First-time CA Zoos / Disney / National parks with kids (3, 6 yr) mid-April

[BulletHead]

This will be our very first trip to CA and we are coming into San Diego next week, mid-April, and have the following itinerary, flexible to some point. Kids like beaches, outdoorsy, light hiking, etc. Any suggestions? Is safari better than zoo, in case there is a rainy day and we an only do one?

San Diego - 2 days for Zoo and safari
Anaheim/LA - 2 days for Disney
Sequoia National park - 1.5 days (snow expected next week, if that's the case, we might go the west route and hit up beaches on the way to SFO, any recommended beaches?)
Yosemite National park - 1.5 days (rain/snow expected next week, if that's the case, we might go the west route and hit up beaches on the way to SFO, any recommended beaches?)
San Fran - 2 days, no idea what we are doing in SFO yet. Any recommendations?

 

[Burb One]

Having recently been a kid, still a kid, and having grown up in Norcal and gone to school down south, being the cool SoCal cousin to lots of kid cousins, I do this trip all the time:

San Diego: Unless you know your kids go crazy for zoos, I would go to the zoo the first day, see what you get done, including if you do the safari, and see how much your kids actually want to do the second day/ if there is anything you even missed. While you could spend a lot of time in the SD zoo, there is so much beauty in the area. For instance, instead of the zoo the second day I'd take them to the tide pools, where they can explore and see the animals there. Fleet Science Center is awesome.

Go to Disneyland on a week day if your schedule allows, no questions. You will get so much more bang for your buck. It's all awesome, the new Carsland is really well done, as is everything Disney. There's other stuff in LA, but I think Disney is the best for that age, especially if for only two days.

Sequioia/Yosemite- tough on the weather, too bad you weren't here this week! These would be worth their own trip. Alternative to this is if you go west route, Big Sur is awesome and of a similar vain. Sometimes the foggy weather is awesome for a short hike and to "get lost" in the big trees.

If going the west route, Monterey/ Santa Cruz is awesome. Any beaches in that area are super fun. You could do a picnic day at Asilomar and go look at the tide pools, buy a kite and go to Seaside and watch the paragliders and walk the beach. The water will be cold, but there so much to do at both just enjoying the ocean. Much of my childhood was spent running around on those beaches. MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM, it's the best. You could rent a quad bicycle and bike along the coast as well (we usually couple the aquarium and this in the same day, as they are both near each other, same parking spot. Also, if you and your kids like cars (6 year old might), Laguna Seca is right there, always track day or something going to stop by and watch.

SF-- You could spend all of it here as well. As a kid centric vacation, I'd recommend the new Exploratorium (half a day) Cal Academy of Science, Chinatown(must do for dinner and walk into all the trinket shops, if you want a dinner recommendation let me know). Since you have a car, if it's a semi clear night, drive on the bridge to treasure island (get off on treasure island) and there's a parking lot right there, you will have the best view of the city sans being on a boat.
If you're there on a weekday, go to Pier 39 for the merry goround and to see the Pier, it's a tourist trap so avoid on the weekends. If you have time the kids would also love Alcatraz, and it's a short enough ferry for the kids to not be too bad. Walk some of the Golden Gate if your kids are walkers. These lists could go on, and on....

 

[BulletHead]

Thx for the info. I really want to do Sequoia and Yosemite, but the weather forecast for next week looks like rain and snow and I was just shoveling yesterday and today here in Boston. So I'd like to get some beach time in, even if we dont go in the water.

Where are the tide pools at SD? We will be at Disney during the weekdays, so that would help with lines. Quad bike, sounds interesting.

 

[SDDiver5]

I'd bail the zoo all together and hit the beach for a few days.

Edit: I just looked at the weather forecast. If its not raining, and it prob wont, then I'd go to the beach.

 

[BulletHead]

Any good spots or beaches between LA and Monterey? I'm thinking after spending the morning/afternoon in LA, the kids wont be down for 6-7 hours on rt 1 to Monterey so would like to break it up with a night in between somewhere.

 

[BulletHead]

I'd bail the zoo all together and hit the beach for a few days.

Edit: I just looked at the weather forecast. If its not raining, and it prob wont, then I'd go to the beach.

I hear ya. But kids are all about the animals and the zoo at this point.

 

[Burb One]

Thx for the info. I really want to do Sequoia and Yosemite, but the weather forecast for next week looks like rain and snow and I was just shoveling yesterday and today here in Boston. So I'd like to get some beach time in, even if we dont go in the water.

Where are the tide pools at SD? We will be at Disney during the weekdays, so that would help with lines. Quad bike, sounds interesting.

Tidepools- If during the week, Point Loma(cabrillo) $10 to get into the park. It's beautiful and the best, but if I remember correctly, gets busy, also Touraline (spelling?) is awesome and beautiful as well. Haven't been in a few years, so check google/yelp to see if things have changed.

If it's snowing and you don't want to deal with that, I'd add the day in Big Sur. It's beautiful and something you can only see in CA/west coast. I'd save Yosemite for a proper Yosemite vacation at some point (especially when they're older and can do longer hikes.)

I don't know what else to call them, the'yre bicycles with four seats. Great for the smallest kids because the parents can do all the work. There is a nice bike path along the water, that's very flat and catered towards people renting these. You can rent them at a few bike shops in Cannery Row.

San Simeon is a good halfway point. LOTS of sea lions and good beach and hiking. Also, free. There's a few other tourist traps (ostrich farm, where you can feed ostriches up close). Solvang is also very nice. Great chocolates and food, and cool looking buildings for the kids. Stopping in SLO for the bubble gum alley would be a hoot for the kids as a quick stop.

 

[SDDiver5]

I hear ya. But kids are all about the animals and the zoo at this point.

Fair enough. Look at Sea World also.

 

[bertsdirt]

Any good spots or beaches between LA and Monterey?

Cambria is a nice little beach town. The beach is full of cool pebbles, called moonstones.
San Luis Obispo has a nice downtown. Good for a lunch stop.

Although I've been in San Diego North County for a few years, I still haven't been to the zoo. The Safari park is pretty cool and it isn't too hot yet. You'd not want to go there in the heat of summer, but next week should be fine. If you are a glutton for punishment, you can get a discount pass for the Safari park and zoo. I also recommend Cabrillo or even La Jolla for tidepools. If you go to La Jolla, there is the Birch Aquarium. It's small, and you'll probably just spend 2 hours there, but it's pretty cool. I think the beach behind the Ocean Institute in Dana Point has the best tide pools; lots of star fish, anemone, crabs, etc.

Have fun.

 

[BulletHead]

I am typing this but I dont actually believe the Commander in Chief actually said this to me last night: "So what if there is rain and snow at Yosemite and Sequoia? We're not raising a bunch of pansy boys, they are tough, they can take the cold, they like the cold, let's go hiking, forget the west route".

I already told her I'm not hitting up Sea World, given their past reputation. So that is out.

I suppose we have 3-4 days for Sequoia and Yosemite, any favorable routes? Can't hike more than 1 mile a day if it will be snowing and raining, esp with the 3 yr old. I was looking forward to the beaches, I'm getting softer as I get older.

 

[bertsdirt]

Just be aware that you may need chains if there is snow in the park. If your rental car is 4wd, you may get around that, but I'm not sure how strict they are.

I went to Sequoia last year with a 1 and 3 year old, so our hiking was also limited to a mile or so. I wanted to check out Tokopah Falls, but didn't get to it. I do recommend going up Moro Rock, but probably leave the kids at the car with your wife while you run up it. Then you can watch the kids and your wife can run up it. That's what we did and I'm glad. I would not have trusted my 3 year old on his own and myself with the 1 year old in the backpack thing.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Chains

Good point on the chains. I moved here from Michigan, and still want to throat punch myself every time I see a "carry chains" sign, but they ride along in the back, right next to the tow strap. Although required to carry them, and rarely needed, much less required, they will occasionally turn you back without them. The rental company should be able to provide some cheaply. You wouldn't want to buy a set... More than 100 bucks most places. I would put the odds of them being required at less that 1%, and the radio will be talking about chain control like crazy if it happens.

I would agree with going to Yosemite in the snow. It is still beautiful, far fewer people (still thousands), and if you can deal with snow, you will love it. summer is hot, smoke filled, and crowded! Sequoia and Kings Canyon are mostly closed in the snow season... Call ahead.

Otherwise, lots of cool stuff in the area, and you picked the best time to be around... Warm but not hot, and everything is green right now. Either inland, or the coast, both are really awesome.

Are you staying overnight in Yosemite Valley?

There are also air and rail museums that are pretty cool. Merced for Air Museum and Sacramento for Rail. Up hill from Sacramento is Sutters Mill and gold rush stuff... Good for kids.

We tend to stay away from SFO, I guess mostly because there is lots of other great stuff cheaper and closer. feel free to PM me if you want more local color.

 

[calicamper]

Our kids are 4-6. Weve done SD for spring break the last few yrs. Skip the Safari, its not recommended by pretty much everyone. Your kids are ideal age for Lego Land, were there this week and its end of spring break nearly zero lines! Go!!
Are you camping or hotel?

We got spendy last yr Stayed at La Jolla Beach and tennis resort. We went back this yr very pricy but the sand is exactly 15ft from our door!!! Awesome!!! Tottally worth it.

Camping could be tough I know there are a few private RV parking lots around SD. If your former military I think you can camp out on Coronado island on the strand just past the seal base. I think....

There is a brand new st campground north of La Jolla right on the bluffs cant recall its name but its not hard to miss on the map.

Monterey Memorial Camp Ground puts you right in town good base camp via bikes to explore the town.

 

[BulletHead]

Staying in Mariposa for a couple of nights, in a hotel. 1 hr drive to the valley I think? I hope kids enjoy it. We will have to skip Sequoia and head straight to Yosemite to spend 2 nights there.

It's supposed to be raining for a couple of days in SD. I wonder what we can do indoors.

 

[SDDiver5]

Our weather guy is saying the rain is coming this weekend. Colder and more wet than yesterday. Which was cold and rainy for our standards. I think they said 1-2 inches of rain inland. I bet the coast will have a few showers. Maybe a down pour or two.

Honestly, not much to do indoors unless you go to a museum or a movie. Indoor skydiving maybe? We have a few trampoline parks which are great for adults and kids. SUPER fun!

We're not a very "indoors" type of place. SD pretty much shuts down when it rains.