Shore excursion advice: Ensenada, Catalina, Santa Barbara

[calikak]

I am finally getting into the swing of trip planning for our spring break California Coastal on Princess. DS is 5, DD will be 18 months. DS loves a beach with sand suitable for digging in, even if it's 40 degrees out. DD loves people-watching and space to run and/or a stroller ride. Grandparents are also coming along--one of them has limited mobility so long walks are not a great plan, but we could also do our own thing while they do their own thing. Suggestions?

 

Also, we are hoping to go to Legoland in San Diego but the ship doesn't have an excursion and renting a car seems complicated...we can always do the zoo instead, but DS is a pretty big fan of Legos so if it's feasible we'd like to do it.

[SadieN]

Look on the California Coastal and Mexican Riviera boards in the Ports section.

 

California Coastal is a new board that has a thread on Santa Barbara-

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=226

 

Ensenada is about a 10 minute walk into town.

There are taxis available for a few dollars. (I cannot reccommend the shuttle because, while cheap the seats are so close together my Mom's knees hit the seat in front of her. Mom is short. The step into the shuttle is also high off the ground.)

Taxis are also available for the return $1-2pp.

 

There is no beach in Ensenada it is more of a walking town. There is a small fish market (spotless, never smells).

 

We usually eat lunch in town- either at Hacienda (has rotissiere chickens in the window and handmade tortillas or Taquera Linda a few doors down from Hussong's. We alway get Paletas from Michoacana a few doors down from that.

 

The main street is Ave Lopez. Has smooth sidewalks and cutouts, though some are steep. Most sidewalks west of Ave Lopez have open utility boxes in them. Watch your step. Last time in Ensenada a gal we were traveling with is a wheelchair user. She had no difficulty in Ensenada on Ave Lopez.

 

Clean bathrooms in the restaurants and the McDonalds. Throw used paper in the trash, not toilet.

 

**

Catalina has several beaches. One right at the Green Pier and another on the other side of the Casino (famous round) building.

http://www.catalinachamber.com/

 

Many things to do here-

-SemiSub

-Red Trolley tour and see the baseball field where the Chicago baseball team did spring training.

-Lloyd's candy for Salt Water taffy

-Wrigley Gardens and Memorial (bit of walking) has endemic plants of Catalina.

-Rent a golf cart

-Inland Tour- hopefully you'll see bison and the Catalina Fox.

-Look for Garibaldi swimming under the pier

-Miniature Golf

 

If you need anything there are 2 Vons (Safeway) supermarkets in Avalon.

 

**

Renting a car in San Diego shouldn't be too complicated. At worst you could grab a taxi ($10) to the airport and rent from there.

 

There is a wonderful Kid's Museum in San Diego. It is located around the corner from Horton Plaza. Huge Ralph's supermarket nearby.

http://www.thinkplaycreate.org/index.html

 

FYI--The zoo is very hilly.

[6rugrats]

You can always ride the bus at the zoo if hills are a problem.

 

How long do you have in San Diego? If you rent a car, just keep in mind travel time to and from Legoland. Traffic can be awful on I-5 getting to Legoland and back.

[calikak]

Thanks, good tips! I am thinking Catalina would be a good beach day. Perused the Samta Barbara thread, hoping to get kid-specific suggestions. Thinking a trolley tour could be fun...or horrible, depending on their mood...

 

6rugrats, that was my worry about Legoland too, traffic there and back. I don't want to miss the ship! Was really hoping there would be an organized excursion, or at least a scheduled thing like a Grayline tour? But not finding anything. Wondering if arranging like a shuttle service would be cost-prohibitive...