California Vacation

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WinsomeDefiance -> California Vacation (1/25/2010 12:57:53 PM)
My son has a graduation ceremony end of March, first week in April. I'm not sure yet which Marine base in California it will be at, but since I'm attending his ceremony I thought I would take a week or two and have my first vacation in 20 years. I'm absolutely excited but kinda nervous! I plan on going to Disney Land and Seaworld, but wondered if anyone had some ideas about less published places to visit in California? Places suitable for my 2 year old grandson as well as both my 12 year old and my 21 year old. Also, being the homebody I am, I don't travel much at all and now I'm uncertain how to go about renting a car out of state. I don't have a credit card, and don't want to get stranded in California with no transportation. Any suggestions? Would a travel agent be my best course of action here? As lame as this sounds, I've never traveled anywhere that someone else didn't plan out all my needs for me. Has anyone taken a Train cross country? Was it an enjoyable way to sightsee? With all the hassles associated with flying these days, I am uncertain if I want to take a train or fly....or risk driviing. I even considered renting an RV but worry that gas prices will kill me in costs. Advice? Suggestions? Tips? Recommendations?

ourmsbetty -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 1:10:57 PM)
If you'll be close enough stop into the Long Beach Aquarium. It's well worth it. The ranchos are also interesting if you like historical settings. They give you an insight into how California formed. Tours of WPA art projects are also sometimes available. Knotts Berry Farm is close to Disneyland, usually less crowded and sometimes less expensive. There is a wax museum somewhere in that area as well. You may find younger ones enjoy the wild animal park in San Diego better than Seaworld I can't be much help on the car question, as I don't drive. Worst case scenario the public transportation is very good. I once went from Los Angeles to San Diego and back entirely on the public buses and trains. there are very few places you can't get. However, I do know that most car rental places will take a cash deposit in lieu of a credit card.

ourmsbetty -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 1:17:47 PM)
Go ahead and fly it's usually cheaper than going by train cross country, and faster. Denver to LA was going to take several days at three times the price of no frills airfare last time I looked. I don't know if you want at young child cooped up for that long. I've always been happy on Southwest when I fly. And do plan yourself if you can. You save a lot of money that way.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 1:27:49 PM)
Thank you! I was looking at renting an RV, and trying to compare RV/gas prices against flying 6 people to California, paying for hotel rooms for 2 weeks plus needing a rental car. Its starting to boggle the mind!

dragonseeker -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 1:37:28 PM)
What to do in Southern California Oh oh oh... love Universal Studios... granted your 2 year old might not be able to to on any rides but very worth it. It totally depend on what you are into. If you love nature I would totally suggest going and seeing the high desert areas cause you might catch them in bloom which is amazing to see. We have Missions all up and down the coast which have some great history. It all depends on where the ceremony is, SoCal or NoCal. There is Sequoia National Park. San Fransisco has tons of spots to go to obvious ones like Alcatraz, Golden Gate bridge.I have found that the problem with SoCal is that we have too many things to see and do for tourists. Transportation system down here kinda sucks, so I would highly suggest renting a car or plan on taking a cab wherever you are going. Check with your car insurance company and see if they have any deals, I know AAA has discounts and stuff... do believe you need a credit card for it though for renting a car, at least a debit/credit card. Train obviously takes a lot longer then flying, more sights to see along the way though.

juliaoceania -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 2:56:25 PM)
quote: If you'll be close enough stop into the Long Beach Aquarium. It's well worth it. Yes, Long Beach Rainbow Harbor also has the Queen Mary too.... really nice atmosphere in this neighborhood

pahunkboy -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 3:51:42 PM)
It sounds like you cant afford to go. pick something closer to home and plan a week end event.

HisFlame -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 4:14:08 PM)
RV might not be the best way to go, especially if you are going to SoCal. It can be hard to find a place where to park an RV there, so please check before you do that.

outlier -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 4:32:34 PM)
Winsome, Congradulations to your son. I thank him for his service. Have you considered arranging for an RV you could pick up and then leave in So Cal? You would have transportation while in the state and a place to stay, but still fly to and from. There are websites about RVs that would give you a lot of info. And Peppermint is a full time RV person who is on this board. Keep us posted as to where in Calif. the ceremony will be. It is a big state and some the answers you seek depend upon where you will be. Then we can come up with better suggestions for things to see and do.. Outlier

Mercnbeth -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 4:34:02 PM)
quote: I don't have a credit card, and don't want to get stranded in California with no transportation. this might present a major problem when reserving a rental car, an RV or a hotel room. quote: I'm not sure yet which Marine base in California it will be at there are several...and California is a BIIIIIIIIG state. quote: Has anyone taken a Train cross country? not across country, but this slave has ridden various public transportation options here in California. train service throughout the Great State of California leaves a LOT to be desired. once you arrive, many of the lines have to rely on a charter-style bus for a portion...or all...of your trip, depending where you have to go. If you are only travelling between San Diego and Los Angeles, it shouldn't be an issue...but going farther north could be problematic. Greyhound out here is much worse...and this slave wouldn't reccommend it for anyone travelling with children inside of this state.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 4:42:23 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: pahunkboy It sounds like you cant afford to go. pick something closer to home and plan a week end event. Yes ohh mighty 8 ball.... Your presumption aside, there's a big difference between not being able to afford something, and wanting to get the best trip for ones money.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 4:46:24 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: outlier Winsome, Congradulations to your son. I thank him for his service. Have you considered arranging for an RV you could pick up and then leave in So Cal? You would have transportation while in the state and a place to stay, but still fly to and from. There are websites about RVs that would give you a lot of info. And Peppermint is a full time RV person who is on this board. Keep us posted as to where in Calif. the ceremony will be. It is a big state and some the answers you seek depend upon where you will be. Then we can come up with better suggestions for things to see and do.. Outlier I have looked into a one way trip RV - which at this point seems my best bet. I can visit family along the way, and have a more casual trip without all the rushing around. Plus there are several RV campsites along the route I'dbe traveling. After looking at hote/flight/car rental prices, the RV seems the better bet. Except for one thing. I've never actually driven one.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 4:52:01 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth quote: I don't have a credit card, and don't want to get stranded in California with no transportation. this might present a major problem when reserving a rental car, an RV or a hotel room. quote: I'm not sure yet which Marine base in California it will be at there are several...and California is a BIIIIIIIIG state. quote: Has anyone taken a Train cross country? not across country, but this slave has ridden various public transportation options here in California. train service throughout the Great State of California leaves a LOT to be desired. once you arrive, many of the lines have to rely on a charter-style bus for a portion...or all...of your trip, depending where you have to go. If you are only travelling between San Diego and Los Angeles, it shouldn't be an issue...but going farther north could be problematic. Greyhound out here is much worse...and this slave wouldn't reccommend it for anyone travelling with children inside of this state. Thank you for the heads up. Greyhound doesn't sound fun, I'm going to just avoid that whole unpleasantness. I know I'll probably have to suck it up, and go ahead and get a credit card. But doubt I could get one in time for the trip. I don't really want one. Seems silly to buy on credit, just for the honor of having to pay 3x's more for what you purchased. I did find out it is easier to rent a vehicle locally through a travel agent/booking agent as long as I have a down payment or money on my debit/visa card to cover the deposit which I do have. Getting a train with a room isn't much cheaper than flying, if you can believe that. So I doubt I'll be taking a train. Damn, taking a vacation is really starting to seem like work!

dreamerdreaming -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 4:54:40 PM)
You can use your debit card to rent a car. They'll take a deposit upfront that will be refunded. No one uses travel agents anymore for a trip like this. We all plan it online, ourselves. You can book everything online using your debit card. A train trip is a lovely idea for seeing the countryside, but I prefer the view at 36,000 feet! If you fly, you'll have days more to explore your destination than you would if you rode the train. But if you're doing a zen thing where every step in the journey is as important as the desination, then the train is a terribly romantic way to go. If it were me I'd fly. But I've already seen America. If you haven't, maybe its your turn to ride the train. I have driven across the country too and that's also nice but takes days, and is exhausting. But if you rent a car and drive, you'll see things you never even heard of, and you'll find your own adventures along the way. How great that you have this chance! If it were me I'd fly to CA and then you can rent a car there, or ride the train there. HAVE FUN! [:)]

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 4:58:25 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: dragonseeker What to do in Southern California Oh oh oh... love Universal Studios... granted your 2 year old might not be able to to on any rides but very worth it. It totally depend on what you are into. If you love nature I would totally suggest going and seeing the high desert areas cause you might catch them in bloom which is amazing to see. We have Missions all up and down the coast which have some great history. It all depends on where the ceremony is, SoCal or NoCal. There is Sequoia National Park. San Fransisco has tons of spots to go to obvious ones like Alcatraz, Golden Gate bridge.I have found that the problem with SoCal is that we have too many things to see and do for tourists. Transportation system down here kinda sucks, so I would highly suggest renting a car or plan on taking a cab wherever you are going. Check with your car insurance company and see if they have any deals, I know AAA has discounts and stuff... do believe you need a credit card for it though for renting a car, at least a debit/credit card. Train obviously takes a lot longer then flying, more sights to see along the way though. I believe it is Camp Pendleton in San Diego. I remember going to the Sequoia National Park when I was a child. Thanks for reminding me! Definitely a place I'll want to take my kids too.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 5:02:01 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: dreamerdreaming You can use your debit card to rent a car. They'll take a deposit upfront that will be refunded. No one uses travel agents anymore for a trip like this. We all plan it online, ourselves. You can book everything online using your debit card. A train trip is a lovely idea for seeing the countryside, but I prefer the view at 36,000 feet! If you fly, you'll have days more to explore your destination than you would if you rode the train. But if you're doing a zen thing where every step in the journey is as important as the desination, then the train is a terribly romantic way to go. If it were me I'd fly. But I've already seen America. If you haven't, maybe its your turn to ride the train. I have driven across the country too and that's also nice but takes days, and is exhausting. But if you rent a car and drive, you'll see things you never even heard of, and you'll find your own adventures along the way. How great that you have this chance! If it were me I'd fly to CA and then you can rent a car there, or ride the train there. HAVE FUN! [:)] Thanks! I'm really excited about the opportunity. Being a single mom raising 4 boys, vacations weren't ever in the budget. I figure I might as well take my time now, and get 20 years worth of vacation fun in this trip to make up for it. Good point about the travel agents (I'm showing my age :( )

barelynangel -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 5:39:48 PM)
I know your initial instinct is to pile as much as you can into the week or two and see as much as you can. But that is a serious way to NOT enjoy a vacation because all you will be doing is running running running. What i would do is pick 1 or 2 things to do in a week and do them. Disneyland itself should take you a day or so to fully enjoy. Otherwise you may not find yourself enjoying yourself OR relaxing because everything is flyby so to speak. Think quality of time versus quantity of things to see. Plus do you really want to drive across country and then spend even more time getting back in the RV to drive to places -- as Mercnbeth said -- CA is a BIG state. I would seriously maybe ask disneyland for a suite that will sleep 5 (the 2 year old you can bed down anywhere really), and a kitchen that is like in the middle of everything. Then you can rent a car for a day or two and maybe go see another sight or so. Also, i would check with a travel agent as you don't exactly know what sites and places to go that will be good for all the ages you have. They may be able to put together a great package for you guys. A travel agent can also plan a trip across country for you if you are determined to drive. Or check with disneyland or a place you may want to stay, i am sure they will probably have a lot of site seeing within the area of disneyland that you can create a tour type thing. Just some thoughts, to me -- and yes many may be different -- but quality of enjoying and absorbing and having fun at a few to me is more important that quantity of sites to see in a flyby type a way where you are spending more time in the car than enjoying the sites. A debit card is also used like a credit card nowadays so i doubt you will need to get a credit card. All in all, you want to have fun AND RELAX on your vacation lol not be exhausted and not remember half the stuff you did on your vacation. angel

WyldHrt -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 5:41:08 PM)
quote: I believe it is Camp Pendleton in San Diego. I remember going to the Sequoia National Park when I was a child. Thanks for reminding me! Definitely a place I'll want to take my kids too. It very likely is, or the recruit depot in San Diego. If so, let me know. I live very close to Pendleton! [:D] BTW, whomever suggested the Wild Animal Park was bang on. The Zoo with a 2 year old would be a bit much (it's freaking huge), and there's lots of fun stuff to do at the Park.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 5:47:41 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: barelynangel I know your initial instinct is to pile as much as you can into the week or two and see as much as you can. But that is a serious way to NOT enjoy a vacation because all you will be doing is running running running. What i would do is pick 1 or 2 things to do in a week and do them. Disneyland itself should take you a day or so to fully enjoy. Otherwise you may not find yourself enjoying yourself OR relaxing because everything is flyby so to speak. Think quality of time versus quantity of things to see. Plus do you really want to drive across country and then spend even more time getting back in the RV to drive to places -- as Mercnbeth said -- CA is a BIG state. I would seriously maybe ask disneyland for a suite that will sleep 5 (the 2 year old you can bed down anywhere really), and a kitchen that is like in the middle of everything. Then you can rent a car for a day or two and maybe go see another sight or so. Also, i would check with a travel agent as you don't exactly know what sites and places to go that will be good for all the ages you have. They may be able to put together a great package for you guys. A travel agent can also plan a trip across country for you if you are determined to drive. Or check with disneyland or a place you may want to stay, i am sure they will probably have a lot of site seeing within the area of disneyland that you can create a tour type thing. Just some thoughts, to me -- and yes many may be different -- but quality of enjoying and absorbing and having fun at a few to me is more important that quantity of sites to see in a flyby type a way where you are spending more time in the car than enjoying the sites. A debit card is also used like a credit card nowadays so i doubt you will need to get a credit card. All in all, you want to have fun AND RELAX on your vacation lol not be exhausted and not remember half the stuff you did on your vacation. angel You make an excellent point. It is tempting to try and pack it ALL in, and even 3 weeks isn't very long to do all I want to do. I hadn't thought about checking with Disneyland. I think I'll call them up tomorrow, see what they have in the way of vacation packages. Great idea! Thanks.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: California Vacation (1/25/2010 6:34:33 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: WyldHrt quote: I believe it is Camp Pendleton in San Diego. I remember going to the Sequoia National Park when I was a child. Thanks for reminding me! Definitely a place I'll want to take my kids too. It very likely is, or the recruit depot in San Diego. If so, let me know. I live very close to Pendleton! [:D] BTW, whomever suggested the Wild Animal Park was bang on. The Zoo with a 2 year old would be a bit much (it's freaking huge), and there's lots of fun stuff to do at the Park. Hey, maybe I'll get a chance to meet you [:D] PS - my son is single....just saying!

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