California Travel Answers

Wow, you are hitting a lot of California in the 3 week time frame. I never had the opportunity to take my kids to California growing up, but I've been out to California many times on business, a couple of times with my wife on vacation and a guys baseball and golf weekend down near San Diego. Briefly here is what I would do if I had kids your age. Heck, maybe when I have grandkids I'll follow this agenda. San Diego area - The San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld Los Angeles area - Disneyland of course Yosemite area - Yosemite National Park is great for all ages (finally got there back in November, 2010) SanFrancisco area - Walt Disney Museum (my future daughter-in-law is a big Disney fan and enjoyed that), a ride on the Cable Cars and seeing the sea lions on Pier 39. There are several other possible things to do with an 11 year old, but because you the age differences between your 2 daughters I have listed only the things that I believe would be fun for both of them and you as well. I'm sure others more familiar with activities in the area will provide more interesting things to do.

I think the San Diego zoo has two separate sections, with one being more like a regular zoo, and the other being more like a wide open animal safari with the animals living in very wide open areas. http://www.sdzsafaripark.org/ It's more expensive than the average city zoo, but if it is anything like it was when I visited several decades ago (and there is no guarantee it is) it is a lot more like a trip to a native habitat than it is a typical zoo.

Santa Barbara also had a nice zoo - unless you compare it to San Diego's zoo. Santa Barbara also has a beautiful mission you can visit and walk the grounds, and is about an hour away from Solvang, a cute Danish village, which often has costumed dancers, and a nice park.

All depends on what the kids like, but as mentioned in the San Diego and LA area, Sea World, SD Zoo and Safari Park (I prefer the Safari Park personally), Lego Land, the beaches (weather has been great lately and getting better each week). The perenial Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, etc. Yosemite will be incredible that time of year. SF....Golden Gate Park, the gardens, museums, etc. Fisherman's Wharf is a bit touristy (for me) but then I worked across from Pier 39 for many years (actually back when it was a working pier and watched it burn down and get rebuilt into tourist land). Muir woods for hiking in Marin will be quite nice at that time as well if hiking in on the agenda. A tour of Napa or Sonoma for the adults (the kids probably would not like the wineries).

Since I think you will get most of your responses for the bigger cities here are some of the things I would do in Santa Barbara; As one responder has already indicated Santa Barbara has a great little zoo. The best thing about the zoo is that some of their exhibits change weekly. Another place that kids will likely enjoy is the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. It has a lot of interactive displays and exhibits that kids will like. It is located at 2559 Puesta Del Sol Road. Here is also a internet link to what is going on weekly for kids in Santa Barbara since you will be there a whole week. Also, if your kids are interested in plants there is the very cool Santa Barbara Botanical Garden. It is located on a large site above the City with great views of the ocean and channel islands. It has great exhibits that include a redwood forest, a canyon, and a farm like setting. It is located at 1212 Mission Canyon Road. santabarbaraca.com/things-to...

Hi Janet, Since everyone here has given up the three big things for kids, SeaWorld, SD Zoo/and SD Zoo's Safari Park and Legoland, I'll mention a few other things that might be interesting to your daughters. First I'll weigh in on the SD Zoo vs. Safari Park. Considering the age of your daughters I'd suggest the SD Zoo over Safari Park because I think it is better for younger children, [kids.sandiegozoo.org/mommy-a...] especially if you take the bus with hop-on hop-off option. It gives a closer look at the animals, then most views found at Safari Park. Inside the SD Zoo is Kids Territory. They have games and activities as well as a children's petting section where even the three year old can touch and examine animals that are quite tame. Pandas and other babies are oftentimes easy to view and the Zoo has just gone through a revamping of animal groupings, sort of in their own environment. This Zoo is huge and there are lots of hilly sections so taking the bus to various sections can be useful. There are benches all along the paths to give a bit of rest for any who might need it. Also, during the Summer they have the night zoo, games, contests and shows are geared to the younger ones too. This is especially nice for kids and an added bonus is that some of the nocturnal animals are easier to see. Other things for kids would be the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park, near the Zoo. There seven exhibit galleries with hands-on activities where kids, even a three year old, and adults can touch and explore. These are fun and interesting exhibits without worry of damaging anything. You might also take a look at their IMAX Theater schedule to see if the film would be of interest to your little ones. Behind the Science Center and just beyond the parking lot is a tree shaded play park area that is a perfect place to have a picnic, rest or in the case of the kids climb, swing and play. Another thing that children like is to be given a throw-away camera. Take them to the Mingei Museum for a photo shoot. It is full of folk art from places like Africa, Southeast Asia, China, Japan and the Middle East as well as from the USA. Most of the other museums in Balboa Park offer exhibits that would appeal to younger children also but the Mingei is really colorful and the art seems to speak to younger children and taking their own photos of things they like seems to bring out their own artistic styles. At the Harbor is the Star of India, part of the Maritime Museum. It is fun for kids, boys and girls, to explore the ship and sometimes there are costumes for the kids to dress-up in while they explore. Since you'll be stying in La Jolla, you might go to the Shell Shop. Below the shop is a tide-pool. Go during low tide to see the sea creatures trapped in the pool. I give the address on my La Jolla Page if this is of interest to you. I actually like the tide pools up at the Cabrillo National Monument better. I've built a page on this also which would give you an idea if this is something you and your girls might enjoy. My sons and grandchildren, girls & boy really love to spend time out there. Your's might too. I hope this helps, Linda

Wow, that's great. Thanks everyone. We are going to skip Disneyland because we took our girls to the one in Florida a couple of years ago (that is something we can only afford to do once a decade). And, as far as Legoland goes, I've heard that it is quite overpriced for what it is. We tend to prefer the off the beaten track, to be honest, but with two kids we know that compromise is necessary. So, here's my question: would you recommend Sea World over San Diego zoo? And, is Universal Studios something that the kids might enjoy?

SeaWorld vs. SD Zoo? I'd say that would depend on what your girls like most. I think SeaWorld is more expensive and you'll have to pay for parking, unless you use public transportation. I will mention that they have a new ride at SeaWorld and that many of the sea animals are seen in some sort of show fashion rather than at your own pace. Admission to the SD Zoo is not as expensive and it will include the buses I spoke of as well as the sky ride and parking is free. If you are thinking of going to Universial Studios, I'd suggest looking at their page on-line to see what the focus will be when you arrive. It's been some time since I went there and at that time the "characters" walking around were super hero types and a bit scary for a three year old so was Jurasic Park the Ride. It wasn't the ride itself, but the dinosaurs that scared the three year old I was with. :-( Universial is always changing their focus depending on the the movies they have made and some may not be fun for the little ones.