Pinnacles National Park

We left San Diego Monday morning and headed north to San Luis Obispo, where we had dinner with friends. The next day we slept in, then continued up 101 to a KOA near Prunedale. Wednesday morning we drove east to Pinnacles National Park. The road was narrow and windy enough that I was glad I didn't try to camp in the park.

We checked out the Visitor Center and hiked up a trail, and the kids finished the Junior Ranger program. Then headed back to our trailer for the night. Pinnacles used to be a National Monument and just recently became a National Park, so there's not a whole lot there unless you are a dedicated hiker.

Yesterday we drove back to Oregon.

Cabrillo National Monument

Our last day in San Diego was spent at Cabrillo National Monument. Located on a peninsula west of downtown, it commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay, which began the European exploration and eventual settlement of the West Coast. 

It also contains an old light house, and a former army building which hosts an exhibit that tells the military history of Point Loma.

There are also great views of San Diego Bay.

Sea World San Diego

Friday morning we drove down to the San Diego KOA and dropped the trailer, then headed to Sea World, where we enjoyed the dolphin show and their Christmas decorations. Susan and I used the Platinum Passes we bought while in San Antonio in September.

We returned yesterday to enjoy more shows, animal exhibits, and some attractions. Bryan flew down and joined us, along with some friends. I enjoyed the views from the skytower. The kids especially enjoyed Manta, the park's family roller coaster. 

We bought the All Day Dining deal, so we stopped often for food, and that kept us pretty busy from park open to close. 

Disneyland Resort

We spent Wednesday at Disneyland park. We enjoyed seeing the Christmas decorations and experiencing some of our favorite attractions.  

We rode the train, and, as in January, I tried to take photos of the future Star Wars land.

Thursday night we attended a Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic event at California Adventure. DVC members got exclusive use of the park after regular park hours. We weren't too impressed. It was pretty crowded and not very well organized, although we enjoyed a free meal and free snacks.

I wanted to check out the new Incredicoaster overlay of California Screaming, but the line was very long all night.

Universal Hollywood

On Tuesday we headed down to Southern California. We stopped at Universal Hollywood and enjoyed the tram tour, the Special Effects show, and a few other attractions.

I was a little disappointed that the Hollywood version of the Mummy roller coaster wasn't as good the one in Orlando, but we enjoyed looking around the Harry Potter area and seeing the new Kung Fu Panda show.  

I would have liked to have gone on the Jurassic Park ride, but it was being updated into Jurassic World. In the afternoon we drove further south to a campground in Anaheim, near Disneyland.

Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks

Last week Susan, Jenn, and I embarked on a trip in our trailer down to California. We headed south on US 97, then down I-5 and 99 to a KOA outside Visalia. The next day, having detached the trailer in a campsite, we headed up to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. My mom joined us.

Our first stop was at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center. We looked around then headed to the Grant Grove and walked the trail out to the General Grant Tree.  

From there we headed south into Sequoia National Park. We stopped to walk down to the General Sherman Tree, the largest known living tree on Earth.  

After that we continued south and stopped at the Giant Forest Museum and the Foothills Visitor Center, then headed back to the KOA.