Itinerary Review/Suggestions

Question

I'm finalising out itinerary for our family trip (2A 2C (14&9)) for early November. The main aim is to do the Theme Parks, so there is a lot of time spent at Disney & Universal, which we're happy with. My eldest daughter is also interested in shopping, celebrities etc. (seeing Taylor Swift's house would make her year!), my 9y.o. son is keen for the Theme Parks but will also enjoy USS Midway & Joshua Tree and I'd like to fit in a bit of scenery, culture, good food & wine for my husband & I. We're limited on time so we can't extend the trip. We will pick up a hire car in Anaheim and return it in Palm Springs as we prefer not to have the stress of LA driving. Chat GPT tells me I've got a good balance, but I would appreciate some local knowledge and suggestions on any changes/improvements.

Day-Place Overnight-Activity

1 Sunday-Anaheim-Arr. 10am. Transfer/Uber to Anaheim, Check in, explore Downtown Disney/hotel pool & rest

2 Monday-Anaheim-Disneyland

3 Tuesday-Anaheim-Disney California Adventure

4 Wednesday-Anaheim-Disneyland

5 Thursday-Anaheim-DCA/Disneyland Park Hopper Day / Shopping etc.

6 Friday-San Diego-Pick up hire car & depart for San Diego. Stop at San Juan Capistrano (Mission), Carlsbad/other coastal town (Beach walk & lunch). Arr San Diego early arvo. Explore Old Town or Seaport Village for dinner

7 Saturday-San Diego-USS Midway Museum in morning, Balboa Park in afternoon

8 Sunday-Palm Springs-Depart for Palm Springs -Temecula Old Town, relax in Palm Springs, dinner at Air BNB

9 Monday-Palm Springs-Joshua Tree (Morning Hike), Pioneer Town, Dinner at Pappy & Harriets. Stargazing after dinner

10 Tuesday-Palm Springs-Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (Morning). Explore Palm Springs/lunch, shopping, Mid-Century homes tour/self-drive.

11 Wednesday-LA (Universal)-Private Transfer to LA. Shopping in afternoon (The Grove/ Beverly Centre) & Griffiths Observatory & dinner out (via Uber)

12 Thursday-LA-(Universal)-Universal Studios, Dinner at Universal

13 Friday-LA (Universal)-Warner Bros Studio Tour in morning (9am - 12pm), Hollywood Homes Tour in afternoon (1:30 - 3:30pm)

14 Saturday-Depart LAX 8pm-Relax, shopping, check out (Request late checkout) & depart

Answer

Your itinerary is well thought out and balances theme parks, sightseeing, shopping, and scenic experiences. With a family of 4 including teenagers and a younger child, it is ambitious but doable. Here’s a detailed review with suggestions and local tips to make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

Days 1–5: Anaheim / Disneyland & California Adventure

Spending 4–5 days at Disneyland and California Adventure is ideal for fully experiencing both parks without rushing. Including Downtown Disney and hotel pool/rest day on arrival is smart to recover from travel.

Consider purchasing Genie+ or Lightning Lane passes to maximize rides and reduce waiting times, especially for popular attractions.
Day 5 as a park hopper / shopping day works well. Anaheim GardenWalk has shops and restaurants near Disneyland, which is convenient for a shopping break.
Downtown Disney is also good for dining and souvenir shopping without leaving the park area.

Day 6–7: San Diego

The route from Anaheim to San Diego with a stop at San Juan Capistrano Mission and Carlsbad is very reasonable and scenic. Old Town or Seaport Village are excellent options for dinner and an evening stroll.

Arrive in San Diego early afternoon to avoid rushing and maximize evening exploration.
USS Midway Museum in the morning is ideal to avoid crowds. Balboa Park in the afternoon allows for either museums, gardens, or just walking around.
Consider having lunch in Little Italy for more variety and kid-friendly options.

Days 8–10: Palm Springs / Joshua Tree

Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are excellent additions for scenery, hiking, and relaxing. Your planned stops and activities are well spaced out.

Temecula Old Town is a good midway stop with wine tasting opportunities for adults while kids can enjoy snacks or small shops.
Joshua Tree Morning Hike – choose a trail suitable for both kids and adults. Hidden Valley or Barker Dam are family-friendly options.
Pioneertown / Pappy & Harriet’s for dinner and live music – great choice. Stargazing afterward is a memorable experience.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Mid-Century Modern homes self-drive tour balance activity and sightseeing well. Consider lunch in Palm Springs downtown or El Paseo for dining options.

Days 11–13: Los Angeles / Universal Studios

The LA portion is busy but achievable since you are using a private transfer and Uber, avoiding stressful LA driving.

Day 11: Shopping at The Grove or Beverly Center is convenient, followed by Griffith Observatory for sunset or evening city views. Plan around sunset for the best views.
Day 12: Universal Studios – full day, arrive early to maximize rides. Consider Express Pass if crowds are heavy in November.
Day 13: Warner Bros Studio Tour in the morning and Hollywood Homes tour in the afternoon is feasible, but account for traffic and potential delays. Finish with an easy evening or dinner nearby.

Day 14: Departure

Late checkout request is smart. Consider light morning shopping or a short walk to nearby attractions depending on hotel location.
Allow plenty of time to return your hire car and reach LAX for your 8pm flight.

Additional Suggestions / Local Tips

Traffic: Even with a hire car, Southern California traffic can be heavy. Schedule longer travel times than Google Maps suggests.
Theme Parks: Pack snacks, water, sunscreen, and hats; park hopping and long waits can be tiring for younger children.
Optional Celebrity/Film Sightseeing: If your eldest wants to see celebrity homes, a short drive through Beverly Hills or a guided Hollywood celebrity tour could be added, ideally on a free morning or afternoon.
Dining: Consider reservations for popular spots in San Diego, Palm Springs, and LA to avoid long waits with a family of four.
Flexibility: Your itinerary is packed; having some buffer time for rest, traffic, or spontaneous activities will make the trip more enjoyable.

Overall, your plan balances theme parks, sightseeing, shopping, culture, and relaxation. Minor adjustments for timing, traffic, and booking attractions in advance will make it a smooth and memorable trip for the whole family.

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