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