California - Comments/Suggestions on my California Itinerary

Planning a family trip this summer with husband and our two boys age 8 and 12 and I think I have roughed out a basic itinerary and would love suggestions

Day 1 arrive LAX stay at hotel near LAX and pick up rental car at off airport site late afternoon

Days 2 and 3 stay in Santa Monica (near the pier)

Days 4 and 5 stay in Anaheim do laundry, hang out at pool go to Disneyland all day (Day 5)

Day 6 arrive early in Santa Barbara and stay overnight

Day 7 visit San Luis Obispo, Solvang and maybe Hearst Castle overnight in Morgan Hill

Day 8 backtrack and visit Carmel and Monterey; drive to downtown SFO late afternoon check into hotel and return car rental

Day 9 and 10 enjoy San Francisco

Day 11 take the BART to hotel near SFO for early (6:25am!) flight home


I would love to change my overnight on Day 7 to Monterey or Carmel but everything is either sold out or very expensive. Does this itinerary sound doable?

Thanks
B.

This looks like a pretty good itinerary, with one exception that is sticking out to me. Days 6-8 seem overwhelming to me, so this would be my suggestion.

Change days 7-8, so you depart Santa Barbara late by noon and start the drive up towards San Luis. Spend a few hours in Solvang and have lunch and walk around the village, if you'd like. Then continue up to San Luis and Hearst Castle for the afternoon and evening, and the night. Then for Day 8, I'd take Highway 1 all the way up to Monterey and Carmel, and continue up to San Francisco later in the day.

I agree with the above. Your Day 7 is far too busy and long. Instead of backtracking, I'd recommend spending the night in the Cambria or San Simeon area near Hearst Castle and drive up the Coast Highway through Big Sur to Carmel the next morning.

Thanks so much for your quick replies.

I'll look into some independent hotels in Cambria. That really makes sense. I'd love to stay in Monterey on Day 7 but it looks like something might be on that day as the two Holiday Inn Express, the Intercontinental in Monterey have no availability as well as the Holiday Inn Express in Salinas. Hyatt is booked up too.

Thanks
B

Thanks so much for your quick replies.

I'll look into some independent hotels in Cambria. That really makes sense. I'd love to stay in Monterey on Day 7 but it looks like something might be on that day as the two Holiday Inn Express, the Intercontinental in Monterey have no availability as well as the Holiday Inn Express in Salinas. Hyatt is booked up too.

Thanks
B

I had to deal with the same thing last year, going to the US Open at Pebble Beach. I ended up just staying in San Jose. It's about 80 miles, but the drive it pretty quick.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Monterey has no availability due to Auto Week - so I've booked a night at the Sand Pebble Inn in Cambria. The Inn got good ratings on Tripadvisor and though it was more than I usually spend the room has full ocean view.

Cheers

I guess the only suggestion that I would make would be to switch the days/timing of Disneyland and Santa Monica. I'm not sure what you consider an early arrival, but I personally consider it a little ambitious to spend all day at Disneyland and then arrive "early" in Santa Barbara the next day. Depending on the days of your visit, you may spend a very long time in the car through some of the worst traffic that LA has to offer. I personally consider the Santa Monica area a bunch better jumping off/starting point for a visit to Santa Barbara than the Anaheim/Orange County area. But that's just me.....

I guess the only suggestion that I would make would be to switch the days/timing of Disneyland and Santa Monica. I'm not sure what you consider an early arrival, but I personally consider it a little ambitious to spend all day at Disneyland and then arrive "early" in Santa Barbara the next day. Depending on the days of your visit, you may spend a very long time in the car through some of the worst traffic that LA has to offer. I personally consider the Santa Monica area a bunch better jumping off/starting point for a visit to Santa Barbara than the Anaheim/Orange County area. But that's just me.....

I would agree with you except we are spending Saturday and Sunday in Santa Monica and Monday and Tuesday in Anaheim - I hope Disneyland will less busy on a Tuesday and oh yeah my birthday's on the Saturday and I would rather spend it at the beach!

As for traffic we're from Toronto and apparently our traffic is worse than LAs

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/informer/in-transit/2010/03/30/toronto-has-worse-gridlock-than-new-york-montreal-berlin-london-barcelona-dallas-milan-seattle-boston-san-francisco-chicago-halifax-sydney-madrid-calgary-vancouver-stockholm-and-l-a/

Cheers

As for traffic we're from Toronto and apparently our traffic is worse than LAs

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/informer/in-transit/2010/03/30/toronto-has-worse-gridlock-than-new-york-montreal-berlin-london-barcelona-dallas-milan-seattle-boston-san-francisco-chicago-halifax-sydney-madrid-calgary-vancouver-stockholm-and-l-a/

Cheers

No offense, but not a chance about Toronto traffic worse than LA's. :cool:

Enjoy your trip! Make sure you take Hwy 1 (PCH) up to Santa Barbara, much nicer drive than the 101.

I would agree with you except we are spending Saturday and Sunday in Santa Monica and Monday and Tuesday in Anaheim - I hope Disneyland will less busy on a Tuesday and oh yeah my birthday's on the Saturday and I would rather spend it at the beach!

As for traffic we're from Toronto and apparently our traffic is worse than LAs

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/informer/in-transit/2010/03/30/toronto-has-worse-gridlock-than-new-york-montreal-berlin-london-barcelona-dallas-milan-seattle-boston-san-francisco-chicago-halifax-sydney-madrid-calgary-vancouver-stockholm-and-l-a/

Cheers

Isn't there something about free admission to Disneyland on your birthday? That could save you $100!

As for traffic, the 5 between Anaheim to Downtown LA honestly ranges from 15 minutes to 2.5 hours, so be ready! Not to mention the Hollywood or Ventura Fwy :D

I live in Santa Barbara, and go to Anaheim frequently. On a good day, it's a 2.5 hour drive, but those have been rare lately. 3-3.5 is "normal", but I'm never surprised if it's 5+.

With that being said, I wouldn't stress over traffic, especially not in advance! Do you know where you are staying in Santa Barbara?

Isn't there something about free admission to Disneyland on your birthday? That could save you $100!

As for traffic, the 5 between Anaheim to Downtown LA honestly ranges from 15 minutes to 2.5 hours, so be ready! Not to mention the Hollywood or Ventura Fwy :D

I live in Santa Barbara, and go to Anaheim frequently. On a good day, it's a 2.5 hour drive, but those have been rare lately. 3-3.5 is "normal", but I'm never surprised if it's 5+.

With that being said, I wouldn't stress over traffic, especially not in advance! Do you know where you are staying in Santa Barbara?

Thanks murphy - believe me I did check about that free admission on your birthday for Disneyland - the promo ended last year!

Thanks for the info about the travel time between Anaheim and Santa Barbara - I was hoping to leave around 9 am and to arrive by lunch time - Google estimates the travel time between 2 hours and 15 minutes and 3 hours and 50! We're staying at the HIX in downtown Santa Barbara.

My kids are now saying they might rather go to Six Flags instead of Disneyland so we might be in Santa Clarita instead - they were at Disney World two years ago and were not that impressed. It's me who wants Disneyland as I was brainwashed as a kid watching the Wonderful World of Disney!

Thanks murphy - believe me I did check about that free admission on your birthday for Disneyland - the promo ended last year!

Thanks for the info about the travel time between Anaheim and Santa Barbara - I was hoping to leave around 9 am and to arrive by lunch time - Google estimates the travel time between 2 hours and 15 minutes and 3 hours and 50! We're staying at the HIX in downtown Santa Barbara.

My kids are now saying they might rather go to Six Flags instead of Disneyland so we might be in Santa Clarita instead - they were at Disney World two years ago and were not that impressed. It's me who wants Disneyland as I was brainwashed as a kid watching the Wonderful World of Disney!

Disneyland and Six Flags are definitely different places. Disneyland is the happiest place on earth! :D Six Flags once had a reputation of being kinda run down and a haven for hoodlums, but it's improved recently, and has became much more family friendly (however not nearly as family friendly as Disneyland). You probably also know this, but the attractions at Six Flags are almost entirely full size roller coasters. If you're not into roller coasters, you will not enjoy Six Flags.

I don't know when exactly this trip is, but I assume later this summer. If so, keep in mind Six Flags will most likely be in the high 90s or triple digits. The good news is there is a waterpark also, but I'm not sure how addmission works if you get both parks or just one.

My opinion is, if you've never been to Disneyland, that's the place to go. It's an experience for the family much more so than a roller coaster park in the middle of nowhere. Don't get me wrong, Six Flags is definitely FUN (if you're into roller coasters), but Disneyland is the place to go on such a family vacation IMO.

Disneyland and Six Flags are definitely different places. Disneyland is the happiest place on earth! :D Six Flags once had a reputation of being kinda run down and a haven for hoodlums, but it's improved recently, and has became much more family friendly (however not nearly as family friendly as Disneyland). You probably also know this, but the attractions at Six Flags are almost entirely full size roller coasters. If you're not into roller coasters, you will not enjoy Six Flags.

I don't know when exactly this trip is, but I assume later this summer. If so, keep in mind Six Flags will most likely be in the high 90s or triple digits. The good news is there is a waterpark also, but I'm not sure how addmission works if you get both parks or just one.

My opinion is, if you've never been to Disneyland, that's the place to go. It's an experience for the family much more so than a roller coaster park in the middle of nowhere. Don't get me wrong, Six Flags is definitely FUN (if you're into roller coasters), but Disneyland is the place to go on such a family vacation IMO.

Definitely go to Disneyland. I have been to Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor and in the summer it will be 100 or more in Santa Clarita. Another option, is knott's berry farm, but I would take disney over that place anyday. Also many love Universal Studios but that is a way's drive just northeast of downtown.

Also heed the words of traffic. It will be unpredictable and just plan on frustrating and be pleasantly surprised if not.

I also like Disneyland, but I did grow up going there, and get sick on roller coasters. And you do have to consider your kids' opinions (as unfair as that is). Maybe Universal Studios could be a compromise? I think Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park also has more roller coasters than Disneyland and California Adventure, so that's another option (see http://www.knotts.com/public/park/rides/index.cfm). If you do go to Six Flags, it'll be a relatively easy drive to Santa Barbara via Hwys. 127 and 101, taking you through the lovely town of Santa Paula (with a 1950s-feel downtown). Even the drive from Universal to SB would be a bit easier than from Anaheim or Buena Park. At least you plan on leaving after the very worst of the rush hour. I don't know that it would save any time, but for scenery I'd take I-405, then I-10 and Hwy. 1, through Malibu, rather than the usual route, I-405 and Hwy. 101.

I grew up in Van Nuys. It may be 100 or more in Santa Clarita but may not. Today's forecast high is 87, but they seem to be having cooler than normal weather. Too bad this park isn't still open: http://pacificoceanpark.tripod.com/

My kids are now saying they might rather go to Six Flags instead of Disneyland so we might be in Santa Clarita instead - they were at Disney World two years ago and were not that impressed. It's me who wants Disneyland as I was brainwashed as a kid watching the Wonderful World of Disney!

I live down the street from Disneyland so ya... I get both sides of it.

Obviously Six Flags will put you in a better spot to drive up north [you're past almost all of the traffic] and it's also cheaper, and less crowded but Disneyland is still an easy pick for me. Smaller rides, sure, but way more theme, way more memorable... Six Flags is pretty much just coaster jumping with Johnny Rockets for breakfast & lunch.

As far as traffic, I just made a quick run up to the bay area and back. Easy breezy... at 5:30am. Today I had to take the 5 up to LA, left at 9am, wasn't bad but it wasn't 75+ either. Took about 70 minutes to go 40 miles getting worse and worse the further west I went. You'll definitely need to add an extra hour to make it through, even mid-morning.

I live down the street from Disneyland so ya... I get both sides of it.

Obviously Six Flags will put you in a better spot to drive up north [you're past almost all of the traffic] and it's also cheaper, and less crowded but Disneyland is still an easy pick for me. Smaller rides, sure, but way more theme, way more memorable... Six Flags is pretty much just coaster jumping with Johnny Rockets for breakfast & lunch.

As far as traffic, I just made a quick run up to the bay area and back. Easy breezy... at 5:30am. Today I had to take the 5 up to LA, left at 9am, wasn't bad but it wasn't 75+ either. Took about 70 minutes to go 40 miles getting worse and worse the further west I went. You'll definitely need to add an extra hour to make it through, even mid-morning.

Thanks everyone for your replies and opinions. My hubby and I have decided on Disneyland. My youngest is 8 and will still like it - my 12 year old will have to live with it! Is it cooler in Anaheim than Santa Clarita? How's Disneyland in 100 degree weather (is it a humid heat or dry?) We figured Six Flags are all pretty generic. We spent 3 days at Universal Orlando last year so maybe we can skip Universal.

And as for traffic from Anaheim to Santa Barbara - I think we are just going to have to suck it up! I don't mind taking the long way rather than being stuck sitting on the highway. We'll try to leave around 9am.

Is it cooler in Anaheim than Santa Clarita? How's Disneyland in 100 degree weather (is it a humid heat or dry?) .

100 degrees is pretty much the same between Anaheim and Santa Clarita. Disneyland is definitely more tolerable in 100 degrees as there are many more shady places to wait in line and many more shady places to duck inside for a rest.

I'll share one of my usual comments on these types of itineraries with kids your age. We did the Calif. coast a couple of times, sometimes with kids your age.

Based upon the reaction of our kids, I'm not sure I would bother with Hearst Castle. Our kids thought it was the most boring part of their entire trip.

I'd probably spend that time at Pismo beach and Pismo dunes instead.

Just my two cents.

Thanks everyone for your replies and opinions. My hubby and I have decided on Disneyland. My youngest is 8 and will still like it - my 12 year old will have to live with it! Is it cooler in Anaheim than Santa Clarita? How's Disneyland in 100 degree weather (is it a humid heat or dry?) We figured Six Flags are all pretty generic. We spent 3 days at Universal Orlando last year so maybe we can skip Universal.

And as for traffic from Anaheim to Santa Barbara - I think we are just going to have to suck it up! I don't mind taking the long way rather than being stuck sitting on the highway. We'll try to leave around 9am.

It's been amazingly cool the last few weeks in Anahiem [for the area / time of year]. Of course that can change without warning but right now you're looking at 80 at Disneyland vs 90 at Six Flags. Both should be pretty dry but not AZ dry.

Have a blast... and if you want any tips on rides, shows or food let me know

Maybe missed it but I didn't see any dates posted for your trip.

Just be aware that the weekend of July 15th the I-405, between the I-10 and the I-101 will be closed as CalTrans replaces the Mulholand bridge. This will have a huge impact on traffic, both on the 405, of course, but also other freeways as as people try to find ways around it. They are planning having the 405 back up and running by Monday morning but there are no guarantees.

If that weekend doesn't include your trip you should be OK.

Thanks again for everyone's contributions to my itinerary. We got back last Tuesday and I think the trip was a success. The drives were manageable (though next time I'll insist on cruise control as my achilles tendon still hurts) and traffic in LA wasn't that bad (I think the lineup at Pink's was worse!). Disneyland was a hit as we broke down the one day into 9am - 2pm then back to the hotel for swimming, chilling and eating and back to Disneyland 7pm - 11pm.

Things I was not prepared for -
- big fluctuations in temperature - Santa Monica was 75 and a one hour drive away was 92
- marine fog; every morning pretty much was gray though the fog usually burned off by midday
- how cold San Francisco was (and full of German tourists)
- lots of homeless people everywhere

Maybe my husband and I will get a chance to go back soon and leave the kids with grandma!

My rule of thumb is that it is one degree hotter for every one mile you go inland.

There are also big temperature fluctuations in the same place day/night. It's normal for some inland valleys to be in the 100's during the day and dip into the 50's over night.