My L.A. in November... I mean, November in L.A. Trip!

[Cosmic Commando]

It's called the "November in L.A. Trip" because I will be spending pretty much all of November out in California! We will be leaving November 2nd from Buffalo in the evening, and things just got real! Plane tickets down and Disneyland tickets are purchased, so we're definitely going! Haven't bought the plane tickets back yet, so I'm not sure about that part. The return date is either the 22nd (Thanksgiving) or the 23rd. I have enough vacation time from work to stretch it until that Saturday or Sunday, but the chances of finding reasonable airfare for those days are slim. Either way, we'll be there almost three weeks. I believe the Europeans call that a holiday.

Anyway, I'd love to get ideas, feedback, tips, etc. from everyone and share some of my excitement as I get ready!

I don't really have any specific days planned for any particular events, so that's why they're lettered.
Here's my itinerary, also in handy map form:
Day A
Joshua Tree National Park - aiming to do a visitor's center and a couple very short trails
The Living Desert - reciprocal admission from our local zoo
Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert
Pines to Palms Drive
Day B
Reagan Presidential Library - Air Force One, Marine One, President's limo, piece of the Berlin Wall and a Disney Archives exhibit... what's not to like?
Day C
L.A. Zoo - cheaper and closer than the San Diego Zoo
Griffith Observatory - Not sure how exciting it will be for a 5YO and a 3YO, but they have a great view of the city?
Day D
Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits
Kidspace
Day E
Natural History Museum of L.A. County
California Science Center - really hoping the shuttle will be there
Day F
Discovery Science Center
Disneyland for a few evening hours maybe
Day G
Dolphin Safari - I like the sound of this particular whale/dolphin watching cruise but am not attached to it-- anyone have a favorite?
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Day H
Getty
Skirball Cultural Center
I'm not convinced that the Getty really has enough for my kids and the Skirball has a really cool Noah's Ark thing, but this day may get chopped for more beach time, down time, or Disney time.

We're staying with my brother-in-law in Torrance about ten minutes from the beach, so there will be some beach time sprinkled in but not "scheduled" right now. Also lots of Disneyland time! We bought APs before the price increase, and we figured out that our break-even point was eight days. So, at least eight days for Disneyland. I know some people might think that's a lot, but we did five or six days last time (before DCA 2.0) and wanted more. Not all open-to-close days and now we have another kid slowing us down, so it'll be a different experience. Plus, I am on a mission to do everything at DL and DCA. Everything.

Thanks for reading and I'd love your thoughts!

 

[Californian Elitist]

Now THAT is what I call a vacation!!!!! Your trip sounds like hella fun! The funny thing is one of the places you'll be visiting (the Science Center) is about a five minute drive away from my house, hahaha.

Your trip sounds really exciting. I think your kids will like Griffith, especially if you guys go at night. It's very beautiful at night. La Brea Tar Pits are fun too. They filmed No Strings Attached over there. May I suggest the Grove and Farmer's Market. Farmer's Market is very nice and historical, with great food. The Grove is a very nice shopping center. It's too bad you can't go to Universal. Your kids would have loved it, especially the Studio Tour. Speaking of that, a tour of LA/Hollywood would be a lot of fun. You visit the Santa Monica Pier, Beverly Hills, celebrity homes and other places.

The Disneyland Resort is ALWAYS a good choice. I don't think I have to tell you much more. Oh wait, make sure you read my thread on Thunder Mountain! It's in the Disneyland section.

I think all I have to say is have fun and get here safely!

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Universal Studios is one of the two "honorable mentions" so far on my list. I really want to drag my family there just so I can ride Transformers and the Simpsons ride, but I don't think there's enough "meat" there for my whole family for the price that you pay. Transformers seems awesome: just from the pictures of the Optimus and Bumblebee walkaround characters, my son wanted to go. I think when Potter opens, that will be what gets us over the hump to go to USH.

The other honorable mention was Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park. Part of the planning process has been trying to put myself in my kids' shoes to think about the things that will really grab them. We're going to the Reagan Library, but not the Nixon because of Air Force One, Marine One and the motorcade that they have on display at the Reagan. I'm really excited about the piece of the Berlin Wall, but my kids probably won't really understand what that is for ten years. Sequoia NP really appealed to me because you "get" 300 ft tall trees at any age. The problem is that it seems like they have harsh "way up in the mountains" winter there in November; everywhere I see disclaimers about bringing snow chains and I don't think my brother-in-law's Honda Civic is up for that. The desert and Joshua Tree was sort of a consolation prize, but one that I am getting more excited about with some more research. Neither my kids nor I have ever been to anything that you can call a desert before so it will be cool to them, but probably won't have as much of a WOW factor as the largest living things on Earth. Winter is the right time to visit the desert, but if we ever come back in summer, we'll be headed up to see some giant trees.

We're not big shoppers (even at Disney), but the Grove and Farmer's Market do look very unique! I've seen the pictures that @TP2000 has posted of The Grove... very beautiful. I think we actually will check these out!

 

[Californian Elitist]

I understand about USH. The price scares you for a sec. It definitely threw me off the first time I went but the reason they charge that amount is because of the studio tour. Let's say the tour was $50, as the Warner Bros studio your is that much. For less than $30 (I think), you get four attractions, along with some really cool shows. But again, I completely understand if you don't want to spend the extra cash.

I understand about Sequioa and Kings Canyon too, given the weather and your kids not understanding the whole marine thing. I think Sequioa would be more appealing for the kids. That one's a toughie. Hope you make the right decision!

You don't even have to go shopping at the Grove. You could just walk around. Though I'd suggest if you randomly decide to go to the movies, go the the Grove. The theater is extremely nice, designed like an opera theater. The employees are dressed as bell boys, kinda like a hotel. They have the best popcorn and hot dogs too. Yum. Speaking of food, you MUST try Pink's, Tommy's, and In N Out Burger. Those are all SoCal legends.

 

[TP2000]

Wow, you've got a great SoCal vacation lined up, with the bulk of it beyond the Disneyland Resort!

I just kick myself every time I read a thread like this, because I have been promising myself I will make the trek up to Simi Valley to the Reagan Library this year! Then it's "next year", and the next, and so on. It's 2012 and I still haven't been and I really want to! I have been to the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, as that is just a few miles from my house here in Villa Park, but the Reagan Library is the Disneyland to the Nixon Library's County Fair. (No offense to Richard Nixon, who was very close friends with Walt Disney, but I'm sure even Mr. Nixon would admit that Reagan got the bigger and better library!)

Not sure that it could slot in to Day A and your already full itinerary in Joshua Tree, but the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is always a fun diversion when you are out there in the desert. Just a fun and unique thing to do, from the searing desert floor to the crisp mountaintop in 30 minutes! And the revolving tram cars are a big hit with kids, obviously. Or at least kids that don't have a fear of heights. http://www.pstramway.com/

Also, during Day D you might consider slotting in LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), and specifically their Metropolis II exhibit. It's basically a giant, massive slot track set in and around model skyscrapers. Kids love it. LACMA is right there on "Museum Row" on Wilshire Blvd. near the La Breat Tarpits. http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/metropolis-ii

Nearby LACMA is The Grove and Famer's Market, which Raven24 already mentioned. It would be decorated for Christmas by November, and the trolley that winds through the mall can be fun for kids. You'll find typical upscale mall stores and some good restaurants that make it a nice place for adults to have dinner or browse, too.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6547783121_6ea9a78a16_z.jpg

I must say, you are going at this SoCal vacation from all the right angles. I love that you are balancing the Disney theme park stuff with some solidly legit arts and culture and history and science! That will be one heckuva family vacation that your kids will love, and the whole family will come away enriched and enlightened from, in addition to the pure entertainment value of Disneyland and the other theme parks. Bravo for good parenting!

 

[Cosmic Commando]

You don't even have to go shopping at the Grove. You could just walk around. Though I'd suggest if you randomly decide to go to the movies, go the the Grove. The theater is extremely nice, designed like an opera theater. The employees are dressed as bell boys, kinda like a hotel. They have the best popcorn and hot dogs too. Yum. Speaking of food, you MUST try Pink's, Tommy's, and In N Out Burger. Those are all SoCal legends.

Sounds like a good place to go see Wreck-It Ralph! The Christmas decorations, the trolley and a movie sound like a great couple of hours!

We've been to In N Out. Needless to say, we will be back. Who knew you could make french fries in a fast food restaurant by just cutting up potatoes?

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Wow, you've got a great SoCal vacation lined up, with the bulk of it beyond the Disneyland Resort!

I just kick myself every time I read a thread like this, because I have been promising myself I will make the trek up to Simi Valley to the Reagan Library this year! Then it's "next year", and the next, and so on. It's 2012 and I still haven't been and I really want to! I have been to the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, as that is just a few miles from my house here in Villa Park, but the Reagan Library is the Disneyland to the Nixon Library's County Fair. (No offense to Richard Nixon, who was very close friends with Walt Disney, but I'm sure even Mr. Nixon would admit that Reagan got the bigger and better library!)

The planets are aligning for both of us this year, then! Pretty much just being able to walk inside a real Air Force One made the Reagan Library a "must do" for me... then I found out there's going to be a huge Disney Archives exhibit there! I think I read somewhere that it's going to be even bigger than the archives exhibit at the D23 Expo.

Not sure that it could slot in to Day A and your already full itinerary in Joshua Tree, but the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is always a fun diversion when you are out there in the desert. Just a fun and unique thing to do, from the searing desert floor to the crisp mountaintop in 30 minutes! And the revolving tram cars are a big hit with kids, obviously. Or at least kids that don't have a fear of heights. http://www.pstramway.com/

It is going to be rapid fire touring in the desert that day, no doubt. I actually found a children's museum in Palm Desert that we get reciprocal membership to, so we may even pop in there. I want to get to The Living Desert as soon as it opens and we'll see how much time we want to spend there; that will probably determine whether or not we get to the children's museum. I actually saw the Tramway ( I think you mentioned it somewhere else around here) before and thought it might be too expensive. We're sort of accomplishing the same thing by doing to scenic drive, but now I'm thinking this might be a case where it's better to spend the money rather than the time. The scenic drive will add about an hour and a half to our drive out there, and kids don't have the best view strapped into car seats (my daughter is still facing backwards even). I think I'm sold on the PS Tramway now. Thanks!

Also, during Day D you might consider slotting in LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), and specifically their Metropolis II exhibit. It's basically a giant, massive slot track set in and around model skyscrapers. Kids love it. LACMA is right there on "Museum Row" on Wilshire Blvd. near the La Breat Tarpits. http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/metropolis-ii

I know my kids would eat that up! Will have to think about this one.

Nearby LACMA is The Grove and Famer's Market, which Raven24 already mentioned. It would be decorated for Christmas by November, and the trolley that winds through the mall can be fun for kids. You'll find typical upscale mall stores and some good restaurants that make it a nice place for adults to have dinner or browse, too.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6547783121_6ea9a78a16_z.jpg

I must say, you are going at this SoCal vacation from all the right angles. I love that you are balancing the Disney theme park stuff with some solidly legit arts and culture and history and science! That will be one heckuva family vacation that your kids will love, and the whole family will come away enriched and enlightened from, in addition to the pure entertainment value of Disneyland and the other theme parks. Bravo for good parenting!

I was going to ask when they would decorate for Christmas (working from the theme park model), but since it's a "mall", they'll probably be decorated in September! We did one week trips in '07 and '08 and we did a couple things outside of Disney and the beach, but not much. The Aquarium of the Pacific was nice, but don't really feel the need to go back. Doing the mega-trip lets us get our Disney fix and spread our wings a little bit more!

 

[Laura]

Aw you gotta go to Universal Hollywood! The tram tour alone is worth the price of admission. The other rides there are just bonuses. I can't imagine spending a month in LA and not doing the Universal tram tour!

A lot of the things you listed off I've never even done. I was glad to see you threw whale watching on there, because that's my FAVORITE! I've done it 3 times (not with the company you listed, but whales are whales) and it's amazing. I'm really itching to go again.

The Getty would probably bore your kids to tears. I went for the first time last year, and I think it will be the only time. It was beautiful, but I was bored. Wasn't really my thing. I do enjoy culture to a certain extent, but nothing there caught my attention and I know *my* kids would have hated it.

Head to Griffith observatory right before sunset. It's incredible to see the sunset from there. I can't imagine a kid being bored with that view. You get a really cool perspective of the Hollywood sign and can see everything in LA. I would definitely call that a "must do". It only takes a couple minutes to drive up there, see the view, and leave, so it's not like it kills a half a day or anything.

Discovery Science Center, in my opinion, is overpriced and kind of lame. I was very disappointed with it considering how much we paid to get in there. I bet there's better options for a kids' museum than that (I've never researched so I don't know). I'd save the cash and do Universal Hollywood instead. LOL

Don't forget to eat lunch at Disney Soda Fountain. That's one of my favorite things to do in LA.

 

[NemoRocks78]

You've got a great list of things to do, all around. I've always wanted to go to Reagan Library and it looks like this Archives exhibit is finally gonna get us to go up there later this month. I'm excited for that. And Joshua Tree is super neat.

I'd like to throw out a nomination myself for Wreck-It Ralph at Disney's El Capitan Theatre. It's a beautiful, old-time "movie palace" just across the street from Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Tickets are a little pricey, but the experience is definitely worth it. Plus, it's right next to Disney's Soda Fountain & Studio Store, which is a nice place for lunch and/or ice cream.

Also, if you're on the fence about USH due to price, I'd suggest looking at the Go Los Angeles Card. It'd only work if you set up some of your days just right, but it does include admission to a ton of things around town and could make a quick stop at USH work out.

The Grove and Farmer's Market are worth a look, even if you aren't into shopping much. The Grove is a nice place to walk around at night and the Farmer's Market has some awesome food options (stop by Bob's Donuts!).

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Aw you gotta go to Universal Hollywood! The tram tour alone is worth the price of admission. The other rides there are just bonuses. I can't imagine spending a month in LA and not doing the Universal tram tour!

A lot of the things you listed off I've never even done. I was glad to see you threw whale watching on there, because that's my FAVORITE! I've done it 3 times (not with the company you listed, but whales are whales) and it's amazing. I'm really itching to go again.

The Getty would probably bore your kids to tears. I went for the first time last year, and I think it will be the only time. It was beautiful, but I was bored. Wasn't really my thing. I do enjoy culture to a certain extent, but nothing there caught my attention and I know *my* kids would have hated it.

Head to Griffith observatory right before sunset. It's incredible to see the sunset from there. I can't imagine a kid being bored with that view. You get a really cool perspective of the Hollywood sign and can see everything in LA. I would definitely call that a "must do". It only takes a couple minutes to drive up there, see the view, and leave, so it's not like it kills a half a day or anything.

Discovery Science Center, in my opinion, is overpriced and kind of lame. I was very disappointed with it considering how much we paid to get in there. I bet there's better options for a kids' museum than that (I've never researched so I don't know). I'd save the cash and do Universal Hollywood instead. LOL

Don't forget to eat lunch at Disney Soda Fountain. That's one of my favorite things to do in LA.

The math is a little different for us because we get in to Discovery Science Center for free. We have memberships to our local zoo, children's museum and science museum and they each have their own reciprocal admission programs with other zoos and museums around the country. Places like the tar pits and Kidspace we get into for free. Half off at the L.A. Zoo.

We can at the very least pop into the Griffith to look at the view since it's so close to the L.A. Zoo. It would be nice to see the Hollywood sign without doing the Hollywood Blvd scene... did it last time and didn't really care for it. I like the Soda Fountain and if they have a special event for Wreck-It Ralph at the El Capitan, that might convince us to make the trip.

Yeah, I gradually got the idea that the Getty might be more for me than the kids. My wife and I both majored in Anthropology, so we could totally be like, "Ooh, Teotihuacan!" The kids not so much. The tram ride up the hill would be nice, but not nice enough to be an attraction itself.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I can see my fellow Californians have come up with some other great options, especially the El Capitan suggestion. You've got a lot of things on your plate, Commando, but that's a good thing!

 

[Cosmic Commando]

You've got a great list of things to do, all around. I've always wanted to go to Reagan Library and it looks like this Archives exhibit is finally gonna get us to go up there later this month. I'm excited for that. And Joshua Tree is super neat.

I'd like to throw out a nomination myself for Wreck-It Ralph at Disney's El Capitan Theatre. It's a beautiful, old-time "movie palace" just across the street from Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Tickets are a little pricey, but the experience is definitely worth it. Plus, it's right next to Disney's Soda Fountain & Studio Store, which is a nice place for lunch and/or ice cream.

Also, if you're on the fence about USH due to price, I'd suggest looking at the Go Los Angeles Card. It'd only work if you set up some of your days just right, but it does include admission to a ton of things around town and could make a quick stop at USH work out.

The Grove and Farmer's Market are worth a look, even if you aren't into shopping much. The Grove is a nice place to walk around at night and the Farmer's Market has some awesome food options (stop by Bob's Donuts!).

The Go LA card seems very interesting... you can get a one day Go LA card and it's less than just a Uni Studios ticket?

I read some of the articles on MiceAge over the years about events at the El Capitan; we could possibly catch a flick there.

I'm actually re-thinking the USH thing now... I think it depends on my daughter. It's going to be a fight to get her to 40". If she gets to 40" and can ride Transformers and Simpsons with the family, that may just make it worthwhile. I know the tram tour is substantial and not just another ride; how long does it take? Hmm...

 

[Californian Elitist]

The Go LA card seems very interesting... you can get a one day Go LA card and it's less than just a Uni Studios ticket?

I read some of the articles on MiceAge over the years about events at the El Capitan; we could possibly catch a flick there.

I'm actually re-thinking the USH thing now... I think it depends on my daughter. It's going to be a fight to get her to 40". If she gets to 40" and can ride Transformers and Simpsons with the family, that may just make it worthwhile. I know the tram tour is substantial and not just another ride; how long does it take? Hmm...

How many people are in your group? My brother works at USH and he gets complimentary tickets. I never see him giving them to people and I don't know if he sells them or not.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

We have me and my wife, my 5YO son and my 3YO daughter. I'm not sure how my brother-in-law feels about going to USH (some days he's taking off of work to come with us on our adventures and some not), but he's cheap so probably no.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Alright, so four. I'll see what I can do. I won't promise anything but I'll see.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Alright, so four. I'll see what I can do. I won't promise anything but I'll see.

Really appreciate it!

 

[Californian Elitist]

Really appreciate it!

No problem!

 

[RyanTTD]

The Go LA card seems very interesting... you can get a one day Go LA card and it's less than just a Uni Studios ticket?

I read some of the articles on MiceAge over the years about events at the El Capitan; we could possibly catch a flick there.

I'm actually re-thinking the USH thing now... I think it depends on my daughter. It's going to be a fight to get her to 40". If she gets to 40" and can ride Transformers and Simpsons with the family, that may just make it worthwhile. I know the tram tour is substantial and not just another ride; how long does it take? Hmm...

The Universal Tram Tour is 45 minutes to 1 hour long, depending on the day you go and the production schedule in the backlot. Also,Transformers is the best dark ride in California! Yes, better than Radiator Springs Racers and Indy!

I would suggest skipping the LA Zoo as that place is a dump and go to Universal.

 

[TP2000]

The LA Zoo is kind of a dump, especially compared to the San Diego Zoo two hours south. But if you get in for half off, then maybe...

Have you also considered the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades?

The Getty Villa is smaller in scale than The Getty, but its exhibit halls and pavilions are entirely centered around Greek and Roman antiquities and ancient art. It might be more interesting to two anthropology majors. I was an engineering major in college so I was in a little over my head at the Getty Villa, but like all things associated with Mr. Getty and the Getty Trust the facility is gorgeous, dripping with money and technology, and is fun to wander the grounds in the hills just above the ocean. Luckily many of the exhibits are electronically variable to speak to those who may have extensive background in antiquities, or can speak to those like me who have a hard time keeping their Roman Senator separated from their Greek God.

And of course, compliments of Getty Oil, visiting the Getty Villa is free. http://www.getty.edu/visit/

And I have to say this again...

Southern California is a wealth of cultural and natural wonders rivaling or surpassing any of the other great metropolises on earth. It is so, so, so much more than just a sunny clime with some trashy celebrities and a few good theme parks. Bravo to you sir for getting you and your family out and about throughtout all of SoCal to take in everything beyond just the theme parks!

 

[Cosmic Commando]

The LA Zoo is kind of a dump, especially compared to the San Diego Zoo two hours south. But if you get in for half off, then maybe...

Our home zoo is, ahem, rustic. It's an old, postage stamp sized zoo, one of the oldest in the country. My expectations for the LA Zoo are pretty low... as long as it's better than our zoo, I'll be OK. We have a nice zoo in Toronto a couple of hours away from us, so we have access to a megazoo when we want, although I'd bet the San Diego Zoo is nicer still. The main draw in trekking down to the San Diego Zoo would normally be the pandas, but we just saw pandas last year at the National Zoo. I'm still somewhat kicking around the idea to maybe switch out the LA Zoo for the Safari Park. There are a few things that the kids will miss from WDW, and Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of them; the Safari Park could recreate that a little bit.

Have you also considered the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades?

The Getty Villa is smaller in scale than The Getty, but its exhibit halls and pavilions are entirely centered around Greek and Roman antiquities and ancient art. It might be more interesting to two anthropology majors. I was an engineering major in college so I was in a little over my head at the Getty Villa, but like all things associated with Mr. Getty and the Getty Trust the facility is gorgeous, dripping with money and technology, and is fun to wander the grounds in the hills just above the ocean. Luckily many of the exhibits are electronically variable to speak to those who may have extensive background in antiquities, or can speak to those like me who have a hard time keeping their Roman Senator separated from their Greek God.

And of course, compliments of Getty Oil, visiting the Getty Villa is free. http://www.getty.edu/visit/

I picked the big Getty Center over the Villa and didn't really look into the Villa too much before (bigger is better, right?). Actually, it looks really cool! Just looking at the titles of the main exhibits, I think the Villa may be more up our alley. I may smoosh this together with the Reagan Library or it's close enough to "home" that it may be a cool thing to just pop in and hang out on a down day. Now where's my copy of Edith Hamilton's Mythology?

And I have to say this again...

Southern California is a wealth of cultural and natural wonders rivaling or surpassing any of the other great metropolises on earth. It is so, so, so much more than just a sunny clime with some trashy celebrities and a few good theme parks. Bravo to you sir for getting you and your family out and about throughtout all of SoCal to take in everything beyond just the theme parks!

You're making me blush! Thanks for all of the help!