Hi,

My parents (in their late 50's) and brother (age 13) have just decided to go to CA over Feb vacation for a week. They are flying into LA and plan to spend a couple of days at Disneyland but are not sure what else to do. They are thinking of possibly seeing some sights around LA and then doing some driving up the coast. Any recommendations on things to see or do that they would all enjoy? Thanks for your help!!

Kate,
A couple of recommendations:

Aquarium of the Pacific and the Queen Mary - both in Long Beach and situated very close together, as well as very easy to do both in one day.

A little early perhaps, but they may want to check into a whale watching trip. Caution: people who are not used to choppy water may get sea sick - the waters off of the California coast can get a bit rough in winter.

Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park - has roller coaster type rides that will appeal to a 13 year old, yet plenty of historical stuff for the older folks.

The Santa Monica Pier and 3rd street promenade - and interesting way to spend an afternoon, lots of shops, restaurants, and interesting people to see.

There's always Hollywood, if they are at all interested. I've lived in So. Cal all my life and the "Hollywood thing" just doesn't appeal to me, but many tourists find it interesting to do the Hollywood walk of fame, Gruhmann's Chinese Theater, and other historical landmarks.

Universal Studios Tour in Studio City has an interesting "behind the scenes" tour, plus has added some interesting rides and attractions that appeal to children and younger teens.

There are many museums in L.A., including an interactive children's musuem, if that is at all appealing to them. Most of the museums are pretty close together - on Wilshire - and it may be possible to do 2 in one day. Also, there is the Norton Simon museum in Pasadena, and the Getty museum. The Getty is free, but parking is $5 and the reservations are usually made well in advance.

Driving up the coast, one has Malibu, which is little more for a 13 year old than some houses up on a hill. Further on there is Santa Barbara which also has some interesting shops and restuarants, but I'm not sure of how much interest it would be to a 13 year old. Santa Barbara is a beautiful city, however. The further one goes up the coast of California, however, the less there is to "do" and the more there is to "see" in the way of scenery and ocean views.

There are several California missions that are fairly nice to see - Santa Barbara is probably the nicest and best-kept. If they are at all interested in a slice of California history, it may be interesting to see one or two. Most can be toured in an afternoon.

There are other things that would be of specific interest to the 13 year old, such as Magic Mountain (theme park - huge roller coaster rides), and things that would be of specific interest to the 50 year olds, such as Solvang (small, quaint Dutch community in the foothills of L.A).

Depending on how far they are willing to travel up the coast, they may be interesting in visiting San Simeon, the literal *castle* of Randolph Hearst. There are 3 or 4 tours taking one to separate parts of the castle, and to take all of them may require more than one day. It is located inland, roughly half-way between L.A. and San Francisco. I don't know if they would need reservations, being that they may be going in February.

Good luck, and let me know if I can of any help.

Advice from 4th Generation Angeleno:
Break up the town into sections that can be visited in a day...for example...Go to Beverly Hills and Westwood and wander seeing sites for the day. Go to the beach towns for a day. Hit the Valley (thats San Fernando for non-90210ers) and see sites. Otherwise, you spend a good part of your time on the FREEWAYS. Go to museums when the weather (or smog) is undesirable for strolling....almost never in LA in February, though. The Huntington Museum and Arboretum and Pasadena are another days visit. -Cher

I think Michele's advice is very good and think she has many ideas for all ages. Only one thing to change in her advice - Solvang is a Danish Village not Dutch, but still fun and quaint.

Cali,
Thank you for the correction. Guess because I'm not descended from either Dutch or Danish, I get them confused. My apologies to anyone of Dutch or Danish ancestry.

Thanks so much for all of the great ideas. One other option that they're considering is San Diego. How far is that from the Anaheim area? Is there a lot to see/do there besides the zoo? Also, any moderate hotel recommendations are Disneyland, San Diego, and/or North of LA and any places to avoid? Thanks Again!!!

San Diego should be your preferred choice. It is far nicer than Orange County/Los Angeles.

San Diego is approximately 95 miles from Anaheim. The San Diego area is very nice with more attractions than you will be able to see in 1 week. The usual ones are the zoo, Sea World, Wild Animal Park. I would recommend staying in downtown San Diego where you can walk to many sights and take the ferry over to Coronado.

The main problem you will have with February is if the weather cooperates which applies to Anaheim as well. It can be warm and sunny, rainy, chilly, or whatever.

San Diego is very nice - more laid back than L.A, less hustle and bustle, and less traffic. (although they are fast catching up to L.A.'s standard) Time wise, San Diego is an easy 1 1/2 hour drive from Anaheim, taking the 15 freeway. (way inland, on the backside of the foothills, but away from major traffic areas) Although taking the 5 freeway (sometimes much longer) affords wonderful views of the ocean and allows for stops at picturesque little beach towns. Besides what was mentioned above, and depending on how adventurous everyone is, a short, one day trip to Mexico can be fun.

Personally, since your parents would be travelling with a 13 yr old, I would do LA/Orange County and then wind up in San Diego. There just isn't that much north of LA to really keep the interest of a 13 yr old, unless he is really into the beach. Plus, they would be abe to enjoy 2 of the 3 biggest cities in California. San Francisco is the 3rd, and in my very personal opinion, the only one worth seeing in California!

Areas to stay away from: well, if you stick with hotels in West LA, you should be OK. Downtown LA is really not a very attractive place, and other areas may be intimidating to tourists. In Anaheim, you want to try to avoid many of the small motels in the Disneyland area - there is a high incidence of theft. However, staying in one of the bigger hotels, such as the Marriott is perfectly safe. Also, it IS safe to walk around the Disneyland area at night (keeping in mind to take the ordinary precautions that every tourist should) - there are usually lots of people out walking around at almost all hours in that area. Most restaurants are also close enough to walk to from any of the major hotels.

In O.C. I would recommend that tourists pretty much steer clear of Santa Ana - it can be OK, but usually folks from out of town are rather intimidated and uncomfortable, plus parking is way difficult. You'll find, however, that parking in O.C. is much easier than LA.

In San Diego, staying at one of the hotels in the downtown area would be your best bet. San Diego is a relatively safe city, and there really aren't too many areas to avoid. I've been told to avoid National City (just south of San Diego), but I've never really been there, so I can't speak from experience.

Michele

What about staying in hotels near Mann's Chinese Theatre vs., say, the hotels near Disneyland? Right now, we're looking at an AARP rate of $55 for Holiday Inn Express in Hollywood within walking distance of the Theatre and a rate of $80 for the Carousel Inn in Anaheim within walking distance of Disneyland. We'll probably be doing more sightseeing in the Hollywood area and only one day at Disney but we're concerned that Hollywood may not be safe. Also, does Disneyland's Good Neighbor designation for a hotel near said park really mean anything or is it just a commercial agreement between Disney and the hotel?

I personally would never stay in Hollywood. First of all, you can see everything in Hollywood in just a few hours. Secondly, Hollywood is not a very nice area.

Just one more thing. You may want to ask yourself why it costs only $55.00 /nt in Hollywood. That should give you a clue to it's desireability.

I would much rather stay in Anaheim than in Hollywood. Too many ladies-of-the-hour and their johns in Hollywood interferring with tourism. You might try staying in nearby Beverly Hills or Beverlywood and drive over to Hollywood or stay near the Magic Kingdom and drive west while traffic is heading east.

My vote's with "Cal" - I'd avoid staying in Hollywood.

What does a "Good Neighbor" designation from Disneyland? Disney works with a lot of hotels/motels in the area because it is almost exclusively why people are there. But what is a "Good Neighbor" supposed to do? Then I can tell you if it really does.

Michele

Thanks everyone for the advice. I have cancelled my Hollywood reservation and booked lodging in Anaheim instead.

Are you sure you want to stay in Anaheim the whole week? Outside of Disneyland there is nothing to see! I would break it up a bit--a night in Anaheim, maybe 2-3 in Santa Monica to see the beach and museums and "hollywood" stuff. Then, if you must, go to San Diego. Anaheim for a week may get boring.

Thanks for the additional advice but we're NOT staying in Anaheim for a whole week -- just for two nights. Most of our trip will be in San Diego.