Vote Where to Send My Family for a Weekend & Win!
By: Colleen Lanin, The Travel MamaAugust 23rd, 2010
I need your help with a little travel dilemma. I have got a $250 Marriott gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket book! The problem? I tend to be a tad (ahem, a ton!) indecisive. That’s where you come in. I’ve narrowed it down to three choices…please weigh-in and choose where my family should go on our weekend getaway! For helping me out, you could win two fabulous travel games from ThinkFun. Even if you don’t need the prize, go ahead and vote! Just let me know in your comment that you’d like the games to go to another entrant. We’ll go wherever you tell us to go!
To keep things within my (tight) budget, I need to go somewhere within driving distance from our home in San Diego. My travel companions will be the hubs (Phil), my daughter (Karissa, age five), and my little guy (Leo, age two). We’ll take our journey sometime during September, while the weather is still warm and sunny in Southern California.
Option 1: Rides & Waterslides
What kid doesn’t love amusement parks and waterslides? While we’ve visited Disneyland with Little Ones numerous times, we have never taken our children to Knott’s Berry Farm. In fact, the last time I visited the nation’s oldest theme park was during high school and I’m sure a lot has changed since then. There are oodles of rides in Camp Snoopy that would please the kiddies, like the Flying Ace Balloon Race and the Charlie Brown Speedway. The following day we could head to Knott’s Soak City waterpark for a watery good ol’ time on its plentiful waterslides, lazy river, and Gremmie Lagoon children’s pool.
Option 2: Wooly Mammoths & Movie Stars
My husband and I have lived in SoCal for ten years and during that time we have only ventured to Los Angeles for a weekend getaway once…and that was shortly after we moved here. Sure, we’ve driven through the city on our way elsewhere or to pick up cupcakes from Sprinkles, but that’s about it. For this trip, we’d bring the kids to La Brea Tar Pits, where thousands of years ago extinct animals got stuck in black, gooey pits of tar. There are life-sized wooly mammoth models submerged in the tar pits as well as skeletons of creatures like Sabor-toothed cats constructed from fossils found in the muck on display at the Page Museum next door. We could also wander along the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, try to match our hands with those of celebrities at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, or take in behind-the-scenes movie magic at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Option 3: Old-School Amusements & Beachy Fun
I have never been to the Santa Monica Pier, the West Coast’s only amusement park on an oceanfront pier. With its aquarium, old-fashioned soda fountain, carnival games, carousel, Ferris wheel, and other diversions – this place is sure to please the kiddies. The next day we could pick up a picnic lunch and head to Santa Monica Beach for a day of splashing in the water and building sand castles.
Road Trip Entertainment
For the journey, I’ll be sure to bring along lots of healthy (and a few forbidden!) snacks, pack some bubbles and a beach ball for rest-stop entertainment, and pull out the Zingo! To Go for a few rounds of on-the-go fun. My kindergartner and I played this game for the first time during our flight to Puerto Rico for our mommy-daughter getaway. We have the at-home game too and my daughter and her friends love, love, love playing both versions! The game is similar to Bingo…but with a zing! There are no loose pieces to worry about misplacing and everything fits in a compact travel bag. It’s recommended for kids aged four and older.
Another fun travel diversion for puzzle lovers is Rush Hour, a single player sequential game in which the player steers cars, trucks, and buses out of traffic jams. It also comes with its own handy travel bag. The original version is appropriate for kids and adults aged eight and older, while Rush Hour Jr. can keep children aged six to eight occupied on the way to your destination.
Vote & Win!
So…where should we go? It’s up to you! Just leave a comment below about which of these three paths you think we should take for a chance to win two games: Zingo! To Go (for ages four and older, retail value $14.99) PLUS your choice of ThinkFun’s popular Rush Hour (for ages eight and older, retail value $19.99) or Rush Hour Jr. (for ages six to eight, retail value $17.99).
This contest ends on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. A winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. The winner will be notified via email. If the prize is not claimed within two days, another winner will be selected. One entry per person.
To vote, simply make a comment below about which road trip option my family should take. That’s it! If you have additional tips on sites to see, restaurants for us to try, and activities to do during our trip, feel free share those too. We will go to whichever location receives the most votes.
A note from the Travel Mama: I earned this $250 Marriott gift card for running a Tots Travel Too Contest for Marriott a couple of months ago on Travel Mamas. I was under no obligation to write another blog post mentioning Marriott. ThinkFun provided my family with a free Zingo! To Go game to preview and will provide the two games to the winner of this giveaway.
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Tags: aquarium, beach, California, carousel, Ferris wheel, Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, Los Angeles, marriott, Santa Monica, ThinkFun, travel games, waterslide, Zingo! To Go
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I vote for Santa Monica Pier. Even I’ve been there, girl, and I’m from Minnesota!
I vote for Santa Monica as well. Pier, good food, Third Street Promonade, Venice Beach. Drive up PCH toward Malibu and stop at Paradise Cove for lunch and Zuma Beach. Could also go to Getty Villa which is free with reservation. So much to see/do for low cost and beautiful coastline.
tvollowitz at aol dot com
I have to vote for Old-School Amusements & Beachy Fun – Santa Monica. It’s such a great area, hard to go wrong there.
It’s winter here, and I miss the beach! So option three, family trips to the beach are the best
I vote for option 3… santa monica and venice beach is so fun. yOU Can do the farmers market on 3rd Street promenade in Santa Monica. So fun!!!!
Santa Monica, for sure! I haven’t been to any of the places listed but that one seems like the most fun
Knott’s is totally old school! It was the first amusement park in the area and I think a water park would be great right about now. Santa Monica is fun and all but the pier gets boring after about 30 minutes.
Santa Monica! And Pinkberry is right there…..
Santa Monica Pier
Knotts Berry Farm! Come on Dude!
I suggest Knott’s Berry Farm. I think with 2 and 5 year olds in tow, the entertainment there is a little more age-appropriate than the other two options. Also, if I’m not mistaken, it’s about a half-hour closer than Hollywood or Santa Monica. Out of the car and on to the fun!
Have a blast!
I’m all for Option 1.
I vote # 3. The beach. Sooo fun.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
Santa Monica, would be my choice with a 5 and 2 year old, I am a beach bum.
I hear the weather in Santa Monica is amazing right now plus you have the Beach, Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park, the new Santa Monica Place, Third Street Promenade….do I need to go on? Fun for everyone!
Santa Monica in August is the place to be. I’ve taken my grandchildren to the pier, pacific park, the aquarium, the promenade, the sm childrens playhouse, and of course the beach. There is always something fun for all ages going on. The brand new Santa Monica Place is fabulous for some “mom time”. And there’s kid friendly restaurants everywhere! Use your gift certificate at the gorgeous Le Merigot Hotel and Spa! Then you’re walking distance to everything!
Hope this helps!
Hi Colleen,
Opps! I didn’t see the options. I like Santa Monica because of the water.
lol.
I think the Knott’s Berry Farm would be fun! Especially for the kids!!
Visit Santa Monica! Try Cha Cha Chicken, which is near the beach, has delicious food, and might remind you a bit of Puerto Rico. There’s also a fun beach playground at the end of Ocean Park Blvd. – fun for the kids.
Santa Monica, it’s so beautiful this time of year. They have Thursday night concerts on the pier. Also, the 3rd St Promenade is so close! They just opened up an open-air mall which has a mezzanine for dining.
I live here now, so I may be biased. If you need an affordable place to stay, I have a place in mind for you.
Knotts Berry Farm sounds more fun for the kids.
I vote for the Santa Monica pier because I missed my trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk this summer. My kids have always loved that kind of place!
Santa Monica Pier. You can see my photos on FB, we just went last weekend. Beautiful weather, games, fun on the pier, beach is literally right there and then 3rd street promenade with a new large mall. Great farmer’s market and don’t forget the Vanilla Bake Shop that has amazing little baby cupcakes. So yummy!
I vote for the beach. Family trips to the beach are most fun.
I vote for Knotts Berry Farm. I have a 2 and 4 year old and this is definately age appropriate…. Good luck and have fun!
I think Santa Monica sounds the best. You will be able to enjoy each other and the fun and beauty of the beach.
I vote for Knotts Berry Farm because that is where Phil wants to go. : )
Santa Monica Pier!
My vote is for Knotts Berry Farm, that looks such fun!
I definitely vote for Santa Monica Pier! It’s the kind of weekend that will produce those special family memories (like camping) because it’s all about you spending quality time together as a family.
My Son & DIL took the Grandkidlettes there this weekend (just spoke to them) & they had a wonderful time! The kids (6, 3, & 2 years) were fascinated with all the activity & Joseph (my 6 year old) made his parents buy a postcard to send to Grammy & Grampy, “so they’ll know where we are!”
I have a 2 & 4 year old, and we live in Santa Monica. Honestly, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to keeping the kids entertained, and we don’t take advantage of anywhere near everything we could. The beach alone is a great source of entertainment.
The pier, the Promenade & new mall for shopping, playing in the sand. We like taking ours biking along Palisades Park (a long park parallel to Ocean Blvd) and settling in to gaze at the rose garden and the view. Nice restaurants along the boardwalk to take in the view and smell the sea air while you recharge. Or check out the Annenburg beach house for some pool fun. http://beachhouse.smgov.net/plan-your-day/daily-activities.aspx
Unfortunately, I find the weather a little unpredictable. It might be sunny and warm a mile from the beach, but when you get to the sand, it’s gloomy and overcast. It usually burns off, but something to keep in mind. So when we go out, I slather the kids in sunscreen and take sweaters. Bases covered.
As for Knott’s, I’ll just say that my kids are just as happy going to Legoland as they are to Disneyland. I don’t know that they get more pleasure from one than the other at this age, so I’d say if it’s between amusement parks, choose whichever makes you happy
Ping me if you’d like any more feedback. Either way, have a great trip!!
I ould vote for rides and waterslides.
I vote Santa Monica pier and maybe you can say hi to Ajay while you’re there!
I’d go for option one! Because is it just so hot! The waterpark sounds great!
Knotts Berry Farm…
I definitely vote for Santa Monica.
I would go with Option #1, sounds like something the whole fmaily would really enjoy.
Tough call…I’m leaning toward Santa Monica.
Option 1- Knott’s Berry Farm. There’s so much to do there and the kids would really like it.
Option #1! My family LOVES Knotts! It’s very fun and family-friendly! Don’t forget to stop by and eat at the chicken restaurant if you want the BEST chicken!! Yum, yum!
The kids will have the most fun at Knott’s and Camp Snoopy, but they probably won’t be tall enough to ride much outside of Camp Snoopy. The Santa Monica pier is a close runner up though. Good Luck Phil.
Oh santa monica would be my choice it is such a nice place for the family. suelee1998 @gmail.com
Option 1!
I vote for #3 because that looks like that is something that my whole family would enjoy. Maybe because I need a relaxing day at the beach.
I would choose option 1
I Vote Knotts Berry Farm!
Option #1
I would say option 1 because the kids are young and would have a lot of fun. If you go to Knott’s, see about going to their Fried Chicken restaurant. I haven’t been there since I was little, but I remember that it served delicious food. I think it is outside the entrance of the park. You may need reservations.
I’d go for Option 1: Rides & Waterslides, my kids love snoopy.
I vote for Knotts!