San Diego / LA / Santa Monica family vacation

Question

Hi all, as part of our trip in US. We family of 4 (2 Adults with 8 and 12 years old kids ) have planned 7 days near San Diego / LA. Initial plan to spend 2 nights in San Diego and the rest of 5 days in LA area. We plan to visit in San Diego SeaWorld and just enjoy the area. In LA the plan is parks like Universal / Dysney, WB, and some site seeing as Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica/ Venice. I will be grateful for some help with understanding of the plan is good? (Days wise - more days in San Diego? Or add another location ?) , not overloaded. And suggestion where to stay in LA. I was thinking about staying in Santa Monica. Please share thoughts where to stay with kids as this is first time in this area for the family. Thank you in advance.

Answer

Hello,

Your planned 7-day itinerary with 2 nights in San Diego and 5 days in Los Angeles is a solid starting point, especially for a family with kids aged 8 and 12. Here’s a detailed breakdown and recommendations to make the trip enjoyable without feeling rushed or overloaded.

San Diego (2 nights)

Visiting SeaWorld is great for both kids and adults. Allocate a full day for this park to enjoy rides, shows, and animal exhibits without feeling rushed.
If time permits, consider a half-day in Balboa Park, which has museums, gardens, and open spaces for the kids to explore.
Another option is a short visit to La Jolla Cove or the beaches for some relaxation and wildlife viewing (sea lions, tide pools).

Two nights in San Diego is reasonable if your focus is mainly on SeaWorld and a relaxed introduction to the city. Extending to a third night would only be necessary if you want to include additional attractions like the San Diego Zoo or LEGOLAND, but 2 nights keeps the trip from feeling overloaded.

Los Angeles (5 nights)

Theme parks: Disneyland (Anaheim) and Universal Studios Hollywood are high priority. Since these are full-day activities, consider dedicating 2–3 days to them.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour: Half-day activity, good for scheduling between theme park days or as a lighter day.
Hollywood & Beverly Hills sightseeing: Can be done in a half-day, driving through Hollywood Boulevard, Walk of Fame, and Rodeo Drive. Add a quick stop at Griffith Observatory for city views.
Santa Monica & Venice: Allocate a day to enjoy the beach, pier, bike rides along the boardwalk, and casual exploration.

About your lodging choice:

Santa Monica: Excellent choice for families. Beach access, kid-friendly restaurants, walkable areas, and easy freeway access to Universal, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills. Morning beach time is a relaxing way to start or end theme park days.
Alternative: West Hollywood / Hollywood: Closer to Universal and city attractions, shorter drives to Hollywood and Griffith Observatory. Less convenient for beach time but reduces driving time to northern LA attractions.
Anaheim: Only recommended if Disneyland is your top priority and you want minimal commute. Far from beaches and LA sightseeing.

Suggested pacing:

Day 1: Arrive in San Diego, relax, beach or nearby attractions.
Day 2: Full day at SeaWorld.
Day 3: Travel to LA area, settle in Santa Monica, relax at the beach.
Day 4: Disneyland (full day).
Day 5: Universal Studios Hollywood (full day).
Day 6: Warner Bros. Studio Tour in the morning, Hollywood/Beverly Hills sightseeing in the afternoon.
Day 7: Santa Monica / Venice Beach day with biking, pier, and relaxing before departure.

Additional tips:

Traffic in LA can be heavy, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. Plan travel between attractions to avoid peak hours.
Purchase tickets in advance for theme parks to save time and ensure availability.
Consider starting beach days early to enjoy cooler temperatures and avoid crowds.
Balance active days with lighter sightseeing or beach days to prevent fatigue for both kids and adults.

Overall, your plan is well-balanced. Santa Monica provides a convenient and enjoyable base for family-friendly activities and easy access to both beach and city attractions. Keeping 2 nights in San Diego is sufficient unless you want to add the Zoo or LEGOLAND, but your current plan allows a manageable pace without overloading the family.

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