California 10 day trip - Doable or too Ambitious?
 

We are traveling to California in June with two boys, 13 & 9. We try to combine fun with learning experiences whenever we travel. My kids LOVE sports, but also ASK to go to science centers. In addition, we add some art, theater, history, and nature along the way. <BR>Is this trip doable? <BR>Day 1- arrive San Diego by noon. Check into hotel and walk around Old Town area and drive around Coronado. Maybe stop at the Mission de Alcala. <BR>Day 2 - San Diego Zoo; maybe stop at Children's Beach for a while; evening baseball game. <BR>Day 3 - walk around Balboa Park, take in a few museums and go to Cabrillo National Monument <BR>Day 4 - enroute to Los Angeles, stop at San Juan Capistrano Mission. <BR> Drive around a neighborhood in LA (i.e., Hollywood area to see the touristy Mann's Theater or Wilshire Blvd down to Hancock Park & stop at the La Brea discoveries museum. Check into Anaheim hotel. (??Is the Observatory in Griffith Park worthwhile or has anyone been to Chabot Science Center & Observatory in Oakland) <BR>Day 5 - Disneyland <BR>Day 6 - Knotts Berry Farm, afternoon maybe a Studio tour like NBC or Paramount. <BR> Maybe tickets to a Dodgers baseball game on day 5 or 6 or we'll pass. <BR> (I'd love to get into the Getty Museum. Would it be more doable than a studio tour? We arrive in LA on a Monday and the Getty is closed Mondays.) <BR>Day 7 - Drive to San Simeon/Hearst Castle tour. Stop along the way in Solvang for lunch, Cambria for a beach walk. <BR>Day 8 - Drive up Hwy 1 to Monterey's 17 mile drive. Stop at the Aquarium. Drive around SF and check out the Fisherman's Wharf area. Check into hotel (we're staying in Berkeley). <BR>Day 9 - SF. Alcatraz, Exploratorium, walk around Union Sq./Nob Hill <BR>Are there any plays we can see? Musicals and mysteries seem best at this age. Option: Oakland A's baseball game (Giants seem sold out). <BR>Day 10 -- Drive to Muir Woods and head over to Napa Valley for a winery tour. <BR>Day 11 - SF. See other sites as Presidio, Chinatown, etc. <BR> Or drive to Sacramento. Enroute stop at Jelly Belly for factory tour, Sutter's Fort Park, Gold Bug Mine in Placerville. We could move the hotel on the last day to Sacramento instead of Berkeley. <BR>Day 12 return home. <BR> <BR>Is this too ambitious? I don't know the driving distances in terms of time or miles. We usually let the kids chill out in the evening at the hotel pool before bed. <BR>We're leaving soon. Any comments would be welcome. Thanks! <BR> <BR> <BR>

I would spend less time in L.A. and more time up north. San Franscisco is full of entertainment for the children; also there is a very interesting tour of Alcatraz Island. <BR> <BR>The Napa Valley, if done properly, takes at least 3 days. Don't miss the towns of St. Helena and Calastoga, especially for dining. There are hot air balloon rides thru the valley, wine tours - just so much to do!!! <BR> <BR>You may email me for further information. But there are many wonderful B&B's in the Napa Area that take children. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip! <BR> <BR>

Having made similar trips in the past, I'd say, in general, you've done a darn good job of planning. Oh, I'd could suggest some minor changes, but that would be picky. The one change I would make: Forego the trip to Gold Country (as good as it is) and spend more time in San Francisco instead. After all, it is one of our great cities and there is lots to see and do.

Thanks for your quick replies. Do you think we should try for the Getty Museum or a studio tour? I'd love to see the Getty, although I'm sure at least one will be bored. But we figure sometimes kids have to do what adults like too. What other SF highlights would you recommend?

Just off the top of my head these SF sites and things to do: <BR>*Ride the cable cars <BR>*Visit Lombard Street ("the world's most crooked street") <BR>*Go to Golden Gate Park <BR>*And just walk, walk, walk....In spite of the hills, SF is a great walking city. <BR>A couple other comments on your itinerary: <BR>*Keep in mind that you won't be able to see everything at the San Diego Zoo in one day! <BR>*You might want to spend a little more time in Solvang and skip the beach walk. That's a pretty crowded day on your schedule. Just make sure you get to San Simeon in time for the last tour! <BR> <BR>

Thanks for your input, Howard. Do you know where I can find information about plays (theater) in SF? Or, rather, IS there theater in SF? I've never looked into it. Are they first rate productions like NYC or London? <BR> <BR>Also, should we stop anywhere along the ride up to Monterey? Big Sur? Point Lobos?

GBelle: <BR> <BR>This is an incredibly well-thought-out schedule. And I think the boys are at the perfect age to enjoy what you will see (coincidentally, my boys are the same age). <BR> <BR>I do have a couple of answers to your (questions): <BR> <BR>RE: Day 5. <BR>Yes the Griffith Observatory is worth seeing. It's a beautiful almost-art-deco building hanging onto the side of the Hollywood Hills. There are multiple-level platforms with coin-operated binoculars to look at the city. The drive up to the facility is pretty, and the observatory grounds are well-maintained. Some of the displays inside are dated, but it's a nice visit. The main part of Griffith Park lies along Zoo Drive (at the bottom of the hill). The observatory itself won't take that long; maybe you can pack a lunch. The park has wonderful picnic grounds (if you feel like a walk, look for a sign pointing towards the "Old Zoo"). By the way, if you're going to L.A. from Orange County, you might want to wait until 9 am or later to venture out. There's really no good way to get there during rush hour. Same for the return--avoid 3 pm through 6 pm. <BR> <BR>Re: Day 6. <BR>I took relatives and my children on the NBC studio tour and what a bore it was for all. The highlight is the trip to the employee parking lot to see Leno's car. I've heard the Warner Brothers Studio tour is great; I think you need reservations. If you decide to substitute the Getty for the studio tour, call ahead. One needs reservations to park. Tougher on weekends. <BR> <BR>OPINION ONLY! If you're considering passing on the Dodger game, don't. The view from the parking lot is spectacular, and the architecture and layout of the stadium is unique. It is unlike any other ballpark I've been to. If it's a weeknight, you can get pretty decent seats in the Loge or Reserved levels. Or you can sit in the "Top Deck", where the nine-year-old gets in for half price. Ask for seats on the first-base side so the kids can better see the Diamond Vision. <BR> <BR>RE: Day 9. <BR>You might want to check a web site for baseball schedules. I doubt the Giants and A's would be home at the same time. If it's the Giants in town: yes, I've heard that they are sold out for the season, but, if you're bold, I'm sure you can get good seats from the men holding signs reading "Need Tickets." On the other hand, most people might consider that desperattion time. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Well I'm tired out just reading this schedule!! Seriously, I suppose it is do-able, but you are leaving no time for unexpected things and I don't just mean traffic! Sometimes it is nice not to overplan, the off-the-wall things/places turn out to be more fun and a better memory. I understand you wan to see as much as possible but slow down a bit and enjoy what you do see. I cdon't understand your driving from San Diego into LA to look at a neighborhood and then going back out to Anaheim - you are backtracking in horrible traffic. Coming up from SD stay on Interstate 5 and go straight to Anaheim (and I imagine your hotel). LA traffic is really bad, try and plan your routes through it more carefully. As for the Getty, it's marvelous. You need a parking reservation however. You can park at a nearby mall and take the bus up (sorry I cannot remembe the name of the mall because we've taken our car). Your kids might enjoy some time at the beach - Santa Monica area a nice (also Malibu, etc.) but if you are staying in Anaheim it's going to be alot of driving. LA is a very big area which you will soon find out - if I were you I'd centralize my activities a little more. If you stay in Anaheim (Orange Cty) you can go to the beach at Huntington Beach or Seal Beach for a bit of relaxation, otherwise I'd stay closer in to LA (perhaps Santa Monica area) if you want to do LA sights. The rest of the trip sounds exhausting to me (my opinion only), but good luck with it. CA is beautiful, don't rush through it.

In answer to your latest questions about San Francisco, the city will get touring companies of Broadway-quality shows. I suggest you contact the SF Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.sfvisitor.org), which I'm sure can help you. Also, ask them for the latest copy of its "The San Francisco Book."

This is great! My boyfriend and I did a similar trip last July 4 over 10 days, from LA to Monterey and then the Gold Country (you can find a trip report if you do a search using the words "California coast" and restrict the search to the state of California). We had a great time. <BR>1. Definitely do Griffith Park and Observatory. It's worth it for the view alone. Lots of nice hiking trails here too if you're into that. <BR>2. If you have time to stop for lunch in Santa Barbara, there is a fantastic little taco stand there called La Super-Rica Taqueria, which was recommended in Frommers California guidebook -- very inexpensive, authentic, and delicious! We enjoyed the Santa Barbara Mission a great deal also, but maybe it wouldn't be so interesting for kids. <BR>3. Definitely stop on Moonstone Beach Drive in Cambria -- there are great tidepools there and we saw seals all over the rocks which was memorable -- the kids there with their parents were having a ball finding sea anemones, starfish, etc. There are some nice places to stay directly across the street from the beach there too, and the town of Cambria is lovely with good dining options. <BR>4. Am so glad you're doing Hearst Castle -- make sure you get tickets in advance to save time -- it's really something to see. Afterwards, a few miles (maybe 3) north along the coastline there is a "wildlife viewing" sign and we stopped and saw a huge colony of elephant seals on the beach! <BR>5. Definitely stop in Big Sur if you have time -- allow lots of time for the drive through this area -- very curvy winding roads and slow traffic -- gorgeous views and lots of hiking trails. <BR>6. Definitely also stop at Pt. Lobos State Park if you have time -- absolutely worth the approx. $7 per car entrance fee -- lots of wildlife here and good trails along the rocky coastline -- spectacularly pretty. <BR>7. The Monterey Aquarium is wonderful -- make sure you check out the jellyfish exhibit upstairs which is incredible! <BR>8. We loved the Gold Country -- particularly Nevada City and Grass Valley. There is a wonderful old gold mine in that area which we toured and got a great sense of what it must have been like to work in the mine (some of the photographs of the era before child labor laws were enacted showed young boys working in the mines, covered in dirt). Both towns are adorable with some good restaurants and shopping, and there are some nice hiking trails along the Yuba River (which I believe recently received a "wild and scenic" designation) plus nice cool swimming holes. I highly recommend this area.

GBelle- <BR> <BR>The one day that looks hard to me is Day 8, that looks like a REALLY LONG DAY. <BR> <BR>Highway 1 takes a lot longer to drive than normal highways. Also, I find the Monterey Aquarium usually takes about 3 hours to really explore. Then you're going to go into SF and THEN you're going to go into Berkeley? Sounds like lots of driving. I think I would recommend that you skip going to SF that evening, and advise that you check out Fisherman's Wharf the following morning when you show up for your Alcatraz boat. The area isn't much more than T-Shirt shops anyhow, so it won't take too long. <BR>

Day 8 is quite impossible unless you leave at dawn. I'd suggest skipping the aquarium as the 17 mile drive begs for frequent stops to admire the views. If you must go to the aquarium (which is fabulous, BTW) then skip SF that day as you can check the area out on your Alcatrez day. Get tickets in advance. If you can't get tickets, consider the boat ride to Angel Island. They have tram tours of historical interest. <BR> <BR>As far as the Giants game, 500 bleacher seats are available each day and the bleaches are great; have you checked their website? Pacific Bell Park also give daily tours on non-game days, but you must make reservations ASAP. They also have a walk-up area that allows you to watch the game for several innings free, if you can't get tickets. Good Luck!

I will add a few suggestions--but first a question: Have you traveled this way before with your kids, with every day packed with driving and actiivities, and relaxation restricted to the evenings? If so, you know what your family can handle. If not, you may find it an unpleasant experience! I can absolutely understand wanting to see it all, but you are being very ambitious, and you may end up feeling rushed. So I'd say, stick with the basic plan, but be prepared to drop one thing on any given day. That way, if you decide you want to spend a few more hours at, say, the zoo, you can just do it. You'll probably find you want to devote more time to some things than you've allowed for, and allowing yourself that leeway is important. <BR> <BR>Okay, my suggestions: <BR>1. Reserve/buy tickets in advance for the Getty, Hearst castle, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Alcatraz. As noted above, parking is the issue at the Getty. For the others, ordering in advance will save you precious hours waiting in line. <BR>2. Skip the A's game. You're not spending enough time in N. CA to even begin to do all there is to do, so don't waste any at a game. If you want to go to a second game, try for the Dodgers. <BR>3. Search this forum for opinions on 17 Mile Drive (which is in Carmel, not Monterey); there have been a few posts, and some love it while many others don't think it's worth the time or money. Another option for a couple of hours of fun (if you have time) en route from Monterey-SF is a stop at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This is a boardwalk amusement park with the typical rides, but it also includes the Big Dipper, one of the few wood roller coasters left in the country, and a favorite of mine. It won't throw you upside down like the Knotts rides, but it's a neat experieince. <BR>4. Skip Sacramento. As much as I think the Gold Country would be fun (and there's a railroad museum in Sacramento that your sons would like), a) you will be sorely disappointed if you only spend one day in SF, as there is so much to see and do, and b) your proposed Sacramento trip is too much to do in one day given the driving distance plus the time for activities. Save it for another time when you can do Nevada City, Grass Valley, and Route 50, for the full Gold Country experience. You'll want that second day in SF. <BR>4. No to Chabot Observatory, yes to Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley. It's in the Berkeley Hills. It is not anywhere near the size of the Exploratorium, but it has a lot of hands-on stuff that yous kids would enjoy, and from the courtyard there is a beautiful view across the bay of SF and the Golden Gate. If you go, drive over to Tilden Park (adjacent), and ride the miniature steam train; your sons will love it. (It was a favorite thing of mine when I was growing up in Berkeley.) <BR>5. A few more SF possibilities: Walk over the GG Bridge (or go halfway and turn around); you will be right near it when you go to the Exploratorium. Take a guided neighborhood walk that deals with some aspect of SF history. The public library does free walking tours; look at www.walking-tours.com/cityguides for schedules and descriptions. Chinatown and a Dim Sum meal. There's no way you can go with your kids and not ride the cable cars. I agree with last post, you can see Fisherman's Wharf when you go get the ferry to Alcatraz. Consider taking BART from Berkeley to SF and then using public transit in the city. It might take a bit longer to get around, but you'll more than make up the time by not having to find parking. www.transitinfo.org/counties will give you exhaustive info about public transit in and around SF. <BR>6. For theater and other listings, check out www.sfgate.com. <BR> <BR>Approximate driving times (assuming moderate traffic, which you can't): SD-LA, 2 hrs.; LA-Anaheim, 1 hr.; LA-San Simeon, 4 hrs.; San Simeon-Monterey, 3 hrs.; Monterey-SF (Rte. 1), 2.5 hrs.; Montery-SF or Berkeley (Rte 1/Hwy 17/280[sf] or 880 [Berkeley], 2 hrs.; SF-Napa (via Marin Co.), 3 hrs. Figure extra time for traffic in and around LA and on Rte. 1 (along the coast). You're covering a lot of miles. Good luck!

Just a couple suggestions--agree with leaving out one day in LA, but do try to go to the Getty. The views are wonderful and the kids will probably like the bookstore, if nothing else. You can see most of the highlights in 2-3 hours and the best way to reach it is by taxi from Santa Monica. That way you don't have to worry about parking at all. There are also buses, I believe. Would definitely skip a studio tour--not much to see. Your Day 3 is quite light--would you want to go to Legoland? You might add the Wild Animal Park, north and east of San Diego as you leave town. There's a recent post about it on this forum. In LA, also consider the Automobile Museum--on Wilshire close to La Brea Tar Pits. I would skip Knotts Berry Farm--think your kids are too old. Instead Universal Studios or save a day and move on north. Solvang is a bit touristy, to my way of thinking. But, lunch at Pea Soup Anderson's is an old must do. Moonstone Beach in Cambria or Morro Bay is also nice and interesting. A pretty view and nice lunch after or before Hearst Castle is at Ragged Point (the beginning of Big Sur). I've been to Hearst Castle on numerous trips and I think most of the kids on the tours are very bored, hope yours will be the exceptions. Make sure to explain to them what they are seeing is one very wealthy man's fantasy and needs to be viewed with a sense of humor. Your day 8 is crazy---sorry, but I really don't want you to be exhausted! You need 3 hours minimum for the aquarium and it's very worth seeing (call ahead and charge tickets to pick up at will call, thus avoid the first line). Very first stop should be the otters before they get too crowded. Kids would enjoy a lunch on Fisherman's Wharf and then, could you overnight in Santa Cruz instead of the whole drive to SF and Berkeley? It's Surf City, USA, and has a great old boardwalk. Took a 9 year old there last year and he wanted to stay. Also great for the kids would be to rent kayaks and go out with the otters in Monterey Bay for a couple hours. There's too much to do here to drive right through to get to SF. Why are you staying in Berkeley? Do you have friends there? If not, would you reconsider staying in the city? Lots of kid oriented hotels near Fisherman's Wharf. The Alcatraz tour is great--get the audio tour--rent "THe Rock" beforehand--not for you, but for the kids. You can take a trolley over to the new PacBell park if the Giants are in town and as someone said there's a walkup area where you can stay for 3 innings or so. The park is really nice and just opened this summer. Do visit the Cable Car Museum and ride on the cars. A game in Oakland is quite a production and if you go in SD and LA, you might skip going all the way to Oakland. I would skip Napa (kids will be bored) and go instead after Muir Woods to Point Reyes National Seashore--great educational things there. You can return via 101 and stop off in Healdburg if you'd like to taste some Sonoma wineries. Kids might like the old town of Sonoma. I'm undecided what to say about the Gold Country--it's usually combined with Yosemite and you really don't have the time to do both. I think I would use that as my extra day in SF and skip it. For theatre in SF check sfgate.com. And, the crazy Beach Blanket Babylon will allow kids at the Sunday matinee, if you're there on Sunday. Good luck and have a great trip.

Just wondering if your day 6 for Knott's Berry Farm in the morning is just for a meal or are you planning to go into the amusement park? If you pay to go into the Park, there is a full day's worth of activities to do there. We (our boys are 12 & 8) are going to this area in mid-July(have been here a number of times), & we are planning a full day at Knott's & 2 for Disneyland(although you can do Disney in 1 day & we have done it in 1 day in the past). When we go to the parks, we usually go from opening until about 10pm or so. There is plenty to do at both parks during that time. But if you have the energy to do the parks in consecutive days, more power to you. Only you can determine your energy level. 2 amusement parks & a studio tour, in 2 days may be alittle too much. If you go to Universal Studioes, that is almost like an amusement park itself, & would take a full day with the tram tour, & to see all the shows & displays, & go on the Jurrasic park, Back to the Future, & E.T. rides.Your chill out for a few hours is a good idea. & it also looks like you have left youself some re-generation time(walks on the beach). Have fun & good luck.

Hi, GBelle, <BR>I think your kids are pretty lucky lads. That's a lot of planning - well done! <BR> <BR>A couple of opinions: <BR>In June Disneyland can be very crowded and you may find a second day is needed to satisfy the kids. That's OK, because IMO Knotts is good for a chicken dinner but not a full day. Along those lines, I think you'd find it unrewarding to try to include a Hollywood/Valley/downtown LA activity on the same day as an Anaheim one. You'd be pretty pooped (and hot and aggravated) by traffic and parking grief. Instead could I recommend an afternoon on the beach at Huntington or a visit to Balboa Island? There may be a chance of June Gloom, but it often lifts by the late afternoon, and you might welcome the breeze and the kids might enjoy watching the surfers do their thing. There isn't much beach in your itinerary, but LA's are the best. (BTW, the kids would probably also enjoy Venice, too.) <BR> <BR>Griffith Park Observatory is cool. Rent "Rebel Without a Cause" before you travel. <BR> <BR>Dodger Stadium (not a long drive from Griffith Park, BTW) has the best hot dogs in Baseball. <BR> <BR>Skip the 17 mile drive unless your kids can tell you who Ben Hogan is. Substitute Point Lobos State Reserve instead. The boys will thank you later. http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/ <BR> <BR>Don't miss Fort Point under the SF footings of the Golden Gate Bridge. Old Civil War area fort with lots of stairs and tunnels and places for kids to roar around, plus great views, surf, passing ships. <BR> <BR>I agree that SF and the Bay area are too attractive to leave for Sacramento, even though the Gold Country etc. is awfully nice. If you want out of the city for a day, try the Muir Redwoods or the coast road (SR1) north of SF. Look for Occidental on a map and stop for a memorable family-style Italian feast at one of the restaurant/hotels in this cute town. <BR> <BR>Have a ball.

Me again, Just need to let you know about my boys'(again they are 12 & 8) feelings about Knott's Berry farm. I told them we could do 2 parks from among Knott's, Disneyland, & Universal. The boys have been to all of these a few times before. There number 1 pick is Knott's Berry Farm (even before Disney) & the chose Disney over Universal.Knott's has gotten some new rides in the past couple of years, including a couple of better roller coasters, & a giant drop type ride. If you do go to Knott's & you have the chance, ro to the restaurant for chicken dinners, they are fantastic there.

I meant to mention in my earlier response and forgot, but see someone else here has now mentioned Ragged Point -- it's a great place for a leg-stretch & a bite to eat if you need one, a bit up the coast from Hearst Castle -- make sure you take the short walk (it takes less than 5 minutes) behind the restaurant for the view up & down the coast -- spectacular. <BR>I do agree with others here that I would cut one day from the So. Cal part and add one to the upper end -- you are covering an awful lot of ground on days 7 & 8 and there is a lot to see there, and the driving is slow. My boyfriend and I stayed 3 nights in between LA & San Fran (1 night Cambria, 1 night Big Sur, 1 night Pacific Grove just west of Monterey) and wished we could have spent even more time. <BR>But you're going to have a wonderful trip!

GBelle, <BR> <BR>I see you have received a lot of very good advice, so I won't duplicate it (or even attempt to reconcile it). My main concern is that I see no time here to take care of basics, like eating, showering, having a cup of coffee, or reading the paper, but I see lots of time on freeways, sitting in horrid traffic. Way, way too much scheduled, in my opinion. <BR> <BR>I would try to do one major activity each day, taking in a minor thing only if it is small and right on the way. So Days 4, 8, 9, and 11 are the biggest problem. I would skip all theatre at night; you'll be too pooped from running around in the heat, standing in lines and looking for parking. Baseball? I don't know. I guess it depends on whether this is your only chance to see a live game, but consider a relaxing afternoon game in the warm sun. Might be easier to get tickets, too. At night, have a nice dinner and chill. <BR> <BR>I know I might ruffle some feathers here, but I would ditch San Diego altogether. You are really covering a huge amount of ground here in only 10.5 days. If you must go to San Diego, I would do the San Diego Wild Animal Park instead of the Zoo. I think the San Diego Zoo is a little overrated, as too many animals were still in small, concrete-and-wire enclosures to suit my tastes when I went a few years ago. Also, you are missing some cool stuff in LA and San Francisco. What about Venice Beach in LA? I would think your boys would love that. Also, you could spend a whole week in San Francisco and not even scratch the surface. I say slow it way, way down and have a really relaxing time.

Sounds like a great itinerary but I think your timing for getting up the coast is a little too ambitious. Driving up the Pacific Coast hwy is a single lane, very, very curvy road - this is not 65 mph. There is so much to stop and do with kids. I agree about the tidepools - the kids will love them. Day 6 Knotts Berry is a full day thing, they have much better roller coasters than Disneyland and kids your age will love it. I don't think you'll get out of there in-time to do anything in the afternoon. I must admit my first trip to Knotts we got there at 1pm thinking we'd spend a few hours and leave, whoops - this is a huge theme park. Day 7 I don't think you've got a chance, plus I wouldn't skip Santa Barbara, Stearns wharf, zoo, beautiful mission, beach, state street, etc.... Solvang is a quaint little village, mostly shopping and wineries the men and kids will think it's cute but.... Cambria too, these are artsy little communities, very pretty but not too much for kids. In solvang you can rent a Surrey bicycle to bike around town which is fun. I'd plan on making my way up to San Simeon by night-time and going to Hearst Castle (not to be missed) first thing in the morning. It is a long drive from LA to San Simeon. After Hearst Castle as you head towards Monterrey I'd at least stop at Julia Pfieffer state park. There is a little trail which goes under the pacific Coast Hwy and leaves you on a ledge over looking the Pacific Ocean - really pretty and not too timely. The Aquarium will take a few hours, You can also try point Lobos state park where you can see the otters. Carmel is so pretty but another artsy town, great spot for lunch/dinner. I'd probably scale back Southern CA by a day as other people have suggested and don't rush your drive up the coast, it's the most scenic part of the trip. You can skip a theme park day too, if that'll work. On a note regarding LA, seeing Manns Chinese theatre, hollywood attractions, LA Brea Tar Pits only will take a few hours. I wouldn't miss the La Brea Tar pits but it's small, you won't be there for too long. Any more questions please ask. <BR>

Must add to my previous posting. Legoleand will bore your kids to death if they are over 6. This park is neat for adults who can't believe all the things they make out of legos but the rides are all "little kids" rides. Knotts Berry farm is not by any means a park for little ones alone. They have huge roller coasters, ghost rider, supreme scream, log flume, sling shot with the loops etc... I'm not sure why anyone would think Knotts is not for a 9 and 13 year old? Please explain. Also, in LA exposition park has a wonderful hands-on science center, museum of natural history and IMAX theatre. I personally agree with the person who said to skip San Diego unless you just spend one day going to the Wild Animal Park. This really will free up your schedule for much needed time on Day 7 and 8 getting up the coast. If you get to Disneyland right at the opening you can get on many rides before the crowds get horrible.

I know I keep writing but I keep thinking of more to mention. I agree 100% with other postings that you must allow for the traffic - it is awful. Try driving at night so you are right where you need to be the next morning, thus avoiding the a.m. traffic. Also getting many tickets in advance will save you tons of time. These places are all very crowded in the summer and people waste much time in line. You can get tickets to Disneyland, Knotts, baseball games, Hearst Castle etc... all in advance. Last thing (for now) make sure you have hotels booked. California is tough for getting hotels in the summer and you might waste alot of time looking last minute.

Having raised teenagers (and young teens) in LA, they would snicker if someone mentioned Knotts Berry Farm. They did go to Disneyland, but mainly for the parades and night shows. So, my kids were too old for Knotts when we lived in Southern California, but you will know your kids best. Do they like Bugs Bunny et al?? Big thrilling roller coasters can be found many places--I don't think it's necessary to find them on a family trip to California and would humbly say that the "Big Dipper" wooden roller coaster in Santa Cruz might be a more significant part of your itinerary.

WOW!!! I can't believe all the great advice you've given us! <BR>Question: When do schools get out in June in California? It will help us anticipate where the crowds will be. <BR>Question: Is the Exploratorium as good as I hope it will be? (lots and lots of hands-on). We spent a full day at the Ontario Science Center last year. The boys even gave up leaving early so that we could get to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto because they enjoyed it so much. <BR> <BR>To answer some of your questions…I have already booked all the hotels along the way. We are booked on the last tour at Hearst Castle. I checked into the baseball websites, but thought we would wait until we arrived in California to call ahead for reservations in case we decided to go elsewhere on certain days or it rained or whatever. I did the same for the San Diego Zoo, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Knotts and Disney. (Are there any discount tickets available for Disney through AAA? The East Coast AAA only discounts the Florida Disneyworld. How about Knotts discount tickets?) We aren't locked into this schedule, except for hotels and the Hearst Castle reservation, but it's nice to have an idea of what to do when you get to an area and what options there are available. <BR> <BR>I think the boys will enjoy Knotts - they like roller coasters. We've seen the Seaworld, Universal Studios, MGM and Disneyworld in Florida, so I thought Disney would be a good comparison but couldn't see us spending any more time in amusement parks. <BR> <BR>I think we'll take everyone's advice and spend the extra time in SF and not Sacramento. The ballgames were all listed if we decided to go. I think we'll try for the Padres in SD first. It seems easily accessible and tickets were available online. If we were able to get tickets for the Dodgers, we would pass on the Giants and A's up north. The Giants' website had a section on how to get "day of game" tickets by lining up for wristbands 4 hours ahead of time but it doesn't necessarily guarantee a ticket. I expected to pass on that since waiting in line for an unknown would not be on my list of things to do. But that's also why I included the A's games on the list. <BR> <BR>To answer Caitlin, yes, we have traveled before - last year we covered 1,500 miles in 2 weeks going through Canada (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and back through Niagara Falls, and New York State to the East Coast). The boys tolerated it very well, with few arguments, and even wrote journals of their travels at night before they went into the pool. And during our February school vacation, we went to London. Did a lot of walking around the city and even rented a car for a trip to Windsor, Warwick Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon and Bath. (And I did it with a broken ankle in an air cast too! So we actually went a little slower than usual.) Two years ago we drove through part of Pennsylvania and did Washington, DC coming home via Maryland and New Jersey. The boys have become seasoned travelers in these last two years and know that not everything will be geared only to kids, that parents need to enjoy things on vacations too. Although the older one still balks at art museums, the younger one is beginning to appreciate the differences in the art styles over the centuries and will comment on "the detail in a painting" and even look at movies or books and say, "They have good graphics." <BR> <BR>Once again, thanks to all for your wonderful suggestions and ideas and comments. <BR>

GBelle, <BR>Well, you've definately done your homework and only you can be the judge of what your family will enjoy. You sound flexible about your options. Have a wonderful time and I'd love to hear a trip report on this forum when you return.

If you find yourself short of time on the first day, you won't miss much by skipping Old Town (history comes to the strip mall).

GBelle: <BR> <BR>Some schools are out tomorrow (9th), the rest by the 16th. <BR> <BR>Congrats on sticking to your plan despite the warnings--all of us run at a different pace. And as for Knott's: my thirteen-year-old and his friends would be quite happy living there. <BR> <BR>The Dodgers rarely sell out. There are good seats to be had, but your best bet is Monday through Thursday, or Sunday if you sit in the shade.

Hi, <BR>Wow--I live in SoCal and am enjoying all the great advice. With regard to the Getty--you should try to see it. You will need parking reservations so try to call in advance. But, I have called on the same day and asked if there are any cancellations and have gotten a parking space. <BR> <BR>You might try to see the La Brea Tar Pits and the science museum there. The Griffith Observatory is fun too, but I would skip it if you only have one day. <BR>Day 4 sounds a bit exhausting. Driving from San Diego to LA and then back to Aneheim will be A LOT of driving!

GBelle, that is what I wanted to hear; your pace could be hard on people not used to it, but sounds like you'll be fine. Since you indicated in your original post that you didn't know the mileage or driving times you were planning, I'd heed all the advice above, because you're covering a lot of miles, and everywhere you're going in So. CA is plagued by traffic congestion. So just be aware that you can't bet on driving times.. Also, the coast route is mostly two-lane and slow going, and can be crowded. So I'd suggest limiting your travel on Rte. 1 to between Big Sur and Santa Cruz. You'll see the most spectacular scenery between Big Sur and Monterey, and from Santa Cruz you can drive over the hill on 17 and take 880 straight to Berkeley. Thi'll save a lot of driving vs. driving Rte. 1 to SF, then driving back to Berkeley. Plus, you'll be at the end of a long day, and parking in downtown SF is a nightmare. For the latter reason, I suggest again taking BART from Berkeley to SF and using public transit in SF. It's 25-30 min. to downtown SF, and if you tell me where you're staying in Berkeley, I'll tell you what is the nearest station with a parking lot is (yes, it is perfectly safe to leave your car all day; commuters do it daily and BART police patrol the lots). I can also recommend restaurants for any meals you might have in Berkeley. You can email me direct if you like, or I can reply here. <BR> <BR>To answer your questions, most CA schools let out in mid-June. And, yes, the Exploratorium is that good, especially if your kids love science. It's entirely hands on, and the exhibits are scientifically sophisticated and also approachable. I first went as a kid 20+ years ago, and I've returned as an adult and enjoyed it. There is a way you could make your visit even better: schedule a visit to the Tactile Dome. You must arrange this in advance, and I'm not sure what the minimum number of people is. The Tactile Dome is a special feature of the Exploratorium where you remove your shoes and crawl, in the dark, through tunnels where you experience a huge variety of textures and other stimuli with your senses of touch, smell, and hearing. It's not for the claustrophobic, but everyone else, kid and adult, finds it an awesome experience. <BR> <BR>I have two other comments: First, if you've been to Disney in Florida, you should have no problem with doing Disneyland in a day; there are some differences, but mostly it's just like the Magic Kingdom at DW. I recommend the "Unofficial Guide to Disneyland." This book explains how to avoid the longest lines, how to maximize your time there, and exactly what is different than DW, including comparing attractions that are at both. Second, I second Kam's recommendation to skip Napa and go to Sonoma instead. Napa is a long drive, and that makes it a full day excursion, so you won't have time to go to Muir Woods that day. I'd hate for you to spend 10 days in CA and miss out on a walk through the Redwoods. Napa has lots of traffic and crowds, and will be boring for the kids. You could go to Muir Woods, Point Reyes Nat'l. Seashore, and up to Healdsburg and avoid all that, plus have have spectacular scenery for everyone and wineries for the parents. Sonoma is a nicer "wine country" than Napa, IMO. <BR> <BR>Finally, check out mapquest.com for help with routes, mileage, and driving times, and have a great trip!

Now THIS is what this forum should be! I hope you'll let us know, GBelle, how it all worked out! Have a wonderful time.

GBelle, in the "AAA Membership" thread going today, someone mentioned buying discounted Disneyland tickets at the AAA office...so look into it.

Yes, it's me again. I reread your last post, and I just wanted to emphasize the importance of advance booking for the aquarium and Alcatraz (both of which I have the feeling your kids will love). You can certainly wait and do it after you're in CA, but it will save you a LOT of time waiting in line, and also Alcatraz frequently sells out.

GBelle, Just wanted to add to the above. You can purchase tickets to Alcatraz only 7 days ahead of time on the Internet--go to www.blueandgoldfleet.com or I would call them at (415) 705-5555. If you can get the tickets now from home, you are better not to wait. I would also call the aquarium and have the tickets held at "will call". Most of the schools around here are out already or are getting out tomorrow, so plan ahead! Almost everyone discounts for AAA including Knott's Berry Farm ,the science museum at Cal Berkeley and the Exploratorium. Just to add more confusion to your already on overload brain, there's a wonderful Tech Museum in San Jose and if you follow the driving directions from Santa Cruz to come over on Hwy 17 and then take 880 to Berkeley, you'll go right past San Jose. It was another place our 9 year old visitor wanted to live! Now, you have to promise to have a wonderful trip and post a report on return.

GBelle, <BR> Just returned from our trip to SF with 2 boys, ages 17 and 14. We flew in to SF, spent 3 days in the City seeing everything either on foot or hopping cable cars, bus etc. It was a BLAST. I did get tickets to Beach Blanket Babylon way in advance, also Alcatraz. (Do the AUDIO tour!) But I was able to get same-day Giants tickets through a broker in the sports section of the newspaper. We took the Muni bus from Union Square easily both ways to the fabulous new stadium. There were LOTS of guys with tickets out front. I used to go to Giants games at the FREEZING Candlestick Park when I was growing up so I really enjoyed the mildness of this new Pac Bell park. My boys enjoyed walking up to Coit Tower and down the Filbert St steps but my feet hurt! <BR> We didn't get to go to any other theater -I guess we were there in-between them. Beauty and the Beast opened June8, I think , and I saw where Les Miserables was coming near the end of June. <BR> After 3 days of "hoofing it" we rented a car and headed out for Muir Woods, Stinson Beach and Sonoma wineries. Stopped to view the Golden Gate Bridge from almost on TOP of it. We spent too much time on everything and got to the Gloria Ferrer Winery AFTER the tour was over. They were nice enough to give us a private tour--I was so impressed I bought a bottle!! <BR> Went down to Santa Cruz Boardwalk and on to Carmel. The next day we drove all the way to Lake Tahoe. It was a LONG DAY. We stayed 2 days there and flew home out of Reno. GREAT TRIP! If I was you, I would SKIP southern California altogether. We all had a terrific time except for the day we spent all day in the car. (Have you seen the MasterCard "family bonding-PRICELESS" commercial?) <BR> Hope you have a wonderful trip!! <BR> <BR>P.S. Take the elevator up to the revolving Equinox in the Hyatt Regency-Embarcadero. It's quite a view.

We took our kids to the Getty Museum. The monorail to the museum and the architecture captured their interest and the indoor/outdoor spaces. We also rented roller blades on Venice Beach and walked around Santa Monica - watching the street entertainers. While standing at the Grauman's Chinese theatre we were given tickets to "Jeopardy" which turned into a spontaneous and great day for the kids. Your trip sounds great. You may want to build in some free time which you will have no trouble filling up with activities you stumble on.

Just a note- as you may already know, if you are a member of your local science museum you may be able to get free admission to the Exploratorium and other science musuems on your trip. Our local science museum membership gets us into over 100 museums across the country for free. For us this means we can visit the Franklin Institute (our local Philly museum) the Liberty Science center and the Exploratorium all for the same fee. I don't know about the San Diego Zoo but I know that our zoo membership got us into the San Antonio Zoo for free last year so if you have a zoo membership that may save you money also.

For theater tickets check the half price ticket booth on Union Square in San Francisco.

IMO this is one of the best and most helpful threads on the U.S. forum in a long time. It shows how much better the info exchange can be when the original poster has done some homework! My compliments GBelle!

Always ask if museums give a AAA discount. Most of the ones around here do. Also, things like the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Grayline and Chinatown tours,Ripley's museum etc. will discount for AAA.

Great trip plans! On the Getty (I don't know if you still plan to go but I thought I'd add this advice for all): it is best to reserve parking in advance. But, beware you will be given about an hour span in which to get there and park. If you are not familiar with the area or get held up, this could be a problem. Calling same day to check on cancellations is a good trick. I went two weeks ago an hour after calling in. At any time, you can park at a hotel down the street (the big circular hotel that you can see right off the 405 freeway..I believe the Holiday Inn) for about 10 bucks and then they have a shuttle (5 bucks a person) that takes you to and from the Getty in 5 minutes. You don't need reservations for this. A bit expensive maybe, but the museum is free and the view and grounds are fantastic. Don't skip lunch on the patio. <BR>Again, have a great time.