I'm traveling to Anaheim in May for my cousins wedding (Saturday evening in San Juan Capistrano)staying 6 days. What suggestions can anyone make for activities other than Disney (we have 2-day park hopper passes, plan to visit Wednesday & Friday) that would be acceptable for two energetic kids? We're staying a block from Disneyland. Interested in The Getty, Queen Mary, Hollywood sign, San Juan Capistrano mission, Temecula wine area, Zoo?, Botanical gardens? Possibly a drive in a cool neighborhood-maybe Beverly Hills? A few hours at a beach? Any ideas, suggestions?

Your kids are a great age for Legoland in Carlsbad.

San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido is great....and Los Angeles has a great zoo. You could do the L.A. Zoo, Travel Town (trains), a drive through Beverly Hills and late afternoon at the beach all in one day.

Any beach in particular you would recommend?

Haven't heard of Travel Town (trains). Thought a trip to the Getty would get us on the tram (that gets you up to the site from the parking area-I think the kids would love that, kind of like a train).

Is it worth a trip to San Diego for the Wild Animal Park? Is that different from the S.D. zoo? Or would the L.A. zoo satisfy the 5 & 7 year olds?

I think Legoland is out simply because we are already spending two days at Disneyland/California Adventures (I have heard it's great, but the adults want some other activities too).

The L.A. Zoo is terrific and if you could do it on Sunday, traffic is down so you could also stop at Train Down (nearby) and then head over to The Getty.

The Wild Animal Park is unique in that you ride around on a monorail and observe the animals grazing in what is close to "their own environment". It's not too far from Disneyland so you might think about it for Thursday.

Anaheim/Disney is kind of set apart from other things that you want to do so be prepared for some traffic.

What about the best beach experience for kids?

Ever been to Western Days in Old Town Temecula?

Best beach experience for kids? From Anaheim, you could head due west to Seal Beach and hang out there-- nice beach, not overrun with tourists, a nice locals-only vibe usually. And the surf usually isn't ridiculous if the kids try to get into the water-- but in May the water will still be pretty cold, even if it's hot (which probably won't be the case just yet). Huntington Beach gets rougher water. Laguna Beach has great little coves for walking around, but Main Beach is a zoo on the weekends, so head south of there (or try to get to Crystal Cove, which is gorgeous).

If your kids need some tranquility, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a possible activity, although given that your itinerary is filling up fast, you could skip it (it's near the Queen Mary, which is also skippable-- the "history" thing might escape them).

You can't get to the Hollywood sign-- fenced-off, dangerous hillside-- but you can see it from the gritty streets of Hollywood. If you decide to go to Hollywood, no more than a couple of hours is needed. A spin through the streets of Beverly Hills is a fun half-hour of gawking at huge, often way-overbuilt mansions. Rodeo Drive is fine for an hour or two, just to say you did it. Then go and do any actual shopping down at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa (OC). Same shops, but indoors, and you save 0.50% in sales tax over LA County.

Thanks for the details on the beaches. I checked, it seems that Crystal Cove is a State Park? Any extra parking fees, or day use fees there as opposed to parking at other beaches? I'm sure we won't be in the water, just 2 kids putting their feet in the ocean, we're land-locked in the Midwest.

I wondered if the Queen Mary was passable. Not sure kids would be interested, thanks for the tip.

Thanks for the time frame for the drive we're interested in. It's helpful in planning out our time in advance.

the Discovery Center in San Diego is a very cool museum that even adults love. Also there is going to be an incredible exhibit at the bowers museum in santa ana on the mummies of egypt. It is suppose to be a one of a kind thing. I would also visit laguana beach for the adults. my kids love it and we let them play at the park in the center of the beach by forest avenue. hope this helps, itsv

I grew up just south of anahiem so let me see what I can tell you. SJC Mission is ok (for a CA kid, once you've seen one mission, you've seen them all!) Queen Mary is pretty boring - not one to put at the top of your list.
Beaches are an ok idea, but remember that the Pacific ocean is pretty cold, so if the kids aren't keen on cold water, might not be that fun.
I know my parents went to the Getty - I believe you have to get tickets cause the # of people is limitied (might have changed)but I don't think the kids would enjoy it much.
I loved the Wild Animal park growing up - it is truly unlike any other zoo I have ever been too (and way better than the LA zoo). We had season passes there for years. I was a kid that had to be constantly entertained and I loved this place. They have a great viewing area where they take care of babies and a fabulous koala habitiat. Since you are doing a lot of walking at Disney the other 2 days, the tram is great (my fav part was when you pass the mountain goats and you have to try and count them - hard to see - you will be amazed when they tell you how many there are!) Also great for the kids to see the animals in more natural habitats than at a zoo. (And it is different than the SD zoo, althouh I think they might be affiliated)
Another thing I haven't seen mentioned here is Medieval Times. This is a great show - they used to have both day and evening shows - a great half day thing id you need to recover from Disney! The kids will love the drama and eating with their hands.
Also, haven't been to Legoland, but I hear it is quite wonderful. Another local park is Knott's Berry Farm - close to Anaheim (Buena Park) and a lot of fun. They used to have half day passes in the afternoon if you wanted to do something else in the morning. They actually have more stuff for smaller kids "camp snoopy" - so that might be a good one. On their website it appears that they now have print@home tickets which appear to be cheaper.
There are also more theme parks - SD sea World and Universal Studios...
Really I think for a change of pace from Disneyland - I think the Wils Animal Park is a great choice!

Temecula is a good choice if you don't take the kids. They will be bored silly otherwise.

If you just feel like "hanging out" for a half day and not do the tourist thing, try The Block in Orange (about 3 miles from where you are staying). It is an outdoor mall with shops and some good restaurants. The kids will have a great time at Dave & Busters, a high tech arcade . For the adults, it has a lounge with some pretty good food and drinks (kids are only allowed into this place when accompanied by an adult). There is also an "upscale" bowling alley at The Block (Lucky Strikes). It has a night club feel to it but during the day, its a good place to have some fun with the kids.

I'd skip Rodeo. Take a cruise to Laguna. Walk around the shops, grab some lunch and enjoy the beach. Or (and I am probably going to get some heat from OC locals for revealimg a secret) but for a relaxing half day, there is a place nicknamed Mothers Beach in Corona Del Mar. It got its name due to it being very quaint with very small waves (in other words, no surfers or too many big kids). As a result, it is rarely too crowded (unless you go on the weekends in the summer). In May, I am sure it will not be bad. It may be a little chilly but the kids will have a blast building sandcastles and playing along the shore. Its a nice place to unwind with some picnic goods and a book. Plus because it is so small, it is generally easy to keep your kids within sight.

Thanks for the Laguna Beach recommendation. Sounds perfect for us.

I read in a guide that San Diego Wild Animal Park requires a lot of hiking. Is this park too much for a 5 & 7 year old?

Anybody have a drive they like that would give us a diverse experience for the kids to see (not scary, just something not Minnesotan).

If you drive down the coast hwy to Legoland, you'll have a view of the ocean on the way.

Driving out the 91/215/10 from Anaheim to Palm Springs & Palm Desert takes about 2 hours each way and isn't scary. The Living Desert in Palm Desert is a small zoo focused only on desert animals, great exhibits.

ssm! How dare you reveal one of our prime secrets!

Actually, Mother's Beach is just about perfect. Calm waters, quiet, and you can see the sailboats coming and going from Newport Beach. And really, it's not too far from Laguna. Could actually spend some time at the beach, then go onto Laguna and stroll around a bit.

I think I would rule out the Getty. Lovely museum and I love it, but for 2 small kids it might be a bit much. It really is a huge place!

Since you are doing Disney for 2 days, that means you have 4 days left? Or is it 3, because of the wedding? I would probably spend one day as a beach day - either Seal Beach, Laguna, or Corona del Mar/Laguna. Another day I would drive up to Hollywood, stroll around for a bit, then perhaps drive through Beverly Hills, maybe do Rodeo. (again, the kids might get bored with Rodeo and not sure how they will be with a car drive) They might enjoy a little bit of Hollywood, though. It is kinda seedy and touristy, but there is still Grumann's and the Kodak theaters and all the kitchey shops.

Another day I might take in the LA Zoo (that would mean 2 trips to LA, and I doubt I would want to do that. However, you could take a pass through Hollywood and your way to the LA Zoo and skip Beverly Hills)

Other options (depending on how many days you have!) would be the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana (they do have a children's program) and the Discovery Center in Santa Ana. The two are very close together. Even I enjoyed the Discovery Center when I took 2 friend's kids there a couple of years ago! And the kids were about 3 and 9 at the time. Lots of stuff for kids to experience hands on. The Block is a great idea for kids. Outdoor mall more geared to a younger crowd. South Coast Plaza might be a bit overwhelming, but they do have things that would keep kids interested. Not sure if you would be into Knott's, though. It's great for older kids and teens, but the Camp Snoopy is really lacking. I took a 5 year old there once, and he was bored going on the same 3 rides! There used to be a place right across the street called "Soak City", a water park that might prove interesting. (I've never been there) The weather usually warms up in May, so the weather might be cooperative with you! Also, depending on when you will be here and what your interests are, you will be right down the street from Angels Stadium. Not sure if you are into baseball, but you could take in a game. (If you are here on a Friday night - specifically the 6th or the 27th - the stadium puts on a terrific fireworks show after the game. Even if you don't go to the game, you can still see them around the Anaheim area.) Medieval Times might be of interest, but if you or the kids have done it before it gets old fast. If you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary, and don't mind walking a bit, the Renaissance Faire is going on through May in Irwindale (not that far). Kind of a trippy thing with folks walking around in costume, lots of things for the kids to watch and participate in. A LOT of walking, though, so be prepared!

Good luck with your trip and hope you have a wonderful time!

Sorry Chele60. Does that mean I have to turn in my official GOP Membership Card?

Great suggestions, especialy about the Discovery Center. I completely forgot about that place!