We are going to California,… Disneyland and San Diego.
Just wanted your opinion on places to stay, things to do, places to eat at … Please let me know any suggestions so I can finalize our plans. I would LOVE to hear from you!
We rented a house when we went out for our Disneyland trip! It was the best thing we did! We had our own pool and kitchen. Hit the beach up as much as possible it's free! When are you guys going? I think we are headed that way for our spring break too! If I think of anything else I wil let you know.
I recommend Balboa Park in San Diego. It has a ton of things to do, many of them free or cheap. It also has the San Diego Zoo which is sadly not cheap, but well worth the money it does cost.
We lived in Coronado (across the bay from San Diego) for 10 years. There are lovely beaches there, a great farmers market (tuesdays?), the Hotel Del Coronado, and the training facilities for the Navy Seals. It's a fun afternoon trip. I recommend Miguels and the Coronado Brewing Company for meals.
As far as San Diego goes, I agree with the others that Balboa Park is lovely - many art and science museums, a train, the zoo. There were always local musicians and artists floating about the park, as well. The zoo has a wonderful children's zoo. Also, when I took my kids there, we would walk half of the park and then take the skytram (?) back. The zoo is HUGE and hard to see and walk in just one day.
We always bought a membership to the zoo. I believe with the free tickets you received it was actually cheaper. You might want to look into it (compare prices) if you are planning on doing the zoo. I believe it includes admission to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, too (about 45 minutes east of san diego).
Old Town San Diego was fun - lots of good restaurants and shops. Sea World is a quick drive (10 minutes?) north of San diego. I think they may offer a zoo/sea world combo ticket.
When we lived there, it was very easy to drive to the border and walk across to Tijuana, Mexico. I'm not sure how that would work now, with the increased border security since 9/11. Back then we didn't need a passport, but you do now. The markets in Mexico are a lot of fun, with lots of local crafts and foods.
Now you are talking my area of the world! I grew up there! Love to take people all over...let's see where to start! BEACHES: I think your girls would love La Jolla Shores...there are sea lions and this long jettie to walk out on. The beach is a ways around but there are caves and fun places to explore. So many beaches to choose from. I would stay away from the beaches down south. Get a lot of dumping there. Must visit Sea World. I don't love the Zooo because it's so big. I do love Sea World. Legoland is fun but I think your older kids would be bored. Old Town in San Diego has a lot of Mormon history and the visitor's center is amazing.
You might want to try VRBO for houses to rent. I really liked having a kitchen to cook in and a house with a pool and stuff and laundry. Fairly cheap....
Eating places: I love El Indios. My favorite mexico place in San Diego. There are some surfer dive-ee places up the coast in North San Diego. Ask. people usually know them. In and Out burger is good and also a place inland a bit in San Diego is "BEef and Bun." Grew up going there. All things Mexican.
Going across the border is hard now...need the Passport cards. You could hit up a good soccer match or pro football game. I love Balboa Park where the zoo is ...there really is quite a bit to do there and like many have said...it's cheap or free.
Coronado is a fun place. You can drive over the bridge or take the ferry across....Its a fun island of nice houses and shopping and great beaches.
downtown San Diego has the Horton Plaza for shopping surrounded with about every resturant. Jim Croce's wife has Croce's which a jazz pub/kind of place with good food.
At Disneyland I would suggest backpacks with water bottles and snacks. I feed my kids all during the time we were standing in lines for rides and it helped. It also kept things cheaper. Stay at a place with a big breakfast bar and that will also help cuz you can lenghthen out lunch until early afternoon. Hit all your favorite rides as early in the morning as you can. Fast pass some of the more popular rides. Hit the not so popular rides while you are waiting. It pays to go on Tuesday or Thursday...less crowds.
E-mail me if you have more questions. snider6@frontiernet.net
Walking around the temple in San Diego is amazing and also the one in Newport Beach is great--Balboa Island near by is a great adventure too!
Another ditto to VRBO. Carlsbad is a great location between Disneyland & San Diego!
San Diego: Mormon Battalion Visitors Center, lunch in Old Town, Scripps Aquarium (cheaper but not as cool as SeaWorld), Balboa Park (free concerts on Sunday afternoons), Wahoos Fish Tacos, Point Loma Tide Pool, Rent a surrey bike & ride along the beach in Coronado (Bikes & Beyond at Perry Landing), and the USS Midway offers tours if your kids would like that.
I just emailed you. Hopefully, that will give you a few more ideas.
ReplyDeleteWe rented a house when we went out for our Disneyland trip! It was the best thing we did! We had our own pool and kitchen. Hit the beach up as much as possible it's free! When are you guys going? I think we are headed that way for our spring break too! If I think of anything else I wil let you know.
ReplyDeleteI recommend Balboa Park in San Diego. It has a ton of things to do, many of them free or cheap. It also has the San Diego Zoo which is sadly not cheap, but well worth the money it does cost.
ReplyDeleteWe lived in Coronado (across the bay from San Diego) for 10 years. There are lovely beaches there, a great farmers market (tuesdays?), the Hotel Del Coronado, and the training facilities for the Navy Seals. It's a fun afternoon trip. I recommend Miguels and the Coronado Brewing Company for meals.
ReplyDeleteAs far as San Diego goes, I agree with the others that Balboa Park is lovely - many art and science museums, a train, the zoo. There were always local musicians and artists floating about the park, as well. The zoo has a wonderful children's zoo. Also, when I took my kids there, we would walk half of the park and then take the skytram (?) back. The zoo is HUGE and hard to see and walk in just one day.
We always bought a membership to the zoo. I believe with the free tickets you received it was actually cheaper. You might want to look into it (compare prices) if you are planning on doing the zoo. I believe it includes admission to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, too (about 45 minutes east of san diego).
http://donate.sandiegozoo.org/site/PageNavigator/MembershipBeneifitsLightboxes/MembershipBenefits
Old Town San Diego was fun - lots of good restaurants and shops. Sea World is a quick drive (10 minutes?) north of San diego. I think they may offer a zoo/sea world combo ticket.
When we lived there, it was very easy to drive to the border and walk across to Tijuana, Mexico. I'm not sure how that would work now, with the increased border security since 9/11. Back then we didn't need a passport, but you do now. The markets in Mexico are a lot of fun, with lots of local crafts and foods.
La jolla Beach + fire pit = Heaven
ReplyDeleteWe have used City Pass and thought it was a good deal. http://www.citypass.com/southern-california
ReplyDeleteNow you are talking my area of the world! I grew up there! Love to take people all over...let's see where to start! BEACHES: I think your girls would love La Jolla Shores...there are sea lions and this long jettie to walk out on. The beach is a ways around but there are caves and fun places to explore. So many beaches to choose from. I would stay away from the beaches down south. Get a lot of dumping there. Must visit Sea World. I don't love the Zooo because it's so big. I do love Sea World. Legoland is fun but I think your older kids would be bored. Old Town in San Diego has a lot of Mormon history and the visitor's center is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to try VRBO for houses to rent. I really liked having a kitchen to cook in and a house with a pool and stuff and laundry. Fairly cheap....
Eating places: I love El Indios. My favorite mexico place in San Diego. There are some surfer dive-ee places up the coast in North San Diego. Ask. people usually know them. In and Out burger is good and also a place inland a bit in San Diego is "BEef and Bun." Grew up going there. All things Mexican.
Going across the border is hard now...need the Passport cards. You could hit up a good soccer match or pro football game. I love Balboa Park where the zoo is ...there really is quite a bit to do there and like many have said...it's cheap or free.
Coronado is a fun place. You can drive over the bridge or take the ferry across....Its a fun island of nice houses and shopping and great beaches.
downtown San Diego has the Horton Plaza for shopping surrounded with about every resturant. Jim Croce's wife has Croce's which a jazz pub/kind of place with good food.
At Disneyland I would suggest backpacks with water bottles and snacks. I feed my kids all during the time we were standing in lines for rides and it helped. It also kept things cheaper. Stay at a place with a big breakfast bar and that will also help cuz you can lenghthen out lunch until early afternoon. Hit all your favorite rides as early in the morning as you can. Fast pass some of the more popular rides. Hit the not so popular rides while you are waiting. It pays to go on Tuesday or Thursday...less crowds.
E-mail me if you have more questions. snider6@frontiernet.net
Walking around the temple in San Diego is amazing and also the one in Newport Beach is great--Balboa Island near by is a great adventure too!
Another ditto to VRBO. Carlsbad is a great location between Disneyland & San Diego!
ReplyDeleteSan Diego: Mormon Battalion Visitors Center, lunch in Old Town, Scripps Aquarium (cheaper but not as cool as SeaWorld), Balboa Park (free concerts on Sunday afternoons), Wahoos Fish Tacos, Point Loma Tide Pool, Rent a surrey bike & ride along the beach in Coronado (Bikes & Beyond at Perry Landing), and the USS Midway offers tours if your kids would like that.
Have fun! Your blog is one of my favorites!
Come by and see me. I lived there for a very long time! HOWWWW FUNNNNN!
ReplyDelete