Pag wrote:Sorry this is a bit late zipzap, but if you get it...
Vegas is definitely doable with kids, maybe stay at Circus Circus if you want to be out of the hustle and bustle of the busiest part of the strip. Excalibur was also kid-friendly, as was New York-New York which had a massive arcade, plus the rollercoaster.
We did Grand Canyon but helicopter in 4.5 hours and was amazing. Expensive ($335/person), but well worth it.
San Francisco wasn't kid-friendly at all, kids I saw walking along were scared shitless by the homeless pissing themselves on sidewalks.The drive between San Francisco and LA was ok, but I'd still drive the Great Ocean Road before it again. Hollywood was a hole I thought, was there for an hour then happy to get out. Santa Monica is nice and very kid-friendly, if you're staying in the LA area I would head there, although it's not the cheapest.
Newport Beach was awesome for the kids, we stayed
here, really nice family-owned place with a help-yourself continental breakfast each morning and free beach towels, toys etc to use, one block away from the sand. Couldn't recommend it more highly!
Thanks for that Pag. We spent about 3 weeks driving down from San Fran to San Diego and had a brilliant time. Didn't think I'd have much energy for it but it was fantastic to hit that Californian sun and surf after spending a year in chilly Canada.
We spent 5 days in San Fran and stayed in the Haight which was as you mention, full of street stragglers (as was the whole west coast, starting in Vancouver which is the worst I've seen all year) and hippie throwbacks. Still it had lots of character - took us a couple of days to get into the groove of SF but ended up loving it. Kids loved Alcatraz, the cable cars, wharf area and cycling through the park and to the bridge.
Broke up the HWY 1 trip by staying at Monterey and Santa Barbara - really nice drive with the Beach Boys cranking on the stereo, I preferred it to the Great Ocean Road actually, and the elephant seals were awesome.
Made Santa Monica our LA base - we were intending to spend at least a couple of nights in Hollywood but I am so with you. Hideous, couldn't wait to leave, worst experience of the trip. Downtown LA is nothing to write home about either, except for the Grand Central Market - amazing seafood stand there. Whole grilled fish and chilli fish tacos for about $9 all up. Best thing I ate all year hands down. Lakers game at Staples Center a highlight too.
Santa Monica was a great base, close to the beaches & daytrips, shopping for Mrs ZZ and good distance from the crazies. Cool record store too
Spent the rest of the time in San Diego and Anaheim. Chose not to do Vegas this time. I'm not a theme park person but surprisingly enjoyed Universal, Sea World and of course Disney, conquering my fear of scary rides an unexpected bonus! If anyone is planning to ever do this trip, make sure you get the Citypass - most of the big attractions for a heavily discounted price. SD Zoo was excellent, huge Aussie exhibit opening in March.
So glad we travelled at this time of year too. Weather was mostly good (a little hail on our last day at Disney!), traffic in and around LA was a breeze and queues at the theme parks were short. Can't even imagine going there in peak season to be honest!
Loved California - nearly had a tear in my eye seeing the bottle brushes and gum trees! Glad to be home though
"A no vote from any club means there is some sort of risk involved in our entry into the competition not working," Steven Trigg.
... you'll have a blast... your trip sounds awesome,,.
