Supercilious

"You'll find that from sunrise to mid afternoon, Death Valley in September is quite bearable. After all, the average low is 75. And don't forget it's a dry heat"

I'm sorry but the low temps are when it's night. As soon as the sun comes up, it's blistering. I've traveled through this area in September and it's mighty warm. Even at the end of October, it can still be over 100 during the day. Yes, if you confine your activities to the nighttime it might be bearable. Sane people don't go in until November.

POlson

Los Angeles: with four days I would definitely carve up the area into smaller sections that you can really explore such as *the Beaches (Manhattan Beach, Hermosa, Venice, Santa Monica, Malibu, surf lessons, kayaking); Long Beach (Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, deep sea fishing, full day trip to Catalina Island); Downtown LA (Olvera Street, Chinatown, Disney concert Hall, architecture tour, Union Station); Dodger game; Beverly Hills & Westside (Rodeo Drive, Robertson, The Ivy, UCLA, Getty Museum, lots of shopping and fine dining); Hollywood (Hollywood & Highland, old movie theaters - see a movie in Hollywood, walk of fame, Farmer's Market, La Brea tarpits and LACMA); Pasadena (Huntington Gardens, Norton Simon, Old Town, Gamble house), go hiking in Angeles Forest or climb Mount Hollywood, Griffith Park Observatory

Disneyland: two days at Disneyland, 1 day at California Adventure; shopping at South Coast Plaza; also Knott's Berry farm theme park; you could even daytrip to the Wild Animal Park in North San Diego, mid-week it wouldn't be awful; play miniature golf; find a water park - there must be one nearby; go to an Angels game; ESPN Zone.

3 nights on coast.

San Francisco: lots to do in the City, you could also do day trips from here too, including Napa - I've done it a few times; other suggestions Muir Woods; Sausilito; Alcatraz. SF experts could easily give you 6 days worth of stuff to do.

Lake Tahoe: great hikes, take a boat out on the lake, golf

Yosemite: if possible I would take a night from death valley and add it here. There is so much to see and do three nights is really better. Be sure to have a meal at The Ahwahnee.

Death Valley.

Las Vegas: lots to do in Vegas - eat really well, spa, golf, shop, see some amazing buildings, ride the roller coaster at Stratosphere, art tour at Bellagio, catch a show or three, lounge at the pool; Some day trips include Hoover dam, I've not done but many recommend; other full day trips within 2 hours: Zion, St. George, others?.

Kailani

Hi Ausgal,

Keeping with your original itinerary, here's a few ideas that I think kids would enjoy.

In L.A., it is fun to see television shows being filmed, although I'm not sure of the age limit, but they are free.

Grauman's Chinese theater on Hollywood Blvd. is historical and entertaining, and they may hand out tickets for screening there.

The Farmer's Market is fun, and a good place to hunt for celebrities. I also like the La Brea Tar Pits.

The Hollywood Bowl is an outdoor theater, and has nighttime concerts for families sometimes.

Santa Monica or Venice Beach would be fun to walk around.

At Disneyland there is Knott's Berry Farm nearby, and even the nutty Medieval Times (parodied so well by Jim Carrey). There is a wax museum and other dumb stuff like that, that can be fun, depending on your mood.

You might also want to take a trip to the coast and hang out in Laguna Beach. A reality show was filmed there, and it's interesting for teenagers, artists. It's just a beautiful beach and town.

Traveling north on Hwy 1, you can stop in Santa Barbara or another pretty town.

In Monterey, the aquarium is spectacular, and I enjoy the ambiance of Cannery Row, which is where John Steinbeck lived and wrote.

In San Francisco, check out if there is a Giant's baseball game while you are in town. The new park is beautiful. If you don't want to buy tickets, there is an area where people can watch for free.

Most kids like Alcatraz, the Exploratorium, maybe exploring the neighborhoods of North Beach, China Town, Fisherman's Wharf, the Mission, Castro or Haight (for the adventurous). Golden Gate Park is beautiful, and there are nice museums, and a paddleboat lake. On Sundays they close the roads and people roller skate.

San Francisco is a lot of fun!

Yosemite is beautiful, and the Ahwahnee Hotel serves a delicious breakfast!

In Las Vegas, the Cirque du Soleil shows are impressive but expensive.

I think it is fun to check if there are interesting events during the times you'll be in the various places. I happened to be in L.A. during the "Tofu Festival" for example, and that was a blast, but I wouldn't have planned a trip around it.