I am going to CA/LA Area with family for the first time ever (for vacation anyway). Just purchased my flights.
I arrive there on Dec 24th and Leave on the 31st. I am planning to visit San Fransisco, Vegas and do the Disney thing for a couple days. I don’t have the accommodations done yet so I am pretty flexible on the dates. I am not sure how to plan the dates the most efficient way. Here are my questions…
Which days should I plan Disneyland trip? Dec 25th? Do I need more than one day to do that particular park?
Same question stands for Universal Studio
I am not into gambling but I still want to visit Vegas and see the lights and walk on the main street and stuff. Is it better to stay in the Vegas area or can I simply drive from LA and come back to my hotel in LA?
I also want to do the same thing as above for San Fransisco. Can I drive to it and come back to LA or would it be better to stay there for the night
If time permits, I would like to do San Diago Zoo. Is it worth it?
What else am I missing? I am in desperate need of some good tips. Please suggest all you can about things that are must to do.
Dec 25th is a popular time of the year so better purchase your tickets online and ideally, book a hotel near Disney (Anaheim or Orange). There are three seperate Theme parks at Disney, so a full day is required at the very least.
Don’t forget to check out ‘Downtown Disney’, which is free.
Universal Studios will be the same, purchase your tickets online so you don’t have to wait in line when you arrive.
Do not drive to Vegas from LA. Hotel rooms in Vegas are cheap when booked during a weekday (less than 50$ in a three star hotel).
The drive from LA to Vegas only takes 4 hours but you need at least an entire day to check out what Vegas has.
The only way to enjoy Vegas is walk down the ‘Strip’ and check out the attractions.
Like a knowledgeable tourist, don’t take the straight and boring highway 5 from LA to SF but instead take Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway), after San Simeon and drive along the ocean. I guarantee the Scenery is world class.
San Diego Zoo. I went there last year and was not impressed.
My suggestion, try this place in San Diego:
8 days may not be enough to absorb all of these destinations. Just a trip to Vegas will take up at least a full day of sightseeing. Cramming so many destinations in a relatively short time usually means you will be skimming on your enjoyment. Not to mention you will need another vacation to recover from this one because of all the walking and driving.
You are in an area where there are endless attractions (Ferry to Catalina Island, for example: http://www.catalina.com/main.html ) so there is a lot you will miss in 8 days but then there is always next year:)
BTW, don’t miss these free attractions in LA (Getty Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall):
Ok, did a lot of research and here is what I ended up deciding:
Dec. 24 - Arrive, Visit Beach
Dec. 25 - Disneyland
Dec. 26 - Disneyland
Dec. 27 - Go to San Diego, stay there and relax
Dec. 28 - Visit San Diego Zoo (or Wild Animal Park) - don't want to do Seaworld. Have been to many of them. their is only one San Diego Zoo!
Dec. 29 - Sight Seeing San Diego, Drive back to LA Hotel
Dec. 30 - Universal Studio
Dec. 31 - Depart
I got some good deals for hotels using priceline
Anaheim Hilton 3-star
Disneyland Area
Check-In Date: Mon, Dec 24, 2007
Check-Out Date: Thu, Dec 27, 2007 Price Won: $48.00 (per night)
Doubletree Club Hotel San Diego 2½-star
Mission Valley
San Diego, California 92108
Check-In Date: Thu, Dec 27, 2007
Check-Out Date: Sat, Dec 29, 2007 Price Won: $58.00 (per night)
Residence Inn Manhattan Beach 2½-star
Redondo - Manhattan Beaches
Manhattan Beach, California 90266
Check-In Date: Sat, Dec 29, 2007
Check-Out Date: Mon, Dec 31, 2007 Price Won: $55.00 (per night)
I gave up trying to squeeze in SF and/or Vegas. Maybe some other time I guess.