trip and save disney for the END. No need to do the kid's most fun part of trip jet-lagged and right off the plane.
I personally think you can find plenty of beaches/sites to rival Cancun on this trip.( except of course Mayan architecture) See the CA coast more in depth.. there is PLENTY to stop and visit along the way. A trip to the G.Canyon, yes, would be worth the effort.
Drop off fees between STATES is usually pricey, but you never know.My daughter rented in SFO and dropped off in Vegas without much penalty at all. Distances are huge so an open-jaw trip will be advantageous to you.
I personally think you can find plenty of beaches/sites to rival Cancun on this trip.( except of course Mayan architecture) See the CA coast more in depth.. there is PLENTY to stop and visit along the way. A trip to the G.Canyon, yes, would be worth the effort.
Drop off fees between STATES is usually pricey, but you never know.My daughter rented in SFO and dropped off in Vegas without much penalty at all. Distances are huge so an open-jaw trip will be advantageous to you.
Mar 25th, 2010, 02:46 AM
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Las Vegas is not at all child friendly. I really dislike the place and hope never again to spend time there myself either, but even aside from this prejudice I don't think it is a good place to take children. I would add time to the Grand Canyon and cut this out of the schedule. Your time there is unclear to me on the schedule but it easily merits several days even if you do not want to do a lot of hiking.
Mar 25th, 2010, 07:20 AM
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I was in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago, and it only re-enforced my opinon that it's not good for kids, especially when your time is so limited. You want to go for the adult entertainments I assume and with such a short time, there really will be nothing for your kids to do but, it's going to be hotter than Hades when you are there so the kids might really enjoy just hanging out at the pool while you do the casinos, if thats what you have in mind.
If Las Vegas is something you really want to see, then, of course, you do have enough time to stay a couple of nights but there are a lot more interesting places in the west.
If Las Vegas is something you really want to see, then, of course, you do have enough time to stay a couple of nights but there are a lot more interesting places in the west.
Mar 25th, 2010, 07:51 AM
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If you were to add some time to California, you could add the redwoods up north, and do both Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.
It's "worth it" to see the Grand Canyon, but kind of far on this trip unless you fly, or as elnap suggested, at least add some of the other southwest US national parks to make traveling that distance worth the effort adn time. In fact, with an added week, you could just do that -- after you're "done" in California, spend a week in the southwest -- fly there, rent another car (to be returned to the same location if cost of dropping it elsewhere is prohibitive), and fly back to California (or to Cancun, no need to return to LA -- you can fly to Cancun from either Las Vegas or Phoenix, I'm sure).
It's "worth it" to see the Grand Canyon, but kind of far on this trip unless you fly, or as elnap suggested, at least add some of the other southwest US national parks to make traveling that distance worth the effort adn time. In fact, with an added week, you could just do that -- after you're "done" in California, spend a week in the southwest -- fly there, rent another car (to be returned to the same location if cost of dropping it elsewhere is prohibitive), and fly back to California (or to Cancun, no need to return to LA -- you can fly to Cancun from either Las Vegas or Phoenix, I'm sure).
Mar 25th, 2010, 08:15 AM
#12
Don't miss Yosemite. If you're talking about this year, start looking for accommodation there NOW. You're already very late and most things will be booked up. Check daily for cancellations. You may have to stay outside the Park.
Las Vegas is not, in any way, child-friendly.
Your kids are at the upper limit age-wise for Legoland, which is in Carlsbad, just north of San Diego.
In San Diego, we have lovely beaches and great weather in July/August, so you really don't need to go to Mexico then. You could use some of the "Mexico time" for the Grand Canyon.
Las Vegas is not, in any way, child-friendly.
Your kids are at the upper limit age-wise for Legoland, which is in Carlsbad, just north of San Diego.
In San Diego, we have lovely beaches and great weather in July/August, so you really don't need to go to Mexico then. You could use some of the "Mexico time" for the Grand Canyon.
Mar 25th, 2010, 09:03 AM
#13
It sounds like Mexican beaches are big on your wish list. Unfortunately, your trip is at the worst possible time to go there.
Unless it is a 'must', I'd forget about detouring to Mexico and add those days to california. Yosemite is breathtaking -- but you'd have to book NOW. Yosemite Lodge or Curry Village would be your best lodging choices.
By sticking to CA (and maybe a couple of days in Vegas - though that is a hoooorrible time to go there as well and it is not child friendly) you can keep the same car the whole time and not have any one-way drop off charges.
Unless it is a 'must', I'd forget about detouring to Mexico and add those days to california. Yosemite is breathtaking -- but you'd have to book NOW. Yosemite Lodge or Curry Village would be your best lodging choices.
By sticking to CA (and maybe a couple of days in Vegas - though that is a hoooorrible time to go there as well and it is not child friendly) you can keep the same car the whole time and not have any one-way drop off charges.
Mar 25th, 2010, 10:08 AM
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Given the weather, I'd skip Mexico too. Add another day or two to San Diego, and then another couple days for your trip up the coast from LA to Monterey. There are some good places on the central coast to visit - Pismo Beach is fun with kids because they have a big wide beach near the pier. Another place to consider is Santa Cruz - the Boardwalk is a beachside amusement park that the kids would enjoy and the town is a good beach town, plus the Santa Cruz mountains have nice redwood groves and good hiking.
San Francisco is the most interesting urban area in the state - there are other cities, but none feel as urban as SF. Plus SF is just a unique place, so make sure you don't shortchange your visit there. I saw on your latest draft of your itinerary that you had combined SF and Yosemite and given 4 days total - Yosemite is a 4 hour drive from SF, so half of one of those days will be travel in between, 4 days isn't much time for both those places. I'd add a day or two if possible.
Las Vegas would not be my choice to take kids, but since you are only planning a day there enroute back from the Grand Canyon, I think it is fine. If you didn't have the GC on your itinerary, I'd say skip LV though.
Anyway, overall I think you've got a great itinerary, and a month is a fabulous amount of time for this trip. And if you choose to skip Cancun, it will make the pace of your visit to CA more relaxed, which is important. Don't want to rush through things too quickly.
San Francisco is the most interesting urban area in the state - there are other cities, but none feel as urban as SF. Plus SF is just a unique place, so make sure you don't shortchange your visit there. I saw on your latest draft of your itinerary that you had combined SF and Yosemite and given 4 days total - Yosemite is a 4 hour drive from SF, so half of one of those days will be travel in between, 4 days isn't much time for both those places. I'd add a day or two if possible.
Las Vegas would not be my choice to take kids, but since you are only planning a day there enroute back from the Grand Canyon, I think it is fine. If you didn't have the GC on your itinerary, I'd say skip LV though.
Anyway, overall I think you've got a great itinerary, and a month is a fabulous amount of time for this trip. And if you choose to skip Cancun, it will make the pace of your visit to CA more relaxed, which is important. Don't want to rush through things too quickly.
Mar 25th, 2010, 11:21 AM
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I totally missed the fact that you've lumped San Francisco in with Yosemite. Definitely, DEFINITELY spend at least 2 nights in San Francisco. You want at least 2 full days in SF. Then spend at least 2 nights in Yosemite.
Regarding Grand Canyon and Yosemite: It is about a 5 hr drive from Las Vegas to South Rim Grand Canyon.
However, if you choose to go to the North Rim Grand Canyon, I think it is about 3 hrs (but I can't really remember). You can do a loop of North Grand Canyon then Bryce Canyon then Zion then Las Vegas. Zion is 2 1/2 hrs from Las Vegas.
Or you can do the loop Las Vegas to Zion (2 1/2 hr) to Bryce (2 hr) to North Grand Canyon to Las Vegas.
Regarding Grand Canyon and Yosemite: It is about a 5 hr drive from Las Vegas to South Rim Grand Canyon.
However, if you choose to go to the North Rim Grand Canyon, I think it is about 3 hrs (but I can't really remember). You can do a loop of North Grand Canyon then Bryce Canyon then Zion then Las Vegas. Zion is 2 1/2 hrs from Las Vegas.
Or you can do the loop Las Vegas to Zion (2 1/2 hr) to Bryce (2 hr) to North Grand Canyon to Las Vegas.
Mar 25th, 2010, 03:33 PM
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I love the Yucatan and have been there many times but would not consider going in summer. In fact, from May 1 until the end of October, it's way too hot to do anything except lie in the sea or pool sipping margaritas. Forget about touring the great Mayan cities at that time of year.
Also, if you do go, you run the risk of having your travel plans ruined if you are the victim of a tropical storm. These are very common in especially August and September but can occur in July as well. We have friends who were caught in Cancun several years ago and then again last summer in Cabo. We warned them not to go but they ignored our warnings. However, they work for the airlines, so getting home was not that big a problem. But for the ordinary tourist it could be a nightmare.
If you do insist on going, check into going to Holbox Island. This is the one place in the area that adventurous travelers actually prefer in the summer because you can swim with the whale sharks.
http://yucatantoday.com/en/topics/holbox-island
However, it's a long, long way to the Yucatan from California. It would be better to spend that time in the Western US instead. There is so much to see.
Also, if you do go, you run the risk of having your travel plans ruined if you are the victim of a tropical storm. These are very common in especially August and September but can occur in July as well. We have friends who were caught in Cancun several years ago and then again last summer in Cabo. We warned them not to go but they ignored our warnings. However, they work for the airlines, so getting home was not that big a problem. But for the ordinary tourist it could be a nightmare.
If you do insist on going, check into going to Holbox Island. This is the one place in the area that adventurous travelers actually prefer in the summer because you can swim with the whale sharks.
http://yucatantoday.com/en/topics/holbox-island
However, it's a long, long way to the Yucatan from California. It would be better to spend that time in the Western US instead. There is so much to see.
Mar 25th, 2010, 05:29 PM
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did a lot of exploring in that area of the world.
with kids, i'd also skip las vegas and napa. Yosemite is amazing and varied spend much more time there--long hikes, short hikes, waterfalls, etc. if you can't get lodging in the park valley, be advised that it is a 2 hour drive to the nearest city and hotels from there on curvy roads. grand canyon is amazing as well but you just stand at the top and look down mostly as you won't have enough time to really take some long hikes. zion and bryce canyon are unique and are number 3 and 2 for us behind yosemite. grand canyon fourth place rating. legoland is neat but only if your kids are into legos still. you could probably get all of disneyland in in one day. it's not that big of a park. lake tahoe is beautiful to look at but, i'd skip it compared to yosemite. get working on hotel and it is absolutely worth the $$$ to stay in the park there-- and we are not wealthy people who think nothing of that aspect. good luck!
with kids, i'd also skip las vegas and napa. Yosemite is amazing and varied spend much more time there--long hikes, short hikes, waterfalls, etc. if you can't get lodging in the park valley, be advised that it is a 2 hour drive to the nearest city and hotels from there on curvy roads. grand canyon is amazing as well but you just stand at the top and look down mostly as you won't have enough time to really take some long hikes. zion and bryce canyon are unique and are number 3 and 2 for us behind yosemite. grand canyon fourth place rating. legoland is neat but only if your kids are into legos still. you could probably get all of disneyland in in one day. it's not that big of a park. lake tahoe is beautiful to look at but, i'd skip it compared to yosemite. get working on hotel and it is absolutely worth the $$$ to stay in the park there-- and we are not wealthy people who think nothing of that aspect. good luck!
Mar 25th, 2010, 06:32 PM
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Great help there guys. Thanks soooo much.
You have all got me rethinking PDC/Cancun now but I do really want to see some of Mexico whilst we are in the region. Is a few days in Tiajuna a good idea? Or is it a bit dangerous? Is there anywhere else that we could drive to in Mexico that would be worthwhile?
If we decide to spend some beachtime on the Californian coast, where will we get warm, swimmable waters, quaint beachside bars and cafe's and beachside accomodation that wont cost me more than $150 a night?
It sounds like Yosemite will take a few more days than I thought so we will skip Tahoe so to maximise time in SF. I have looked at the deluxe tents that they have in the park. Has anyone stayed in them? It sounds like a great way to experience the natural beauty of it. I'm not much of a camper but if everything is already set up I'm sure we could "rough it" for a few days.
I was thinking Legoland as much for myself as the kids, being a big kid at heart. Where else would you recommend? The boys are into the "hands-on" interactive things more than all the death-dyfing rides, but as I love a good Coaster, a combination would be good.
It sounds like Vegas gets the universal thumbs down but if we are going to the GC, I might as well check it out just to tick it off the "Bucket List". I thought they may have some family orientated shows at some of the Casino's?
You have all got me rethinking PDC/Cancun now but I do really want to see some of Mexico whilst we are in the region. Is a few days in Tiajuna a good idea? Or is it a bit dangerous? Is there anywhere else that we could drive to in Mexico that would be worthwhile?
If we decide to spend some beachtime on the Californian coast, where will we get warm, swimmable waters, quaint beachside bars and cafe's and beachside accomodation that wont cost me more than $150 a night?
It sounds like Yosemite will take a few more days than I thought so we will skip Tahoe so to maximise time in SF. I have looked at the deluxe tents that they have in the park. Has anyone stayed in them? It sounds like a great way to experience the natural beauty of it. I'm not much of a camper but if everything is already set up I'm sure we could "rough it" for a few days.
I was thinking Legoland as much for myself as the kids, being a big kid at heart. Where else would you recommend? The boys are into the "hands-on" interactive things more than all the death-dyfing rides, but as I love a good Coaster, a combination would be good.
It sounds like Vegas gets the universal thumbs down but if we are going to the GC, I might as well check it out just to tick it off the "Bucket List". I thought they may have some family orientated shows at some of the Casino's?
