Southern California ideas

kgmadorin · Post by **kgmadorin** » May Fri 13, 2005 8:36 am

I'm in need of some help from anyone who lives in Southern California or who is familiar with the area.

We're still trying to hammer out the details of our trip to Anaheim in a couple weeks, and I was wondering if anyone has any ideas for things to see besides the Disneyland Resort. We'll be there for six days, so that should give us a good chance to explore, both in and out of the parks.

I'm interested in any input you may have. Thanks!

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » May Fri 13, 2005 1:34 pm

San Diego Zoo! 8)

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » May Fri 13, 2005 2:02 pm

Ooh yeah the SD Zoo- it's really nice. There's also Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm(that has really good fried chicken at Mrs Knott's Kitchen..and others.

G2-4T · Post by **G2-4T** » May Fri 13, 2005 4:50 pm

I really love the SD Zoo and SD Wildlife Park. SD is easy to get to from Anahiem. Amtrak's Surfliner trains run all day long and when I rode a couple years ago they had brand new trains in service, very comfortable and European-like. Would certainly recommend that over the freeway.

Darren · Post by **Darren** » May Fri 13, 2005 9:21 pm

Adjacent to the San Diego Zoo is Balboa Park, which has a lot of museums and is a pleasant place to wander around. The zoo has a nice tour via double-decker buses. So if your feet aren't aching too badly, you may want to walk or drive over to Balboa Park to do a little sightseeing. There's a little village between the zoo and Balboa Park that houses various artists doing ceramics, blown glass, paintings, etc.

Other sights in San Diego:

Sea World
U.S.S. Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
Birch Aquarium

I used to live in San Diego, so I'll have to think a little bit and see if I can come up with anything else.

kronk's angel · Post by **kronk's angel** » May Sat 14, 2005 5:35 am

In LA (vs. San Diego) is Olvera Street which is kinda popular. http://www.olvera-street.com/

Similar to that (and Fisherman's Wharf in San Fran). is San Pedro http://cityguides.local.yahoo.com/?loca ... n_state=CA

Both can be difficult to get to in traffic. Of course, if you've been to CA Adventure, you've sort of already seen a cleaner, fancier version of these areas! Similarly, there are lots of good malls, but Downtown Disney is sort of better and newer than most.

There are great museums in the area, notably the Getty, LA County, Huntington, Norton Simon, which also has nice gardens to wander around. http://www.losangeles.com/attractions/museums.shtml

And, of course, there are the beaches. Anywhere near a pier will have some shops and easier parking. Huntington is OK, I liked Newport Beach Pier area (fun restaurants like Spaghetti Factory and Crab shack are there) and Coronado too.

Have fun! 8)

And for the best sandwiches on the entire planet, after which you will weep to never have one again: http://www.mariosdeli.com/

kgmadorin · Post by **kgmadorin** » May Mon 16, 2005 7:56 am

Thank you very much everyone for all the great ideas!!!

Though we would love to get down to San Diego, I'm not sure if we'll be able to make it this trip. We may have to save the zoo for next time, but the way you all rave about it, we will definitely put it in the "must see" category.

Any other ideas for the LA or Anaheim area? What about some Hollywood sights--anything you recommend?

Thanks again!

Club33Hopeful · Post by **Club33Hopeful** » May Mon 16, 2005 1:15 pm

Medieval Times is just up the road near Knotts. Nice place to take kids for dinner and a show. Wax museum is right down the street as well.