10 days in California, looking for recommendations on where to stay and things to do

[n i c k]

This summer my family and I will be heading to California for the first time. We plan on doing 4-5 days at Disneyland(staying onsite), 1 day at Universal, 1 day down to the San Diego Zoo, and then a couple of days with nothing currently planned. We are looking for recommendations on things to do and also places to stay. We will likely get an Airbnb for the non-Disneyland days, but aren't quite sure of what area to stay in. It is my wife, myself, and my 11 year old. We live in South Florida so we aren't overly interested in staying someplace very beachy. Any recommendations would gladly be appreciated!

 

[Jerroddragon]

Sorry I can't help on hotels. I normally just stay in cheap ones because I don't have kids and just need a bed

For San Diego
Old Town is a very cool free thing to do for a few hours. The food is the highlight and they have and lots of fun shops to go into a interesting buildings to see

If your willing to drive a little from San Diego then San Diego Zoo Safari Park is well worth it to me. It just opened Elephant Valley! and is easily a full day park


There is also Gas lamp and Little Italy in San Diego and both of those can be fun to walk around

Lastly Balboa Park has a bunch of museums and some free exhibits and buildings you can go in as well.

Home - Balboa Park

Your guide to San Diego's Balboa Park, including world-class museums, gardens, attractions, performances, and the San Diego Zoo.

balboapark.org

Thats mostly for San Diego and Knotts Berry Farm is near Disneyland if you have never gone its a pretty fun park, perfect for kids but does have some bigger coasters as well and if its summer then lots of live music and shows

 

[Wild Atlantis]

], and then a couple of days with nothing currently planned. We are looking for recommendations on things to do and also places to stay. We will likely get an Airbnb for the non-Disneyland days, but aren't quite sure of what area to stay in. It is my wife, myself, and my 11 year old. We live in South Florida so we aren't overly interested in staying someplace very beachy. Any recommendations would gladly be appreciated!

Are you interested in mountains and nature? Or looking for more theme park-related activity, because if you want theme parks, stay somewhere in LA or Orange County. But in my opinion, San Diego is much nicer than LA

 

[n i c k]

Yes definitely interested in mountains and nature as well. This trip was initially intended to be only a 3 day Disneyland trip, but has evolved to a 10 day Southern California trip.

 

[Grabnar]

Yes definitely interested in mountains and nature as well. This trip was initially intended to be only a 3 day Disneyland trip, but has evolved to a 10 day Southern California trip.

Take some time to go tide pooling if you can, there's not a lot of spots in the US with as much marine biodiversity as Southern California

 

[Wild Atlantis]

I would recommend exploring the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. It can mostly be seen in a few hours and offers breathtaking views of the city and ocean. It is also near the previously mentioned Old Town and downtown San Diego. If you don't mind a bit of a drive, a day trip to Big Bear, about 2 hours east of LA, or Julian, an hour east of San Diego, also offers great mountain scenery and plenty of things to do. Balboa Park, where the San Diego Zoo is also located, features botanical gardens and tons of museums to explore.