CA mamas - holiday planning help

[luvmypeanut]

My DD has her fall break Oct 19-23 and I would like to take the kids somwhere to get off this rock (Hawaii). We're heading to SD for xmas again so I thought I'd try something different. I'm limiting flight time to 6 hours because DS has insane amounts of energy and doesn't like to sleep. So I thought SF? Is there another spot in CA that would be interesting for 3.5 and 1.5 year old kids? I don't mind driving a little bit away from the airport.

Any help would be great. Thanks.

[jgriffin]

Monterey Bay Aquarium is great for kids! It's a bit of a drive from SF, so you might want to stay overnight (I recall a somewhat recent thread on places to stay down there). They have an area dedicated to kids, and within that a place for very little kids (3 and under, I think).

[luvmypeanut]

I think I've been to that aquarium years and years ago. I just ran across the website for the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose. Is that close?

I'm torn between Sf and Disneyland in Anaheim because DD is just getting into the princesses but I'm afraid they're too small to enjoy the park. That's why we love Legoland.

[jeminaal]

I think your children would enjoy Disneyland more than San Francisco. We've taken our oldest to Disneyland since she was 18 months old and our DS since he was 9 months old. They LOVE it! There will be lots of things for them to enjoy.

Here are some websites to help you decide:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/
http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13 (a message board where parents post on asking questions about visiting Disneyland)


Jeanette
(formerly known as jeanmick, member since Feb 2003)

DD Born Christmas Eve
DS Born Valentine's Day

[lorien_ca]

you can fly into sfo, sjc or oak to access the bay area. for a short stay like that, i'd probably just find a hotel (with an indoor pool, it can be chilly or warm here in october, you just never know!) in san jose. that way, you could do a different outing each day if you wanted to. activities close to san jose would be the CDM, it is truly spectacular for the age of your kiddo's (definitely bring a change of clothes, socks and shoes for each, the water exhibit can get them soaking wet, even with the full length aprons if they are exhubarent players) - best exhibits for your ages - the bubble room, the special toddler section of the water play area (look behind the 1/2 wall/red barrier ropes - it's easy to miss) and their is a whole toddler friendly multi-exhibit room upstairs. bonfante gardens (if weather permits) would be about a 20ish min drive - it's a theme park with all of its rides geared for the 6 and under set - 6 of them allow 2 and under with a parent. happy hollow zoo at kelly park is another great place to go - has a petting zoo, rides, playgrounds, etc. you could do a day trip to monterey bay aquarium (about 1:45min drive give or take) - take the change of clothes, socks and shoes here too, for the same reason as above. central park in santa clara has good areas for toddlers to play. and you could always do a day trip up to the city (san fran), like pier 39/fisherman's wharf if you wanted to. if you got rained out (unlikely, but possible in october), cdm, and the aquarium would still be indoors and do-able. there is a kids indoor pay-by-the-day playgym called 'the jungle' in saratoga and valley fair mall in san jose has an indoor toddler play area that is free.

here are the links to all of these places:
cdm.org
bonfantegardens.com
happyhollowzooandpark.org
mbayaq.org
http://www.sanjose.com/santa-clara-central-park-b7375
http://www.thejunglefun.com/locations_sanjose.html
http://westfield.com/valleyfair/

i'd offer to meet up somewhere, but we are off to MI to see my MIL that same long weekend.

hth, lori
Sam 5/19/05 How lucky I am that you chose me.

[Melanie]

SD as in San Diego or South Dakota? If it's San Diego, there is plenty to do w/in driving distance.

[miki]

I would go So Cal. You have the option of Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and Disneyland for the major attractions. And it's warmer than SF.

[luvmypeanut]

Wow thanks for the suggestions! DD and my dad vote for Disney/San Diego. My dad for the warmth and DD for Cinderella's castle. SF definitely intrigues me though so I'm going to try to plan a trip to do the kiddie stuff and break off with DH for a few days to do the vineyards. Thanks so much!

[spunkybaby]

We love Happy Hollow. Another fun place to go is Children's Fairyland in Oakland (www.fairyland.org). It's small and a little dated, but very nice for toddlers and easy to get around in a day or an afternoon.

Mom to a spunky toddler
March 2004

...and another spunky baby due in Dec. 2006!

[Dcclerk]

My kids LOVE Disneyland and they are 3 and 18 mos. You won't be able to take the little ones on some of the rides, but there is certainly more than enough to entertain, especially if you are like me, and get your kids out by 1:30 or so so they can take their naps. I agree with your Dad and DD :) :P

[rlu]

Lori,

I was just coming to rave about Children's Discovery Museum (lived here forever, just went first time today) and Monterey Bay Aquarium.

We adore Bonfonte gardens, but it might be closed when OP comes.

Happy Hollow big on our list too. Also, we're members of SF Zoo which we enjoy. If OP is a member of a local zoo, many have recipocal agreements which may get OP a discount at SF Zoo.

Basically just writing in to second all of Lori's suggestions.