Turning a Disneyland Vacation into a California Beach Vacation

<p><strong>Disney Theme Parks and Stunning California Beaches: Is There any Better Combination for a Family Vacation?<br></strong><br></p><p><strong>Disneyland Resort</strong> 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.</p><p>But what should you do with the rest of your week's vacation?</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Itinerary Option 1: <br>Three Nights at Disneyland Resort and Four Nights at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>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