Help!!! Anyone from California

[vbacht]

We are cruising out of Long Beach, and will be coming down for a pre-cruise stay. My husband is interested in staying in the Manhattan beach area. What area would you suggest?? Long beach or manhattan beach. We will have a rental car. He like's the beach, I'm looking for a nice area, with things to do with small children. Also, approx how far or time wise is Disneyland and Legoland. Any info is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Thanks!!!

[suznf]

Legoland is aprox 90 miles south of LAX, all freeway (an easy drive) along the coast. If you go there, you might want to stay at the Best Western in Carlsbad http://www.beachterraceinn.com/, This is right on the beach. A coworker of mine stayed here and said it was wonderful.

 

Disneyland is about 30-45 minutes from Manhattan Beach. Plan on spending the entire day!

 

Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park is a great place for families with young children. http://www.knotts.com/park/funfinder/families_child_full.shtml

Thier hotel has some pretty nice packages. http://www.knottshotel.com/packages/index.htm

 

Near Knotts Berry Farm is the Beach community of Huntington Beach. This is a nice area for families. If you are interested in doing the Beach thing, Both the Hilton http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=EHGXVCOWEMDB4CSGBIXM22QKIYF CVUUC?ctyhocn=HUBWHHF and the Hyatt in Huntington Beach are located across the street from the beach (The Hyatt has a private walkway over the road to the beach) I know the Hyatt rents surfboards and boogie boards, and has a fantastic spa (mom...try the sea lavendar massage - it is wonderful!http://huntingtonbeach.hyatt.com/hya...pa/massage.jsp).

(I have seen both of these hotels at www.easyclicktravel.com).

 

Both of the hotels are w/in walking distance of the downtown area, which is all of three blocks-but full of shops, restaurants, art gallery, movie theater etc. Rubies at the end of the Huntington Pier will remind you of a 50s diner and the food ..and view....is awesome. (Great place for breakfast!)

 

There are fire pits on the beach you can use (the local grocery stores sell wood year round) to have a weenie roast or make smores and watch the sun go down behind the pier.

 

You can surf fish from the beach or fish off the Huntington Beach Pier. There is a bike path that runs along the beach and you can rent bikes, carts and roller blades to use. Depending on the weekend you are there, there may also be surf contests, crafts fairs, musicians, beach volleyball tournaments occuring at the pier.

 

Down the road is the Bolsa Chica Wetlands, great for an early morning hike. http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/1551/bolsa.htm

 

You can rent a little electric boat and putz around the harbor, or kayak or canoe.

http://www.stockteam.com/hbrelax.html

 

If you stay in the Orange County area (disneyland/knotts/huntington) you might want to visit the Discovery Science Museum in Santa Ana http://www.discoverycube.org/.

 

In Los Angeles, your children may enjoy the Children's Museum in Los Angeles http://www.childrensmuseumla.org/home.html or the Kidspace Childrens Museum in Pasadena http://www.kidspacemuseum.org/default.asp.

 

The El Capitan Theater http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/ will have the latest Disney Production.

 

Hope this helps! Have fun!

[7SeasLover]

Both beach cities are fun places to stay. You can also visit the Queen Mary in LB and, last I heard, they operated hotel on the ship.

 

Disney is a great place and like the original post said, plan on a full day and even into the evening (for the parade). Lots to do in this part of California.

[vbacht]

Thank-you both for the information!

 

Much Appreciated

[anitam]

And if you are in Long Beach the Aquarium is wonderful. And it's right next to Bubba Gump's.