Wow, Pretend City has it all! Your kid will literally not want to leave this place, as here, HE is the grownup! Complete with "cars" to "stores", a "bank" and "restaurants", he can be anyone he wants to be and go anywhere he wants to go. Whatever vocation he wants to pursue, he can do it now!! As a parent, its hard to not put on the fireman hat and play along:) This is a good, cheap ($11 per child) day out. There is an on site cafe and classes are offered at Pretend City also. Seriously, this is a "must-do" for any So.Cal. family!!!!

Pay about $1 and take a ride on the car ferry across to balboa Island from Newport beach. Yeah, the ferry's smelly and fumy from all the cars, but its worth the money. And its the only way over there:) When on the island, you can walk the front and gaze enviously into the multi million dollar homes that looks as if no one lives there. Stop and get a chocolate covered banana or cheesecake in the town and spend a few $$ on a magnet that say I've been here! If anything, do it for the ferry. The kids love to ride on boats! Even though there's no sand to play on at Balboa Island, the walk along the front will keep them occupied enough and once you get to town, treat them to something cold and sweet!

definetly not the cleanest of the So Cal beaches, Newport is a close alternative for us IEers. They have a pretty great sidewalk than runs along the length of the beach , perfect to get your family on beach cruisers for much needed exercise! There are the usual ice cream and beach junk food spots that are sure to please the little ones. The pier is ok for a pier, but to be honest, Huntington Beach is better.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ikea!!! Its so much fun, not to mention the prices are pretty fabulous for simple, day to day household items. There is a play place to drop the kiddies off in and a restaurant with cheap cheap menu items, like mac n cheese and meatballs. You can get a cone for 99c. Even if you want to take the kids shopping with you here, its fun!! The "kids area", where they sell the childrens' furniture is more like a playpark and you could get run over if you walk through that are too slowly:)
Its a fun day out and if you dont buy anything, its free!!!

this giganormous structure was, yes, actually a family's home and now serves as a museum to the opulence of the golden era of the south. Boasting endless amounts of rooms, still in the original condition, and an on site restaurant, the Biltmore estate really should be on everyone's bucket list. I would recommend bringing your children here, but probably warn against toddlers that can run away (fast:) as many of the rooms are roped off and contain precious antiques. Apart from that, it is a great educational trip for the older children, and gives them a peak into this country's rich heritage.