Okay everyone, here goes. Because of a screw up, our family has tickets arriving in Las Vegas in the beginning of August. We are a family of 5 with kids ages 16, 15 & 12. I do not think that spending 6 days in Vegas in the beginning of August with 3 kids sounds like much fun. One thought was to drive to the Grand Canyon. The other, probably more appealing option would be to drive to LA. We have some family we could see, but I need a suggestion as to where we should go. We would want to be near the water. Disneyland and Hollywood stuff don't really interest us. Beaches and boats and waterfront restaurants are more what we're into. I was wondering about the Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey area. Are they nice? Should we take the time and go further south? Like Oceanside, or even San Diego? What about Huntington Beach? Our children seem to get bored easily and would rather end up some where a bit touristy with stuff to do than end up somewhere quiet with nothing to do. (I can't believe I just wrote that!) Anyway, any insigts would be greatly appreciated!

Janice

Hi Janice. Would recommend Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, or Dana Point (more boating, less beach, but parasailing etc. for kids--also the mission at San Juan Capistrano would be a good history outing) in Orange Co.(do a search here for more info) Santa Monica is great fun for teens (Venice Beach is just south) but it also has very expensive hotels. Nice beach in Santa Monica and then all the beaches along PCH--Zuma is probably the kids' favorite. Marina del Rey is a big Marina with lots of very expenisive boats and apartments and I think teens would be bored there, although again, Venice Beach is just north. Oceanside is basically military housing--don't go there. In San Diego La Jolla would be nice and has a great beach (used to be Black's Beach, but I think they call it Torrey Pines now) San Diego is a more "user friendly" city, but L.A. is more exciting (at least to me) Plan to drive from Las Vegas either very, very early in the morning (as in 5am or so) or in early evening and take water. It will be very hot in the desert. I certainly agree with the decision not to stay in Las Vegas. Your kids will not be allowed in the casinos and most likely, being teens, they will resent that.

I'd add a couple of other thoughts:

Santa Monica is convenient to interesting destinations like the Getty Museum, Will Rogers State Park, the La Brea tar pits (and cool museum,) the TV museum in Beverly Hills, lots of other places teens might enjoy.

Another alternative is Mission Bay in San Diego. Plenty of beach and water. In SD you could hit the zoo, the Hotel Del Coronado, a day trip to Mt. Palomar observatory, maybe the Tijuana trolly...again, plenty to interest the kids.

Final thought is the opposite direction from Las Vegas - try the Utah national parks - Zion, Bryce, or go east to Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, etc. - amazing, eye-opening places for teens.

Janice (and Kam): Just for clarification, the great beach in La Jolla to which Kam referred is La Jolla Shores - and it is great and lots of kids the same age as yours will be there. Black's beach is still where it used to be, south of Torrey Pines State Beach, and is still a "clothing optional" beach. These days, however, the cliffs are very unstable, so anyone going to Black's Beach should stay well away from them. Torrey Pines is also a lovely beach - we go there - good for kids of all ages! This beach is just south of Del Mar, where there is another lovely beach, but nowhere to park. Janice, just be sure to go to beaches where there are lifeguards. There can be wicked rip currents right at the beach.

Barbara, Thanks for correcting me--I didn't mean to send Janice and kids to a nude beach!! But, it is Torrey Pines Beach that I was thinking of between Del Mar and La Jolla---it's the big crescent shaped one, right? Great place for teens.

In addition to what KAM had to say, I think Newport Beach (or even Huntington) is a lot of fun for teenagers. They're just great locations for a good day lounging around at the beach.

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions. It's amazing what info you can get from humans that you can't get from a map! John, I did actually consider Utah, but we've never done a "nature" type trip with the kids. I am so afraid they would be bored. I know that sounds awful. Maybe I should try it and see how it goes. The real reason I was leaning towards California is the relatives we could fit in for a quick visit. Anyway, thanks again for all your info.

Janice

Your kids ages might suggest doing the mule rides into the Grand Canyon or a river trip -- we are 65 years old and did a 6 day trip last summer on th river, absolutely great! They have all different lengths of trips -- a fabulous way to see the canyon plus stay cool. I don't think they'd be bored as they run the rapids! Lots of teenagers -- I'd check it out -- also the mule ride is fun but expensive. Also Zion and Bryce are great.