Road trip: 10 days in Southern California

Orbitz market managers Alina Motin and Abby Samler put together a sample itinerary for a long, leisurely southern California vacation. Here are their suggestions:

Day 1: You’ve arrived at LAX. The journey begins. … Jump in your rental car and cruise the Sunset Strip. Stop in for lunch at Hugo’s on Santa Monica Boulevard best known for its organic menu and delicious macaroni and cheese. After re-fueling, head over to Melrose Avenue known for its high-end boutiques salons; it’s where the stars shop. Grab a cup of coffee at a street-side café; great for people watching. Spend the night in West Hollywood.

Day 2: Meet the Simpsons at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal City Walk. Spend the rest of the day in Hollywood; check out the Kodak Theater (home of the Academy Awards) and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Day 3: Shop till you drop on Rodeo Drive. Stand back up, and take a cruise down to Manhattan Beach, former home of the Beach Boys, for afternoon fun in the sun.

Day 4: Leave your Hollywood dreams behind, and drive to Anaheim for some Disneyland magic. Depart early to ensure a full day spent at Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park. (The drive will take a little over an hour without traffic.)

Day 5: Drive about 20 miles from Anaheim to the beaches of Orange County. Walk down Main Street in Huntington Beach and enjoy lunch at Duke’s near the pier. After lunch, take a walk down the beach and take in the scene of surfers riding the waves.
Drive south about 5 miles to Newport Beach, rent a Duffy boat and see the magnificent homes that line up the marina. Continue about 10 miles south to Laguna Beach, and unwind watching the sunset at the famous Surf & Sand Hotel. Afterwards, grab dinner of small plates at K’ya inside the Casa del Camino hotel.

Day 6: Take a 1.5-hour drive to San Diego, and stop at Legoland for the rest of the day. Stay at the La Costa Resort in Carlsbad for the evening so the kids can enjoy the fun at Kidtopia while you unwind with a massage or a yoga class at the Chopra Center.

Day 7: Drive to Pacific Beach and partake in its funky boardwalk culturre; stay in Mission Bay for the evening.

Day 8: Visit the San Diego Zoo and stroll through Balboa Park home to 15 museums, beautiful gardens, and end the evening with dinner at the Prado Restaurant overlooking one of the gardens in the park.

Day 9: Visit the USS Midway Museum, and tour the shops at Seaport Village.

Day 10: Return home after your fun-filled southern California vacation.

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Tagged: California