I took my tweens to the Aquarium at Long Beach. There is also the Queen Mary there, and we took a ride around the harbor.

We also did Universal Studios, which was a lot of fun.

Why not ask your teens? They can read and use the internet. Tell them where the destination is and involve them.

We love San Diego, lots to do there with teens - USS Midway, Balboa Park (great science center), ice skating at Hotel del Coranado if Dec break, waterskiing, or kayak, or jetski on Mission Bay (just be warned you will need wetsuits).

Anonymous wrote:Joshua tree is awesome especially for that age- they can climb all over the place and it won't be hot. Stay in Palm Springs, if you don't mind a couple hours of driving

We did briefly talk about Palm Springs. We'd gone when the kids were little and we had a great time. Ideally, we were looking for something new, but this may be a possibility too.

Anonymous wrote:What about heading out to Catalina? It's good 2 day visit. Ferry ride out, rent a golf cart to drive around, mini golf, just relax. Too cold for the water, but a quiet time on the island.

Or what about heading to big bear or mountain high for skiing?

OP - I had thought about skiing, but then came to my senses when realized it would be too rushed. We'll just have a 2-3 days. We've never been to Catalina before. Thanks for the suggestion!

Joshua tree is awesome especially for that age- they can climb all over the place and it won't be hot. Stay in Palm Springs, if you don't mind a couple hours of driving

Will you be there for New Years? There's the Rose Parade in Pasadena. You have to stake out a place to watch it early. It's far from OC but worth mentioning.

Also, Manhattan Beach is my favorite place in Southern Calif. Kids can take surf lessons or sled down sand dunes (lots of beaches have sand dunes in January, not sure about end of Dec). MB has so many restaurants and shops. There are a couple cute hotels. Kids could wander around.

If you're strictly trying to stay in Orange County, then I second Laguna Beach as someone recommended.

Universal Studios
Big Bear Mountain
Venice beach - do some surfing lessons / biking

Anonymous wrote:What about heading out to Catalina? It's good 2 day visit. Ferry ride out, rent a golf cart to drive around, mini golf, just relax. Too cold for the water, but a quiet time on the island.

Or what about heading to big bear or mountain high for skiing?

You do realize the Pacific Ocean is ALWAYS freezing, right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Laguna Beach

Anything in particular there?

Walking on the beach, watching the surfers and/or surfing, lots of shops and restaurants.

The Pacific Coast Highway is a beautiful drive.

What about heading out to Catalina? It's good 2 day visit. Ferry ride out, rent a golf cart to drive around, mini golf, just relax. Too cold for the water, but a quiet time on the island.

Or what about heading to big bear or mountain high for skiing?

Just wander around Santa Monica Pier.

Anonymous wrote:Laguna Beach

Anything in particular there?

Laguna Beach

We're headed out to Orange County for a visit with family (more an "obligation" trip than a "fun" visit) and want to tack on a few days of fun for our kids (young teens). My husband and I would prefer not to do an amusement park (although it's not out of the question - I just think they will be REALLY crowded when we go), but want to find something else fun to do that the kids would enjoy in southern California.

We've "done" Hollywood (which I really didn't enjoy, but the kids did), La Brea Tarpits. We've also been to San Diego (Zoo, legoland), which we all really enjoyed. We will be going at the end of December. We haven't booked our tickets yet, but I believe we will be flying in/out of LAX. I'm thinking something outdoorsy, but any other ideas are welcome, too! I had also been thinking of a live audience taping, but I think they will be on hiatus then (and I believe there is an age limit for some shows). Thank you!