Sept trip: San Diego, Disneyland and...?

Old Jun 14th, 2017, 07:02 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sept trip: San Diego, Disneyland and...?

Hello, I am planning Sept 2017 family trip.
We (Myself, wife and 3 kids aged 3, 7 and 9) are going from Argentina for a 13 day trip to California.
Already went to California twice, but none of them with the kids. Not really interested in Hollywood area, and this trip will not go to San Francisco.

Original idea is at follows:
Day 1: arrive at afternoon (long flight BUE-LIMA-LAX) pick up car and go directly to a VRBO house in San Diego (Pacific Beach area). Idea is to have a house, and take advantage of having boggie borads, bikes, beach gear and space of a home rather than hotel)

Day 2 to 6 Stay in SD: Sea World, Legoland, beaches, Balboa park and musseums, Zoo and city sightseeing (I have been reading a lot of posts here about what to do in SD)

Day 7 to 9: Disneyland in Anaheim (already booked a Hotel right in park entrance to avoid driving in and out). These days are tuesday to thursday to try avoinding higher crouds of weekends

Then Days 10 to 13 are still open to discussion. Going from Disneyland, and last day going to LAX, means its 3 nights but actually 2 full days for activities, sighseeing or beaches
I was thinking at Santa Barbara (I do not know SB), or alternatively stay close to Anaheim and LAX and stay at Newport/Huntington
What are your opinions on this?

Thank you in advance for your help!
ZeqArgentina is offline  
Old Jun 14th, 2017, 08:04 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
While Newport Beach/Laguna etc would be really convenient, I think Santa Barbara would be a nice respite and not too far from Los Angeles. But - what time is your flight out of LAX? That would make a difference for me because I would not want to be up in Santa Barbara if I had a morning or early afternoon flight.
janisj is offline  
Old Jun 14th, 2017, 08:50 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,370
Received 79 Likes on 8 Posts
Santa Barbara is lovely but to me it would be a long time in the car with little kids, and honestly there's not that much to do for small kids there (in my view.)

Instead I'd look at another VRBO or similar in the Newport Beach area, especially on either the Balboa peninsula or Balboa Island (aka "Little Bal.") The island in particular is very picturesque - canal-front houses with public walkways, lots of very cute shops and cafes on the main street... Plus you can take a ferry over to the old fashioned waterfront amusement park on the Peninsula, and from there it's a very short walk to some of southern California's best beaches. There are various excursions possible - whale watching, sailing..

Use Google's "street view" to "walk" around - it's a nice area. https://goo.gl/maps/TysNKUD7CUM2
Gardyloo is offline  
Old Jun 14th, 2017, 09:01 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you janis and Gardyloo.
Our flight back is 2:15 pm at LAX, so should be max at 11:00 am returning the car. So should be leaving Santa Barbara something arround 8 am right?

Gardyloo, I look about Balboa.
ZeqArgentina is offline  
Old Jun 14th, 2017, 09:02 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry, "I WILL look about Balboa"
ZeqArgentina is offline  
Old Jun 14th, 2017, 10:56 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would not try and drive from Santa Barbara to LAX the same day as an international flight in the morning, traffic can be terrible. Instead drive down the afternoon before and stay near LAX, maybe stay in Manhattan Beach. The Sea View Inn is a block from the beach with free parking (rare) and has a few two bedroom apartments that might work for your family.
September is usually one of our warmest months so weather should be lovely.
jamie99 is offline  
Old Jun 15th, 2017, 03:12 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks to share your views.
I have checked in Google maps, and from Santa Barabara to LAX its 2h 30 m.
From Balboa peninsula 1 h 30m.
But, I should go in the morning there, so very risky to be just in time.
Other option is to remain in Anaheim Hotel and go visit Newport, Balboa, from there.
ZeqArgentina is offline  
Old Jun 15th, 2017, 10:14 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Google maps is very optimistic, to be at LAX at 11am means leaving Santa Barbara at 8am, right in the middle of rush hour traffic and taking the somewhat boring 101. I would get off around Oxnard and pick up Highway 1 through Malibu southward to LAX for a much more scenic drive, but takes more time. Up to you.
jamie99 is offline  
Old Jun 15th, 2017, 06:34 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,834
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Are you sure you will be alert enough to drive to San Diego immediately after you land from your long flight?
Jean is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2017, 01:37 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, I know it will be tyring.
But I prefer not to go to a Hotel for only one night, my family takes a lot of time to depart from anywhere. So I d rather drive a little tired but wake up at San Diego house already at destination.
ZeqArgentina is offline  
Old Jun 21st, 2017, 10:45 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Jean, your message was of great help!!
Not because I had not thought about tit, but my wife saw it and herself alone came with the idea of staying at a Hotel next to the Airport and not to loose time the following morning geting out of LAX area!
Sometimes, a third "impartial" comment, mke things easier!
ZeqArgentina is offline  
Old Jun 23rd, 2017, 04:14 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 49,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think landing at LAX and driving down to San Diego will be fine. It is only about a two hour drive. You can always share the drive with your wife if necessary and drink lots of coffee!
nanabee is offline  
Old Jun 23rd, 2017, 04:30 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 49,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here are some of our favorite restaurants in La Jolla (just up the road from Pacific Beach):

http://www.cottagelajolla.com/ (breakfast and lunch)

http://www.sugarandscribe.com/contact/ (breakfast and lunch)

http://elpescadorfishmarket.com/ (lunch and dinner)

https://pannikincoffeeandtea.com/pages/locations (breakfast and lunch)

http://harryscoffeeshop.com/ (breakfast and lunch) a local hangout and favorite

http://www.letstaco.com/ (very popular but crowded and limited seating)

http://birdrockcoffee.com/ (coffee and some pastries - the best!)

https://www.bistrodumarche.net/ (lunch and dinner very expensive but very good)

http://www.thefishery.com/ (in Pacific Beach near Bird Rock --
lunch and dinner wonderful for fish)


Oh and my new favorite is Galaxy Taco in La Jolla Shores.

http://www.galaxytaco.com/gallery/


**https://www.zagat.com/r/las-cuatro-milpas-san-diego

**I forgot about this place until yesterday when we went to Barrio Logan for real Mexican tacos/burritos/rice & beans. You really feel like you are in Tijuana, Mexico (without the hassle of a 4 hour border crossing!)

It is so good and worth the drive down interstate 5 take the Cesar Chavez exit and it is right near the Coronado Bridge. Take cash only.
From Las Cuartro Milpas (restaurant) you can drive over the Coronado Bridge to the charming city of Coronado - rent bikes or go to the beach.
nanabee is offline  
Old Jun 24th, 2017, 04:54 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,868
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would not drive from LAX to San Diego after a long flight from Argentina. You'll be sharing a major freeway with commuters hurrying home, traveling at 70 to 80+ miles an hour.

Check into a hotel in LA, and leave before or after rush hour the next morning. I usually arrive in at LAX at 5:30 AM. The drive to San Diego is quite nice at that hour, and I stop in San Juan Capistrano for breakfast. This way I don't hit traffic in either LA or SD.
lcuy is offline  
Old Jun 24th, 2017, 05:00 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,868
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also, I'd visit Legoland on the day you travel back to Anaheim. It's a bit north of San Diego, and right on the way to LA. You can spend the day there, and still get to your Anaheim hotel at a decent hour.
lcuy is offline  
Old Jun 24th, 2017, 07:06 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,530
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would not suggest Santa Barbara for children.

I think staying back around Carlsbad or the OC beaches would be ok & maybe just the last night near the airport (El Segundo or Manhattan Beach. There are also a few museums at Exposition Park but maybe the kids are too young?
mlgb is offline  
Old Jun 25th, 2017, 10:42 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well the California Science Center has the space shuttle Endeavor among other exhibits and the Natural History Museum next door has a terrific dinosaur display. Most young kids seem to start liking dinos around age 3 or 4.
jamie99 is offline  
Old Jun 25th, 2017, 12:33 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,332
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
I think Santa Barbara would be boring for your children.
MichelleY is offline  
Old Jun 25th, 2017, 01:06 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Santa Barbara is great for young kids... much less crowded than "kid attractions" in the larger cities and a very gentle coastline that is perfect for young ones to play near the surf.

Our newish MOXI ( The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation) www.moxi.org is wonderful for people for all ages and the Santa Barbara Zoo is lovely... totally different than most other zoos.
We have two baby giraffes that you can feed for a small fee and kids love that! !www.sbzoo.org

That being said, I think Balboa/Newport is fun with the ferry and the frozen bananas! You can't go wrong, if I were you, I would just spend less time in the car, if possible.
lynni is offline  
Old Jul 3rd, 2017, 04:20 AM
  #20  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Really thank to all of you for your suggestions; they were of great help!

So, I let you know our schedule right now:

Sept 13 Arrive to LAX.
Following majority recommendations we will stay at a Hotel in LAX area.
Sept 14, morning go to San Diego arrive Homeaway House (already arranged in North Pacific Beach)
Sept 15 to 18: stay in San Diego area for Beaches, Sea World, USS Midway, Zoo
Sept 19 Legoland (I took Icuy suggestion) and night at Anaheim Hotel near Disney
Sept 20, 21 and 22 Disneyland and California Adventure staying at same Hotel in anaheim. After Disney, going to Newport Beach Hotel
Sept 22 to 24 stay at Newport Beach Hotel. Some more Beach, Balboa Island and, unfortunately, back home...

I will leave Santa Barbara for another opportunity.

I will keep on schedule the Natural History Museum (my kids loves Dinos), and see when to make it suit!!

Really, really very thankful
ZeqArgentina is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -