Southern California vacation tips needed

[Twolittleboys]

We (me and boys, then 11 and 14) will visit Southern California for three weeks this summer. I used to live in LA for a while and we have vacationed there but this time we are going a bit further south. Hotels are all booked and I have done some research/planning already. Still, I was hoping some of you could add some more ideas/tips/recommendations.

 

We will spend one week in Anaheim (probably one day OC county fair, 3 days Disney, not so sure about the rest), one week in Solana Beach, and one week in Coronado. Generally, I like to go out and do stuff (zoo, hiking, museums etc.) but the boys would like to take it a bit slower so I am trying VERY hard to keep some days free for haning out at pool/beach etc. But I do want to use the time as well as possible so would really appreciate everyone's experience/ideas. We won't have a car but are well used to public transportation (I will rent a car for a couple of days if absolutely necessary but am trying to avoid it.

 

So what does everyone recommend?

[Um_2_4]

I would look into uber, lyft or the like. There is a trolley for the Anaheim resort area, but they do not go outside that area, otherwise well, as you know, allow a LOT of time if you want to use public transport. My neighbor used to take the bus from our apt in Anaheim to a dr at the other side of ANAHEIM (forget leaving Anaheim) and that took her 90 minutes (in a car maybe 25 with traffic).

OCTA is the Orange county bus service. You can plan trips on their site.

Since you have hotels booked, I would also ask them if they provide any shuttles to popular spots. Some do.

If you want to go "do LA", you could take the metro up and get on one of the "jump on/jump off" tour buses. Our nephew did that when he was here for a month and really enjoyed it. On the weekend (Fri night to Sun night) they have a pass for like $10 I think that allows you to ride the metro to LA all weekend and hop on/off. Griffith park might be nice to visit for a relaxing day. (I'm not a beach person despite having lived here 20+ years.)

For a beach, Newport beach is nice. I prefer it to Huntington. Also there is a nice area at Crystal Cove (tide pools).

[Twolittleboys]

I would look into uber, lyft or the like. There is a trolley for the Anaheim resort area, but they do not go outside that area, otherwise well, as you know, allow a LOT of time if you want to use public transport. My neighbor used to take the bus from our apt in Anaheim to a dr at the other side of ANAHEIM (forget leaving Anaheim) and that took her 90 minutes (in a car maybe 25 with traffic).

OCTA is the Orange county bus service. You can plan trips on their site.

Since you have hotels booked, I would also ask them if they provide any shuttles to popular spots. Some do.

If you want to go "do LA", you could take the metro up and get on one of the "jump on/jump off" tour buses. Our nephew did that when he was here for a month and really enjoyed it. On the weekend (Fri night to Sun night) they have a pass for like $10 I think that allows you to ride the metro to LA all weekend and hop on/off. Griffith park might be nice to visit for a relaxing day. (I'm not a beach person despite having lived here 20+ years.)

For a beach, Newport beach is nice. I prefer it to Huntington. Also there is a nice area at Crystal Cove (tide pools).

Thanks for all your help. I am actually not too worried about getting places. We are pretty used to public transportation (and yes, it is often slow) and don't mind walking. I have spent quite a bit of time figuring out the transportation side and between the train and various buses it should be okay (at least for what we have planned so far).

 

I absolutely love LA but not sure we will get there this time. We spent several weeks in LA two years ago and it just doesn't fit into the schedule so well this time. We are staying one night in Santa Monica at the very end, before flying home from LAX though.

 

Crystal Cove is a bit difficult to get to with public transportation but maybe on a future trip... I haven't yet been to Newport Beach and that is actually one of our options for one of the free days in Anaheim. I'd love to go but not sure whether it will be too much for the kids as the bus ride is a bit long and we have Disney and the Fair planned already. We will have a lot of beach time in Coronado and Solana Beach. Still, if it is up to me I would probably visit Newport Beach for one day.

[fraidycat]

When you're staying in Coronado, you could get an Old Town Trolley tour ticket. It picks up in Coronado on Orange Ave., about a block from the Hotel Del to tour along the coast, downtown, and Old Town San Diego. It is a hop on, hop off narrated tour with stops at various locations such as the USS Midway and Maritime Museums, Gaslamp, Old Town, Balboa Park (museums, gardens, zoo). I think there are two-day tickets available if you want to maximize your tourist time at a few of the stops.

 

http://www.trolleytours.com/mobile/san-diego/index.asp

Edited April 10, 2016 by fraidycat

[Twolittleboys]

When you're staying in Coronado, you could get an Old Town Trolley tour ticket. It picks up in Coronado on Orange Ave., about a block from the Hotel Del to tour along the coast, downtown, and Old Town San Diego. It is a hop on, hop off narrated tour with stops at various locations such as the USS Midway and Maritime Museums, Gaslamp, Old Town, Balboa Park (museums, gardens, zoo). I think there are two-day tickets available if you want to maximize your tourist time at a few of the stops.

 

http://www.trolleytours.com/mobile/san-diego/index.asp

Sounds fun - I will definitely look into this.