California coast

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Jan 14th, 2003, 08:43 AM

Nancy Richards

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California coast

We are looking for a vacation spot on the ocean for our family including two children 7 and 3. We would like to stay on the beach but close to activities for the children. Any suggestions?

Jan 14th, 2003, 08:49 AM

xxxx

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San Diego is definitely what you're looking for.

Jan 14th, 2003, 08:49 AM

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Santa Monica

Jan 14th, 2003, 01:06 PM

Peggy

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We're going in April & found a wonderful place on the beach, very reasonable. www.surfermotorlodge.com
Surfer Motor Lodge. Excellent Rates & very friendly. It's not in the travel books, I think they keep costs down but not doing a lot of advertising.

Jan 14th, 2003, 01:11 PM

kat

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Santa Barbara or San Diego - both great for kids.

Jan 14th, 2003, 01:16 PM

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Monterey Penninsula, Aquarium and regional activities depending on the time of year.

Jan 14th, 2003, 01:16 PM

kat

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Santa Barbara or San Diego - both great for kids.

Jan 14th, 2003, 01:35 PM

Cari

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I would say Santa Cruz. Ok, the water in NorCal is cold, but the Boardwalk is right there with amusement park rides. Also, the trail along westcliff runs from the main beach/boardwalk up to Natural Bridges beach, which has a little nature center and depending on when you go, you can see the monarch butterflies there. The pier near the boardwalk has a really fun candy shop the kids may like, too. Monterey is about a half hour/40 mins away and makes a good day trip to the aquarium, Cannery Row, and their fisherman's wharf. I wouldn't recommend Monterey as much for a family trip, since once you've been to Cannery Row/the Aquarium, you have pretty much seen it all.

Jan 14th, 2003, 01:50 PM

raisin

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hi nancy! I would also go for San Diego. Why?....

1. Sea World
2. San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park
3. Balboa Park which has a plethora of museums and gardens
4. Beachwise, La Jolla Shores (nearby is the Birch Aquarium), Mission Beach (boardwalk filled with lil shops and a rollercoaster) or if you prefer to picnic, Mission Bay is adjacent or across the street. Other beaches: Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and Oceanside/Solana areas as well

5. Downtown San Diego--for families, Seaport Village is great (they have a merry-go-round which i love...still!)

This is what i can think of off the top of my head right now but you can't possibly run out of activities!

have a great time!

Jan 14th, 2003, 03:13 PM

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Mark

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When my children were 4 and 8, we went to the Hilton Beach and Tennis Club on Mission Bay in San Diego. We returned the following year. The hotel is fantastic, and they really work with you - they don't nickel and dime you. For example, we received food coupons for my wife and me, but they let my 4 year old help himself to anything virtually every meal, no charge. When we went, the rooms ran around $129. They have a fabulous kids club, and the atmosphere is fantastic. It is about 10 minutes from Sea World. The beach is not great, since it is on the bay, but you can get to the beach in minutes. We had so much fun there that when we went to the zoo, my kids just wanted to get back to the hotel so they could participate in the activities, swim, play games, etc. I highly recommend this hotel for a family with young kids. The mission bay boardwalk is also right outside the back of the hotel.