21–31 October 2026 · California

The Watson Family Trip to California

Oceanside · San Diego · Santa Monica

Bristol San Diego

Day-by-day plan

Wed 21 Oct · Day 1Arrive in CaliforniaLondon → LAX → OceansideEd working all day
Flight
  • BA269 · 21 Oct · British Airways
  • 15:05 Heathrow T5 → 18:25 LAX Terminal B (local times)
  • Direct · 11h 20m · Airbus A380-800 · Premium Economy
View route map
Approx. 8,760 km / 5,443 miles directScheduled: 11h 20m

Great-circle distance; actual flown route may differ.

On arrival
  • Ed picks up the girls at LAX
  • Drive to Oceanside: 1½–2½ hours
Stay
  • Oceanside Airbnb · 21–30 Oct
Evening
  • Dinner at home
Funky facts

Oceanside hosts the Super Girl Surf Festival: elite women’s surfing plus live music. The pier is a famous contest spot. Source

Thu 22 Oct · Day 2Oceanside & CarlsbadChillingEd working all day
Morning

Chill / sleep

Afternoon
  • Oceanside Pier and Harbour Village
  • California Surf Museum
  • Carlsbad Village: shops and restaurants
  • Carlsbad State Beach sunset
Train to Carlsbad
  • Oceanside Pier and Surf Museum: walk from Oceanside Transit Center; Harbour Village is a longer walk or short local ride.
  • COASTER southbound to Carlsbad Village: 14:36 → 14:43 (7 minutes).
  • Return northbound: 19:17 → 19:22, after the beach sunset.
  • Sara: $6.50 each way ($13 return). Children 18 and under: free with a Youth PRONTO account or card.
  • Check the NCTD timetable before travelling. First travel to Oceanside Transit Center from the Airbnb.
Dinner

At home (tentative).

Funky facts

The California Surf Museum has Bethany Hamilton’s shark-bitten board from the story behind Soul Surfer. Source

Fri 23 Oct · Day 3San Diego Zoo Safari ParkSafari Park and San DiegoEd off work🍴 Eat out
Morning
  • Safari Park: 45–60 minutes’ drive each way
  • Africa Tram · Elephant Valley · Tiger Trail · rhino habitats
Later
  • Little Italy and Gaslamp Quarter
  • Dinner: Filippi’s Pizza Grotto or Old Spaghetti Factory (to choose)
Funky facts

A cheetah can hit 70 mph—faster than a racehorse. The Safari Park is home to these sprinters. Source

Sat 24 Oct · Day 4Crystal Cove & Laguna BeachCoastal trail, tide pools and galleriesEd off work
Morning
  • Crystal Cove State Park: 1h 15m drive
  • Bluff Top Trail · ocean viewpoints · coastline
Afternoon
  • Laguna Beach: Heisler Park · tide pools · art galleries
Dinner

At home.

Funky facts

Laguna Beach hosts one of the longest-running beach volleyball tournaments. Spot the courts by Main Beach. Source

Sun 25 Oct · Day 5Beach & relaxationOceanside at an easy paceEd off work
Daytime
  • Oceanside Beach · harbour walk · ice cream
Evening
  • Beach sunset
  • Dinner at home
Funky facts

The final cheerleading competition in Bring It On was filmed by Oceanside Pier. Can you spot the amphitheatre? Source

Mon 26 Oct · Day 6LEGOLAND CaliforniaAfternoon and eveningEd working AM🍴 Eat out
Morning

Relax while Ed works.

Afternoon
  • LEGOLAND California: 10–15 minute drive
  • NINJAGO Ride · Dragon Coaster · Driving School
  • Miniland USA · SEA LIFE Aquarium · LEGO Movie World
Evening

Dinner in Carlsbad Village and a beach walk.

Funky facts

Find the tiny SoFi Stadium in Miniland: it uses over 500,000 bricks. The real stadium has hosted huge pop concerts and the Super Bowl. Source

Tue 27 Oct · Day 7Girls’ San Diego dayVisit Ed at work, then San DiegoEd working
Car
  • Sara drives Ed to work
  • Sara and the girls visit Ed at work before heading to San Diego
  • Sara and the girls use the car during the day
  • Pick Ed up after work
Options
  • Carlsbad Premium Outlets
  • Westfield UTC: about 25 minutes, en route to San Diego
  • Seaport Village: about 38 minutes
Dinner

At home.

Funky facts

San Diego football icon Alex Morgan helped the Wave win their first trophy, then became a part-owner of the club. Source

Wed 28 Oct · Day 8San Diego whale watchingPool morningEd working AM
Morning

Relax by the pool while Ed works.

Afternoon
  • Legacy Whale Watch · three-hour cruise
Dinner

At home.

Funky facts

Humpback whales change their songs over time, adding notes and rearranging phrases like a remix. Source

Thu 29 Oct · Day 9Disneyland CaliforniaFull dayEd off work🍴 Eat out
Travel
  • Drive: 1–1½ hours
  • Arrive early
Highlights
  • Galaxy’s Edge · Rise of the Resistance
  • Haunted Mansion Holiday · Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Big Thunder Mountain · Main Street USA
Dinner

At Disney.

Funky facts

Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion gets a Nightmare Before Christmas makeover, with Jack Skellington, for Halloween 2026. Source

Fri 30 Oct · Day 10Oceanside → Santa MonicaPier, promenade and an overnight stayEd off work🍴 Eat out
Morning
  • Check out of Oceanside Airbnb; leave at 10:00
  • Drive to Santa Monica: 2–3 hours
  • Route 66 End Sign
Afternoon
  • Santa Monica Pier · Pacific Park Ferris wheel
  • Third Street Promenade shopping
Hotel
  • Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites · one night · five guests
  • Check-in from 16:00 · confirmation 3106479682
Evening
  • Dinner on Main Street, Santa Monica
Funky facts

Holly, this one is for you: the Hollywood Sign first read “HOLLYWOODLAND” and was a giant property advert. You’ll see it tomorrow. Source

Sat 31 Oct · Day 11Los Angeles & flight homeSightseeing before departure from LAXEd off work
Hotel
  • Check out of Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites by 11:00
Morning
  • Griffith Observatory: Hollywood Sign views · skyline · exhibits
Midday
  • Hollywood Boulevard: Walk of Fame · TCL Chinese Theatre
  • Lunch: Original Farmers Market and The Grove
Afternoon
  • Beverly Hills: Rodeo Drive · Beverly Gardens
Return flight
  • BA268 · 31 Oct · British Airways
  • 21:50 LAX Terminal 4 → 15:25, 1 Nov Heathrow T5 (local times)
  • Direct · 10h 35m · Boeing 777-300ER · Premium Economy
View route map
Approx. 8,760 km / 5,443 miles directScheduled: 10h 35m

Great-circle distance; actual flown route may differ.

Before departure
  • Return hire car
  • Allow 3–4 hours at LAX before the 21:50 flight
Funky facts

The Walk of Fame has a star for Selena, the Tejano pop superstar. Use the star map to hunt for a favourite singer. Source