Hola again! Besides Disney/CA Adventure, Knott's, Leggoland, beaches (not in December!),San Diego Zoo, what else would be REALLY fun for a 7 yr. old. I'm thinking Studios (Spiderman, Hulk, Sharks, etc.)? Or is there something I'm just not looking at?

Anything else?

Gracias!

What about activies like checking out tide pools and things like that?

IMO, Univ Studios is a lil boring for a 7 year old.

Seaworld in San Diego? The aircraft carrier tour in the San Diego Bay?

sea world in san diego has a dolphin encounter that you can pay for. up close and personal. i think they also have a breakfast or something with shamu.
if you don't live near a beach, the kids that visited me got a little tired of the long days at amusement parks. when asked what they'd like to do it was always the beach (chasing the waves, tide pools in la jolla, playing in the sand) or hang around the hotel pool (would need to be heated in december).
san diego use to have a military ship open every saturday that you could tour for free.

We took our son to sea world san diego when he was 7 and it was a great age for it.

Whale watching?

Although the best times for kids are probably in the summer, the year-round stuff in the area is still pretty fun. For a mellow "Wow!" experience, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is a good facility, with a Gameworks across the street at the Pike. Shoreline Village, adjacent to the Aquarium, is good for strolling and shopping for silly things like hats, candy, hot food items, etc.

Some "fun" museums might include the Petersen Automotive Museum and the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits. Cars! Dead animals! For that matter, if you get down to San Diego, the museums in Balboa Park can be a lot of fun as well.

An afternoon in Huntington Beach, watching the surfers and walking around the Pier, can be cool, especially if the weather cooperates.

I'm not a huge fan of Universal Studios, but I'm an adult. I think the theme park offerings are perfect for pre-teen kids, frankly.

Maybe a Lakers game...?

The Aquarium in Long Beach is not worth a trip. Go to Sea World instead.

Rollerskating or riding bkes at the beachis good for that age!

Fodorites, kudos! Quickest response time of all forums!

We plan on being in Anaheim/LA Dec. 26-29, and maybe again 1 day Jan.11, so cold weather (possibly) may be a factor for water-related activities.

Is the Aircraft Carrier tour still on? Also like the idea of a Lakers game...

Any "Studio" tour or show that would entertain a 7 yr. old?

Or, just hang at Disney and California Adventure for 3-4 days, drive thru Beverly Hills, see the skaters in Beach area?

BTW, is a visit to Jody Maroni's Sausage stand worth it? I'm in the food business ant it piqued my curiosity.

Gracias.

Here's a link to the aircraft carrier museum:

http://www.midway.org

Last time my brother took his family to LA, they went to La Brea tar pits. I've never been there, so I can't comment myself, but I can tell you that my nephew talked endlessly about this place - he is 6 years old.

A few years ago, took my then 9 & 12 yr old sons, along with my 80 yr old parents, to the Aquarium in Long Beach. Then after the aquarium, we went over to the Shoreline Village & walked around there & ate at one of the restaurants, & the kids got their candy. For us it was worth the trip from Santa Monica. Only you can decide if it is worth the trip. My kids & my parents still talk about it today. Especially about the petting pool at the end of the walk thru, where you can actually touch some of the animals, such as skates/rays, swimming in the pool, & about all the types of jellyfish (special displays at that time, in enclosed aquariums). Do have to admit that we went there after doing the other LA/Orange County things. The kids also still talk about La Brea & the day we were there, excavations were going on & it was interesting to watch that. (For those that don't know, La Brea is not about dinosaurs, it is about mammoths, sabre tooth animals, & other similar mammals of that time period.) Sea World may be better than the Aquarium, but I wouldn't rule out the Aquarium.

The dolphin encounter is a great experience- but they might have an age
requirement

Aircraft carrier tour for a 7 year old??? Sea World is a great idea.

Thanks again! La Brea Tar Pits seems VERY interesting (and educational).

Any particularly "colorful" boardwalk area (for sights: people, sand sculptures, stands, etc., NOT for bathing)?

The Warner Brothers studio tour is excellent. Lots of familiar sites from popular TV shows, actors roaming around, etc...

Our 3 girls, 7-10 years, loved the Western Museum at Griffith Park, which features art, artifacts and interactive exhibits. There are many other activities at the Park, including horseback riding, that might appeal. For something different eat lunch at the police academy restaurant, also at the Park. The firing range next door adds zip.

While we did not visit Universal Studios this trip, taking in Disneyland and Cal. Adventures instead (which underwhelmed them, I regret to report), my children loved, absolutely loved, Universal Orlando. Still think it does the best job of all theme parks with ambiance, theatrics.

Our children also enjoyed the sights and sounds of Venice Beach, a remarkable microcosm of the remarkable. Catalina Island has loads to offer.

My nephew has gone to Universal a couple times a year since he was about three. He is now eight. He has ALWAYS loved it. It will not be at all boring for a seven year old. They will love it!