California or Hawaii?
Nov 13th, 2011, 01:16 PM
#3
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Depends on what you want to do, budget, and how much time you have. And when is this trip? California has nice weather a lot of the time. Have you ever been to either place? The islands in Hawaii vary as well. In California there is everything from cities like San Diego and San Francisco to 5 very different national parks, theme parks like Legoland, Disney, Seaworld.
Nov 13th, 2011, 01:56 PM
#4
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lasvegassightseeing.net thow some disney universal
in there for the kids maybe yosemite.com 4 hours north
for some nauture would be fun save a ton.
carrentals.com
stayhawaii.com Konaweb.com my fav for beaches volcanoes
would cost a tonne more and be a longer flight...
Like comparing apples and oranges but CA for me
unless you havr money to burn.
in there for the kids maybe yosemite.com 4 hours north
for some nauture would be fun save a ton.
carrentals.com
stayhawaii.com Konaweb.com my fav for beaches volcanoes
would cost a tonne more and be a longer flight...
Like comparing apples and oranges but CA for me
unless you havr money to burn.
Nov 13th, 2011, 02:25 PM
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One more thing:
"Family vacation" means you have kids.
What are the ages and interests of the kids?
If they are of the age that Disneyland would be the ultimate place to visit, then California is the obvious choice. If they are of the age that thinks, "Disneyland is for KIDS, not us!", then cancel that.
One reason I would recommend California on any account: flexibility. If there's something you find you didn't enjoy as much as you thought you would, you can, fairly easily, get to something completely different if you go to California. Tired of amusement parks? Head for the deserts. Deserts too hot? Head for the mountains. Mountains lack shops? Head for the shopping malls. Hawaii does have more variety than most people think, but California has still more.
"Family vacation" means you have kids.
What are the ages and interests of the kids?
If they are of the age that Disneyland would be the ultimate place to visit, then California is the obvious choice. If they are of the age that thinks, "Disneyland is for KIDS, not us!", then cancel that.
One reason I would recommend California on any account: flexibility. If there's something you find you didn't enjoy as much as you thought you would, you can, fairly easily, get to something completely different if you go to California. Tired of amusement parks? Head for the deserts. Deserts too hot? Head for the mountains. Mountains lack shops? Head for the shopping malls. Hawaii does have more variety than most people think, but California has still more.
Nov 14th, 2011, 05:14 PM
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I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and love California, so I can think of lots of nice family vacations in the state.
But for a dream family vacation, go to Hawaii. Any island will do. Just be aware that Waikiki is part of Honolulu and it is a big city. The rest of the state of Hawaii is not city at all. Go to them library and look at some Hawaii guidebooks for ideas, and then go buy whichever one appeals to you most.
But for a dream family vacation, go to Hawaii. Any island will do. Just be aware that Waikiki is part of Honolulu and it is a big city. The rest of the state of Hawaii is not city at all. Go to them library and look at some Hawaii guidebooks for ideas, and then go buy whichever one appeals to you most.
Nov 14th, 2011, 06:11 PM
#12
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Well I would pick Hawaii any day for it's perfect weather, beaches, smaller scale (not mountains, but closeness of areas) and culture. That said, if you have never been to California and are prepared to drive, it can be a great vacation too. California is the USA's most diverse state: great cities like San Francisco, wine country like Napa, mountains Yosemite, Death Valley, Lake Tahoe, Hollywood, Missions, Redwoods and on and on - but it's huge and you would probably only be able to see a little at a time with out long drives that take time and stress. I would opt for Kapalua Maui - heaven on earth all within a couple miles of your condo!
Nov 14th, 2011, 06:20 PM
#13
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CDT51--
I live in California in the Los Angeles area, so many of the things that attract visitors are old hat to me and perhaps I'm not the best judge--
Just want to say how much our family has enjoyed Hawaii. We've returned many times--Grandma (that's me), my dd and sil along with their two boys (my grandsons), now ages 10 and 8.
We always get a condo. VRBO has great choices. Check them out.
As others have said, not knowing what your interests are, who compose your family and their ages, etc., it's hard to recommend. Just want to let you know, though, if you want a litte time out in paradise, think...Kauai, which is quiet and beautiful but is our favorite island, or Maui which has a bit more night life but still is wonderful, or Oahu which has so much to offer in the way of upscale restaurants and shopping but still has wonderful beaches....
Go on line and check out activities which you could tap into on each island. Check out Barefoot Tom for suggestions and prices.
Just a word about young ones. Our grandsons had great sufing lessons on the north shore of Kauai. And there are so many great experiences that they've had on whale watching excursions and snorkling with their dad. And there are always local activities which occur, the info being accessed by checking online. Some of the most fun we've had has been at local fairs or other community activites.
Well, I could go on. My main point is that there are many family things to do for those with young ones. You just have to look into some websites for a list of all.
If, though, your family has little kids who want Disneyland and all, that's another story.
Once again, if Hawaii, check out VRBO for condos. your best bet for lodging.
I live in California in the Los Angeles area, so many of the things that attract visitors are old hat to me and perhaps I'm not the best judge--
Just want to say how much our family has enjoyed Hawaii. We've returned many times--Grandma (that's me), my dd and sil along with their two boys (my grandsons), now ages 10 and 8.
We always get a condo. VRBO has great choices. Check them out.
As others have said, not knowing what your interests are, who compose your family and their ages, etc., it's hard to recommend. Just want to let you know, though, if you want a litte time out in paradise, think...Kauai, which is quiet and beautiful but is our favorite island, or Maui which has a bit more night life but still is wonderful, or Oahu which has so much to offer in the way of upscale restaurants and shopping but still has wonderful beaches....
Go on line and check out activities which you could tap into on each island. Check out Barefoot Tom for suggestions and prices.
Just a word about young ones. Our grandsons had great sufing lessons on the north shore of Kauai. And there are so many great experiences that they've had on whale watching excursions and snorkling with their dad. And there are always local activities which occur, the info being accessed by checking online. Some of the most fun we've had has been at local fairs or other community activites.
Well, I could go on. My main point is that there are many family things to do for those with young ones. You just have to look into some websites for a list of all.
If, though, your family has little kids who want Disneyland and all, that's another story.
Once again, if Hawaii, check out VRBO for condos. your best bet for lodging.
Nov 15th, 2011, 04:01 AM
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The kids would probably love either one just fine.
We love Hawaii - and have lived in the SF Bay Area and now are in San Diego - which has the best mainland weather.
You can do pretty much everything - fairly easily - in San Diego that you can in Hawaii - but then again, Hawaii is a tropical paradise. We also love every island, but Kauai is the greenest/prettiest for the most part, Big Island has the Volcano, Maui has great beaches and you can get away from it all on Oahu by going to the North Shore or over to Kauilua.
If you do opt for San Diego, in the later summer/fall - the ocean water has warmed up more, but it's fine really from June on, even though there may be a marine layer/june gloom/fog.
The kid would probably love the SD Zoo, the Wild Animal Park (where you can see the animals in more of their natural setting) and Sea World - and a little over an hour away to the North is Disneyland.
We love Hawaii - and have lived in the SF Bay Area and now are in San Diego - which has the best mainland weather.
You can do pretty much everything - fairly easily - in San Diego that you can in Hawaii - but then again, Hawaii is a tropical paradise. We also love every island, but Kauai is the greenest/prettiest for the most part, Big Island has the Volcano, Maui has great beaches and you can get away from it all on Oahu by going to the North Shore or over to Kauilua.
If you do opt for San Diego, in the later summer/fall - the ocean water has warmed up more, but it's fine really from June on, even though there may be a marine layer/june gloom/fog.
The kid would probably love the SD Zoo, the Wild Animal Park (where you can see the animals in more of their natural setting) and Sea World - and a little over an hour away to the North is Disneyland.
Nov 15th, 2011, 06:49 AM
#16
They are both great destinations. Both have tons to offer more than you could ever hope to see on one trip. It just depends your interests which one your family would prefer. Maybe get some guidebooks from the library and have everyone look thru to see which appeals to them more?
Nov 20th, 2011, 11:48 PM
#17
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Our state, California, is a big one with a lot to do. And as for the weather, I wouldn't consider Hawaii having better weather. I've been to Hawaii several times. But, I guess people have different opinions of what good weather is.
I love our L.A. weather. Now, as for up north, it can be chilly to say the least, but it's nice to have different types of weather in the same state. And somewhere like San Diego has really good weather. Happy Travels!
I love our L.A. weather. Now, as for up north, it can be chilly to say the least, but it's nice to have different types of weather in the same state. And somewhere like San Diego has really good weather. Happy Travels!
Nov 21st, 2011, 11:40 AM
#18
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Stress the BIG in Guenmai's description. Some people unfamiliar with the geography think it's a 2-3 hour drive from LA to San Francisco..........It's almost 800 miles from the Mexican border in southern CA to the Oregon border in northern CA. There are beaches, mountains, deserts and valleys; there are big cities, small towns and everything in between. California is one of the most diverse states in the nation.
You'll need to give more specifics, like the ones mentioned above, before you'll get specific answers. Give the Fodorites your interests, your budget, the time of year you want to travel, the ages of your children, and you'll get all sorts of good recommendations.
You'll need to give more specifics, like the ones mentioned above, before you'll get specific answers. Give the Fodorites your interests, your budget, the time of year you want to travel, the ages of your children, and you'll get all sorts of good recommendations.
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madisonmichelle
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