Cadgirl

So thrilled to get away from the Chicago snow and ice this Saturday and spend a week in Southern CA. We are first staying 3 nights in Laguna Niguel with friends, and then 4 nights in Anaheim in a hotel.

Thrilled, and yet a bit worried, since I have hardly planned a darn thing!

I have made a reservation for the Getty Villa on Thursday, and was told by a friend to have lunch at Paradise Cove in Malibu before we go to the Getty. Other than that, I have a bunch of ideas, but not sure if they are feasible or how to tie them together.

So your opinions please about these activities and their distance from our locations (which are set in stone) and if they are worthwhile:

Whale Watching in Dana Point: Looks like we would be doing this at the right time of the year. Has anyone done this and had a good experience?

Paramount Studios Tour- We did the Warner Bros tour 5 years ago when last in CA. Is this one similar? We didn't see much activity at Warner because it was during the holidays. Paramount is also $30-35, and I think Warner was closer to $50.

Disneyland: Still under consideration though my DH thinks $72 per ticket is outrageous (and he is correct).

Griffith Observatory: This is a must do for DH.

Pinks in LA: Is this place ever not busy?

Nixons Pres Library in Yorba Linda- Pretty close to Anaheim so we'll probably go here, but I'd rather go to Reagan's in Simi Valley. Any thoughts on these two?

I am going to go right now to start reading my Fodors Guide again, but any thoughts would be oh so appreciated. Thanks!

elnap29

I'm not sure I've eaten at Paradise Cove, but I do recommend eating at the Getty Villa. The food is excellent, there are a lot of options, and the outdoor views are wonderful.

North of Paradise Cove is Zuma Beach. There is a trail that goes from Zuma Beach south toward Paradise Cove. We walked this trail and were thrilled to see dolphins swimming there, and my daughter mentioned that it is commom to see whales and dolphins in this area. I'm mentioning this because all these places are so close together and all in the same vicinity as the Getty Villa.

Griffith Observatory is worth the time. It is so interesting and the views from that location are superb.

I love Disneyland, but it is pricey. Plan on spending a lot more by the time you eat and park (well, I can't remember if it costs to park, but I think so). If you are staying in Anaheim anyway, you might as well go. It is the 'happiest place on Earth', afterall, and your hotel might even offer a free shuttle and discount tickets.

There is so much to do in LA! Have fun!

Barbara

I haven't been to Nixon's library and have little desire to go. I have been to the Reagan Library though and highly recommend a visit. Very interesting exhibits in a fantastic location.

LCBoniti

Another good restaurant in Malibu is Dukes.

Whale watching from Dana Point is an excellent idea.

I would definitely recommend Reagan's library over Nixon's, but it is quite far from Anaheim. And you would be going in the direction of heavy commuter traffic on a weekday unless you don't leave until 10am and don't return home until evening. However, there are several nice restaurants up in Simi Valley so you could have dinner before making the trip back.

Your timing is great. It seems we will finally have no rain this weekend. It is quite cool, though, (for Southern California - not for Chicago ). And it is always colder at night, especially in the Laguna Niguel area.

ksucat

They say its going to be in the high 70's this weekend!
Eat at the Getty..food is incredible.
Come down to Laguna Beach for a day..have brunch at the Montage or the Ritz.
Go see a tv show at CBS..shop at the Grove.
Take a whale watching day trip.
Have drinks at Teddy's at the Roosevelt.
Shop at Rodeo in BH.
Take a stars bus tour.
Ride bikes at Venice beach.

RBCal

Four days in Anaheim is far too long (even a day is pushing it). Besides the theme parks, Anaheim is a flat boring suburb full of strip malls.

lvk

I agree about Anaheim.

Instead of Pink's, why not try this in downtown LA this weekend: http://lastreetfoodfest.com/

There's also whale watching from Long Beach: http://2seewhales.com/ You could combine it with the Aquarium of the Pacific.

I'll also offer my standard suggestion of a bike ride along the beach. You can do this either in the Huntington Beach, Venice or South Bay areas. Be sure to take pictures of this and email them to your Chicago friends.

lvk

TV Show tapings: www.tvtickets.com, www.tvtix.com

Barblab

Both Nixon and Reagan libraries are great. Of the two I agree Reagan's would be my choice but of course for where you will be staying Nixon's is easier to get to.

MomDDTravel

I am confused on why you selected Anaheim to stay? If that can be changed - I would - it is not a nice area - and the only reason to stay there would be for Disneyland of which you are not going.

mlgb

While Anaheim has some good values on hotels (and Downtown Disney) it really doesn't sound like the best location for you, unless you're going to Disneyland. Check Google Maps (www.maps.google.com) and you'll get an idea for how much driving you've set yourself up for.

If it isn't too late, you might consider Downtown Los Angeles, West Hollywood, or Long Beach (the hotel Maya is running some specials).

There is also whale watching out of Newport Beach (Newport Landing). If it's really nice out (not rough) you might want to go to Catalina Island

http://www.newportwhales.com/

The nicest restaurant in Long Beach is Michaels on Naples
http://www.michaelsonnaples.com/

logandog

You picked a great weekend weather wise. Upper seventies,sunny.
Lots of whale boat activity in Dana Point,great time for a boat ride even if you don't spot any whales.

FrankS

We were there just this past weekend, we spent our one free day at the Wild Animal Park. It only took us 1 hr from Laguna. It really was great.

ksucat

how did I miss 4 days in Anaheim...ewwwwwwwww
If you are going to Disneyland, acceptable.

Cadgirl

Yeah, in retrospective maybe Anaheim was not the best location. I got a really good price for our trip on Expedia due to a credit on our account, and while I think that I might be able to call and arrange new accomodations, to be honest I just don't want the hassle. So we'll just deal with Anaheim.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, especially LCBoniti for the idea about Reagan library. Fodorites rock!

mlgb

In that case do your driving to other parts of LA on the weekends and make use of the carpool lanes.

There are some nice restaurants in Disney's Grand Californian. I recommend the corn chowder at Storyteller's Cafe.

MomDDTravel

I LOVE the California Grand hotel - it is really a treat.

ksucat

sometimes stuff like that happens cadgirl..remember that expedia has no fees for cancellation promo going on right now..we had to cancel our reservation and they gave us a $50 hotel certificate!
California Grand is a great hotel!
Expedia has some great deals for 4-5* hotels..
Have drinks and dinner at Napa Rose.
Have a good time!