Coming to California

[dallasdeb]

Watchout for the Aussie tourists - I am coming to California with my sister and my 8 year old daughter in early May for two weeks.

Would like to know what the weather is like over there - have no idea what to pack. Will be in Anaheim, San Diego and LA.

Also, any tourist tips would be much appreciated - where to go (we are doing the obvious tourist things like Disneyland, Seaworld, Universal etc but have 4 spare days in LA), and where NOT to go - anything you can think of to make our trip run smoother.

Thanks

[docholly]

Come to Vegas for 2 of the 4 days!!! it's not that far..

As for LA.. Venice Beach is always good for some fun..
West Hollywood is very chic and gay but great shops and cafes
Go to a taping of a TV Show. Here is a link for ordering tickets.
This one also has some of the gameshow links as well.
Getty Museum is good -- They have nice gardens.
1 day trip via boat to Catalina with lunch?

Come to Vegas for 2 days.. :-)

[Greenguy]

Are you leaving your worse half at home?

[Ramster]

Weather in May? The summer is approaching at that time so in the 20's it should be.

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/wea...s/USCA0982.htm

[bluemoney]

Be sure to try the Sun Drenched Beaver, it’s excellent

[T Pat]

San Diego will be in the mid 60's
you can spend a day doing the museum's or the zoo
hop on the trolly head south and visit Tijuana, Mexico

[dallasdeb]

Thanks for the tips everyone

Would love to see Las Vegas - but not this trip, sounds like a place to visit without kids! Catalina Island was something that was recommended to me by someone else so I will definitely have to put that on the list, as well as Venice beach and we will defeintely have to check out Hollywood! Doing the day trip to Tijuana from San Diego (thanks TPat) and San Diego zoo.

Sounds like the weather is going to be nice - will leave the winter woolies at home!

Originally Posted by Greenie

Are you leaving your worse half at home?

The choice was Disneyland with the girls or two weeks home alone - it was a no brainer


Sun Drenched Beaver???

[walrus]

Originally Posted by dallasdeb

Sounds like the weather is going to be nice - will leave the winter woolies at home!

The weather is always nice....never a need for winter woolies. Skip the zoo...go to SeaWorld! and don't stop in Venice (for too long) unless you have a hankering to watch muscle bound imbeciles at Muscle Beach or what ever its called, keep going north to the Santa Monica Pier.

[Linkster]

Originally Posted by dallasdeb

The choice was Disneyland with the girls or two weeks home alone - it was a no brainer

He's leaving you alone for two weeks? Time to get my tickets to down under

[dallasdeb]

Originally Posted by walrus

The weather is always nice....never a need for winter woolies. Skip the zoo...go to SeaWorld!

Going to Seaworld, doing the dolphin encounter thing.

Originally Posted by walrus

..and don't stop in Venice (for too long) unless you have a hankering to watch muscle bound imbeciles at Muscle Beach or what ever its called, keep going north to the Santa Monica Pier.

Do I have to answer that?? Sounds like I better bring my camera - always on the lookout for talent for my paysite!! But will checkout Santa Monica Pier for sure - thank you.

Linkster, if you are coming 'down under', let me know, I will have a list of chores ready for you!

[Greenguy]

Originally Posted by dallasdeb

...The choice was Disneyland with the girls or two weeks home alone - it was a no brainer

He's such a lovable curmudgeon

[DangerDave]

Originally Posted by Linkster

He's leaving you alone for two weeks? Time to get my tickets to down under

The girls get on the plane.... Then beers come out, Need for Speed runs on the big telly, and the stereo gets cranked... Always room for one more mate..


GG, you taught me everything I know...


DD

[dallasdeb]

I have booked shuttle transport for the time we arrive at LAX which is obviously not going to work. Can someone give me an idea how long it takes to clear customs?

[docholly]

Clearing customs is always a joy. Depending on the day you are coming thru.. it could be as short as 2.5 hours or up to 5. If you are traveling with meds--have them all in 1 place .. But when you come out.. there are a ton of options as far as transport goes. If you are staying within a few miles.. you might be better off taking a taxi as the shuttles charge per head as opposed to the taxi that charges per ride. Of course this wouldn't be feasible if you are going say further than 10-12 miles from the airport.

[emmanuelle]

Originally Posted by dallasdeb

I have booked shuttle transport for the time we arrive at LAX which is obviously not going to work. Can someone give me an idea how long it takes to clear customs?

It's quite possible that you will pass through customs on your way out rather than upon entering, especially if you have a direct flight.
I've never had customs take more than an hour even under the worst of circumstances.

[T Pat]

We bought the Dolphin Encounter for one of our grandkids a few years ago she loved it, I thought it was a rip off because they had 4 other kids in the pool with her and they all had to take turns interacting with the dolphin.

I applaud you for going to TJ, I think all kids should visit a third world country so they can see how good they have it.

Let me give you a few Tijuana tips;
When you exit the trolley at the boarder look straight out the door and you will see a traffic circle for buses, get on the Mexicoach (red bus) there might be a 15 or 20 minute wait. The Bus will drop you off at the Mexicoach Station on Avenida Revolucion. The Bus Station can be seen from most of the tourist area and is very safe and the employees inside speak excellent English so I would make it the designated spot to meet up incase one of the three of you loses the other two. Take the Mexico Bus back across the boarder (it’s the fastest way to get through customs) the bus will drop you off and you walk through customs, after your passed through customs stop following everyone from the bus and exit the doors to the right, with all the people from the other lines this will take you back to where the trolley dropped you off.
Barter for your souvenirs (it’s expected) if the shop keeper says an item is $10 that means they will settle for $5 or $6
Don’t bother with exchanging dollars for pesos they prefer dollars in the tourist area’s
If any of the shopkeepers or beggars are bugging you by trying to sell you something you don’t want, nothing works better than “No Gracias” (what can they say to no thankyou in there language)

[dallasdeb]

Thank you and Gracias for all the great advice !!