You can come home... trip report in progress!
 

Greetings!

13 year old daughter and I headed to California for a week to visit family, friends and enjoy Thanksgiving.

We left DFW on Sat afternoon and flew into LAX - no real issues on the completely full flight - wondering if it was full due to the upcoming holiday - not one empty seat. The flight is not bad - and was very smooth. Landed in LAX - unfortunately I had checked bags - this is the first time I have paid to check baggage and I was not a happy camper to pay 25.00 a bag - at all. 50.00 later - on top of your flight... I think I would be looking at the few airlines that let you check bags if I had to do this often.

Rented a car through Thrifty Rent A Car - even though we were going into Orange County I had to fly into LAX due to the big difference in airfare when I made the reservations. The rental cars are all off LAX by a shuttle - again it was very busy with a full shuttle bus but Thrifty did a good job of getting us all through quickly.

We headed straight to families house - and went to dinner at Islands in Foothill Ranch. I cannot imagine that anyone who is traveling to Orange county would really be over in Foothill Ranch but if you happen to be - Islands is a good family low price point - with the best fish tacos, burgers, great salads and never ending fries - it is a family favorite. They are a chain in a number of states, Arizona, Nevada and California and I think Hawaii.

We own two weeks of timeshares and had to cancel going to Lake Tahoe - I was able to swap it for a week at the Riviera Beach Spa and Resort on PCH in Capo Beach. https://pacificmonarchresorts.com/re...60&AreaInfoID=

I was VERY nervous about staying here but decided to wing it since we were going to be here for the week and budget is always a concern. It gets very spotty reviews and I knew the location due to living in OC for 13 years. It is right on a busy area of PCH and is generally dated looking. I almost chickened out even driving here...

We have a one bedroom which faces right on PCH - and the furniture is beachy/dated but it is clean - and really it is fine. There is a limited kitchen - the only thing lacking is a real oven. There is one bathroom with the biggest tub I have ever seen in my life. I will have to take a photo and figure out how to post. Crazy! My granddaughter could swim in it!

Check in was fine, the resort has free parking, internet is not free - it is via ATT&T wifi so it is either 29.00 for the week or 4.95 an hour or so. I would only say that if you come and stay here, be aware is it dated and beachy but it is not dirty. I have not heard the train at all hours of the night but you hear the PCH noise. Bring ear plugs. What is the most bizzare part to me is that they offer "free tanning" in a tanning bed.Of course I wanted to rant about Melanoma and the dangers in indoor tanning but controlled myself.

There is dining/seating enough for 4 person in the one bedroom. My 17 year old stepdaughter slept on the pull out and said it was not uncomfortable - the sofa actually looks pretty new.

Sunday we had breakfast at Denny's -which is only located a few moments away - there is a place to eat here but we passed on it - we had breakfast and got ready to head up to Disneyland - it was STORMING and I was pretty nervous about the rain and the money to get into D-land.

We have always had passes and have taken full advantage of them by being able to go for a few hours at a time. I was feeling the tourist pinch of spending the $$$ to get in on top of everything else and worried about the weather.

I used points to stay at the Anaheim Hilton by the convention center. It is a very upscale Hilton - HUGE. We had a two queen room and it was spacious enough for a family to stay in without an issue. We were up on the 12th floor looking straight at D-land! I am not overly pleased with Hilton's point system - and was trying to use up the remainder of my points - we are platinum Marriott rewards members and tend to stay at Marriotts for a variety of reasons - but a few years ago got an American Express by Hilton in order to get points. I had just about enough for a one night stay left and so opted to pack a small bag and stay up there for the night.

I realize many would think this was silly since we were staying 30 minutes away but I had my 3 year old granddaughter as well as my 17 and 13 year olds with me and was trying to please all... this way G-daughter and I could go back to the room when she got tired and my other girls could stay and enjoy the parks... getting the most of my 100.00 admission per person! I did decide that it was pretty costly for the 6 hours we ended up being there... oh well. I would have preferred to stay at a Disney hotel but prices were pretty high so I opted for the points option. For those with a large budget - the California Grand is one of my all time favorite hotels and I think I have been pretty blessed to stay in lovely places. The craftsman style is very appealing and the disney touches are all over. Several years ago when our budget was more generous I opted to go there for my 40th birthday I love it so much.

We had lunch at the Marriott right across the street from the Hilton because the hilton was JAMMED with convention people - while waiting for my 17 year old to get off work and meet us up there. I would pass on eating there.

I think my Granddaughter and 13 year old would have been content to stay up in the room, have room service (yes, I got my 3 year old that...she was in awe), and watch movies. - but alas - Disney was calling and Nonna (me) Loves D-land at all times but even more at Christmas time and it was decorated! So we took a local shuttle that runs all over Anaheim hotels to the parks over. You pay 4.00 per adult for all day transportation and 1.00 for children. It drops right in front of the hotel and the park. Very good for "neighboring" hotels.

The park was beautiful - not too crowded because the weather had been stormy in the morning but was cleared up but it was COLD... it felt wonderful though! Being there with my girls was awesome. I loved every minute of it. We went to California Adventure and my little one was really getting sleepy and wanted to "go back to the hotel and watch a movie" so she and I headed back - again via the shuttle service - you have to remember which "number" to go to - there were over 11 of them - and if you take the wrong one you will not get any place close to where you need to be.... there are people from the transportation company around though - asking 'are you going to the Hilton - etc" - very well run like most things associated with Disney. Up in the room we were able to watch the fire works from the room with a PERFECT view - the room has floor to ceiling windows - amazing! It was a special time for G-daughter and I... 3 is about the most perfect age.

We opted to have breakfast this morning at at place called Mimi's Cafe and it is great. It is located right across from Disneyland and I enjoyed eating there on occasions before - I do highly recommend it for breakfast if you are staying around Disneyland -

We spent the morning back over with my son, wife and new grandson - and afterwards headed back down to the timeshare. They have bikes you can take out for no cost which I think is a great perk. I can see that there might be a wait in the summer time for them - and there is a two hour time limit. But the sun is shining and my lungs longed to have salt air fill them - 17 year old and I headed out and had a glorious ride... it was truly beautiful out today. Ahhhh the beach - I have always connected with the ocean and feel it even more now that I do not get to see it whenever I want... that alone is worth staying at this timeshare. :)

TBC... :)

I am SO happy for you! Enjoy, I know you will~

Thank you my friend! It is a blessed time ((L))

Here is a link to the Hilton that we stayed at - it is as I mentioned a VERY large hotel - with a starbucks inside of it, a "food court" and was VERY busy - the pool is under renovation but when they finish looks like it will be fun for the little ones:

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hote...ornia/index.do

Mimi's Cafe is my favorite breakfast place. I'm enjoying reading this. I love disneyland. Haven't been there in years apbut I hope to go before I knave the OC.

Lynnie - isn't mimmi's the best? There is one in lake forest as well - do get to Disney before you leave! The week after thanksgiving is generally quiet and the Christmas decorations are the best :)

What a wonderful report/trip. Looking forward to the rest.

I'm staying at the Grand Californian for 2 nights next month and can't wait!!! I've been inside a few times but never stayed there. Got a discount offer a few months ago and decided to go for it even if it is still on the pricey side.

I'm so glad you are out here enjoying Southern CA and time with your family. I am sure they are thrilled to have you here. Sounds like you had some very special time with your 3 year old granddaughter. She is growing up fast. I totally agree with you - I love The Grand Californian too. Love the dinner at Napa Rose also. You are right - it is not inexpensive so have to save it for special times. Keep on enjoying and have a wonderful and special Thanksgiving.

Thanks everyone :) Janisj - you are lucky! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. If you like to "spa" they have a wonderful spa and Cali is right - Napa Rose is a very nice place to dine - I love the Chip and Dale breakfast as well at the StoryTellers Cafe.

When I was in school I would bring my books and study in the lobby area - it is so lovely - while my daughter and her friends would run around D-land.

Spent the evening with my beautiful Granddaughter and new Grandson - doing the mundane, helping out daughter in law and son - which does my heart good. ((L))

There are many dining options around the timeshare in the Dana Point direction (north) very close -

Oh one thing... I was wrong when I said the train did not run at night... it does and I heard it a few times last night... so yes, bring ear plugs.

This morning I am going to walk around Dana point harbor and meet an old friend for coffee -
http://www.danapointharbor.com/

later today picking catching up with my family and going to the Spectrum in Irvine it is an outdoor shopping area - with fun things for the little ones as well, a train, merry go round, ferris wheel - at this time of year they generally have an outdoor ice ring as well. I do recommend it if you are in the area - it is located right at the 5 - 405 merge.

http://www.shopirvinespectrumcenter.com/

Have a wonderful day! Loving being back in Southern California!

Hey Dawn, wave if you see me. I'm meeting DS for lunch at the Spectrum.

Oh Lynnie!! Too funny... we will be there.. Veggie Grill :)

Sounds like a great trip. Just wanted to comment on your flight. You probably know by now that Southwest flies out of Dallas (I think that's their home base?). They tend to have the best rates around as well as favorable policies (like no penalties for changing flights), so you might want to consider them for the future.

MomDD sounds like you are having a fantastic time with your family. Enjoy your grandchildren, they are precious.

Thanks everyone! The spectrum was wonderful yesterday. I did not see Lynnie :) - We headed back to the timeshare in the afternoon - and a friend came down to visit - Granddaughter, df and I walked down to Olamendi's Mexican Restaurant - it was great. I have been there a few times and always enjoy it. It did not disappoint. I love being able to walk to some place to eat.

This morning G-daughter and I headed to Dana Point Harbor again and had bagels and I had my coffee... SO nice to sit outside - today is beautiful out!

Headed to Capo Beach across the street and we played with sand toys and enjoyed the beauty. Ahhhh... I have never lived more than 20 minutes away from the Ocean in my adult life. So living in Texas has been a change. So being on the beach is worth the not so great timeshare. :)

Going to see Tangled today with my sweet family... life is good ((F))

Oh Judy I meant to comment - there are south west flights - the issue is that they all have one or some more stops :( It turns a 3 hour flight into 5-6 hours.

Dawn, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Wish the weather was better for your visit - but just seeing your family makes it nice I am sure.

So glad to hear you're having a good time, Dawn! Sometimes you just need to go "home", even if you live somewhere else. Seeing your son & family must really be special too.

Thank you so much everyone. We are back in the great state of Texas... I will finish up my report... :) Hope all had a blessed holiday!