Maybe OT: what else would you do in CA?

[Sophie_2003]

OK, let me let you in on a little secret...I am Disney addicted...

We have been to WDW about 6 times in 18 months and to DLR once. I LOVED DLR and cannot wait to go back. However if I plan another Disney trip I am pretty sure DH will leave me. Kidding...I hope.

We have always wanted to explore California, perhaps some National Parks and the like. I figured I could plan a trip like that and either start or end at DLR for a couple of days.

Any suggestions? The only thing really off limits for our interests would be LA/Hollywood. Busy cities and smog aren't our thing. And we'd be able to go in late May, so Death Valley would also be off limits.

TIA Disers!!!

 

[kaoden39]

Oh my natvie Californian here and there are so many beautiful places that you can visit. How far out of the area do you want to go?

 

[prncssmel]

I think a trip along the Coast would be amazing - starting in Napa and ending in San Diego, with some DL in the middle. Someone on the DIS did this and had an excellent trip report that highlighted all the places you could visit.

 

[Sophie_2003]

Hello,

We would either fly into LAX or SFO, although I am partial to LAX as we've always had bad weather when visiting Northern Cal. We have no problem with driving vacations, so anything 3-4 hours on each side of LA would be reasonable, as long as we have a cluster of things to do in a specific area. I realize California has a lot to offer and I have some guide books coming in the mail from Amazon, but Dis suggestions are usually the best!

 

[kaoden39]

The coastline is extraordinary. And the Napa Valley in beautful too.

 

[PigletGurl]

Knott's Berry Farm is awesome, and only 10 minutes from Disneyland.

Legoland in San Diego. I think that;s like a bit over an hour from disneyland.

 

[kaoden39]

Hello,

We would either fly into LAX or SFO, although I am partial to LAX as we've always had bad weather when visiting Northern Cal. We have no problem with driving vacations, so anything 3-4 hours on each side of LA would be reasonable, as long as we have a cluster of things to do in a specific area. I realize California has a lot to offer and I have some guide books coming in the mail from Amazon, but Dis suggestions are usually the best!

I don't remember if you said when you are going. That would make a difference to me too where I wanted to land. I was actually think Yosemite in the inner part of the state. That is a very beautiful place.

 

[Ken2Blitzkrieg]

Were over there from late May ...
i think apart from the theme parks and of course the obvious
well probably spend a day along at Malibu Creek State Park

anybody been to the state park ?

 

[LavenderPeach]

The first places that come to mind are:

San Diego (the zoo or wild animal park, Old Town, beaches, USS Midway aircraft carrier, etc)
San Francisco (Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, the Exploratorium, Winchester Mystery House in San Jose area, etc)
Monterey (Monterey Bay Aquarium, Carmel, Cannery Row area)
Yosemite (I'm a native californian and can you believe I've never been there? I know it's beatiful though)

I know you said you didn't want to drive more than 3-4 hours though which would take SF and Yosemite off the list. There is also San Luis Obispo. Check out the Apple Farm. It's a hotel but it's also a fabulous restaurant (at least it was about 5 years ago). And there is Hearst Castle. Dana Point is also nice. There are shops and restaurants and certain times of year you can go whale watching. Oh and Catalina Island. If you want to go more inland you could go to Palm Springs which isn't too terribly interesting itself (imo) but there is an areal tramway that takes you way up on top of a mountain where there are hiking trails and a few restaurants. Just be aware that it can be cold up there, even if it's warm in Palm Springs. Hope that gives you a few ideas to look into.

 

[kaoden39]

Were over there from late May ...
i think apart from the theme parks and of course the obvious
well probably spend a day along at Malibu Creek State Park

anybody been to the state park ?

I haven't ever been there but that is a nice area to visit too.

 

[Ken2Blitzkrieg]

I haven't ever been there but that is a nice area to visit too.

thanks for the input

yea im a bit of a bird watcher ..soo would be good to see some native birds over there in southern cal

 

[kaoden39]

The first places that come to mind are:

San Diego (the zoo or wild animal park, Old Town, beaches, USS Midway aircraft carrier, etc)
San Francisco (Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, the Exploratorium, Winchester Mystery House in San Jose area, etc)
Monterey (Monterey Bay Aquarium, Carmel, Cannery Row area)
Yosemite (I'm a native californian and can you believe I've never been there? I know it's beatiful though)

I know you said you didn't want to drive more than 3-4 hours though which would take SF and Yosemite off the list. There is also San Luis Obispo. Check out the Apple Farm. It's a hotel but it's also a fabulous restaurant (at least it was about 5 years ago). And there is Hearst Castle. Dana Point is also nice. There are shops and restaurants and certain times of year you can go whale watching. Oh and Catalina Island. If you want to go more inland you could go to Palm Springs which isn't too terribly interesting itself (imo) but there is an areal tramway that takes you way up on top of a mountain where there are hiking trails and a few restaurants. Just be aware that it can be cold up there, even if it's warm in Palm Springs. Hope that gives you a few ideas to look into.

What about Solvang and the Santa Barbara area. The beach was beautiful last time I was there?

 

[kaoden39]

thanks for the input

yea im a bit of a bird watcher ..soo would be good to see some native birds over there in southern cal

I just looked it up on the state park website and from what I read bird watching should be good there. The area of California that we live in the are a lot of wetlands so we have a lot of popular bird watching areas. One of the most amazing things I had ever seen was a Bald Eagle flying near where I was one camping trip. You could hear it's wings flapping. Words can never describe it properly.

 

[jolynda]

Hello,

We would either fly into LAX or SFO, although I am partial to LAX as we've always had bad weather when visiting Northern Cal. We have no problem with driving vacations, so anything 3-4 hours on each side of LA would be reasonable, as long as we have a cluster of things to do in a specific area. I realize California has a lot to offer and I have some guide books coming in the mail from Amazon, but Dis suggestions are usually the best!

May weather in No. California is quite nice, actually!

 

[kaoden39]

May weather in No. California is quite nice, actually!

Hi neighbor!

 

[perlster]

[It would be nice if these questions were asked in the proper forums]

Anticipating that it will be moved to the proper place ...
If you are able to visit anywhere in California , I would say the one place you must visit is Yosemite National Park.

 

[jolynda]

Hi neighbor!

Howdy neighbor! Is it warmer on your side of the hill? We have kind of a chilly breeze blowing off the bay today, but I LOVE the sun!!

 

[kaoden39]

Howdy neighbor! Is it warmer on your side of the hill? We have kind of a chilly breeze blowing off the bay today, but I LOVE the sun!!

It's absolutely beautiful here. The sun is shining and suprise of all suprises we have no wind.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

You could always come to Sacramento and see .... hmmm, Ummmm.....the Capitol. Not much to see here, my vote is for the coast.

 

[kaoden39]

You could always come to Sacramento and see .... hmmm, Ummmm.....the Capitol. Not much to see here, my vote is for the coast.

That's kind of how I look at visiting this part of the state. I was at Oprah's OYou conference in San Francisco last year and there were women there talking about they had come to Fairfield to sight see. Hello? What on earth is here that is that good? I have been on the Jelly Belly tour it isn't that exciting.