LA with kids - on the cheap
Jul 7th, 2010, 08:30 PM
#21
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If we decided to go to LA and see Santa Monica, the hills, the strip, etc. would taking 405 be quicker on a Monday mrning and late evening than our previous plan (i.e. I-5 from Anaheim?)
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It's a gamble. The 405 in the am can be miserable. And the 5 with an accident- forget it. Either one is a crap shoot. I did have some 'good luck' coming home from the SFV on the 405 recently and the 5 going there was a complete bummer.
I agree...we do whine about traffic a bit much here. After years of it, you dread trying to drive through LA/OC, even Ventura county nowadays. LOL
With all of it's flaws, the majority of California lives here. Go figure. It must be the beer, weather and Mexican food.
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It's a gamble. The 405 in the am can be miserable. And the 5 with an accident- forget it. Either one is a crap shoot. I did have some 'good luck' coming home from the SFV on the 405 recently and the 5 going there was a complete bummer.
I agree...we do whine about traffic a bit much here. After years of it, you dread trying to drive through LA/OC, even Ventura county nowadays. LOL
With all of it's flaws, the majority of California lives here. Go figure. It must be the beer, weather and Mexican food.
Jul 8th, 2010, 07:09 AM
#23
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I'd skip Universal because of the price...it's more for young teens and up. Same with the $45 WB tour, unless the kids are absolute Harry Potter fanatics.
Check out discoverlosAngeles.com, and do a google search on THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES FOR FREE.
Crystal Cove State Park is the nearest nice family beach area to your hotel, I think, and note that Griffith Observatory is closed on Mondays so plan accordingly. (open til 10 other nights)
Check out discoverlosAngeles.com, and do a google search on THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES FOR FREE.
Crystal Cove State Park is the nearest nice family beach area to your hotel, I think, and note that Griffith Observatory is closed on Mondays so plan accordingly. (open til 10 other nights)
Jul 8th, 2010, 07:22 AM
#24
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<Crystal Cove State Park is the nearest nice family beach area to your hotel, I think,>
What is the hotel? I like Crystal Cove but it is a pain to get to - with parking and walking through the tunnel etc. There are many beaches in Newport Beach area - we prefer going where the board walk and piers are - around 32 street or so...
What is the hotel? I like Crystal Cove but it is a pain to get to - with parking and walking through the tunnel etc. There are many beaches in Newport Beach area - we prefer going where the board walk and piers are - around 32 street or so...
Jul 8th, 2010, 07:57 AM
#26
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With little kids and with just one day, I'd suggest staying in the Southern LA area and do Knotts Berry Farm and a beach.
Santa Monica isn't for little kids, and Universal Studios is - um, could be missed because of the time constraint.
If it were me and had to decide to drive a distance anyway, I'd look to going into San Diego instead of the Northern LA area. San Diego has a lot more things for younger kids to do.
You save yourself from having to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Santa Monica isn't for little kids, and Universal Studios is - um, could be missed because of the time constraint.
If it were me and had to decide to drive a distance anyway, I'd look to going into San Diego instead of the Northern LA area. San Diego has a lot more things for younger kids to do.
You save yourself from having to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Jul 8th, 2010, 08:03 AM
#27
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I do agree with the San Diego suggestion~ but I am a fan
The SD zoo is wonderful and I believe your children fit the Lego Land age - someone else can weigh in on that. Not sure on the cost factor. The 7 year old might have issues with height requirements at Knotts.
The SD zoo is wonderful and I believe your children fit the Lego Land age - someone else can weigh in on that. Not sure on the cost factor. The 7 year old might have issues with height requirements at Knotts.
Jul 8th, 2010, 09:05 AM
#28
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I do agree with the San Diego suggestion~ but I am a fan
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ditto. I had thought of it also, but hesitated, since they'll still have an hour + drive without traffic from Newport Beach. Still beats that dreaded LA drive though. (whine ) For day trips, we enjoy taking Amtrak down to SD, but for a family that will run around $120. Not exactly free. Aren't there usually pretty good deals for Knott's Berry Farm these days? For a long time they always had discounts on coke cans.
On the other hand, to be fair and unbiased; I "used" to drive day trips a lot longer than Newport Beach to Universal Studios.
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ditto. I had thought of it also, but hesitated, since they'll still have an hour + drive without traffic from Newport Beach. Still beats that dreaded LA drive though. (whine
) For day trips, we enjoy taking Amtrak down to SD, but for a family that will run around $120. Not exactly free. Aren't there usually pretty good deals for Knott's Berry Farm these days? For a long time they always had discounts on coke cans.On the other hand, to be fair and unbiased; I "used" to drive day trips a lot longer than Newport Beach to Universal Studios.
Jul 8th, 2010, 02:52 PM
#29
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Here's a schedule for show tapings: http://tvtickets.com/fmi/xsl/shows/recordlist.xsl?
As you can see, even for the Disney Channel shows, the minumum age is 10-12.
As you can see, even for the Disney Channel shows, the minumum age is 10-12.
Jul 8th, 2010, 05:55 PM
#30
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Great stuff everyone - we are staying at a hotel near the airport.
We are thinking of checking out Laguna Beach, it looks nice.
Maybe we'll just spend a day at the Richard Nixon Library so my kids can see the president of my childhood and be thankful for the great president we have today.
We are thinking of checking out Laguna Beach, it looks nice.
Maybe we'll just spend a day at the Richard Nixon Library so my kids can see the president of my childhood and be thankful for the great president we have today.
Jul 10th, 2010, 12:16 PM
#31
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LittleA-I am still confused. You keep talking about staying in OC and then driving to LA. Now you are talking about the Richard Nixon library. I don't think that's anything a 7 and 9 year old would like or at least not for very long.
I know that you don't want to spend the money for Disneyland and I don't blame you as it's very expensive. But I highly doubt a 7 and 9 year old have outgrown Disneyland.
The problem with the time you're coming might be the weather. Usually it is nice after Thanksgiving but you never know. You are talking about checking out Laguna Beach but I don't think there's much to do for kids in the winter. At least at Newport you have the Fun Zone, Balboa Island, etc. But I would have a back-up plan in case the weather is cold.
I checked online at Knotts Berry Farm-if you buy your tickets ahead online, you can get the three tickets for $81.97 or if you have AAA you can get a 30% discount which is around $79.00. I think that's a pretty good deal for the three of you and something your kids would enjoy.
I know that you don't want to spend the money for Disneyland and I don't blame you as it's very expensive. But I highly doubt a 7 and 9 year old have outgrown Disneyland.
The problem with the time you're coming might be the weather. Usually it is nice after Thanksgiving but you never know. You are talking about checking out Laguna Beach but I don't think there's much to do for kids in the winter. At least at Newport you have the Fun Zone, Balboa Island, etc. But I would have a back-up plan in case the weather is cold.
I checked online at Knotts Berry Farm-if you buy your tickets ahead online, you can get the three tickets for $81.97 or if you have AAA you can get a 30% discount which is around $79.00. I think that's a pretty good deal for the three of you and something your kids would enjoy.
