My husband and I have less than a month to plan a vacation to the SD & LA area. We have 3 boys ages 19, 17 & 13. We don't really do theme parks but love the out doors. We want them to experience the most of Southern California (we are from Michigan). We want to show them Venice Beach, the famous Hollywood sign, maybe snorkle??? We have about 8 days to see the most we can see. Sleeping is over rated so bring on the ideas please!! Thanks in advance.

There are other posts in here on what to do in LA and SD - and for SD a few quick thoughts:

Even though you aren't interested in theme parks - the Safari/Wild Animal Park is amazing - as is the SD Zoo. And this big kid still likes going to Sea World as there is so much to see and do - what with the new roller coaster.

For snorkeling - a good/safe place with a lifeguard is The Cove at La Jolla, and you can check various places to rent equipment if you don't bring your own.

And the lads should enjoy a stroll around Old Town - watching through the window at the Old Town Mexican Cafe as the ladies make the tortillas -but our favorite a couple of blocks away is Cafe Guadalarjua - with a live Mariachi band. http://bazaardelmundo.com/guad2006.shtml

Rent them boogie boards at the beach and they'll have fun for hours catching the waves. They may even want to take surfing lessons.

Both ideas sound "up our ally". Thanks for getting me started.

> love the outdoors.
For a place that invented urban sprawl, Southern California has an amazing amount of nature still available for recreation. Check out
www.nps.gov/samo
www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/cleveland/recreation
www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638
for starters.

For L.A.: You can take an easy hike in Griffith Park up to the observatory - which is a really cool destination in itself for kids. Hike Corral Canyon, it's fine for your kids, not too hard.. it's across from the ocean in Malibu...once you're finished, drive a couple of miles north to have brunch or lunch at the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe - right on the sand. Good food and a lovely long wide beach. You can hang out there for a couple of hours, swim, boogie board, a nice long walk.