After suffering through the beginning of winter, feeling like you’re never going to see the sun again, aren’t you just in the mood to get away from it all? You don’t have to book a trip to Costa Rica to experience a fun and sunny vacation. And if you’re a huge Jurassic Park fan, then even better.
The amazing Jurassic World at Universal Studios in Hollywood offers fans of the epic movie franchise an amazing adventure. Here is a quick guide to help you plan your next family vacation to California.
Lodging
If you plan on hitting the city first, then you are probably searching for hotels near Universal Studios California. Now, if this is your first-time-ever going to Universal, then let me tell you, it can get quite difficult and competitive to get a nice, clean, and spacious place to stay near the park.
You should consider hotels in Valencia, CA, due to their proximity to both Universal Studios and other local attractions like Six Flags and other parks.
The Hyatt Regency Valencia is about a 30-minute drive to Universal, and you won’t have to fight for parking or worry about cleanliness and space. It offers guests spacious and well-appointed guestrooms with plush grand beds and deluxe bath amenities that make you think you are at a spa. They also have a heated outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, an onsite restaurant that serves locally-sourced seafood. It’s more like staying at a resort than just your average hotel.
The Hilton Garden Inn Valencia Six Flags is another popular choice. It’s a family-friendly hotel centered around the Six Flags Magic Mountain experience. It offers free Wi-Fi to keep everyone connected.
An added bonus, both hotels are only about a 15-minute drive to Castaic Lake Recreation Area, your gateway to nature and recreational outdoor activities.
Transportation
Getting around and out from the busy city to the more scenic areas of California is easiest when renting a vehicle. However, if you want to see the scenery like locals do, the Metro may be a good option for you and your family. The Metro offers affordable day passes, so you won’t have to worry about paying each time you ride it.
Food
If you are visiting Universal for the first time and are worried about food options, then let me tell you that you’ve got nothing to worry about. CityWalk is located before the entrance gates to Universal. There are several restaurants in this area, including Margaritaville, Hard Rock Café, Samba, Bucca di Beppo, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Panda Express, and more. So you’ve got plenty of food options available before entering Universal, in case you don’t want to eat inside.
Other Attractions
Just like food options, this area of California has no shortage of things to see or do. You can do what tourists do (including myself) and visit Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, taking pictures of your favorite movie star’s stars. You can also visit the numerous quirky but fun museums in the area.
If you had enough of the city and are thrilled to begin your outdoor adventure in nature, then let’s revisit Castaic Lake Recreation Area near Valencia, California. Castaic Lake Recreation Area is a state park that covers over 4,000 acres. There you can go boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and camping to your heart’s content at this picturesque and grand park. Soak up nature, listen, and, perhaps, see the local wildlife while hiking through the magnificent forest.
Are you ready to escape the winter doldrums? I bet your family is. So grab this guide to keep everyone happy and start planning your vacation getaway today.
