Anywhere to visit around LA with two pre-schoolers

[phdlife]

We are going to LA for Christmas with my sister. We fight a lot so I'm thinking a little side-trip away for a night or three would give everyone a little space, but
a) not much budget
b) don't want to travel far with dc's in car - they will be 2 and 4

Come to that, we don't have many ideas for what to do in LA with the dc's either - the usual disneyland etc don't appeal, given their ages.

Suggestions please?

Tia - I've got to disappear.

Disney will be a little wasted on the 2 year old, but great fun for the 4 year old. Don't skip it! How about San Diego Zoo and/or Sea World. It's about a 2 hour drive from LA. There are some great shopping malls in LA. The Grove has a "train" (bus dressed as a train) and lots of xmas decorations and big pond with fountain and koi. I can get a whole afternoon out of it with my kids. The Long Beach aquarium (about 1/2 hour drive) is one of the best I've been to in the world. GREAT for small kids. There is Hearst Castle which is a couple of hours up the coast. Or just Venice Beach. Be prepared to have to drive wherever you go and please make sure you plan on having a rental car for the entire time you are in LA. You can't even go to the supermarket without a car.

Knotts Berry Farm is a lovely park, based on the Peanuts (Snoopy et al) characters. Lots of rides, very geared to younger children, also little shows, things to look at, etc. Much less 'in-your-face' than Disney.

Long Beach in general is a beautiful area and very quiet at Christmas, although all the shops are open from Boxing Day onwards. Marina, boardwalk, play areas, cafes, bars and beach. And you could get away with not using the car there as its very walkable.

I went to Disneyland with my 4 and nearly 2 year-old and he loved it too! There are plenty of rides (esp in Magic Kingdom) a 2 yo can go on. My son didn't want to come off the carousel, teacups etc.
Otherwise I have always found LA a bit scant for kids, but entirely concur with the San Diego recommendations - the Zoo in particular is wonderful.

thanks for those suggestions!

I also remembered Solvang, anyone know how far away that is?

Solvang is just over 110 miles away from LA.