Suggested spring break itinerary

Question

Hi folks.

Never been to LA. Considering a spring break trip. Probably depart on a mid March Saturday and go back on a Sunday the next weekend. 2 parents, 1 tween, 1 teen.

They already did 7 days at WDW about 4.5 years ago.

Considering following itinerary:

Saturday: Evening at a beach, maybe hotel on a beach.

Sunday. Morning: Griffith observatory. P.m. Drive to Escondido.

Monday SD Safari park

Tuesday. Wake up early. Drive to Hollywood. Universal studios day 1. Pay for evening block as well.

Wednesday. Universal day 2. Drive to Anaheim, check in.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Disneyland.

Sunday. Fly home.

Thoughts on this?

Never been to Universal. Shocked by pricing with express pass. (We are middle class. Would one day be better?)

Should we cut out San Diego Safari and save SD for a different vacation?

This is a late planned vacation after we recently found out work is going to prevent a summer one, so we are pivoting.

How much more am I paying for spring break and planning late?

What's the car situation?

Can I get away with no car once we are at Universal?

Thanks everyone!

Answer

Your proposed spring break itinerary is ambitious but doable, though it involves a lot of driving and multiple theme parks. Here’s a detailed breakdown and recommendations for a family with a tween and a teen.

General Observations:

March is spring break season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices for hotels, theme park tickets, and flights. Booking late can add a premium of 20–50% compared to off-season rates.
Driving distances are manageable but heavy traffic in LA and between LA and San Diego can make travel times longer than expected. For example, LA to Escondido/San Diego can take 2–3 hours each way.
Car rental is essential for the San Diego portion. Once you’re at Universal or Disneyland, you can park at the hotels or use ride-shares/public transport if staying nearby, but having a car provides flexibility for grocery runs, meals, and sightseeing outside the parks.

Daily Breakdown:

Saturday Evening: Beach stay is a good idea. Santa Monica or Manhattan Beach are family-friendly options and give a relaxing start.
Sunday: Griffith Observatory in the morning is perfect; parking can be tight, so early arrival is recommended. Drive to Escondido afterward is long but feasible.
Monday: Safari Park is a full-day activity. Keep in mind the drive back to LA in the evening is long (~2–3 hours).
Tuesday–Wednesday: Universal Studios over two days is generous. For middle-class budgets, one day with a strategic plan and possibly a paid Express Pass may be sufficient, especially if younger teens may not need multiple repeats on rides. Overnight stay near Universal or Hollywood helps avoid heavy LA traffic.
Thursday–Saturday: Disneyland is typically 2–3 days for both parks. Staying in Anaheim without a car is possible if you book a hotel within walking distance or shuttle distance. Otherwise, car rental or rideshare is helpful for flexibility.
Sunday: Fly home. Return car rental if used.

Suggested Adjustments:

Consider skipping San Diego Safari Park to reduce long drives and fatigue, and focus your LA/Orange County time on Universal and Disneyland. This also reduces the need for extra car rental days.
Evaluate one day at Universal with an early start and Express Pass to save money. Two days is only worth it if your family wants to explore every attraction and has the budget.
Booking hotels close to parks reduces driving stress. For Universal, Hollywood area or Universal City hotels are convenient. For Disneyland, staying in Anaheim within walking distance can eliminate the need for a car.
Late spring break booking will increase costs; flights and hotels may be 20–50% higher than usual. Booking early for next trips or flexible cancellations can help mitigate cost.
Parking fees at Universal and Disneyland are extra; plan ~$30–50/day if driving.

Car Considerations:

Yes, you need a car if you keep San Diego Safari in your itinerary. Otherwise, you can rely on walking, shuttles, and rideshares in LA and Anaheim.
Once at Universal, a car is optional if your hotel provides shuttle or is within walking distance.
Disneyland area hotels may allow you to leave the car parked and use hotel shuttles or walking access, saving parking fees.

In conclusion, your itinerary works but is very full. Dropping San Diego and doing one Universal day may make the trip more relaxed and financially manageable. Careful hotel selection can minimize driving and maximize family enjoyment. Early mornings and strategic planning will help avoid the worst crowds.

Suggested spring break itinerary

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