California Trip 2011

[auzzieparkz]

Hi,

 

I'm from Australia and i'm planning a trip next year to California. It will be for two weeks. I was just wondering what parks are a must to see. I know SFMM, WDL, KBF, USH. But what else should I go see? Also Is Magic Mountain open everyday that time of the year or is it only on the weekends? How busy will the parks be at this time? Is there buses or public transport I can get that goes to the parks? Thanks in advance.

[Top Thrill Dragster]

During the Fall and winter months SFMM is only open on weekends. Crowds should be light.

 

http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/index.aspx

 

As for other parks, there is the Santa Monica Pier.

 

 

Yes, you can take public transport to and from the parks, but without knowing where at in SoCal you are staying all I can provide is the links to the transit websites you will need.

 

 

 

http://www.metrolinktrains.com/ (SFMM, KBF, Disneyland)

 

http://www.santaclaritatransit.com/Index.aspx?page=3 (SFMM)

 

http://www.metro.net/ (Universal, KBF, Disneyland, Santa Monica Pier)

 

http://www.octa.net/ (KBF, Disneyland)

Edited November 3, 2010 by Top Thrill Dragster

[Groteslurf]

I thought Santa Cruz BB was a very nice place too.

 

And in the south, you can combine Seaworld and Belmont in 1 day.

[auzzieparkz]

During the Fall and winter months SFMM is only open on weekends. Crowds should be light.

 

http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/index.aspx

 

As for other parks, there is the Santa Monica Pier.

 

 

Yes, you can take public transport to and from the parks, but without knowing where at in SoCal you are staying all I can provide is the links to the transit websites you will need.

 

 

 

http://www.metrolinktrains.com/ (SFMM, KBF, Disneyland)

 

http://www.santaclaritatransit.com/Index.aspx?page=3 (SFMM)

 

http://www.metro.net/ (Universal, KBF, Disneyland, Santa Monica Pier)

 

http://www.octa.net/ (KBF, Disneyland)

 

 

Thank you very much for the information.... I will most likely be staying somewhere in anaheim.

[thrillrider]

When we stayed in anaheim last year, and used a bus company calld greyline(or maybe it's greayline).

 

They took us to and from our hotel near Disneyland from LAX, and they also transport to knotts. If they still have the same phone number, it is...1-714-978-8855. The prices were not to bad.

[Top Thrill Dragster]

^^

To Universal 

 

Take the metrolink train from Anaheim to LA Union Station. From Union take the RedLine (subway) to universal city station. Then take the free shuttle to the park.

 

To Knott's

 

Take LA Metro 460 from the Harbor Boulevard pedestrian entrance to Disneyland. Get off at the Knott's Berry Farm stop and walk across the street to KBF.

 

To SFMM

 

Take LA Metro 460 from Disneyland to 7th Street Metro Station. From there take The RedLine to North Hollywood station.  From North Hollywood station take Santa Clarita transit bus #757 to McBean transit center. From McBean transit center take bus #3 or 7 to SFMM.

 

To Santa Monica Pier 

 

Take Metrolink train from Anaheim To LA Union Station. From LA union take LA Metro Bus #733 to the pier.

Edited November 8, 2010 by Top Thrill Dragster

[auzzieparkz]

Thank you once again. I will be staying in July/August so what would the crowds be like and will SFMM be open everyday?

[SharkTums]

July and August the parks will be very crowded and yes they're all open everyday.

 

While it was nice that someone gave you the public transport information please keep in mind that Public Transportation is a joke here and that route from Anaheim to SFMM will take you no less than 3.5 hours (Each way).

 

Rent a car or hire a car service/taxi.

[Lenaapple1974]

There are so many things to do in California. I personally suggest driving if you can, because things are spread out. I am even hopping from one place to another via plane b/c the drive was insane. I am actually planning a trip for 2012. It will be my 20th anniversary of leaving, so I decided to go back! Since we are on the topic, here is what I plan on doing so far..if you have any questions, feel free to PM me, in case no one else wants to hear any more of my banter. Elissa & Robb will definitely know best though. They have been trip planning for so many people! I don't know how they do it, I barely want to do it for four! (Great job with everything guys! One day maybe I will get to go on one!)

 

Fly into SanFran or the other airport up north to which the name currently eludes me. (Can anyone suggest a suite type hotel up here?) Drive up to Berringer to do a cool wine tour somewhere in this time. Alcatraz tour, Golden Gate Bridge and whatever else I can see in two days time. Fly to Anaheim and stay at the Marriott Towneplace Suites. We stay at the one in Hershey, and I love it! Granted the one in Hershey is only two years old...but I hope the standards are the same. Full kitchen, up to two bedrooms with a sofa sleeper. I love this place. (Unless someone can suggest a similar one in the area that is better). From then on it will be driving..I actually was going to switch hotels again, but I don't mind driving 45min or so to Hollywood. I was more worried about having to drive more than once to San Diego..which I don't think we are doing anyhow. SW, KBF, Universal Studios, SFMM, and possibly Legoland. Depends on everyone else, but I know Elissa heavily recommends it so I will be keeping that in mind. Not sure what the rest of the family will want to do, but I am fitting all of the above into my trip. I know I am forgetting one thing... OMG... yeah, duh! DL & DCA! haha! We will then fly home from the same airport we flew into SanFran, avoiding LAX at all costs! What is everyone's take on The SD Zoo? Is it just another Zoo? I live in NY, so we have the Bronx Zoo.

 

If you know your what places you want to do, the best thing is to plan the days as you get closer to the trip. Just make sure everything is open when you will be there prior to booking. I usually plan my park days based on what is open later first. That will normally be the park I want to stay at longest. As it gets even closer, I factor in the parks with the weather. By the time I leave I know what park I am going to what days. Usually we do have multiple couples who want to go places we don't, so that factors in as well. I like to appease all.

 

 

Edit: The transit stuff is so cool! Is there Transit from Anaheim to SeaWorld? That actually is one drive I didn't want to do. If it is a simple shuttle...I'd love to hear about it! Thanks!

[Top Thrill Dragster]

Thank you once again. I will be staying in July/August so what would the crowds be like and will SFMM be open everyday?

 

 

Since you will be coming during the peak season you will be able to visit SFMM on a weekday. That said there are public transportation routes that will get you to the park much, much quicker than if you were to go on a weekend.

 

To SFMM

 

Take Metrolink train from Anaheim to LA Union Station. Connect to Antelope Valley Metrolink train to Santa Clarita Station. From Santa Clarita take #501 bus to the park. You could also get off at Newhall Station then take #2 or 1 bus to McBean Transit Center and connect to the #3 or 7 to the park.

 

Return

 

Take a taxi from SFMM to Santa Clarita Metrolink station. From there take Metrolink to LA Union Station then connect to the Redline. Get off at Pershing Square then connect to the 460 to Disneyland.

 

Or

 

Take bus 3/7 from SFMM to McBean Transit Center. From there take the 757 to North Hollywood. At North Hollywood connect to the Redline to Pershing Square. Then take the 460 to Disneyland.

 

You could also take an Amtrak train from LA Union Station back to Anaheim. Also Amtrak can be used to get you to and from Anaheim to San Diego/Seaworld/Belmont Park area.

 

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage

 

 

Since the return travel time will be long (if you want to stay late in the park) and you will be visiting SFMM during the busiest time of the year, I would recommend you get a hotel room near the park.

 

 

 

And If you are interested, you could take Metrolink to Legoland.

 

Take Metrolink from Anaheim to Oceanside station then get a taxi to the park.