Quick Local Getaways Suggestions with a Little One

[eyephone]

Good timing on this thread. I don't have a stroller baby at the moment but was thinking about something similar regarding quick, local get-aways. Mr. SoCal gets 7.5 weeks of paid time off per year. (5 weeks vacation plus 12 holidays). We tend to not like to spend too much time away from home at once. With so much time off and both of us being SoCal natives, I am beginning to struggle with trip ideas, especially ones that aren't redundant... BTDT.

7.5 weeks for vacation, that's a lot

Yeah, it's a blessing. We've always ended up letting some of it roll over to the next year or cash-out whatever accrued time exceeds the roll-over limit.

Must work for the government.

 

[nosuchreality]

Not necessarily, many larger companies start with 18 or more PTO days and bump it by 5 days on year five with an additional bump at year ten, plus 8-12 holidays.

So he may just be a long term employee at a decent company.

Now if he has 5 weeks vacation, 12 holidays and 12 paid sick days and is run of the mill tenure (sub 20 years). Then I'd say he's a government employee.

As for vacation options, we've done mostly day trips. 

 

[irvinehomeowner]

12 holidays is high.

San Diego is where we usually go... even just as far as Carlsbad and do LegoLand or SeaWorld.

Las Vegas seems a bit far for a short trip.

How are the local Native casino/hotels? Any kid friendly activities in those areas? My relatives say the buffets are pretty good.

 

[bones]

Good timing on this thread. I don't have a stroller baby at the moment but was thinking about something similar regarding quick, local get-aways. Mr. SoCal gets 7.5 weeks of paid time off per year. (5 weeks vacation plus 12 holidays). We tend to not like to spend too much time away from home at once. With so much time off and both of us being SoCal natives, I am beginning to struggle with trip ideas, especially ones that aren't redundant... BTDT.

Sounds like your kids are older and can endure longer car rides.  Have you been to Sedona?  Bryce Canyon?

 

[eyephone]

Anyone try Solvang?  A couple of my coworkers said its great to go with small children but I checked a couple websites and just wasn't feeling it.

Yes, I've been several times. I recommend it highly for a family trip with kids. Solvang is a very pedestrian-friendly destination. It has fantastic weather and is a safe, family-oriented place to visit. I will list some ideas of top things to do:

- Mission Santa Ines. I've been to several missions and although they are all nice, this ranks among my favorite. They have a nice museum set up with authentic garments and other relics dating back hundreds of years. The cemetery (highly recommended for Yaliu!) and garden has a lot of history to it, with plaques guiding your way. You will also learn a lot about the Chumash Indians. You can actually walk the grounds next to the mission, of where their homes were built.

- Food in the village: Aebleskivers, ice cream, and no shortage of great restaurants... impossible to see all of them in one day.

- The Honen / Solvang Trolley: Clydesdales (Belgian draft horses) pull a trolley. This gives you a narrated tour.

- "The Clog": This thing has been around forever, I think since the first time I went when I was a toddler. Look for the big, red, wooden clog. You can take pics of your kids, come back throughout their childhood, get an updated pic, and watch them grow next to the clog. It will still be there when they're adults.

- Day Spas: Mommy, there are several places to treat yourself while your husband & baby keep busy. I like Chiffon.http://chiffonboutique.com/

- Cool nearby places: Got to visit Ostrich Land! See & feed ostriches and emus. We all loved this! Also see the Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch.

- Jewelry & Gifts: Too many places to name. It's a good place to buy Native American jewelry (Navajo, etc.) and fine jewelry.

- I could go on. These are just SOME of the things to do.

Most places in Solvang close at 6 pm. Ask the question why so early? My response because not that many people go there.

Back in the day there use to be more foot traffic, now a days not so much. People rather go to Santa Barbara than Solvang.

 

[The Motor Court Company]

I recall SoCal already alluded Mr SoCal works as a software engineer in the defense industry. that would make sense because defense contractors pay less for the same title/discipline compared to private sectors (i.e. software engineer that works for Blizzard can afford Irvine, but software engineer that works for Meggit can only afford Foothill Ranch), and defense contractors typically offer good vacation policy like you described, and the ability to accrue or get  cash out further supports this.

Speaking of private vs government, I know first hand that private companies loathe and refuse to hire people with government/defense contractor background. they are often seen as lazy and incompetent which may be true but I think the working culture is part of the reason. government is more about policies and procedures, while private is more about efficiency and productivity. Also if not for the security clearance and citizenship, there are tons of H1B visa workers with better skills can do the same job, for much cheaper salary, and longer hours. this is just one example how wasteful our government and its affiliates are.

Not necessarily, many larger companies start with 18 or more PTO days and bump it by 5 days on year five with an additional bump at year ten, plus 8-12 holidays.

So he may just be a long term employee at a decent company.

Now if he has 5 weeks vacation, 12 holidays and 12 paid sick days and is run of the mill tenure (sub 20 years). Then I'd say he's a government employee.

As for vacation options, we've done mostly day trips.

 

[aquabliss]

wow.

 

[eyephone]

#TIanalytics

I recall SoCal already alluded Mr SoCal works as a software engineer in the defense industry. that would make sense because defense contractors pay less for the same title/discipline compared to private sectors (i.e. software engineer that works for Blizzard can afford Irvine, but software engineer that works for Meggit can only afford Foothill Ranch), and defense contractors typically offer good vacation policy like you described, and the ability to accrue or get  cash out further supports this.

Speaking of private vs government, I know first hand that private companies loathe and refuse to hire people with government/defense contractor background. they are often seen as lazy and incompetent which may be true but I think the working culture is part of the reason. government is more about policies and procedures, while private is more about efficiency and productivity. Also if not for the security clearance and citizenship, there are tons of H1B visa workers with better skills can do the same job, for much cheaper salary, and longer hours. this is just one example how wasteful our government and its affiliates are.

Not necessarily, many larger companies start with 18 or more PTO days and bump it by 5 days on year five with an additional bump at year ten, plus 8-12 holidays.

So he may just be a long term employee at a decent company.

Now if he has 5 weeks vacation, 12 holidays and 12 paid sick days and is run of the mill tenure (sub 20 years). Then I'd say he's a government employee.

As for vacation options, we've done mostly day trips.

 

[qwerty]

Speaking of private vs government, I know first hand that private companies loathe and refuse to hire people with government/defense contractor background. they are often seen as lazy and incompetent which may be true but I think the working culture is part of the reason.

if you work at a government contractor, the company itself doesnt want you to work more than 40 hours per week.  this has to do with how things are priced for government contracts.  it has nothing to do with the competency of employees willingness to work more than 40 hours per week. if you charge contracts directly and work more than 40 hours per week it drives down your average hourly price you charge the government. the big companies like northrop and others require supervisor approval before you can work 40 hours.

 

[qwerty]

Also if not for the security clearance and citizenship, there are tons of H1B visa workers with better skills can do the same job, for much cheaper salary, and longer hours. this is just one example how wasteful our government and its affiliates are.

this is covered by ITAR - no one will ever get this changed.

 

[sgip]

Besides Los Olivos/Solvang, there's always renting a unit / hotel near Venice Beach. The strand is great to push kids along in strollers, you get all of the absolute weirdness that Venice offers, while being able to retreat back to the safe confines of IUSD boundaries if needed. The Pier, Muscle Beach, the sidewalk vendors, and the late afternoon drum circles are crazy. Can also use the beach if you want.

 

[rkp]

If kid isn't moving, you can pretty much go anywhere.  We did Europe for 5 weeks with a 5 month old and it was awesome.  Much slower paced but very easy. 

As far as staycations, we always enjoy Palm Springs and SD.  If you want even closer and want to feel like you have gotten away from it all, I highly recommend Terranea in PV.  Hiking trails, beaches, pools, and massive property to just stroll around in.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Europe with a 5 month old is brave... how was the flight?

 

[socal78]

Not necessarily, many larger companies start with 18 or more PTO days and bump it by 5 days on year five with an additional bump at year ten, plus 8-12 holidays.

So he may just be a long term employee at a decent company.

Now if he has 5 weeks vacation, 12 holidays and 12 paid sick days and is run of the mill tenure (sub 20 years). Then I'd say he's a government employee.

In this case, the PTO was from Day 1. It was a "wine and dine" situation, literally. He is very good at what he does. I am certainly biased, however, the "powers that be" respect him as much as I do. When he was up for grabs, this company pursued him aggressively. All the terms i.e. PTO, profit-sharing, salary, benefits, being vested in the pension immediately, etc.... everything was offered up-front to entice him and to match or beat all other offers. I would say more but I don't want to get too specific because you never know if there's some creepy stalker with low self-esteem, bad character, and a tarnished reputation who will put this stuff in his "evidence vault" to use for malicious purposes.

 

[socal78]

Good timing on this thread. I don't have a stroller baby at the moment but was thinking about something similar regarding quick, local get-aways. Mr. SoCal gets 7.5 weeks of paid time off per year. (5 weeks vacation plus 12 holidays). We tend to not like to spend too much time away from home at once. With so much time off and both of us being SoCal natives, I am beginning to struggle with trip ideas, especially ones that aren't redundant... BTDT.

Sounds like your kids are older and can endure longer car rides.  Have you been to Sedona?  Bryce Canyon?

It's definitely something I'm considering. I'd love to visit those two and also Zion.

I'd also like to visit Carlsbad Caverns in NM one day. I thought about it last year but just couldn't find enough other stuff near it to make the trip worth it. I hear those are the best caverns, though, supposedly better than Kartchner Caverns in AZ. I haven't been to either one. Maybe one day if I'm passing through.

 

[socal78]

Must work for the government.

Private company.

 

[socal78]

12 holidays is high.

San Diego is where we usually go... even just as far as Carlsbad and do LegoLand or SeaWorld.

Las Vegas seems a bit far for a short trip.

How are the local Native casino/hotels? Any kid friendly activities in those areas? My relatives say the buffets are pretty good.

Have you dropped by The Flower Fields while you were in Carlsbad? Really beautiful. Activities for those with younger children.

 

[socal78]

My top favorite local get-away of all time is.... Catalina Island!

Despite being born and raised in Orange County, I hadn't taken my first trip until just a few years ago. It quickly became a favorite. Now, we do an annual family trip every summer. I am already planning my next trip. There is so much to love about the island, from the history to the activities. It is the only place in California where you can parasail. Has a world-renowned mini golf course. Love the flying fish boat tours at night with a tour of Hamilton Cove all lit up, the beautiful art deco casino, the Buffalo Milk, the chowder, swimming with the Garibaldi fish in the harbor. Taking the kids to Lloyd's candy shop, doing miniature bowling at the Three Palms Arcade, and having dinner at the "peanut shell throwing" restaurant -- that is always a lot of fun! The only thing is getting there. I wouldn't recommend taking a baby due to sea sickness. For us, it's always been fine going there but my kids get sick due to rough seas on the way back. However, there is always helicopter service. 

 

[eyephone]

12 holidays is high.

San Diego is where we usually go... even just as far as Carlsbad and do LegoLand or SeaWorld.

Las Vegas seems a bit far for a short trip.

How are the local Native casino/hotels? Any kid friendly activities in those areas? My relatives say the buffets are pretty good.

Have you dropped by The Flower Fields while you were in Carlsbad? Really beautiful. Activities for those with younger children.

Yeah, I've been there. Best thing it's free. We go to the Crate and Barrel outlet over there.

 

[socal78]

How are the local Native casino/hotels? Any kid friendly activities in those areas? My relatives say the buffets are pretty good.

I have done a lot of Indian gaming in my day -- "B.K." as you would say. Morongo, Pechanga, Agua Caliente, Fantasy Springs, San Manuel, I've been to 'em all. It one of the least family-friendly things I can think of, to be honest. Recently, they've been running a T.V. commercial for one I hadn't been to. It might have been for Pala. I can't remember right now. Maybe it was a different one. Anyway, I thought maybe I would do a family trip. But when I reviewed their site, it seemed pretty anti-kid. It seemed like every time I tried to get info, everything was 18+ or the bed configurations weren't set up for families. Let me know if you end up going and if you like it.