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