Parks/Forests to see in San Diego/LA area

[PedOncoDoc]

I have a toddler patient who loves being in the outdoors/woods and has 3-6 months to live. She and her family are taking a last big trip to the San Diego/Los Angeles area and were looking for some outdoors activities to do above and beyond LegoLand, DisneyWorld and the SD Zoo.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendations from people familiar with the AO for parks/sites to see within 4 hours drive that I can pass along to the family. Feel free to PM.

Thank you in advance.

[echoes]

Doc,

Lived in the S.D. area for about four years, and here are the links to some very scenic places, that have a lot of nature around them. Balboa Park is a must see, as it has a lot of open spaces, and is a favorite of the locals.

Also, the Lodge at Torrey Pines is always a beautiful place to see year round. It has a lot of space, and is a nice place to relax.

Finally, the village of La Jolla. It has some of the most beautiful views of the sea, and though on the weekends it can get crowded, during the week, it is a favorite of the locals.

Hope this helps, and will keep your little patient in our prayers. If I can help further, please PM me.

Thanks for what you do, Doc.

Holly


http://www.balboapark.org/

http://www.lodgetorreypines.com/

http://www.lajollabythesea.com/home.php

[Sacamuelas]

I have a toddler patient who loves being in the outdoors/woods and has 3-6 months to live.

PERSPECTIVE ...... I complain daily about things that I would give my life to have as my "major" issue if one of my children were in that situation. Wish I could help PedOncoDoc...

[cback0220]

i would say the Torrey Pines State Park would be a great thing to see. The Carlsbad flower gardens are very pretty as well. Also up towards the Palomar observatory there are alot of beautiful trails.

[Gypsy]

I agree 100% on Balboa Park and La Jolla.

Perhaps Sea World...?

Prayers out to the little one and the family.

[Riott_Earp]

Its about 2.5 hours east of LA, but the Palm Springs tramway is one of the most beautiful sights you can get around here. I've wanted to go back for a while, but never got around to it. My heart goes out to the little one.

Here is the link http://www.pstramway.com/

[DisplacedTrojan]

Regarding the LA area things get a little bit sparser for parks. There aren't any real woods. The environment is mostly chaparral. The best natural park is Griffith Park (vic Hollywood sign) but the views are mostly the LA urban sprawl. It evokes more of a 'huh! Never thought I would find this in the middle of a big city.' The LA zoo is collocated with Griffith park. The San Diego zoo beats the LA zoo.

I might recommend a drive along CA-1 Pacific Coast Highway. That can be very scenic. Leaving from where I-10 turns into CA-1 in Santa Monica you can drive north up the coast on CA-1 for 30 minutes and you're in Malibu. Then again, a drive may not be the most fun for a toddler.

Beach-wise I prefer Santa Monica or Manhattan. However you definitely know you're in a city.

Sad to say this time of year things are getting brown and will only be getting more-so.

http://www.lazoo.org - Los Angeles Zoo
http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/griffithpk/index.htm - Griffith Park

[Stras]

If the Toddler likes Pirates or boats, take them to the USS Midway Museum (they have a pretty cool flight simulator), and the Maritime Museum has a Russian Submarine, and the boat that was used to portray the HMS Surprise in Master and Commander.

I was just there this last weekend. Military are free admission at the USS Midway Museum, just show your ID card.

NAS Miramar, and the Naval yards at Long Island may be cool to a youngster. Hell, you may be able to see BUDS smoking the students at Coronado.

http://www.midway.org/
http://www.sdmaritime.org/

[LarryW]

Channel Islands National Park off the coast of Santa Barbara. Everything from water fowl, great whites, wild goats, sea turtles, and whales. Gorgeous.

http://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm

God bless you for what you do.

[PedOncoDoc]

Thank you and God bless to everyone who sent suggestions both in this thread and via PM. I have passed them all along to the family and they wanted me to express their gratitude to you all. They will be leaving next week for their family vacation.

[LongWire]

Try Point Loma (San Diego)......Out at the end is Cabrillo National Monument, great views toward the Bay/Coronado Island (North Island NAS) and the Pacific Ocean. Down below are tide pools for exploring and looking at sealife, and not to be forgotten is Ft Rosecrans National Cemetery where you will find several generations of our Finest.

Most beaches in SD are a good bet too.......

http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftrosecrans.asp
http://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm

[Gypsy]

If the Toddler likes Pirates or boats, take them to the USS Midway Museum (they have a pretty cool flight simulator),

Was going to edit my post to add this to it. It was an amazing experience to be on that ship, loved the self guided tour with the headsets.

[ZonieDiver]

Go to La Jolla Shores beach, rent a double kayak, and enjoy! In 5 ft or less, just off the Marine Room restaurant, the leopard sharks will be schooling - by early July. Always a thrill!

[LongWire]

Go to La Jolla Shores beach

If they are going to La Jolla, be sure to mention Mt Soledad. The view there is fabulous especially round sunset. The Cross on top has been in the national news the last few yrs, because its a cross of course. There is a nice war memorial there now as well to help save the cross.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Just saw this, sorry for the late response. In SD, concur with suggestions above -- La Jolla cove should be top of list. LA doesn't have a lot of parks/outdoors stuff. Santa Barbara is reallt beautiful and worth driving to from LA, but not sure a toddler would appreciate it that much. Make sure they know that the kid goes to the front of the line at Disneyland -- just need to tell them the kid has cancer when they arrive and they'll give them special passes.

Call me if you want me to take them around LA. I would take a day off for this if they want me to.

[jw74]

I spent 34 of my 35 years in San Diego. This time of year, there is the Del Mar Fair which is San Diego's County Fair. In La Jolla there is the Children's Cove which is over run by seals, which kids seem to like more than having their own cove. In a month it will be racing season at Del Mar. There is always Seaport Village and Belmont park which has roller coasters and such. In Carlsbad is LegoLand and Beachside camping. If they want to go to the Beach, then definitely La Jolla Shores or Del Mar would be the most family Friendly. Be early for parking or Dad will be in a bad mood by the time they touch sand. I hope their trip is full of great me memories!

Food for thought: June is always pretty gray on the coast in San Diego. Best time to visit is mid July To October. September is ideal with low 70's and constant sunshine.
If they need hotel location opinions let me know.

[PedOncoDoc]

I saw the little girl and her family yesterday - they had a wonderful vacation. They loved the parks and asked me to send on their thanks once again.

I got a little teary when I heard about how they all went to a Padres' game on Father's Day.

The little one is still truckin' on - not having any pain at the present - we're hoping it'll last a few more months.

Thank you all for helping this family make some wonderful memories.

As always, please let me know if there is any way to return the favor.

[LongWire]

Just glad to help.........;)