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