By Lena Katz
No destination outperforms Southern California when it comes to great family vacation offerings. Okay maybe I’m a little biased, being that I’m a Cali girl whose first vacation ever was to Disneyland. (I remember clearly: Minnie Mouse gave me a hug, it was the greatest moment in my six-year-old life.) But all you need to do is count the sheer number of world-class attractions — from the Mouse Kingdom to the San Diego Zoo, to the Santa Monica boardwalk to Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios — to prove it. Or, if you don’t have time to go tallying up all of them, just head to my personal "can’t-miss" ones listed below:
Orange County
Obviously if you’re visiting for the first
time with small children, Disneyland is going to be the first — and
possibly the only — stop on your list. Still magic after all these
years, the park requires at least two days to fully appreciate,
especially when you’re waiting in summer lines. Get ready for modern
enhancements and an updated look at the recently reopened Small World ride and “reawakened” Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Shows are better than ever: In the daytime, “Celebrate! A Street Party”
turns the Disneyland parade route into an all-ages festival with DJ
music, Disney characters and dance lines. And after dark, new fireworks
show “Magical” makes every night as special as the 4th of July.
