Trip to San Diego and Los Angeles

Unless you want to go to Disneyland and switch off who gets to stay with the baby (you can go through the line, and switch off when you get up there without having to wait in line again), I think it would be a waste of money. My husband and I did Sea World when my son was 10 months. We were actually only there for the dolphin swim and switched off for that, but if we didn't have to race out right after that, I think my son would have enjoyed it. Probably would have also enjoyed the zoo too. But what about just going to a quiet beach (free!), or a nice park? If you want to go to the other places, do, but I doubt at 12 months that s/he really cares.

If I had to choose one, I would choose the San Diego Zoo (especially for a 12 month old). I personally do not think you can seriously enjoy the Disneyland experience with a 1 year old, especially with as much money as it would be ($76 for adults and $15 for parking, not including the money you will spend on food, drinks, and trinkets). The family switch thing, is not fun to me, but it might be ideal for your family, so you could always look into that. If you plan on coming back to Cali I would say wait until your baby is older to go to Disneyland. To me the zoo (or sea world) would be worth the money and fun! Have fun and welcome to Cali!

In San Diego, both the Zoo and Sea World are great choices. You will have a really nice time at either park.

Definitely skip Legoland. The Wild Animal Park also won't be as fun with a baby that age, since you have to look farther to see the animals and are mostly on a tram ride.

Disneyland is very fun and you will have a good time. Even at 12 months, there are a lot of rides you can go on and they are all very fun. Dland is about halfway between LA and San Diego though, so not really in either place.

If your child is walking, there are a few really nice places in LA to go. The Zimmer Museum was one of my son's favorites. It's a very hands on kids museum geared towards younger children, with a large focus on pretend play (cafe, grocery store, ambulance, water table, etc). There is also an excellent Noah's Ark exhibit at the Skirball Center where you can have a really fun time too.

K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao - toys and games for babies and kids of all ages!

We live in the midst of these theme parks. Never been to Legoland but hear great things. We've been to the others multiple times. Disneyland will not be appreciated at 12 months. I'd go with the animal parks. Its really a toss up between the three, but I'd give a slight bend to the Zoo. You can see more up close. At animal park some of the animals are so far away for a baby.

I would not recommend Legoland. Most of the rides (almost all) a 12 month old isn't tall enough for. I have a 14 month old as well as a 9 & 6 yr old and it ends up with me sitting with the baby in no shade while my husband figures out how to ride 2 seat rides with 2 children and him. I would wait a few years to make that worth it. We're not renewing our passes for a while after they expire.
Wild Animal park is amazing but if you are coming out in the summer be warned that it gets HOT. As in 100+ and it's a lot of walking around. The animals are often hiding from the heat. Other times of the year I love going there as do my kids. We've had passes for years and the kids love going.
Sea World is fun. My kids love watching the shows and seeing the fish. They've added a number of things that are fun for little ones. The weather is never too bad since it's on the coast.
The Zoo is amazing. The weather isn't as hot as the Wild Animal Park since it's closer to the coast and further south. It is a good choice.
We've had passes to Disneyland since my second son was 1 1/2 and my third child's trip was at 17 days old. There is tons to do and they all have an amazing time! We use both the stroller and a sling. When the baby falls asleep I put then in the sling and keep going on rides very often. We use the stroller more when they're awake to give me a break from carrying them. There are only a handful of rides you can't go on with a baby. There are more you can go on then not honestly. We never have a boring day!
A lot really depends on what your childs interests are and the temperment. Sea World and Disneyland are far more sensory overload than the Zoo and Wild Animal Park. If all the excitement would be too much than go for the mellower. My kids all thrive on excitement. We've been taking them anywhere and everywhere since they were born.
Hope you have fun no matter what you choose to do!

Any of these are great and she will be on visual overload. We've been taking my Son (2 1/2) to zoos, marine world and disneyland since he was 9 mo. Whats GREAT about Disney is that she will be able to go on EVERY kid ride. They also have a family swap pass (very handy for you and hubby to enjoy your self... send me a message and I'll fill you in on the secret!)
Just keep in mind that she's 1 and you may be strolling her around when she's asleep (great time for the family swap pass!) and still do your best to keep to her schedule. Then again, its Vacation, let her stay up late! :-) She may sleep in for you the next day!

I think 12 months is too young for Disneyland especially with all the long lines. Here is a review on the San Diego Zoo and Legoland.
http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/reviews/691
http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/reviews/670

Do no tdo Wild Animal Park for it is soo much walking and hills, The Zoo is much better. We took my daughter to Sea World when she was one and she loved it, they have a whole seasame street area. My daughter wanted to watch the dolphins all day. I would say Disney might be too early for her but I know people who have taken their kids that young. Birch Aqurarium is great for small kids adn its only about $12 and right on the beach. For beaches in San Diego, I reccommend the La Jolla beach for small kids, the waves are not very big there at all so its great for them to get in the water. Hope this helps and enjoy your trip.

I am actually originally from there, just recently moved to the lone star state almost a year ago. I took my son to Disneyland when he was one but he enjoyed it much much more when we took him after he turned two. You are totally right on Legoland. The San Diego Zoo is beautiful and huge so it would be a good way to spend a day. As well as Sea World. I used to take him once a month in the summer time.
I took my son the the Brea Tar Pits when he was the same age as yours, but I dont know if a girl would enjoy it as much as he did. He was just getting into Dinosaurs and stuff around that time so he really liked it. The Los Angeles Childrens Museum is a really fun place to go as well.
Have a great trip, We just got back from our vaca home and it was amazing.

Definitely the zoo. We lived in SoCal for several years and still make almost yearly visits. Every time we visit I have to convince the in-laws that it wouldn't be much fun to visit the theme parks with the little kids (youngest are 2 and 9 mos. currently). Personally I think everyone can enjoy the zoo.

You should go to whatever is fun for you. Your child will have fun and enjoy the new experiences wherever you go. The only thing is that a young child cannot ride on some of the attractions at Disney so you would have to ride alone. They let you hand off the baby so you ride one after the other.

I took an infant to Disney as part of an extended family vacation and it was fine - a front carrier or soft backpack is easier than a stroller because you don't want the baby crushed in a crowd or to keep track of the stroller. We also took the same trip you are planning, with a 4 year old and 12 month old who couldn't walk yet. Both kids were fine at Disney but we did the baby hand off on some of the rides. Other rides were fine with the baby in the front pack. One memory I won't forget is nursing on line and on the Haunted House ride. My son wasn't scared and he didn't scream because he was latched on happily. But it was strange for me. No one seemed to notice though.

I loved the wild animal park in San Diego and most small children would enjoy the bumpy jeep ride (it was a while ago but that's how I remember it).

My 12 month old crawled into the surf on the beach in Malibu and that was a lot of fun to watch. He loved it.

I like Universal Studios too - in LA. Just get a guide book. Little kids make great traveling companions, especially if they are the kind of kids who sleep anywhere and aren't fussy about new stuff so long as Mom is around.

Our family vacation this year was to San Diego. I would recommend the Zoo for a 12 month old. Your baby will love it. I also think your child is too young for Disneyland. Check out the beach on Coronado Island. Nice and mellow and actual seashells!