[400ixl]

Originally Posted by Sallyingforth

No, it's helpful. Thank you both. I do get what you are saying.
One question though - if you were to base yourself for one week at a single destination in California other than LA, where would you choose?

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If I absolutely had to based on your plans it probably would be San Diego.

Would be our teenage DD idea of hell though. Beach holidays isn't something we do.

If you want to see some of the national parks then maybe spend some time at Joshua Tree and Palm Springs on a diverted route between LA and San Diego.

As mentioned Universal is a 1 day park, Six Flags Magic mountain is 30 minutes from Universal / Hollywood area. Anaheim is a good 60-90 minutes from Hollywood and there isn't much there other than Disney and Knotts Berry farm (our DD thought this was a bit young for her even before she was a teenager, but others seem to like it).

Griffith Observatory, Warner Bros studio Tour, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach (if the teens follow some of the US vloggers) etc are all worth visiting in the northern side of LA. The Science museum is also good in mid LA.

So much to do that is better than time sat on a beach for us. Can do that in the UK.