| Are you looking for a fun family vacation that all | | | | Big Bear, California's lake and village, then behold a |
| members of your family will enjoy? Travel to | | | | spectacular view by driving the Rim of the World |
| sunny Southern California, where you can choose | | | | Highway. Enjoy the "great outdoors" by boating |
| from a variety of vacations...or mix 'n' match | | | | and camping at Lake Arrowhead, nestled in the |
| between them to savor a smorgasbord of | | | | mountains behind San Bernadino, CA. Ride the alm |
| California fun!Theme 1: Beach vacationsSwim at | | | | Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of a HUGE |
| one of the many Malibu beaches you'll find along | | | | mountain, where you'll drink in a panoramic view |
| its 27 miles of coastline. Stroll along the Santa | | | | below. |
| Monica pier---a famous Los Angeles attraction | | | | Theme 4: Shopping vacationFor a high-end |
| that you WILL be seeing in TV shows and ads. | | | | shopping experience while visiting greater Los |
| (When you see it on your screen, you'll be able to | | | | Angeles, head to Rodeo Drive in Beverly |
| say, "Hey, I've been there!) For a spectacular | | | | Hills---need I say more? Not your style? You can |
| view, take a ride on the pier's tall ferris wheel. Or, | | | | bag some direct-from-the-manufacturer bargains |
| for some super-screamin' fun, ride on the pier's | | | | by visiting downtown LA's Jewelry and Fashion |
| roller coaster...the only coaster you may ever ride | | | | districts! For more bargain shopping, explore the |
| that's built OVER the ocean!Visit wild and wacky | | | | Mexican market mecca of Tijuana, Mexico. |
| Venice Beach...whose mural-enshrouded walls are | | | | (Except for a fence marking the international |
| seemingly stuck in a '60's "flower power" time | | | | border, Tijuana is actually a part of the |
| warp! Try Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches, | | | | "continuous city" which makes up Southern |
| which are the sport of beach volleyball's | | | | California.)If you enjoy outlet shopping, you'll |
| "tournament central."Head to Huntington Beach, | | | | quickly note that greater LA has MANY outlet |
| where you can "do it all." Your family can skate, | | | | malls. While you're visiting Tijuana, check out the |
| bike, jog or stroll along Huntington's miles-long bike | | | | still-new "Shops at Las Americas" outlet on the |
| path. Saunter out onto the Huntington Beach | | | | USA side of the border. Head to the hills...the hills |
| pier---California's longest. No matter when you go, | | | | back of San Diego, that is. There you'll find |
| you WILL find fishermen casting their lines...and | | | | perhaps the lovliest outlet mall you've ever seen, |
| surfers catchin' the waves in the ocean | | | | the Native American-themed Las Viejas Outlet |
| below.Further south, you'll discover Laguna Beach, | | | | Center. If your family likes entertainment while |
| home to an art colony...and recently made famous | | | | they shop, head to the Ontario Mills Mall in Ontario, |
| by MTV. Then, head to San Diego where you can | | | | California, where you'll find a several entertainment |
| enjoy the rides of Belmont Amusement Park | | | | venues, popular restaurants, and even kid-pleasing |
| along the boardwalk at Mission Beach. And what | | | | "attractions," such as the popular Build A Bear |
| will you find in between the beaches mentioned | | | | Workshop. |
| here? Why, still MORE great beaches, of course! | | | | Theme 5: Island vacationWant to get "away |
| Theme 2: Theme park vacationDid you know | | | | from it all" without having to travel miles from the |
| that there are 7 major theme parks in Southern | | | | city? Visit Catalina Island...only "26 miles across the |
| California! (Wow!) They are (from north to south): | | | | sea," as the golden oldie says, but a world away |
| Six Flags Magic Mountain, home to the wildest | | | | in "atmosphere." You can go boating, snorkeling or |
| roller coasters on the west coast...and maybe in | | | | scuba diving. You can tour the sparsely-populated |
| the entire USA; Universal Studios Hollywood, | | | | isle. Or, is Catalina Island not remote ENOUGH for |
| where you'll tour filming sets, watch stunt and | | | | you? For a more isolated experience, visit one of |
| special effects shows, ride exciting "movie | | | | the islands of the Channel Islands National Park. |
| themed" attractions, and enjoy the shopping | | | | When you arrive on one of the Channel Islands, |
| dining/clubbing district called Universal Studios | | | | only your boat-mates...and the native wildlife...will be |
| CityWalk; Knott's Berry Farm theme park, where | | | | there with you! |
| the once-time berry field now hosts dozens of | | | | Theme 6: History vacationVisit Olvera Street in |
| attractions, both mild AND wild; Disneyland Park, | | | | downtown Los Angeles...where this city started! |
| nostalgic home of 51 years of fun...AND the 2nd | | | | But, Mission San Diego de Alcala beats even |
| most-visited theme park on the planet (after its | | | | Olvera Street for age...being the first of the whole |
| own sister park, Walt Disney World); Disney's | | | | California Mission chain. (Other Spanish missions in |
| California Adventure, the newest Southern | | | | Southern California include Mission San Luis Rey, |
| California theme park, where you can scream on | | | | Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission San Gabriel, |
| the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, view the | | | | Mission San Fernando, Mission San Buenaventura, |
| Broadway-styled production "Aladdin, an | | | | and Mission Santa Barbara. All are diffent, and all |
| Enchanted Musical," or enjoy that all-time favorite, | | | | are worth paying a visit.) While you're in San |
| the Disney Electrical Parade; Legoland California, | | | | Diego touring the mission, you'll enjoy visiting Old |
| where there's no "kiddie section"---the WHOLE | | | | Town, which was the Spanish core of the city. |
| PARK is for kids and their families; and SeaWorld | | | | Nowadays, Old Town is a lively mix of historic |
| San Diego adventure park, home of Shamu the | | | | displays, shopping, and dining. San Diego's Gas |
| Killer Whale and scads of delightful animal shows | | | | Lamp Quarter, another of San Diego's historic |
| and attractions. | | | | districts, is now a night life center...and home to |
| Theme 3: Hollywood vacationsGaze at the | | | | the San Diego Padre's baseball stadium, as well. |
| Hollywood sign. Hunt for stars on the Hollywood | | | | San Diego's waterfront Maritime Museum is a |
| Walk of Fame. Enjoy a concert at the | | | | "can't miss" spot for enthusiasts of tall-masted |
| world-renowned Hollywood Bowl. Tour the | | | | sailing ships and the history of the sea. (If you |
| still-new Kodak Theater, now home to the | | | | don't love maritime history, visit the waterfront |
| Academy Awards' annual Oscar ceremony. Shop | | | | anyway. You'll find tasty seafood restaurants, a |
| and dine at the outrageous, "Babylon" themed | | | | gorgeous view of San Diego's bay, and the quaint |
| Hollywood & Highland Center. Hear the restored | | | | Seaport Village shopping and dining area.)By now, |
| Wurlitzer organ and take in a Disney movie at the | | | | you've certainly gathered quite a list of Southern |
| historic El Capitan Theater, which was recently | | | | California attractions that your various family |
| returned to its former glory following a lengthy, | | | | members will enjoy. Pick your favorites! But, if |
| museum-quality restoration. Fit your feet into the | | | | you can't choose, there's no problem, either. Just |
| famous footprints embedded in Grauman's | | | | visit exciting Southern California again and |
| Chinese Theater's courtyard. Attend a taping of | | | | again...and enjoy them all!Author Vicki Funes is a |
| your favorite TV show, or tour a movie studio. | | | | Los Angeles native and enthusiastic promoter of |
| Look at movie stars' wax "doubles" in the | | | | Southern California's family attractions. For more |
| Hollywood Wax Museum." (You might not see any | | | | fun-filled vacation ideas, visit her photo-filled |
| REAL movie stars while you're visiting Hollywood, | | | | website, "Family Vacation Getaways at Los |
| California...but you WILL have a good time!)Theme | | | | Angeles Theme Parks," where you'll find still |
| 3: Mountain vacationTake a drive on the Angeles | | | | dozens more ways that your family can enjoy |
| Crest Highway, where you won't believe you're | | | | themselves in California and the Southwest USA. |
| not in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Visit nearby | | | | Use the following handy link, and you'll be there! |