Advance Planning About This Page:

[bitterchickey]

OK we're going in 2011...I know...early planning
Driving from Louisiana(the REAL LA) to L.A.
Where's the closest place to I-10 we can catch the Grand Canyon???
Or the best website to find out??
Thanx in advance!

[w-steele]

Originally Posted by bitterchickey

OK we're going in 2011...I know...early planning
Driving from Louisiana(the REAL LA) to L.A.
Where's the closest place to I-10 we can catch the Grand Canyon???
Or the best website to find out??
Thanx in advance!

Stay on Interstate 10 until you get to Phoenix
Then take Interstate 17 North to Flagstaff (about 150 miles)
Then take Interstate 40 West to Arizona State Route 64 (about 36 miles)
Take Route 64 North to the Grand Canyon (about 60 miles)
To continue on to DL, follow Route 64 back the way you came and take
I-40 West .
If someone know of a shorter way, please let these good people know.

[bitterchickey]

THANX soooooo much!!! Easier to understand than Mapquest!

[w-steele]

You are very welcome. I do not mind at all helping someone if I am able to do so.
Where are you going to be staying once you get to Disneyland?

[bitterchickey]

OK am I being tooooo much for a 2 year away trip???(I know I am...)
But we're hoping to use DVC--GC Villas or if they're booked, DLH is our second choice. We're planning 4 days there, 1 day Universal, 1 day Sea World, and 1 day San Diego Zoo (I know that's not enough, but the drive back and all...). I just saw your hometown--maybe you can recommend the closest hotel to the San Diego stuff! We will be sleeping there for those 2 days.

[bitterchickey]

Last time I went to DL and CA was omg 28 years ago, so obviously, my memories of how things were would not be the best reference point!

[w-steele]

I would recommand the Super 8 Motel in Mission Valley. Address is 445 Hotel Circle South, 619-692-1288 or Days Inn, 543 Hotel Circle South, 619-297-8800.
Both are right off of I-8 and just east of I-5 (which would be the freeway you would be driving down on from DLR.)
There are many more hotels in the Mission Valley area that would be close to both Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Here is a link to a site that has more listing in this area. All are good and all are near great restaruants.

Mission Valley San Diego Hotels - Find hotels in Mission Valley!

Hope this helps.

[Tonichelle]

I'm doing advance planning too! We'll be there Feb. 2011 (the cutie in my sig turns five and has been begging to meet Mickey since she could say Mickey Mouse).

[dolphin041599]

I don't think you're planning too far in advance. I think we're going to DL in 2010, and then no vacations for a couple years as we want to go to Ireland.

[Papa Mouse]

Bitterchickey. There are many places to see in San Diego. Actually more than time you have to see.

Compile your list of places you would like to see in the San Diego area and let us all know your preferences of To Do's.

Basically in the area of San Diego you are planning on visiting you will find Sea World, Old Town, San Diego Zoo (and 13 different museums in the same park), Balboa Park, with Legoland and the San Diego Wild Animal Park just north of San Diego.

Let me know your preferences and I will be glad to send you some sites when you are ready to consider them. I have close to 200 sites in the L.A. and San Diego area.

For a starter I will send you this site. When you open this site you sill see a page of approximately 48 attractions, museums and etc. in the San Diego area. Click on the listings, which you will notice, are not underlined, but click on them anyway and it WILL take you to those individual sites.

San Diego Attractions, Tours, and Things To Do from Smart Destinations

Enjoy.

[w-steele]

And one more thing Bitterchickey, coming from someone who has lived in San Diego for over 30 years, while you are making a list of places you want to visit, DO NOT INCLUDE MEXICO. Stay as far away from Mexico as you can. There is too many kidnappings, killings and shootings going on down there to call it a safe place to visit. Just this morning two people were shot while trying to cross back into California, from the news I've heard. We do have several great Indian gambling casnios in the area and a couple of them have really great inexpensive buffets. One even has a 'factory outlet' center across the street that has some really get deals. We also have several great Malls both in the Downtown area and the Mission Valley area. If you have the time, think about taking one of several San Diego Bay excursions.

[DopeyGirl]

Chantel, once you've got the hotel thing nailed down and if you want to see some other things in L.A. and San Diego . . . be sure to take a peek at the sticky topic at the top of the Southern California attractions forum. There's a ton of links in there for various things to do in SoCal and I just updated it last week.

[w-steele]

Ah Bitterchickey, my wife just told me there was one thing I forgot to tell you about Mexico. If you go down there, and I hope you don't, you WILL need a valid US Passport to get back into the States. It is the same at the Canadian border as well. Thanks to Homeland Security for that. Just another way for our dearly beloved UNCLE to get more of your money. LOL

[Tonichelle]

I have no problem with the Passport deal... and we have a few friends who are full blood Americans who live safely in Mexico... we have just as many killings in this country, sad to say, so *shrugs* can't imagine it'd be difference elsewhere.