Ideas for the Golden State!
- California Beach Vacations
California offers the chance to combine beach time with theme park time in Anaheim, home to Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood theme parks.) Meanwhile, northern California has some stunningly scenic beaches (- chilly, though!)
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San Francisco- Golden Gate Bridge
Sightseeing of the famous Bridge three ways: riding an open air antique fire truck; flying over and under by helicopter; visiting as part of a movie tour.
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Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
Upscale, kid-friendly; on scenic coast, 40 minutes from SF.
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Napa Valley with Kids
Day-trip distance from SF and a fave for wine-lovers-- but also good for family trips.
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Monterey Bay
South of San Francisco, this popular tourist spot is home to Cannery Row (in John Steinbeck's novel), Fisherman's Wharf, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and sea lions, seals, sea otters, and gray whales. Legendary Big Sur Coast is nearby.
- Disneyland- the classic family trip; The Magic Kingdom plus the California Adventure theme park (which us under major re-construction.)
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LEGOLAND
In Carlsbad CA, 50 minutes from Disneyland, 30 minutes north of San Diego. 128 acres designed for ages two to twelve; with interactive rides, attractions, and mini-lands made from millions of Lego bricks.
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San Diego - Hotel Del Coronado
It's landmark vintage architecture, and kid-friendly. The Del has 31 acres of beach; kids' and teen programs, family activities, Easter Egg hunts...
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Santa Barbara Family Vacat'n Center
Every summer, the beach-side campus of the University of California at Santa Barbara has all-inclusive family holidays in week-long sessions, including kids' programs, many activities, golf, tennis, and lots more.
And see also About.com's California Travel site, for more ideas.
