mommyoffive Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 We have been to Cali 3 times in the last 18 months, but we are going again in a few months. So I would like to find something fun to do. Here is what we have done already. Disney Land 2 times Legoland for 3 days Seaworld Space shuttle in LA La Jolla Cove 2 different times to see the seals Joshua 2 different times hiked and went rock climbing Road trip to a bunch of the National Parks (joshua tree, death valley, Sequioa and kings canyon, Grand canyon, painted desert, petrified forest Ocean Days (including seeing tide pools) USS Midway in San Diego Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs The San Diego Zoo and wildlife park I don't have any ideas for this upcoming trip. I want to think of some neat and special things to do to get excited about. Hit me with anything you can think of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Can you go north? Lots to do there. Your OP doesn't say SoCal only, but if that's what you meant, stop reading because I won't be of any help. If NorCal is possible, then: Coast road up to Big Sur and beyond Monterey Santa Cruz/Capitola San Francisco Point Reyes Napa wine country Mendocino coast all the way up to the Oregon border Inland - gold country (wine there too, if that is of interest) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 We only have 7 days this time and my youngest hates the car. We are flying into LAX so we try to not spend a lot of time driving. Hence the last 2 trips have focused so much on the south. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Kayaking on the Channel Islands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 Kayaking on the Channel Islands Would love to. We almost did it down by the Cove last time. We do have 5 kids under the age of 11, so it is kind of of hard to think of things we can all do together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amiesmom Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 You can go to Julian if you like small old town touristy things, museums at Balboa park (next to the zoo), Catalina Island, the boardwalk at Pacific Beach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Knott's Berry Farm? It's another amusement park. There's also a very kitchy Santa Claus Lane/Village near Carpinteria. It's a fun day drive.If you want to go further north, Colombia is a gold rush town. And out to the east of LA is a ghost town. I can't remember the name of it, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 If it's me, I'm going to the beach all day, every day. However, if you need some variety- Big Bear. I have some seriously great childhood memories of the Alpine Slide. You could rent a boat, go fishing, take a hike Day trip to Catalina. Whale watching Universal Studios- Harry Potter world is now open 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS_ Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 There are day trips to the Channel Islands: http://islandpackers.com/ You can take a cruise around them that doesn't land, or land on one of the islands and do some hiking. There's also the aquarium in Long Beach, and the Queen Mary (which I haven't been to, but have been wanting to go). http://www.queenmary.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Go see the space shuttle endeavor in downtown Los Angeles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 La Brea Tar Pits and museum Discovery Cube Science museum in Orange county Balboa park and museums in San Diego Coronado Island/ Hotel Del Coronado/Old Town San Diego- take the Old Town Trolley tour from Old Town San Diego to Coronado Julian gold mine tours Knott's Berry Farm and Mrs. Knott's chicken dinner Universal Studios 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 (edited) Take a boat to Catalina Island if you are in the L.A. area Go to the beach (learn about Riptides before you go into the water). . Go to the mountains. Many things to do there! Edited September 23, 2016 by Lanny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Hollywood Blvd near Kodak Theater and the Chinese Theater. Drive to Getty Museums (get parking permits ahead of time or you can't get in). La Brea Tar Pit and museum. LA zoo. Santa Monica Pier and beaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Santa Barbara is a nice day trip- they've got a zoo, a mission, carriage museum, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Another vote for Monterrey and Santa Cruz. I love the Monterrey Bay Aquarium! And the beach boardwalk at Santa Cruz is great! And you can go be in the redwoods, too, there's a great state park up there with a train iirc. Lots of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Hike in YosemiteSee the giant Sequoias Visit the Sacramento Railroad Museum Tour the Ghost Town at Bodie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Um_2_4 Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 If you don't want to day trip (I understand 2 of mine get carsick big time), then Knotts, Le Brea Tar Pits, Discovery Science Center (the cube in Santa Ana, great for under 12, shoot, DH had fun), Bowers Kidseum (great for the under 7 crowd), Griffith Observatory and Natural History Museum, the LA zoo is there too, but would probably disappoint after San Diego. Long Beach Aquarium? Bus tour of Hollywood? Depends what you like. There is Hadley's date farm. They sell the BEST date milkshakes. It is a bit of a drive, but near some MAJOR outlet malls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Griffith observatory Balboa beach/island and Catalina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkTulip Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 The Getty museum is amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elfknitter.# Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Santa Barbara, Solvang, Santa Inez valley area? Way less of a drive than the Grand Canyon. More of an overnight trip, but how about Hearst Castle? If you haven't done the Getty, I would second going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 The Getty museum is amazing!This I what I was going to suggest. I love that place. And if you go, make sure you talk with some who knows how to "do" the Getty. I've only been a couple of times and feel like I've only scratched the surface of the Getty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 Go see the space shuttle endeavor in downtown Los Angeles. Done that. Although it would be fun to see again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 Are the trips to the islands rough? Someone told me the trip will make you sick. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 Hike in Yosemite See the giant Sequoias Visit the Sacramento Railroad Museum Tour the Ghost Town at Bodie We haven't been to Yosemite. That is a thought that I was thinking about. We have seen the Sequoias though. I am thinking of the weather up there at that time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 We haven't been to Yosemite. That is a thought that I was thinking about. We have seen the Sequoias though. I am thinking of the weather up there at that time of year.October and November should still be very nice unless we get some early storms. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS_ Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 (edited) Are the trips to the islands rough? Someone told me the trip will make you sick. Any thoughts? It probably depends on the day, but when we took our trip, none of the 4 of us got sick (and my kids hadn't ever been on a boat at sea before). I bought some Dramamine just in case, but we didn't need it. It seemed fairly smooth to me, but I don't have much experience to compare it to. Edited September 23, 2016 by KS_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 I am very susceptible to motion sickness -- I've done the boat out to the Channel Islands twice without getting sick but I do think I took Bonine both times. :) I did get SOAKED on one of them - but that was the trip where we found ourselves in the midst of a pod of about a hundred dolphins -- they were EVERYWHERE and fantastic... so I didn't mind so much. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS_ Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 We haven't been to Yosemite. That is a thought that I was thinking about. We have seen the Sequoias though. I am thinking of the weather up there at that time of year. We just got back from a day drive through Yosemite last week. It was getting chilly at night, but still warm during the day. Just in case anyone is planning a trip there and wanting to see the giant Sequoias in the park - the Mariposa Grove (which I read has a wonderful hike through them) is closed and will be until next summer. My son and I were really looking forward to that and quite disappointed when we found that out. We opted for Yosemite instead of Sequoia National Forest because of the continued fires near/in the forest (my dh's family live near there and recommended we not go that direction and drive through Yosemite instead). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrittanyM Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Yosemite is amazing and nothing like Sequoia so I would highly recommend that but the drive would likely make your son car sick, it's fairly windy up into the park (although not as much so as Sequoia). A lot of the other suggestions are great as well though, Santa Barbara, Catalina, San Diego has so much, the Getty, the Tar Pits, Discovery Museum and Universal and Knott's. And if you're considering Yosemite keep Monterey in mind because that would be less windy and not much farther, the aquarium is fun and the weather in the fall is actually pretty nice most of the time (though can be chilly). Another fun thing that isn't too far is the Ronald Reagan Presidential museum, they have a fun Christmas display with trees each year that begins in November and they also have a former Air Force One plane to tour as well as a Marine One and other things. It is in Simi Valley, so not far from LA. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 I am very susceptible to motion sickness -- I've done the boat out to the Channel Islands twice without getting sick but I do think I took Bonine both times. :) I did get SOAKED on one of them - but that was the trip where we found ourselves in the midst of a pod of about a hundred dolphins -- they were EVERYWHERE and fantastic... so I didn't mind so much. Thanks for that. I get motion sickness easy. We have seen some whales already out there, but not dolphins (in the wild) that would be neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 (edited) Los Angeles area general - Bob Baker Marionette show - Corona del Mar state beach -- Newport Beach area - Shipwreck Beach hike -- south of Santa Monica, just north of Long Beach area - Santa Monica Pier amusement parks - Pacific Park -- amusement park on the beach at Santa Monica - Knotts Berry Farm -- big focus on thrill rides, so not as much there for kids under 12 - Universal Studios museums - Star Eco Station: Environmental Science Museum & Exotic Wildlife Rescue Facility - Natural History Museum - Discovery Cube LA -- hands-on kids science museum - California Science Center - Aquarium of the Pacific - Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park - La Brea Tar Pits and Museum -- small/doesn't take long, so plan other things to do in the area - Travel Town Museum -- small/doesn't take long, so plan other things to do in the area tourist-y attractions - Hollywood Wax Museum - Medieval Times - dinner and jousting show - Hollywood Walk of Fame and watch a movie at the TCL Chinese Theater (the old Grauman's Chinese "movie palace theater") San Diego area - Sunny Jim's Cave - Balboa Park -- gardens, museums, attractions, performing arts - San Diego Natural History Museum - Model Railroad Museum - Fleet Science Center north of LA - Hearst Castle tour - Cabazon Dinosaurs - Six Flags Magic Mountain -- big focus on thrill rides, so not as much there for kids under 12 Edited September 23, 2016 by Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 The Getty museum is amazing! This I what I was going to suggest. I love that place. And if you go, make sure you talk with some who knows how to "do" the Getty. I've only been a couple of times and feel like I've only scratched the surface of the Getty. Ah, but which Getty? Because we have two. The original (but expanded) Getty in Malibu, which is styled on a Roman Villa that houses the classical antiquities of Greece and Rome and the newer and larger Getty Brentwood. Both are pretty cool, and especially for "classically oriented people" (as I know all good WTMers are :D) Getty Malibu has appeal. And it is right by the beach. To the OP, refrain from calling this "Cali" or you risk being frog-marched across the state border. Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Ah, but which Getty? Because we have two. Bill I've only been to the one on the hill. Which one is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 I've only been to the one on the hill. Which one is that? Brentwood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nart Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Kidspace children's museum in Pasadena http://www.kidspacemuseum.org/ Noah's Ark (close to Brentwood Getty) http://www.skirball.org/noahs-ark Malibu Getty (my 7 and 9 year old like this Getty more than the other one) Long Beach Aquarium (pet a shark, see some penguins, touch a jelly, hand feed lorikeets nectar) http://www.aquariumofpacific.org Then go whale watching Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMom Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 To the OP, refrain from calling this "Cali" or you risk being frog-marched across the state border. Bill So true!! You can easily spot tourists when they say this. :D I love the Getty in Brentwood! If you're not staying close to there, however, the traffic on the 405 is a nightmare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 depends where you're going. yosemite and the redwoods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 I've only been to the one on the hill. Which one is that? Technically they are both on hills. But you were probably at Brentwood. It is now the main Getty (Malibu used to be). The villa in Malibu is pretty cool. Brentwood is good too. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 So true!! You can easily spot tourists when they say this. :D I love the Getty in Brentwood! If you're not staying close to there, however, the traffic on the 405 is a nightmare! With no traffic (say right now) I could drive to Getty Brentwood in 10 minutes. Other times? Not so much. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 If you stay in Southern California, how about Catalina Island? If you feel like heading north, I've always loved the Monterey/Carmel area. (I grew up in that area.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMom Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 With no traffic (say right now) I could drive to Getty Brentwood in 10 minutes. Other times? Not so much. Bill Yep...I lived in Orange County almost my entire life. My son went to college for a year at UCLA. Forty miles from my house. On Sunday evenings when I would take him back after a weekend at home, it would take less than an hour to get there. On Friday afternoons? At least a two hour drive. That's why he would take the train home on a Friday and I would give him a ride back on Sunday night. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted October 5, 2016 Author Share Posted October 5, 2016 I still can't decide. I need to get this planned fast. Dh wants to go up to Kings Canyon and Sequioa again. I am not so sure. The drive is more than I want to do with the baby. But also I want to be warm. That is the start of cool weather here so I would like to soak up some warmth before I come back to late fall and winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.