Southern California - Look for Advice- Off Topic

It may be a strange thing to ask on a truck forum, but I see a ton of people from California on this forum so what they hey, here it goes.

My family and I just started planning a vacation to southern California this summer for about 4 days not including travel. I have lived in good ol quiet NH all my life and have traveled very little. My wife however has been to California before an many other places. I wanted to get some advice on places we could go (family friendly) while I am there. We currently would like to hit up Lego Land and possibly a zoo, Maybe or maybe not Disney land. But I figured I would ask some of the locals for tips or advice maybe not the typical tourist traps or places I should stay away from.

Any advice really would be great, id love to hear from some locals who know the area, roughly Sacramento to LA is the general area we will be.

 

Sacramento to LA is a pretty large amount of area to cover and actually see much in 4 days.

 

Santa Cruz, Monterey are nice. Everything is a tourist trap here in LA and the traffic is beyond bananas. A marathon runner can get places faster than a car.
What are you looking to do.... besides the mentioned above. Disneyland is primarily a joke with to many people, lines are long and the cost is pretty much outrageous. California adventure is a better bet or 6 flags magic mountain. Knotts berry farm is always a option.

 

Thanks JaCado, this is the kind of info I am looking for. ill check out some of your suggestions.

 

San Diego Zoo ? went many many years ago, was cool, supposed to be (used to be ?) one of the best Zoos in the Country

 

Yes San Diego Zoo is high on the list of possibilities.

 

https://www.thewinginitfamily.com/13-fun-family-activities-in-southern-california/

 

DO NOT drive trough Los Angeles during rush hrs.

"Rush hour occurs on weekdays between 5 am and 10 am, and in the afternoon between 3 pm and 7 pm(although rush-hour traffic can occasionally spill out to 11 am and start again from 2:00 pm until as late as 10 pm, especially on Fridays)."

 

https://vacationidea.com/california/day-trips-in-southern-california.html

 

Thank you Rakso, I appreciate it!

 

Legoland in Carlsbad is great, especially if you like LEGO (me) or have younger kids (I’m the kid). There are also tonnnnnns of micro breweries all along that area.

If you are just looking for Disney and Legoland, I’d suggest Orlando instead... cheaper, less traffic, and more parks to explore.

 

My family (wife and 11 year old daughter) and I went to San Diego last year and had a really good time. did some hiking, sightseeing, the zoo and generally enjoyed the weather, scenery and food (I also live in NH... and it was a nice 5 day trip we took during Feb school break). Direct flight from Logan.

You should probably make mention the ages of the kids to refine suggestions.

 

Good idea Hextall, my kids will be 5 and 11 at the time of the trip.

 

Both boys / girls or 1 of each?

 

Yougest is Boy Oldest is a Girl

 

Yosemite. If you've never been it should not be missed.

 

I would suggest knotts berry farm or California adventure more suited for kids that age. Universal studios here is kinda lame, unless your kids are totally into movies that company produces.
Six flags is more of a adrenaline junky park of large roller coasters and teenage/adult style rides.
@Rakso posted some decent info.

 

^ This. California is a big state. Ask yourself if you and the family want cities and theme parks, or natural wonders. On the natural wonders side you could start with Yosemite and drive over to the east side of the Sierras and down 395. Lots to see. Just an alternative suggestion.

 

4 days gets eaten up pretty quick if you throw travel on the California freeways in. If you could narrow down to smaller segment you could pack more activities in. San Diego county in addition to a very good Zoo dare say its world class-has the Wild animal park, along with the Legoland you mention, also the Midway aircraft carrier museum, and Sea World.

 

Well the kids specifically asked for Lego land so we are kind of building the rest around that. Personally I enjoy nature I am not sure it would hold their attention as much. I know my time is very limited for the size and availability of options. The San Diago zoo is also pretty much set in stone in our plan. All this information will help me figure out whats worth hitting and whats not. I have 2 days to fill and I am just trying to get an idea as to the best way to spend them. They really like theme parks and interactive museums and such. I would like to spend at least one day that is not at a "theme park".. Id love to hit Yosemite but in terms of driving time Im not sure if is plausible depending on where we end up staying.