View Full Version : Another California vacation question
lfp2n
09-03-2004, 11:36 AM
We are going to San Diego for Thanksgiving, and I'm pretty excited as I've never been there. Our friends who we are staying with suggested that we could fly to LAX and visit LA for a couple of days too, but they don't have kids so I don't think they've thought about potential complications of travelling with DD. I've always wanted to go there pre-baby but I'm not sure a couple of days with a 20 month old would work.
What would you do for 2 days in LA with a toddler if you've never been there and want to see some sights?
Also, I can't figure out how long the drive would be from SD to LA is it a couple of hours away?
Lastly any recommendations for fun things to do in SD, I'm bummed as someone told me the zoo and seaworld would be closed at that time-is this true?
I'm planning early as I need to buy my flights ASAP and I can't decide on SD or LAX.
TIA
Lucy DD 3/03
Vajrastorm
09-03-2004, 02:05 PM
It is about 2 hours, maybe 2 1/2 hours, from San Diego to L.A.
I live in SD. Its an awesome place. :) I hadn't heard about the zoo/seaworld thing. I have no clue. I bet their websites would tell you.
egoldber
09-03-2004, 02:45 PM
We just got back from San Diego a couple weeks ago. My DD (who is much older than yours admittedly) LOVED the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. I believe that both parks are open 365 days a year. She also really enjoyed the beach. We did not do Seaworld, but I am pretty sure it is also open year round.
I would definitely do SD over LA with a toddler. It is much easier to get around in SD, more laid back, and more user friendly over all (IMO).
HTH,
lfp2n
09-03-2004, 04:49 PM
whats the wild animal park, is it like the zoo. I'm pretty excited to take DD to see some wild animals apart from squirrels and groundhogs.
Lucy 3/03
egoldber
09-03-2004, 06:24 PM
Go here: http://www.sandiegozoo.org
The Wild Animal Park is "like" a zoo, but unlike any other zoo I have ever seen. The animals are kept in enclosures that mimic their natural habitats. The park is very large and can be quite tiring to negotiate with a stroller. But there is also a train that takes a tour of the farthest areas. They have added some new exhibits since the last time we visited there (5 years ago?), but I did not get to see them on this most recent trip, since we ran out of time. DD and I were there alone and we kept pretty close to the central area except for the train ride.
They are both part of the SD Zoo system, but the WAP is about 45 minutes away, off of I-15 near Escondido. Both are WELL worth doing. They are very different experiences. FYI, since the WAP is so far inland, it is often significantly warmer (10-20 degrees) than the Zoo and the coastal areas.
Legoland is also in the area, but I am not sure how much there is to do with a young toddler there.
Melanie
09-03-2004, 07:55 PM
If you are looking for things geared towards your tot I would probably just go to SD early. There's obviously a lot to do in LA, but I can't think of anything that is special for little ones that you could not find elsewhere. I mean, there are zoos, aquariums, gardens, play places, etc. You could do Disneyland.
The drive from LA to SD is not terrible, if nothing out of the ordinary comes up. LAX is a madhouse near Thanksgiving though.
I love SD so I'd opt for going early, even if it is just to relax. We took Ds when he was under a year and he was not particularly interested in Sea World, but your daughter would probably like it (or the zoo). There's also Seaport Village with a carosel. Plus you could probably go to the beach still in November. You might not want to go in the water, but there's always sand play.
gracies mom
09-03-2004, 08:22 PM
Hi! I live in San Diego, and you'll love your vacation here!
As far as I know the parks will all be open. If it were me, I'd plan to spend all you time in San Diego. Besides, LAX will be an absolute madhouse during the holidays. There's a ton of family oriented places in San Diego, and you definitely won't run out of things to do!
Sea World: http://seaworld.com/seaworld/ca/default.aspx
Legoland: http://www.legoland.com
The Wild Animal Park - a must! http://sandiegozoo.com/wap/visitor_info.html
The San Diego Zoo: http://sandiegozoo.com/
Balboa Park - next to the zoo. It's bigger than central park and full of amazing museums, gardens, architecture, a puppet theatre, a butterfly garden, and an incredible kids playground.
http://balboapark.org/
http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/California/San_Diego/san_diegocebalboapark.htm
http://www.balboapark.org/familyfun.htm
Scripps Birch Aquarium (right on the beach!) http://www.aquarium.ucsd.edu/
La Jolla Cove: great for lunch, pictures and shopping nearby http://www.sannet.gov/lifeguards/beaches/cove.shtml
Fashion Valley Mall is a great outdoor mall in downtown San Diego, as well as Horton Plaza (also outdoors) which is in the Gaslamp Quarter (downtown).
Gaslamp Quarter: http://www.gaslamp.org/
Seaport Village: http://www.spvillage.com/
and of course the beach! Enjoy!
gracies mom
09-03-2004, 08:26 PM
FYI: It's about a 2.5 hour drive from San Diego to LAX.. There's also John Wayne airport in between in Orange County (1 - 1.5 hrs to SD), or Ontario Airport in Riverside County (2 hrs to SD).
Dcclerk
09-05-2004, 01:22 AM
I live in LA and love it. And I used to live in SD, pre-babe. I think that SD is still the place to go with a toddler. I agree with the PP that the great stuff in LA is either not appreciated by the toddler-crowd or, if it is toddler-friendly, easily replicated elsewhere. SD is more child friendly. Our our traffic sucks. On vacation, you will want no part of it. And, although everyone is telling you 2-2 1/2 hours from LA to SD, I really think that it is underestimated. I live pretty far south in LA (relative to so many other places) and in the last year, I haven't been able to do the drive to San Diego is less than 3 or 3 1/2 hours. I would DEFINITELY fly into SD.
Other than that, the recs re where to go are spot on in SD. I can't remember, but I don't think that I remember seeing any mention of Coronado. Although it may not be a must-see for your babe, there is some good beaches that would appeal to any wee one (I also think that La Jolla has some nice beaches). And it has such a lovely small-town feel with the most incredible old hotel... the Hotel Del Coronado, that I think that should be on the list. Regardless, you'll have a great time.
hjdong
09-05-2004, 03:35 PM
DS (and my) favorite part of the wild animal park is that you can feed the giraffes (2 cookies - $2 - not cheap but well worth it). We go there first because the giraffes get full and don't eat all day. But generally, if you wait in the area for 1/2 an hour or so, somebody gets hungry. Compared to the zoo, the Wild Animal Park is A LOT of walking. I perfer it presonally, but you should be prepared for the exhibits to be far from each other.
I agree with the other posters that SD is better for toddlers than LA. I live 2 hrs from SD and 1 hr from LA and have gone to SD much more with DS.
HTH,
Jeanmick
09-06-2004, 12:16 AM
Lucy,
I sent you a PM.
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