Side trip recommendations for 3 nights prior to DL

[Mich Mouse]

Looking for some guidance and advice please? We have been to CA three times-once to SF and two times SD/DL....loved everything and had wonderful trips.

We are planning on coming back this August and as much as we love San Diego, I'm wondering what other adventure we might have for a few nights? We are traveling with our children, 20 and 5 years of age. We could fly into a different area and drive a few hours to DL.

Any recommendations for the first leg of our CA trip? What do you suggest?

Thanks

[ILUVALASKA]

Have you ever been to Santa Barbara? There is a lot to do in Santa Barbara for all age brackets and the beach is fantastic. YOu have a lovely zoo, lots of museums, and lots of water and land sports. From there you could drive to Morro Bay-a very picturesque fishing town without commercialism or crowds. You could then round out the trip in Sab Luis Obispo.

[danaesacto]

Yosemite is not to be missed. Santa Barbara is pretty, have you done the coast? There is Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Pismo Beach, Hearst Castle in different areas. For something unique there is Death Valley. Mostly depends on where you are from and what we have you don't

[Mich Mouse]

Many thanks for your responses. We have been to LA and Yosemite before and also the Napa/San Fransisco area. Northern CA is absolutely beautiful and I long to return but on a 7 day trip I don't want to spend too much time driving. We will be in DL for 4 nights so I think Santa Barbara might be a good option? The only problem seems to be getting a direct flight there from the NY area. We live on Long Island and love the outdoors! What are your thoughts on Santa Barbara or other areas within a two hour drive of Annaheim?

Thanks

[bcla]

Catalina Island perhaps?

[Minuet888]

Originally Posted by Mich Mouse

Looking for some guidance and advice please? We have been to CA three times-once to SF and two times SD/DL....loved everything and had wonderful trips.

We are planning on coming back this August and as much as we love San Diego, I'm wondering what other adventure we might have for a few nights? We are traveling with our children, 20 and 5 years of age. We could fly into a different area and drive a few hours to DL.

Any recommendations for the first leg of our CA trip? What do you suggest?

Thanks

well I don't know how familiar you are with LA. But there is plenty to do just right there.
You have the LA Zoo, KNott's Berry Farm Amusement Park, Pirates Dinner Theater, Medieval Times Dinner Theater, Lots of malls and shopping areas, Six Flaggs Magic Mountain Amusement Park (has the most coasters in the USA) and the neighboring water park Hurricane Harbour., and Universal Studios, plus over movie studio tours like Warner Brothers.
You mentioned you want to do other stuff other than San Diego but there is plenty to do there like Legoland plus the neighboring aquarium, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Adevnture Park, and of course Sea World.
I know you don't want to do much driving but there really isn't much to do between La and San Francisco.
Monterey would be the furthest south town for things to do and that is still a drive.
Hope that helps at all?
Someone mentioned Catalina Island that might be a good option though I am not very familiar with that.
There are some things to do in Long Beach which is LA area, like the Queen mary and Long Beach Aquarium.

[endy]

Yes to Catalina. Check over on the California & West trip reports boards for the Catalina thread. It's a beautiful place and a very different feel than the usual hustle and bustle of Socal.
http://www.catalinachamber.com/

[kuzco-like]

I've been thinking about Catalina, too, for my next trip to Cali. I'm hoping that Nancy might talk about it on a future podcast (hint, hint).