San Diego and LA vacation - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jay · #1 03-13-2007, 01:07 PM

I get the best travel info on this site. Now, we are going to go to San Diego and LA the end of July and August.We are taking children and grandchildren. What's the best resort to take my family to in San Diego? Loews looked good but has anyone stayed there? What are the must see places in SD? How about a beach hotel in the LA area? Which beach is best and safes for the kids? Which studio tour should I take the kids to? Any other info? Thanks, Jay

Jorn · #2 03-13-2007, 01:39 PM

Casa Del Mar is a nice hotel, right in Santa Monica at the beach.

R Leo · #3 03-13-2007, 02:37 PM

Must see/do:

Balboa Park Zoo
Aerospace Museum in Balboa Park
If the whales are near, take a Hornblower whale tour or, if not a harbor tour
Maritime Museum
Visit the railroad station (classic mission-style A.T. & S.F. RR station)
Burgers at 'In-n-Out'
See "The Del" a HUGE wooden structure.
Cabrillo National Monument

Also fun:
Haunted Homes Tour (from Old Town)...sounds hokey but it's actually a decent historic homes tour just with the goofy haunted twist.

Imperial Beach may be OK for swimming....depends on Tijuana's sewer status.

kerry · #4 03-13-2007, 02:38 PM

We stayed here over Xmas:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/north-america/usa/los-angeles?poi=136660
Inexpensive (for Santa Monica) about a block off the beach and within walking distance of the pier.
I wouldn't miss the Getty Center in LA. The LA County Art Museum had a great Magritte show in December. The LaBrea Tar Pit museum is right next to it. Kids love that place. I wasn't very impressed with the automobile museum just down the street.

kip Foss · #5 03-13-2007, 09:47 PM

Don't miss the new Getty Museum in LA. Not the original Getty Villa, which is worth the effort, but the new museum.

I just came back from SD. See Balboa park, inc. the air museum there, Coronado Is., Peterson Auto museum in LA is interesting but not great.

Jim B. · #6 03-13-2007, 09:54 PM

Seaworld in San Diego is great....your kids will love feeding the porpoises

Jay · #7 03-14-2007, 01:13 AM

Thanks everybody. I'm printing the page and takeing it with me. Jay

diametricalbenz · #8 03-14-2007, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Seaworld in San Diego is great....your kids will love feeding the porpoises

You mean the dolphins?

If you go to the San Diego Zoo find the feeding schedule for the giraffes. Your kids might like feeding the giraffes snack biscuits. (it's worth the experience for $2.00)

Jay, as an alternative to the San Diego Zoo there is also the Wild Animal Park, (they're both run by the Zoological Society). It's further inland but they have a HUGE facility. Get there early since they usually close at 5PM but much later during the summer hours and you'll fall into that category. Oh and get the souvenir cup if it's hot out, the drink refills are only $1.00 or usually free since the staff is usually pretty cool about it. Go and see the lions at the end of the day when it starts to cool off, they start getting active and start belting out their calls.
San Diego Wild Animal Park

Shutters by the Beach in Santa Monica is really nice but it is quite spendy. As for the beach, just keep an eye on everyone. And try to make sure your kids/grandkids DON'T get the water in their mouths. The beaches are pretty poor even though it may not look like it also during the months you are staying we do get occassional phytoplankton blooms and it gives you the worst diahhrea of your life.

I am sure you already know, drive carefully/agressively in LA. And keep any valuables out of sight. Your rental car will probably has one of those barcodes stuck on the right rear window so be careful!

davidmash · #9 03-14-2007, 08:50 PM

The aircraft carrier USS Midway is also down there.

I am going to visit my Dad next week and I am planning on going there.

http://www.midway.org/

iwrock · #10 03-14-2007, 09:00 PM

Paul, daimelatricalbenz(sp?) and Benz-LGB are some big posters from down in sunny so-cal.

I dont know about you guys, but whenever I go to LA, I always have to go to Knotts Berry Farm! Its sooo much better than Disneyland! They have more adult rides, and less people! That and magic mountain. Both very good amusement parks.

diametricalbenz · #11 03-14-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

The aircraft carrier USS Midway is also down there.

I am going to visit my Dad next week and I am planning on going there.

http://www.midway.org/

Report back to us about the Midway. I haven't had time to visit but I defintely want to go there. Fish Market is across the way which is always some good eats.

BENZ-LGB · #12 03-14-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinwrock

Paul, daimelatricalbenz(sp?) and Benz-LGB are some big posters from down in sunny so-cal.

I dont know about you guys, but whenever I go to LA, I always have to go to Knotts Berry Farm! Its sooo much better than Disneyland! They have more adult rides, and less people! That and magic mountain. Both very good amusement parks.

I don't get down to San Diego much.

In the L.A. area check out the L.A. Zoo; make reservations for the newly refurbished L.A. Planetarium; check out the beaches in Ventura County, nicer than L.A. (IMO) and cleaner; go to Traveltown (train museum near the L.A Zoo); of course the Universal Studio tour; go to Hollywood Blvd. and check out Mann's Chinese Theater; go to the museums at Exposition Park (across the street from USC--GO TROJANS, beat the Razorbacks!); visit Olvera Street (downtown L.A.); see the old Union Station (across from Olvera Street--lovely old-style train station); if you like old war planes (WWII vintage) go to the Commemorative Air Force Museum (Camarillo) or to the Planes of Fame Museum (Chino); depending on when you show up, go to the Giant Flea Market at the Rose Bowl (lovely old stadium, home of the UCLA Ruins--yuck!); the Magic Castle (so-so food, great shows); try getting tickets to the Jay Leno Show, it is always fun.

Places to eat--Phillipes (downtown L.A. across from Olvera Street, great French dipped sandwhiches Philippe's ); go to Portos (great Cuban deli and bakey, locations in Glendale and Burbank--close to Travel Town Porto's ); go to Versailles (great Cuban restaurant, one is located real close to MR. M.B. Motors (Benz mechanic non pareil!); El Cholo (great Mexican food, very famous restaurant, near USC--yeah Trojans!); Dukes or Paradise Cove (PCH, in Malibu) or try Tommy's Burgers ( Tommy's )

I think this is it for now. Good luck and enjoy.

diametricalbenz · #13 03-15-2007, 03:42 AM

Just remember not to be too ambitious about getting to see 4-5 places in one day. The mapquest times should be multiplied by 2 even 3 times at midday.

Portos is great but the parking lot is PACKED. You can cheat and park at the lot across the street. The ordering is confusing at first. Grab that ticket and hang onto it! Pink's in Hollywood is always good, calories are in the thousands per order but hey who said combining pastrami, beef, bacon, hot dogs, cheese, and chili is a BAD combination?

A Tommy's Chili Dog is always nice 1AM snack food!

If you go to Paradise Cove, it's tricky to find. You can zip right by it in a heartbeat. Turning around on PCH is madness. They do charge for parking since it's a private beach as they also own the restaurant which is decent but you do pay for the view.

BENZ-LGB · #14 03-15-2007, 08:57 AM

Porto's is always crowded, lunchtime is the worst time. Be sure to get a handout menu, they have it upfront. By the time you get to the front of the line, you should've been able to figure what you want. One bonus if you go to the Brubank location is that you can visit the Autobooks-Aerobooks Store www.autobooks-aerobooks.com. You may even run into Jay Leno there!

Parking at Port's is crowded, but people are always leaving, so if you are a little patient you will find a spot.

I think that Diametrical was referring to the Glendale location (right?) I prefer the Burbank location myself.

Diametrical, Paradise Cove has 2-hours free parking with your proof-of-meal ticket. I like to take a late breakfast there. The ocean view is great. Their mojitos and bloodymarys are great.

I agree with you, the entrance can be tricky. You need to take a narrow road that leads from PCH right ot the beach. It is easy to miss that side road, even with their sign!

And his comments about drivetime are oh so TRUE. Even at noon, the main freeways are always crowded: too many drivers, too many constructin projects, not enough roads.

BENZ-LGB · #15 03-15-2007, 04:10 PM

Oh yes, I forgot the La Brea Tar Pits, in the mid-Wilshire District.