We're staying at the Marriot I believe across from Disneyland. I dont know how we're going to get to and from the Kings game but my brother-in-law is a Flyers fan and wants to go and I wouldnt mind seeing a game at the Staples Center.
Yeah, the Marriot is just a short walk to Disneyland. Great location.
There's a taxi stand right outside Disneyland, so when you're going to the Ducks game, that's probably the best way to get to the Pond - it's about a $10 cab ride to and from the game.
I would definitely look hard into how you're going to get to Staples though, and more importantly, how you're going to get back to Anaheim when the game is over. LA is a great place to visit, but it really isn't public transit friendly. Your brother-in-law might have to bite the bullet and drive.
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You must be at disneyland when it opens. Those first not as busy couple hours are essential to actually go on a ride. When its busy it is insane and I can't imagine anyone enjoying it at all.
Huntington Beach is pretty awesome- it's the surfing capital of the US, with lots of neat shops and restaurants.
I liked it there too. I had a burger and a shake the Ruby's diner at the end of the pier. Also, the Huntington Surf Museum is not far away from there. It's free to get in, but I donated some cash.
If you have younger kids you should check out Legoland in Carlsbad. Plus Carlsbad has a nice beach, a cool little downtown and we stayed in a nice hotel for only $57 US.
We're staying at the Marriot I believe across from Disneyland. I dont know how we're going to get to and from the Kings game but my brother-in-law is a Flyers fan and wants to go and I wouldnt mind seeing a game at the Staples Center.
I took a city bus from there to staples and it was two hours each way, but worth it to see the flames.
I have to agree with AC. Having been to both Zoos many times. The Calgary Zoo does not compare at all.
If I had to chose it would be the San Diego Zoo over Sea World. Get to the Zoo early in the morning when it opens and take your time walking through. There are many things you will miss riding the zoo bus. If you are interested there is also the Wild Animal Park.
Also, the transit system in San Diego is not all that great. I highly recommend renting a car as you will find that everything is really spread out. The traffic here is actually not that bad, nothing like up in LA.
As far as weather goes. It will typically be clear but on the 'cooler' side then what one might expect, day temperatures between 15-20 oC . It also gets dark here around 5:30 pm at that time of the year.
Radley
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"And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."
I have never liked Sea World really, and besides I got to surf with some dolphins last year. To me surfing is better than the Sea World experience, and it was free. You have to check it out for yourself. You never know, you might like Sea World better than the zoo. I go to Sea World because my kids like it. I agree with other posters, you can't do both in one day and see everything.
If you have younger kids you should check out Legoland in Carlsbad. Plus Carlsbad has a nice beach, a cool little downtown and we stayed in a nice hotel for only $57 US.
If you have younger kids you should check out Legoland in Carlsbad. Plus Carlsbad has a nice beach, a cool little downtown and we stayed in a nice hotel for only $57 US.
4 year old at the time loved it and 6 year old didn't get much out of the rides there. One thing that was a let down was that they don't have a fast pass system so after being at Disney and then going there it was hard to stand in line for rides that were not nearly as exciting as the Disney rides. Big contrast between the parks. One I would go back to and the other I wouldn't. Didn't hit the beach there though! Next time more beach less amusement parks...
Seaworld was cool as well... but if I had to pick between the two, the zoo is an easy choice.
Yeah, if it were just up to me I would probably go to the Zoo. We went to Seaworld in Florida when I was 8 so going to another isnt that big of a deal to me even though I'm sure it's changed alot since then. In the end I think it would come down to what my nieces would rather do. The oldest wants to go to the Zoo, the middle one I'm not too sure of and I think the youngest might want to go to Seaworld more as she is in a dolphin/whale nut phase. Though kids change their mind so often that maybe by then she'll be over it if she isnt already.
I know you've posted that a car isn't the preferred option, but if you are going to rely on buses and public transit to get you around Southern California you are going to spend A LOT of your vacation on buses.
I've never had an issue driving down there but I am comfortable here in Calgary. I don't think that the freeways are really much different at all, except having an extra lane or two. If navigation is an issue, car rental places usually will rent you a GPS system to use.
Yeah, if it were just up to me I would probably go to the Zoo. We went to Seaworld in Florida when I was 8 so going to another isnt that big of a deal to me even though I'm sure it's changed alot since then. In the end I think it would come down to what my nieces would rather do. The oldest wants to go to the Zoo, the middle one I'm not too sure of and I think the youngest might want to go to Seaworld more as she is in a dolphin/whale nut phase.
I uploaded a ton of photos from the zoo to my Facebook page, send me a PM if you want to see them / show them to your nieces if it would help.
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Originally Posted by Boo Radley
Also, the transit system in San Diego is not all that great.
I actually found it pretty easy to navigate after the first day. I think they had signs bragging about being voted the best in North America or something even. But if renting a car is an option, it's probably the best option.
I know you've posted that a car isn't the preferred option, but if you are going to rely on buses and public transit to get you around Southern California you are going to spend A LOT of your vacation on buses.
I've never had an issue driving down there but I am comfortable here in Calgary. I don't think that the freeways are really much different at all, except having an extra lane or two. If navigation is an issue, car rental places usually will rent you a GPS system to use.
Oh trust me. I know we're going to waste alot of time but I wouldnt be the one driving. At first we had a car in the package but my dad canceled it. He hates driving in Calgary too and hates the fact I'm trying to move there for when they would come to visit me. I dont think it's so much of a problem of getting lost. He just hates having to change lanes in heavy traffic so much at his age.
If you want to see an actual working movie studio, the Warner Bros Tour is better than Universal. At Universal you ride on a large tram around the backlot and go into certain set scenes, but at Warner, the groups are much smaller and you ride around on large golf carts and actually get to walk around the sets and stuff. I think there might be an age restriction on the WB tour, so depending on how young the kids are, it might not be possible.
I would second this - that Warner Bros is very good. We had a great guide. I got to sit on the orange sofa from Friends (because I was such a huge fan) and Christian Slater stopped filming so he could come over to our group to say, 'Hi.'
I leave for a trip to San Diego in a month. Can't wait. We are there for 5 days and have pretty much booked up all our days with activities. We chose the Zoo and Balboa Park over SeaWorld to save a few bucks. Looking forward to it, Padres game, Coronado, Old Town, Gaslamp, La Jolla Cove, Mission Beach. Packing my Ron Burgundy suit and jazz flute for the evenings.
No, we would be going on a bus. We were going to rent a car for the week but my dad doesnt think at his age he can handle the traffic, my brother-in-law hates driving in Winnipeg so you can imagine how much he would hate it there, and I've never had a drivers license.
I didn't find driving the I-5 from LA to SD to be that stressful -- I guess it depends on the time of day. When we did it last year, there was heavy traffic on the way to SD (and even heavier traffic going the other way), but we just used the HOV lane on the left hand side and didn't have any problems. Going back to LA, traffic wasn't an issue. I would guess the fact that it's Christmas time will probably help.
In LA, just avoid the freeways at peak traffic times and you'll be fine. The subway stops right in front of Staples Centre IIRC so that might be a better option on those nights. Traffic isn't too bad in SD -- again, the interstates might get busy at times but the regular roads aren't bad at all.
P.S. Driving the interstate might seem daunting, but it's a lot easier than the Deerfoot here in Calgary (not sure what the equivalent would be in Manitoba). People usually stay near the speed limit; no idiots weaving in and out of traffic doing 50 km/h over the limit like you'll see here
Yeah, the Marriot is just a short walk to Disneyland. Great location.
There's a taxi stand right outside Disneyland, so when you're going to the Ducks game, that's probably the best way to get to the Pond - it's about a $10 cab ride to and from the game.
I would definitely look hard into how you're going to get to Staples though, and more importantly, how you're going to get back to Anaheim when the game is over. LA is a great place to visit, but it really isn't public transit friendly. Your brother-in-law might have to bite the bullet and drive.
nm i can't read....i'd highly recommend driving to staples centre and plenty early. From disneyland you're looking at 30-35 mile drive, probably a good 90 minutes in rush hour.
