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]

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

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