We are going to California for the first time in June. We are staying at the Grand Californian in Disneyland for a 7 nights. We have a 21/2 year old and a 9 year old. We want to take a tour to a beach area. We will not have a car (or should we rent for a day?). We have 2 choices of tours, one to Catalina Island, the other to Orange County Beaches and a harbour cruise. The Orange County Beaches stops for 2 hours at Laguna Beach and 1 1/2 hours at Newport Beach. Which would be best for all of us? We really like the beach, since we have none were we live. We will want to get in the water if possible. Any suggestion?

Laura:

Newport, Laguna and Catalina are sort of like two apples and an orange. Catalina has a limited tourism infrastructure, is quaint and has a lot of natural appeal.

If it is important to you to get in the water, Laguna, Newport or Catalina would all be good. But if I were going to the beach I would rather be in one spot to enjoy the day than try to relax for a couple hours then get on a tour bus to go to another beach down the coast. Catalina has an underwater marine sanctuary that is great for snorkeling. There are kelp forests and the visibility is upwards of 70'+ unless there is a bad surge or algae bloom. The water will be brisk at all of the choices, maybe 65-70 degrees.

Certainly you need other opinions and input here, but my vote would be for Catalina. It's a world away. Also, seven days seems like an awful lot of time to spend with "The Mouse." Maybe a rental car would be a good idea for a couple sidetrips?

My vote is for Catalina. The ferry ride over is fun and the beach is great for both kids. When my son was 9, he easily found quick friends there.Our favorite boat trip on Catalina is the Flying Fish trip, but it is at night.Twenty-six miles accross the sea...

Thanks for your input. We are also thinking about taking a tour of LA/Hollywood. We have two choices, one goes to Universal Studios, but has less of LA. It only stops at Mann's Chinese Theatre and the Music Center, and then narrates a tour of Melrose, Rodeo, and Beverly Hills before dropping us for 7 hours at Universal Studios. The other would be all day of LA with stops also at the Beverly Center and then 2 hours at the Santa Monica Pier. If we do one of these, that takes up 2 days, the first day we arrive we will use for getting organize, this leaves 4 days for Disneyland stuff. Is this too much? Should we plan something else? We are not too sure about driving ourselves around LA since we never been there. Also, does Catalina Island have any area we can just lay in the sun and get wet? Is it clean? Is the snorkeling right from the land or do we need to take a boat out? Can we get snorkeling equipment there or do we need to bring our own? Is the snorkeling close to being as good as in the Carribbean islands?
Thanks,
Laura

I would take the tour that gives you the option of the Santa Monica Pier, rather than 7 hours at Universal since you've just been with Mickey at Disney! The beach is pretty in Santa Monica (but the water will be quite cold if you are used to Florida). I would rent a car and stay in Laguna or Newport overnight independently of a tour. Both are lovely So. Cal beach towns--Laguna a bit more sophisticated. Catalina is great, but don't do it as a daytrip. Once the tourists take the last boat home, the island gets back to what it should be. The flying fish are interesting and the glass bottomed boat should be nice for your kids. You can rent a golf cart to get around on the island. You choose, but I wouldn't recommend staying the whole time in Anaheim and doing bus tours from there. It just isn't that great. There's more to see in So. Cal than Disney.

I think that 7 days at Disneyland is overkill. Even with a few daytrips, 4 days devoted to Disneyland is way too much.

The nice thing about Catalina Island is that you won't need a car when you get there and it's a small enough area to wander around. There is a beach area that you can lay out and play in the water. There's also a good pizza place right on the main street, as well as a great ice cream place called Big Olaf's. A day in Catalina would probably be better for a family as opposed to a tour bus visit to Laguna. While Laguna is a great city, it has a lot of art galleries and things like that which wouldn't appeal to the kids.

Consider renting a car and skip all of the tour buses. While the freeways are a little intimidating at first, you'll get the hang of things and have a far better vacation than having to be regimented by a tour bus schedule.

You can rent snorkel equipment at a couple locations including right up and accross the street from the beach where the undersea gardens are. You can sit on the rocks then walk in to see the fish. Bring your watershoes.
For the sunning there is a great little beach where you can lay in the sun or under an umbrella. it is calm enough for the children to play in and there is a lifeguard on duty.The snorkel area is within walking distance from the beach.We really like Lua Larrys for Teriaki hamburgers and great tropical drinks.There is a movie theatre in the old casino building that is interesting to tour.I would stay at least one night year instead of all the constant Disney chaos. It might be a great break from the other experience.Wish I had Fish and chips from the Green Pier right this minute!You can rent run-about boats there also.