California Moms--where should we go?

[daisymommy]

DH suffers from seasonal (winter) depression, and is really having a rough time right now. All the gloomy grey cold days here really get him down. I know how wonderful I felt when I lived in Calif. and suggested that we all take a trip there for a week, to pick up our spirits. I see on the weather forcast that it is supposed to be sunny and near 75 for quite awhile. Just what he needs to put a :) back on his face, and a pep in his steps!

So, I was trying to think of some places to go, that would be fun with an 18th month old. It's been awhile since I was there, so please help me with some ideas! Is Disneyland doable? San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World? How far apart (time wise) is Disneyland and the San Diego stuff? Any other fun tourist attractions, family friendly local beaches, boardwalks, etc. that we should keep in mind?

Help be my travel agents!

[deborah_r]

I live in the LA area. I would say stay in San Diego, and if you wanted to come up to Disneyland I don't think it's that long of a drive. Our Orange County experts will chime in soon I'm sure. I guess you could also stay right at Disneyland too, but maybe because I live in LA I just tend to think of San Diego as a place to relax and kick back.

I'm actually from New England and find the incessant sunshine here to be depressing, if you can believe that. I'm just conditioned to expect a certain number of gloomy cold days I think, and it throws me off for it to be so nice all the time!

Hope you have a great vacation!

[ddmarsh]

Oh poor thing I hope he feels better soon. I read an interesting study several years ago on the use of light therapy and SAD. It actually came to the conclusion that the most effective light was that going in through the eyes, not on the body. When they exposed subjects to light on the skin in a bathing suit and blindfolded it was less effective than those fully clothed exposed to light just through the eyes. It just made me think of your DH and perhaps while at home and/or work he might be able to sit near a window more often. I believe you can also obtain light therapy machines for home use.

Good luck -

[MommytoDylan]

Amy,

I'd love to help you! I live in Orange County, about 30 minutes from Disneyland, and about 1 1/2 hours from San Diego.

When I travel in this area, I always first visit www.biddingfortravel.com. This site coaches you through bidding on Priceline. My DH and I just got resort accomodations in Palm Springs through Priceline for $65.00 a night. The above website told me how much to bid and also has honest evaluations of the hotels.

If you have specific questions about anything, please ask. You can email me too. Have you thought about Legoland? That is in San Diego county and is geared to little ones. I haven't taken my one year old to any of the attractions yet so I can't answer those questions.

You will love it here! Dylan and I just got in from the backyard. He played in the sun for an hour and this is a slight breeze so it isn't too warm. Just perfect weather.

Happy planning!!

Meredith

[Mom to Brandon and 2 cats]

I haven't been there - but I've heard great things about Legoland. It's near San Diego.

HTH

--Jennifer

[Mom to Brandon and 2 cats]

I haven't been there - but I've heard great things about Legoland. It's near San Diego.

HTH

--Jennifer

[DDowning]

I agree with Meredith - the weather was just gorgeous. DH, DS and I met up with some friends yesterday in Newport and then walked around Balboa Island and the pier - just a perfect day!

The distance b/w D-land and SD is about only 75 miles so the time distance will depend upon traffic times. We live towards the border of Orange County/San Diego county lines so it only takes us about 1 hour to get there - we can reach LegoLand in a little less than 30 minutes if that gives you an idea.

If you do go, do it soon - March is notoriusly known to be our rainy season month.

Good luck on your travel planning!

[daisymommy]

Oh Newport! Balboa Island! drool-drool. I am homesick now :( I'm actually trying to convince DH that we just need to move there this summer! I showed him old pictures of our family at Christmas, wearing shorts, and he about died :)
Thank you guys for clearing things up for me on travel times. It looks like we could stay in SD and then travel to Disney for a day if we wanted. Is there still "Sea Port Village" in SD? Is it still nice? I have great memories of going there as a kid, but wonder if it's run down now. Remind me of any more cool places to visit?

And by the way, we are actually thinking of leaving this weekend or next week, so that should avoid the March rainy season ;)...yes, it's a spur of the moment kind of thing! DH is just so down, I can't take it anymore. I'm ready to jump on a plane tommorow!

And thank-you Debhbie for mentioning the photo therapy lights study. I actually was thinking of trying to find a place that sells them. It's just plain grey here, so sitting by a window won't help at all. But we could get a sun lamps for the house, and maybe that would help.

[Tondi G]

OOOHHHH Disneyland is SOOOOO Do-able! I highly recommend the Disneyland hotel too! We stayed there last year and it was so much fun! You can also look into Laguna beach.... nice beach!

San Diego is also a TON of fun! Go to the website www.Tripadvisor.com and check out the reviews of all the hotels before you book though. Some of those suite hotels have great angled pictures that make the rooms look a WHOLE LOT bigger than they really are!!!!! I would suggest looking into the Coronado Island Marriott. Kid friendly, nice grounds and rooms, right on Coronado with Hotel Del Coronado. Silver strand beach is nice! The Zoo is HUGE. Sea World was a lot of fun when we went with DS right around your kiddos age. We haven't been to Legoland yet... check the height restrictions on a lot of the rides though.... your kiddo might not be able to do much yet!

if you want to do Disneyland check this board from a few days ago.... I posted to someone else lots of info!!!!

Have a great trip! we have annual passes to disneyland and go all the time..... I'd be happy to help you out with more info... feel free to ask!

~Tondi and Mason 7/8/01

[NancyJ_redo]

Yes, it's absolutely beautful here right now. I live in a beach city in LA and wore shorts all weekend. Today was even warmer, and I saw on the news last night that it's supposed to get increasingly warmer as the week wears on.

Anyway, I know a lot of people who take the train from LA to SD. I'm pretty sure it's Amtrak, and it's a really easy trip. I'm not sure about the cost, but you should be able to find it on the internet pretty easily. So I was thinking if you go into SD first and want to come up to LA, or vice versa, you might think about taking the train.

As for great beach cities in the greater LA/Orange County area that are tourist friendly, there's Laguna & Newport in OC, which I think others mentioned, and Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach in LA. I'm quite partial to Hermosa - there's great dining, bike and roller blade rentals, beach volleyball to play and/or watch, nice beaches to lounge around on, and great people watching. Oh, and yesterday the dolphins were in really close to the shore and playing in the waves for several hours (calm surf and warm water tends to bring them in) - it's a really cool sight.

Good luck, let us know how your trip goes!

Edited to correct spelling.

[luvbeinmama]

Legoland is advertised as being for ages 2-12, and that's pretty close. 2 year olds won't have many rides to go on, but there is the water area (bring swimsuit/towel) and a big play area for kids of all ages, that your 18 mo. old will probably love. And don't miss Miniland in the middle of the park. Lego models of NY, CA, a harbor, DC, etc, etc. VERY COOL. You should be able to get your child in free at that age, too.

[etwahl]

don't forget la jolla! that's my favorite place ever. they have some of my favorite restaurants - George's at the Cove Ocean Terrace (great views and a fun place to eat), plus Spice and Rice for thai food. just reading this makes me so sad for san diego. i LOVE that place :) there's a good baby store there (upscale) called Heritage Baby.

have fun. i'm so jealous :)

Tammy,
Mom to Lauren Genevieve
03/12/2003
www.evantammy.com

[NancyJ_redo]

Ooh...George's has the best Caesar salad I've ever had...I love that place!

[Melanie]

Malibu?