California Vacation

[Michael]

We are definitely going to the science center...something I wouldn't have even known about if it wasn't for here! Thank you so, so much! Now I'm looking up all of the other stuff but as you can see I'm getting excited!

The science museum in LA is a great place for the kids. Seeing the Space Shuttle was worth it alone.

[earlystart]

I'm not a fan of SeaWorld, not just because I don't want to support orcas in captivity, but because last time I went it was boring and the animal enclosures were depressing. Disneyland is fun but expensive, and I agree that there are more rides for your 4 year old. The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles is really cool for the dinosaurs: http://www.nhm.org/site/explore-exhi.../dinosaur-hall and also the life-size dioromas of lots of animals. It's also next to the California Science Center. You can look at yelp.com for all these places we're suggesting, because you can get lots of real opinions and user photos to get a feel for what it will really be like.

[Ariana]

I am not familiar with Southern California at all but we are going to Malibu in July and I heard that Knotts Berry Farm is around there too. Its an amusement park and it looks pretty fun! Of course we are doing Disney mostly because we did Disneyworld in Florida but it was so overwhelming, so packed, the rides were too scary and it was mostly about Princesses and my DD is into Cars

[Michael]

I am not familiar with Southern California at all but we are going to Malibu in July and I heard that Knotts Berry Farm is around there too. Its an amusement park and it looks pretty fun! Of course we are doing Disney mostly because we did Disneyworld in Florida but it was so overwhelming, so packed, the rides were too scary and it was mostly about Princesses and my DD is into Cars

I live 10 miles from Mailibu. Notts is about 60 miles south near Disneyland. You daughter likes cars?

[Ariana]

I live 10 miles from Mailibu. Notts is about 60 miles south near Disneyland. You daughter likes cars?

She is obsessed with Cars! I cannot wait to see her face when we take that ride through Radiator Springs! In Florida we took her to the Art of Animation hotel to see their Cars setup and she was literally speechless! I wish we had stayed there. We are staying at the Hilton in Malibu (Agoura Hills?) and then renting a house in Anaheim. Should be fun

[Michael]

She is obsessed with Cars! I cannot wait to see her face when we take that ride through Radiator Springs! In Florida we took her to the Art of Animation hotel to see their Cars setup and she was literally speechless! I wish we had stayed there. We are staying at the Hilton in Malibu (Agoura Hills?) and then renting a house in Anaheim. Should be fun

Oh, I get it. You meant the animation "Cars". I thought she was a car buff. :: Agoura Hills is in my area. Say hello when you're in town.

[Ariana]

Oh, I get it. You meant the animation "Cars". I thought she was a car buff. :: Agoura Hills is in my area. Say hello when you're in town.

She just might be yet, especially if her grandpa has anything to do with it ::

I will definitely say "hi"! Make sure the weather is nice

[Unregistered]

if you go to disney make sure you check out the animation studio in california adventure( turtle talk with Crush and learn to draw disney characters ( free)
and the innoventions in disneyland (tomorrowland)
innoventions has this really cool peter pan kids bedroom where the room "comes to life" when the cast member tells the story and magical things happen, it's really neat look for a cast member to tell the story if there isn't one in there and make sure your kids set by the cannon so they can get a turn to fire it
rides are cool and all but there is so much to do there,
also get a fast pass for radiator springs early in Calif Adven. they are usually gone by 9 or 10
and you can get a fast pass for free for world of color by grizzley river run
have fun
we go just about every weekend
there is also Magic Mountain in Valencia and Mothers beach inLong Beach ( no waves at all except when a boat comes by) cute park and beach is half sand and half grass

[Unregistered]

also the Griffith Observatory is free and free parking
Knotts berry farm is a lot less money than disney and they have these meal bracelets for like $30 and you can eat all day ( one meal every 90 minutes to be exact)
also just for your info Disneyland does not make a big deal about bringing food into the park
I mean I wouldn't carry in a bucket of chicken but make some sandwiches and stick it in your bag, they search bags but they only care about weapons etc. you can bring food in
no ice chests and no wagons
find someone with a premium pass and you can get free parking and 20% off of food and merchandise
also check out Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana and LA ( tickets are not that expensive and lots of fun
As far as San diego: yea Seaworld is not as good as it used to be but they did add some cool roller coasters and you can feed dolphins and stuff ( for a fee)
Universal Studios is totally awesome!!!! If you go there make sure you go on the Transformers ride very very early ( they have a kid swap program)
( they are very strict with bringing in food)
and the Minions ride is awesome

[TheGoodLife]

No advice, but I hope you and your family have a wonderful vacation!!