First trip to California - suggestions for a family?
 

Kids ages 10 to 16. We have no idea where to go. Beach is important, but have heard so many things about different areas I don't know what to think. I have heard that Southern CA is dirty. I've heard comments about sewage in the ocean water. I've heard that central CA is nicer, but the water is too cold for swimming.<BR><BR>What I am looking for is a nice, clean, crime free area with beautiful beaches, clean water. Would love a place right on the beach where we could look out and see the ocean and hear it too!<BR><BR>Not too crowded. Moderately upscale, but not SNOOTY. <BR><BR>My husband has heard San Diego is beautiful; I've heard it's dirty plus I wonder with the proximity to Mexico how clean the ocean water is.<BR><BR>Should I just forget CA and plan on Florida instead?

anyone? :)

My suggestion would be San Diego. Many great activities for families. Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Old Town, Balboa Park, etc. If you want to be on the beach, I would suggest the La Jolla Shores area. There are 2 side-by-side hotels that generally have tons of families when I walk by their beach. I do not know the names, but if you search for "San Diego" or "La Jolla" on this forum you may bring up an old thread that gives their names. The beach is sandy with a long slope of sand so it is fairly safe. Pay attention to swimming/surfing signs. For a change of pace, drive 5 minutes north to Torrey Pines and enjoy spectacular scenery and hiking.<BR><BR>Of course, La Jolla and on the beach mean $200+ per night.<BR><BR>A distant second choice would be Santa Barbara, but the activities pale in comparison for a family. The beaches are definitely not as clean as La Jolla shores either.

Thank you very much. La Jolla Shores sounds just like what we are looking for!

<BR>Just based on the ages of the children, I would put Santa Barbara a distant fourth, behind a tie between San Diego/La Jolla, Los Angeles County, and Orange County. In Orange County: Laguna Beach, Corona Del Mar, and Newport all have beautiful beaches and beach-front rentals and hotels--the cities are reasonably close to the Disney parks and Knott's Berry Farm. San Clemente is cheaper and has beautiful beaches as well. In Los Angeles County, there are great hotels (well-documented on this site) in Santa Monica, right on the beach. Santa Monica Pier is there, Venice Beach boardwalk and Third Street Prominade are nearby. About five miles north is Zuma Beach, a huge stretch of beautiful sand and my favorite beach in Southern California.<BR><BR>San Diego was a good idea--in addition to the other things mentioned above, you might consider the Hotel Del Coronado--if you can get a room. Great beach and nice area.<BR><BR>By the way, if you're familiar with Florida waters, you might be disappointed. The water here rarely gets above seventy degrees. <BR><BR>

Before you come, here are some good Chicago websites for you to check out<BR>http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/ThingsToDo/Museums.html<BR>http://www.ci.chi.il.us/<BR>http://www.metromix.com/top/1,1419,M...!Front,00.html

Oops sorry I hit the wrong reply button - still getting used to the new forum

The hotels at La Jolla Shores are the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club and the Sea Lodge. The beach there is lovely and is one of the most popular for families in San Diego. I think Fodors lists the Sea Lodge with a web site (which I can't remember, sorry).<BR>There is a lot for families to do in San Diego, so I hope you'll come here.