Few 60th birthday parties are as much fun as a Disneyland diamond celebration! But with less than a year to experience the anniversary magic, a few members of the itravel team were lucky enough to score a visit to Los Angeles.
Flying from Sydney to LA with Virgin Australia, the itravel team members were chauffeured right onto Mickey’s doorstep! With two days to spend exploring Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park, there was plenty of shopping, eating and selfies!
We didn’t just spend time in the wonderful world of Disney, we also got out on the board in Huntington Beach, the stand-up paddleboards that is! With time to relax, go bike riding and sample the glorious restaurants around the beach, this is a must stop on your next USA holiday.
Itinerary
Day 1:
6:30am Arrive LAX on VA1. Process through customs and pick up luggage.
7:15am Meet your host, Melanie Mayer, at the arrivals area. The group will catch the shuttle to the car hire depot and pick up vehicles.
9:00am Drive from LAX to Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
10:30am Arrive at Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance – 1420 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim California 92802
Check in and freshen up.
11:00am Meet Rick with Disney at the hotel for a brief hello and receive Park Hopper tickets.
12noon-10pm Enjoy Disneyland and California Adventures On this day, Disneyland is open until 10pm California Adventures is open until 8pm
8pm Preferred viewing area of Paint the Night and Disneyland Forever
Day 2:
8:00am Meet in lobby of Courtyard Anaheim to walk to breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel
8:25am Meet Rick from Disney in front of Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel
8:30am Disney Character Breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel – 1150 Magic Way, Anaheim, CA 92802
10am – 8pm Enjoy Disneyland and California Adventures – On this day, both Disneyland and California Adventures are open until 10pm.
Day 3:
Breakfast Though the Courtyard Anaheim would have loved to include breakfast, they are brand new, and just not there yet. That said, there is heaps of food available at low cost. There’s a Starbucks outlet at the bar, The Bistro has quick menu items like healthy omelets, and The Market by reception is a grab-and-go spot for quick stuff like oatmeal, fruit, cereal, bars, etc. You can get a bite for $5.
8:50am Meet in Courtyard Anaheim Lobby to walk next door to Howard Johnson.
9am Site inspection of Howard Johnson – #1 seller for the moderate tier Anaheim properties – 1380 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802
10am Free time – Stroll Downtown Disney, hit the hotel’s waterpark, or just relax!
12noon Check out and drive to Huntington Beach
Lunch In-N-Out Burger lunch on the road – 18062 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92648, United States
1:30pm Arrive in Surf City USA! – Check in to the Kimpton Shorebreak – 500 Pacific Coast Highway.
Ocean breezes and sunshine are your sidekicks in our chill corner of paradise. Give them some hang time. Shorebreak is your coastal crash pad, and it’s not like other Huntington Beach hotels. We define surfer cool, but think beyond the boardshorts. Shake off the sand and enjoy our scene, just steps from the shoreline. Raise a glass on the lively outdoor patio. Retreat to your quiet-harbor guestroom at our laid back Huntington Beach boutique hotel. The beach is your backyard and fun-loving Main Street is just a block away — for the wild child inside you.
2:30 pm Electric Bike Rentals at Pedego Bikes – 301 5th St., Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Pedego Electric Bikes, with their classic California styling, are the most popular bikes in the US – combining style and function to open up cycling to anyone who might otherwise not be getting the benefits from bike riding. You’ll love it so much, they guarantee you’ll come back from your ride wearing a huge smile! • Located on the corner of 5th Street and Olive Street in Downtown Huntington Beach, an easy walk up the street from your hotel • Bike rental available until 4:30 pm
5:50pm Meet in Lobby to walk to dinner
6:00 pm Dinner at BLK – 300 Pacific Coast Highway #202; BLK features the finest ocean view dining of the beach area and specializes in Kobe Style Beef hand-cut steaks, chops, and seafood. The distinctive menu comprised of contemporary American cuisine is prepared on either a Hickory woodfire grill or in a 1600 degree specialty Steak broiler creating delicious and savory flavors in all the meat, poultry and seafood dishes.
8:00 pm Walk to Bonfire and S’mores on the Beach with Waterfront Adventures Located on the beach at Pacific Coast Highway and Twin Dolphin Drive (between the Hilton and Hyatt resorts) Watch the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean while enjoying a warm bonfire and delicious s’mores, an “All American” treat that is a combination of toasted marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers – all provided by Waterfront Adventures Beach Butler Bonfire Service.
Day 4:
9:00am Breakfast at Zimzala followed by Site Inspection Located within the Kimpton Shorebreak; California is all about relaxed excellence, and Zimzala is a California restaurant, through and through. They’re obsessed with celebrating the bountiful produce that grows here year-round, and that passion is reflected in their chef’s seasonally changing menus of coastal cuisine.
10:30am Drive to SUP lesson
11:00 am Stand Up Paddle Boarding Lesson with Rocky McKinnon
Enjoy a Paddle Boarding lesson from Rocky McKinnon, a local professional surfer, paddle boarder and board shaper taught by some of the most elite watermen in the world. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is a water sport developed and originated in Hawaii. It involves navigating a large surfboard with an extended paddle to propel forward movement. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding has been described as a combination of paddling a canoe and surfing.
1:00 pm Lunch at Fred’s Mexican Café – 300 Pacific Coast Hwy.; Perched above Main Street at Pacific Coast Highway, Fred’s offers outdoor dining with fantastic sunset views along with funky décor and great music. Sample the fresh, tasty Mexican cuisine made from quality sirloin steak, high- grade seafood, charbroiled, boneless, skinless chicken breast, boiled black beans and oven baked Mexican rice.
3:00 pm Downtime to relax or explore! Take this time to explore Huntington Beach’s downtown area, or grab a towel and head to the beach! Try Kite Connection on the HB Pier, or you can try a bike rental from any of the beach concessions located along the 10 miles of paved walkway parallel to our coast. Maybe you’d like to try a surrey, which are the four person bicycle/cart hybrids. Whatever you choose, this time is yours to do as you please!
5:30 pm Dinner at Sandy’s – 315 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Sandy’s celebrates all that is authentically Californian. Beyond the beachfront location and selection of California wines & craft beers, whenever possible they source ingredients locally and are proud to support local California farms and their families. Admire the sparkling ocean that serves as the perfect backdrop to any breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Day 5:
Breakfast On own
9:00am Surf Lesson at Toes on the Nose at Waterfront Adventures Learn to catch a wave in Surf City USA! During this lesson you will learn the basics of surfing. The instructors of Toes on the Nose even guarantee that you will be able to stand up on your board by the end of the lesson!
11:00am Return to Kimpton Shorebreak to freshen up for shopping.
12:30 pm Shuttle to Shopping at South Coast Plaza South Coast Plaza defines the luxury shopping experience with extraordinary boutiques, personal shopping services, and upscale amenities all within a short distance of Surf City, USA. South Coast Plaza is recognized internationally for its unparalleled retail collection and award-winning restaurants.
4:00 pm Return to Hotel and Check Out
5:30 pm Depart Huntington Beach for LAX
7:00pm Drop Hire cars and shuttle to International Terminal
10:20pm Depart LAX on VA2 to SYD
Day 7:
7:20am Arrive Sydney
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