Needing Help In California

[vbacht]

Any info greatly appreciated. We are arriving 5 days prior to our cruise and was wondering if it is any cheaper to buy Disneyland tickets elsewhere. I do belong to Caa and Costco. We are also staying in Newport beach, Any family fun restaurants or neat things to do with a 4 and 6 year old. Also we have rented a car.

 

 

THanks!!!!!

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Just a quick link to start with:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

Check out the info there for tips and tricks on Disney tickets...

I'll think about restaurants and stuff later (I have to run now), but maybe some others from Newport area will weigh in here...

South Bayers?

CJW

[vbacht]

Thanks Curt Jerome Wild!!!

 

I was wondering if we should order tickets before we go or if we will be swamped with offers once we get to california??

[seniormiss]

Where are you staying in Newport. I live in the area..and we are famous for the shopping centers, South Coast, Fashion Island, etc.

Its to bad they are tearing down the "Fun Zone" in Newport, the kids would have loved that. Of course there are many good restaurants in the area.

I know this is kinda silly since you are going on a cruise, but there is a fun boat cruise around Newport harbor which shows you all the movie stars homes.

Also don't forget going to Laguna Beach, very interesting and artsie and touristy, but still fun.

I don't know about buying the Disneyland tickets, I do know they just went up again..over $60, outrageous i think.

[vbacht]

Thanks seniormiss,

 

We are staying at the Marriott Residence inn Costa mesa/newport area. I think it is on Baker rd. I do know we are close to the south coast mall. What is the name of the cruise in Newport and I have read about Fashion Island. Do you have to take a ferry? Also liquor and beer, is it sold in grocery store's or do you have a beer depot and liquor store.

[Jana White]

You are about a mile at the most from South Coast Plaza. I like this Residence Inn, it is in a quiet residential area. South Coast Plaza is a mega mall. There is a Rainforest Cafe for the kids, but lots and lots of wonderful shopping.

 

Fashion Island is a beautiful outdoor shopping mall overlooking Newport Bay. It is not really an island and you do not need a ferry to get there.

 

The harbor at Newport is a definite. About 5 miles from your hotel. The fun zone is still fun for kids. You can rent bikes, 4/5 person bike carts, row boats, etc. There are small carnival rides for the little ones. The bike path/pedestrian path goes for miles along the beach. There is a restaurant/diner Rubys on the pier that is great for kids. You may see sea lions and even sometimes dolphins from the pier. The harbor cruises are really fun and quite inexpensive. There are 2 or 3 companies that do these and their kiosks are right on the harbor. You need not book ahead and the tours go every couple of hours and last for about 1 hour each. They are right at the Balboa Pavillion/fun zone area and you will not miss them.

 

There is no problem buying any liquor/beer/wine from a grocery store as in some other states. They will have most everything you may need unless you are looking for a specialized California wine or some off the wall liquor/beer. Then go to a specialized liquor store. For the everyday alcohal, any grocery store is fine.

 

Enjoy

[vbacht]

Thanks Jana White,

 

I'm starting to get excited now. The kids love the beach, but i guess it will be to cold for swimming. What is the weather like in November?? Any suggestions for Halloween night. We are arriving that day so it all depends how tired we are. My husband say's Huntington beach has a Halloween street festival. Has anyone been and is it worth going to.

[Jana White]

Hi Vbacht

 

Here is a link to the Huntington Beach Halloween Parade. Should be quite fun for the kids. Huntington Beach normally puts on great parades and parties. We live in HB and love it.

http://www.stockteam.com/Halloween/hbhalo5.html

 

We think the weather in November is lovely. It is usually mild in the mid 70's during the day, though we can have hot winds from the desert called "The Santa Anas" that bring it up to the 90's. Not at the beach, but certainly at Disneyland. The water is always cold in the Pacific, but you will see people swimming year round.

 

Have fun

[vbacht]

Thanks Again Janna White!!!!

 

One more silly question. Could you give me directions to Huntington beach for the Halloween Festivities and some insider info on where to park.

 

 

 

I think we will take the kids for dinner in Huntington beach, any suggestions would be great and enjoy the parade.

[Jana White]

The easiest way from your hotel is to go west on Baker St to Fairview Road, and make a left. Turn right on Adams Ave (less than 1/2 mile).

Go about 5 1/2 miles and turn left on Main Street. When you see the BIG street Beach Blvd you have about 1 mile more. Main Street is the street all the activity is on and runs right into the beach. There is a public parking lot on 5th street about 4 blocks from the beach. This is just west of Main Steet. There is another public parking lot east of Main Street in about the same location. However, there is lots of metered parking, just bring your quarters. On a night like this it may take patience so arrive early. You can Map Quest from your hotel to 301 Main Street, Huntington Beach and that will give you a good idea.

 

As for eating. There are a myriad of places to eat on Main Street in downtown Huntington Beach. Anything you can think of from the fast food to the fancy. I have yet to find a bad one. Here is another link.

 

http://surfcityusa.com/show/xmlsite/xml-standard.xml/xsl-event.xsl/start_id-accmnfbplcbfkbhpjckflhkaofcfognccpmakhib/

 

 

Have fun

[vbacht]

Thanks for all you help!! I went on the surfcity web site and I think we will try the Huntington Beach Beer company. It is also on the main street so maybe we will have an early diner.

[Jana White]

Great choice. It has a great view of the sunset and the beer and food are good too. One of my husbands favorite haunts.

[Tahoestarr]

I usually buy my tickets for Disney through AAA. It's been quite sometime, so I can't tell you how much they are. Also, sometimes the hotels give you a deal.

[seniormiss]

While you are in Huntington Beach be sure and take the kids to Huntington Beach Surf and Sport, its on the corner of Main st. and Pacific Coast hwy. I think the kids will like looking at all the surf stuff and maybe get a t-shirt as a rememberence of HB. Lots of great information from Jana White.

Huntington Beach also has a Rubys at the end of the pier, which the kids might enjoy.

 

Just a suggestion...I think it might be a bit easier to just take Pacific Coast Hwy. from your hotel to Huntington Beach. Its a nice drive along the ocean and it will take you right to Main st. Ask anyone how to get to Pacific Coast hwy. and I'm sure you'll get directions. I think its only about 3,4 or 5 miles up the coast.

[Jana White]

Great idea Seniormiss. The kids will love it at the sport shop.

You are also right about the driving down the coast. It is a beautiful drive from Newport. However, not the most convenient from where the hotel is. Vbacht would need to go 4 miles down Newport Blvd and then right on Pacific Coast Highway about 5 miles to Main Street Huntington Beach. Vbacht you can certainly do that for a nice ride. There should also be public beach parking close to Main Street if you do not find any other parking in the area.

[lovebug33]

Is CAA the same as AAA? We are buying our 2 day passes through them.It is 116 for adults and like 96 for kids. It isn't that much cheaper, but you get parking at Disney for free, which is worth 10 bucks a day (that's AAA in Vegas). Check out the AAA site.

[suznf]

Other fun things to do w/your kids...

 

Check out the Santa Ana Zoo...a hidden treasure...very small but great exhibits and petting zoo! http://www.santaanazoo.org/ And close to where you will be....

 

The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana is another great place (and cheap) to take your kids http://64.143.71.42/index.htm

 

A trip to the tidepools in Laguna is always fun here is the lowdown on our beaches http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/discoveroc/placestogo/article_1196792.php

 

In Huntington Beach you can rent bicycles or have a bonfire. Any of the grocery stores will sell firewood and 'smores fixins. At Bolsa Chica there is a wonderful little hike through the bird sanctuary.

 

If you are not too theme parked out, you will find that Knott's Berry Farm is a great choice w/your kids http://www.knotts.com/ Lots of discounts and they have "Camp Spooky" in October http://www.knotts.com/hot/index.asp

 

The Balboa Fun Zone is also a great place for a day or evening with the kids http://www.thebalboafunzone.com/

 

Here are some more ideas for family fun http://beyondfun.churmpublishing.com/west_oc.php

 

Enjoy your trip!

[vbacht]

Lovebug33,

 

 

CAA and AAA are both the same!(Canadian Auto/AmericanAuto) Thanks I will check out AAA.

 

I also plan to drive the pacific coast highway unfortunately I'm the driver. I would like to drive down to San Diego one day along the PCH any great places I should now about. I definitely plan to stop in Laguna beach!!

I'm starting to think I need more days to do everything we want.

[vbacht]

Suznf,

 

Wow! I think I need at least a month to do everything before the cruise. We have three days after which I would like to see Santa Monica may be Malibu and definitely one of the tours of the Movie stars home's. We will be staying at the Airport LAX so I thought I would do these things after the cruise.

 

Thanks for all the info!!!!!!!

[suznf]

OMG I almost forgot...you ABSOLUTELY must eat at the following....

for breakfast:

The Side Street Cafe on Newport Blvd. http://orangecounty.citysearch.com/profile/585350/costa_mesa_ca/side_street_cafe.html

 

And lunch or dinner you must try Taco Mesa on 19th St. in Costa Mesa http://www.tacomesa.net/menu.htm It is awesome!

 

Oh and if you need it...Chuck E. Cheese is about 2 miles from where you are staying http://www.chuckecheese.com/ Food isnt anything to write home about...but it is a good time for the kids.

 

Drive PCH to San Diego? The road starts and stops so you will have to take the freeway, it is really pretty but driving can be a hassle with traffic. (but hey....LegoLand is on the way!)

 

Another great option to see the coast is to take the Amtrak train from Santa Ana or Irvine to San Diego...goes along the coast and is simply beautiful! Take the Pacific Surfliner http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&c=am2Station&cid=1080080551696&ssid=80

This is a much better choice than driving. In San Diego transportation from the train station to Balboa Park (zoo & museams) or sea world...or anywhere ...is really easy to get.

 

And there is so much more! You'll have a great time!

[vbacht]

OH NO!!! All the way to California and if my 4year old see's chuckie cheese it's game over. He starts to shake he gets so excited. I know what Grandma and Grandpa will be doing atleast one night. I will definitely go to the Side Street Cafe. If we go do they also serve lunch or is it just breakfast?

[suznf]

Sidestreet does only breakfast and brunch, but I think they are open til 3 or so.

 

There is another place similar to Chuck E Cheeses called Boomers...about 4 or 5 miles from where you will be...same concept..not as many games...but outside there are batting cages, mini golf, a ferris wheel, bumper boats and speedway racing cars as well as arcades. (Boomers, Magnolia & Warner, in Fountain Valley) http://www.boomersparks.com/park/fountainvalley/index.html

 

There is also a roller skating rink next door, Tommys (great chili-burgers) and a Starbucks :-) http://www.originaltommys.com/burger.php

 

If your kids LOVE arcades..there is one called "Nickel Nickel" in Huntington Beach. It is $2 to get in and then the arcade games are free or cost 1-4 nickels. http://www.nickelnickelhb.com/

 

While in CA if you get the chance, be sure and try a burger from In-N-Out http://www.in-n-out.com/. You will see them along the freeway...they are the BEST!!!

 

Oh and there are tons of things in LA too!!

[Jana White]

Suznf

 

All your ideas are absolutely GREAT. I agree with every last one of them. Too bad vbacht you don't have a month. I would suggest Boomers over Chuckie Cheese since the kids have one at home. And since it is Halloween time, you will also be seeing in your travels lots of Pumpkin Patches set up for kids with pony rides, pumpkin carving contests and much more. Do enjoy.

[vbacht]

Thanks guys!! I'm map questing everything and my computer is acting up. One good thing did happen today, I recieved my tickets for the cruise.

 

Just another silly question!!! Is it worth going to Catalina Island???

[suznf]

Depends on what you are going to do...there are buffallo and good snorkeling (though not in the same location). You can rent a golf cart and putz around in Avalon or take a tour of the island. On the way over you may see dolphins or whales. Kayaking is also fun ...(oh yeah...you can rent kayaks in Huntington beach & newport beach too) If you go to Catalina..it will be an all day adventure.