Disneyland Resort in California is a great family destination, but unlike Walt Disney World in Florida it doesn't require an entire week to discover. Compared to the 43 square mile footprint of Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort is much smaller and more compact and you can easily have a great experience there in three days.

But what should you do with the rest of your week's vacation?

California has some stellar beach destinations with amazing hotels as well. We have two unbeatable options that can make for an exceptional seven-day California vacation. We do both of these options every couple of years and we recommend either of these as a great way to round out a week's stay in sunny Southern California.

So with that in mind here are two California itineraries that have each proven to be an excellent combination of Disney experiences and California sightseeing. The best part about these vacation options is that the seven nights end up feeling like two weeks—in a good way. By the end of the second leg of the trip we always feel like we've been away for a two-week vacation. So consider both options and pick the one that sounds like it will work best for you. You can always try the other one on the next time around.

Itinerary Option 1:
Three Nights at Disneyland Resort and Four Nights at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego

This option begins with a three-night stay at Disneyland, we recommend staying onsite at either the Grand Californian Hotel (our first choice) or the Disneyland Hotel.

After three nights at Disneyland, take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from Anaheim to San Diego. It's a great scenic trip of mostly California coastline. Buy first class tickets (not that expensive) and try to sit on the upper level on the right side of the forward motion of the train. That will give you the best view of the coastline.

In San Diego, spend four nights at the historic and stunning Hotel Del Coronado, located on the beach on Coronado Island. This hotel has an added bonus for any Disney fan: it was the inspiration for Disney's Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World. The Del opened in 1888 -- 100 years before the Grand Floridian opened in 1988 -- and has a rich history of celebrities and resident ghosts. Listen to the podcast for all the details!

There is much to do at the hotel, on Coronado and in the Greater San Diego area, so a four-night stay here is fun and entertaining for all ages. Plus, the spectacular beach and California sunsets are second to none.

In this option, you will fly in to the Los Angeles area and fly out of San Diego

Itinerary Option 2:
Four Nights at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach and Three Nights at Disneyland Resort

This option begins with a four-night stay at the luxurious Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach. In this itinerary, you will fly in and out of the L.A. area, as Huntington Beach is located in Orange County and is only an Uber/Lyft ride away from Disneyland in Anaheim.

Huntington Beach is Surf City U.S.A. and is a fantastic spot for a true California beach vacation. The Hyatt here offers tons of upscale amenities and is great for all ages. Plus, the beach here is also very nice and the Huntington Beach Pier is a great destination and an easy walk along the water from the hotel. At night, the Huntington Beach area near the pier really comes to life and in the summer there is a night time festival hear that is great fun to adults and kids alike. Amelia and I discuss all the details in the podcast, so be sure to listen.

Following your four nights in Huntington Beach, head to Disneyland Resort for the three-night stay as we noted above.

Two Great Options to Make a Disneyland Vacation into a California Beach Vacation

If you you're thinking of planning a Disneyland vacation, we highly recommend either of these tried and true itineraries that we created. Pick the one that sounds best to you and you're sure to create a lifetime of memories. There's a reason that we go back to both of these options again and again.

For More Information, Read the Following Posts from the Luxury Disney Travel Blog

Amelia and I Thank You for Listening

Thank you very much for listening to this episode, Amelia and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes, or whichever app you choose to listen. A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.

Contact us at 1923 Main Street

Thank you for listening to the Daddy Daughter Disney Travel Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas for future episodes.

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Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

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