The girls will likely be bored with Legoland. The optimal ages are 5-8 years old. Plan for one parent to take the older 2 to do something else while the younger 2 linger there. (This has nothing to do with gender. There just isn’t much to do for older kids- or wasn’t a few years ago.) Is there something the younger ones aren’t interested in? This is the perfect day for the family to split up-- maybe shopping and a girly lunch while the guys do Legoland?
Oceanside offers the best bang for the buck as far as a beach town goes. The harbor or the pier offer the best beaches going. Sandy bottom, nice surf, pleasant scenery for dad and the boys. The little fish and chips restaurant at the harbor is sort of a legend among locals if you like fish and chips.
The SD zoo, Sea World and Scripps Aquarium are must see attractions. The Wild Animal Park is pretty cool too. The Midway (aircraft carrier) is on display in SD, (it’s a museum now). Also, Balboa park (next to the zoo) has a great auto and aviation museum, plus other good museums. Old Town state park is well worth a couple of hours and it’s easily accessible via the Coaster (rail) from Oceanside, as is Petco park (Padres).
All the above are worth the trip, and within an hour’s drive from Oceanside or, in some cases accessible by rail. Oceanside has a visitor center located at the north end of town on Coast Highway. Stop there and load up on brochures before doing anything else.
The weather will, most likely, be overcast in the morning, probably clearing by 1PM. Temperature is in the mid 60s to low 70s.
Pfft, Oceanside is fine. Incredibly boring, but fine-- and if you’re looking to do stuff in both SD and LA, then the location actually makes sense.
Great recommendations in here, folks - thank you!
My oldest son and I have done a sleepover at Battleship Cove for Cub Scouts and loved it - the Midway Museum seems similar only… bigger :). Not sure if the girls would be too enthused, though.
The San Diego Zoo is a must see, I think - the National Zoo was a big hit when we visited DC a few years ago, and the kids aren’t all that much older now.
The Getty has gotten a few mentions, but I don’t think the 6 year old would be terribly interested (unless they have a Star Wars exhibit). Given the comments on the age-appropriateness of Legoland, maybe that’s a good candidate for a split-up day and my wife can bring the girls there (or to the flower fields right by Legoland).
Sounds like we have to stop at In-and-Out burger at least once - Five Guys has ruined me for other chains’ burgers and fries, but I’m a sucker for a good root beer float.
One of the walking tour companies that does the Walk of Fame also includes backstage tours of the El Capitan and Egyptian theaters. I’m not adverse to the kids getting some exposure (not THAT kind!) to the seamier side of life (we did take them to Vegas, after all) and I’m pretty sure we can mostly avoid the freakier elements.
Thanks for the link to the LA Conservatory - sadly, we won’t be there during any of the Last Remaining Seats shows (too bad we’re not going in June - King Kong or The Music Man at the Los Angeles Theatre - can you imagine?
We had sort of discounted Sea World as been-there-done-that, but it’s been quite a few years (the boys have never been, the girls have when they were much younger). We’ll rethink adding it to the itinerary.
One of the links that NAF1138 mentioned something interesting - signing up to be part of the studio audience for a show. Any tips/advice on how to swing that? The girls and my wife are American Idol fans - they would LOVE that. Being in the audience for a Big Bang Theory taping would make me ridiculously happy :D.
A brief warning from me. In-N-Out is awesome, but it’s not the same as Five Guys. They don’t serve the same style of hamburger. In-N-Out is a drivethru, and they don’t pretend to be anything else. They are the BEST drivethru burger in existence, but it’s still just a $3 hamburger. 5 Guys is a bit more gourmet than that. That said, now that I live on the East Coast and have easy access to 5 Guys…I still miss the heck out of In-N-Out.
I haven’t had their rootbeer float, but it is not one of their traditional items (though I am told it is quite good.) Their milkshakes are great and I would recommend someone get one. If you are only going once I heartily agree that you should get a double double animal style with well done fries. You might as well try them with their best foot forward.
If you are feeling like a really really good burger in the vein of 5 Guys get some cash and head to The Apple Pan. It is the best hamburger I have ever had. Don’t go at lunchtime or it will be crowded, but go earlier or later and it shouldn’t be an issue.
That sounds ok actually. I haven’t done any of the Hollywood walking tours since I essentially spent all my teenage years and most of my early 20s living there, but tours of those theaters are probably worth the price of admission. I have gone backstage to both, and they are very cool.
Take a look at some of their walking tours too. They are really great. I particularly like the Broadway and Historic Downtown tours.
My Dad did that once. I’ll ask him how he signed up for it.
Found this The Big Bang Theory Tickets, but it looks like Big Bang Theory is 18+ only.
Hey ZapDevil! I hope you guys have a blast on your trip.
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I definitely recommend staying a few days in LA and a few more in SD - the traffic between the two is awful.
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You already hit Disneyworld, but I think Disneyland is the better of the two. Plus, there’s also Disney’s California Adventure, with an awesome coaster (California Screamin’), a new water light show, and BARS. As in, ALCOHOL. So, I’d totally throw my vote in for Disneyland/California Adventure.
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The Wild Animal Park in San Diego was super fun - we got to feed giraffes, pet a boa, all sorts of cool stuff.
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The ocean temperature will probably be way to cold for swimming, so I think it’s a great idea to look for a resort with a heated pool if you guys like to swim.
Yup, don’t go to In-N-Out expecting a Five Guys style burger. The In-N-Out style is very simple and fresh and that’s it. It’s a great burger if that’s what you look for in a burger, but people hear In-N-Out touted everywhere and expect something that will change their life. It is still my favorite fast food burger though and worth a trip just as a comparison. Try their Arnold Palmer, they have the best one out of all the chains due to their pink lemonade.
If you get Padres tickets for the 24th, they are giving away kid’s fielding gloves.
Being in a studio audience usually involves long waits in lines.
I think you will be in town to catch the butterfly exhibit at the wild animal park. That was really cool last year.
I always suggest this to people vacationing in L.A., but I agree, might lack the needed action for the younger ones.
Griffith Observatory is awesome since they added the lower level.
If you’re doing the Tar Pits (they’re just okay; I live in an apartment complex across the street), it’s worth hitting up nearby Farmer’s Market (Mexican Food at the Loteria! Grill) & The Grove shopping area, which are about four blocks up (but take Hauser, which is to the east and traffic free, instead of Fairfax, which gets horrifically jammed on the weekends). If there are any car buffs in the family, definitely hit up nearby Petersen Automotive Museum (they have a section devoted to Hotwheels and a lot of kids science/play area). Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive is about three miles west on Wilshire Blvd., but I think it’s a little overrated – and the Lamborghini dealership on Wilshire closed when the recession hit. YMMV.
Hollywood Blvd./Mann’s Chinese has really cleaned up in recent years and pretty family friendly now (but stay away from anyone who offers you a Personality Test;)). For real weirdness (but mostly in a harmless good way), go see Venice Beach and consider taking in the Santa Monica Pier just to the north. The Pier is more kids’ stuff than adults and overpriced for what you get in terms of rides/games, but it’s still a sight to behold, especially the only solar-powered Ferris wheel in the world. Might as well continue the drive north into Malibu, but I can’t think of the ideal spot to hit once you’re up there (a few good sushi bars, though).
Legoland is a good call for the serious Lego engineer.
But Dodger Stadium over Petco for the serious baseball fan. If it’s a night game, bring coats; a day game, sit on the third base side or you’ll get scorched.
On the way to L.A., consider Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar or Newport Beach: all worthy OC Beach locales with their own flavor.
Wishing you the best!
Petco. Dodgers are on the road when the OP will be in town.