We will only have three days in S.D. ( but I'm trying to talk hubby into a fourth). Traveling in late July '06. -- Thanks in advance!
2006-07-11 13:35:27 · 14 answers · asked by mrsp95382 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ San Diego
You got 3 whole days. Here's what i would recommend for your family:
Day 1: Go to Balboa Park - first go to the San Diego Zoo
http://www.sandiegozoo.com
and see the monkeys, pandas and polar bears and any favorite animals of the boys. eat lunch in the canyon cafe (near the pandas - the menu has American and Mexican favorites, and isn't too bad, and i think they have kids meals there)
your two-year old will probably dictate when it is time to leave the zoo, unless he can nap in the stroller. after the zoo, perhaps ride the miniature train or carousel that are just outside the zoo exit. if you still have energy, you can walk south to the main Prado walkway of balboa park and check out the fountain outside the Ruben H Fleet Science Center. walk west, and you'll see neat architecture, and a reflecting pool leading to the botanical garden building, which is free to visit. if your kids have a penchant for natural history or science, check out the Natural History Museum or Science Center. if not, you can continue west past the museum of art, the old globe theater, the museum of man, and hte bridge across the canyon. on the other side of the bridge are some lawn bowling courts - perhaps if there are people playing, you can watch. when you're tired of Balboa Park or it is getting near sundown, drive across the Coronado Bridge into coronado, and go to the Hotel Del Coronado, for a sunset on the beach. you can also probably get dinner there.
day 2:
make this a lazier day, after a day 1's walking adventures. drive to la jolla. take a short walk around the la jolla cove area, and check out the seals. then drive north to la jolla shores and have lunch at Jeff's Burgers (2152 Avenida De La Playa). after lunch, just hang out on the beach at La Jolla Shores. there is a nice park here for playing games, and the waves at the shores are not too strong for the kids. sometimes there will be a rental tent where you can get boogieboards, which the older two will love. if you get tired of the waves, you can walk along the beach, north to scripps pier. since you'll be all beach-sandy and such, perhaps for dinner, try In N Out Burger in Pacific Beach (just of Interstate 5 at 2910 Damon Ave) or the original Rubio's Fish Tacos (northeast corner of Mission Bay) for some san diego fare.
hang around the mission bay area for the fireworks shot off nightly from Sea World.
day 3:
drive up interstate 5 to Genesee Avenue, then take it west/north to tour through Torrey Pines and then Del Mar and Solana Beach (nice scenery), then cut back to Interstate 5 and continue north to Carlsbad - and go to Legoland. The boys will definitely love this place. spend all day. there are a variety of restaurants in carlsbad for dinner, then drive back to san diego on I-5.
if you have a fourth day, then perhaps check out Sea World. Sea World is kinda expensive though. or if you plan ahead, there might be a Padres game at Petco Park one of the days that you are in town. If you go to Petco and are not staying in a downtown hotel, use the San Diego trolley to get downtown - it drops you off fairly close to Petco Park and the gaslamp quarter.
note: if you are coming to town July 19-22, Comic-Con will be downtown at the convention center, which will gum up traffic and parking around downtown.
2006-07-12 07:13:05 · answer #1 · answered by jawajames 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Forget the advice to visit Tijuana, no way, not safe.
1. Legoland. Absolute must for kids this age. Not as fun for adults so just enjoy watching the kids have fun.
2. San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park.
3. USS Midway Museum and the Maritime Museum. Both are within walking distance of each other on the harbor.
4. Balboa Park. See the Rueben H Fleet Space Theatre, the Aerospace Museum, the Automotive Museum and the Natural History Museum (exhibit about dinosaurs).
5. If you will be in town on July 23, take the boys to Comic Con at the Convention Center. Admission on this day is $15.00 for adults and free for kids. All the Star Wars, Pokemon, Nintendo, toys, games etc you could ask for, lots of free stuff too. Show starts July 20 but Sunday is family day.
For eats, good places to go with children would be Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, Corvette Diner, Trophys, Joe's Crab Shack.
Have fun!
2006-07-13 16:20:57 · answer #2 · answered by Turkeymurk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 SeaWorld
2 Hotel Del Coronado (you have the option of haunted rooms by request, and the Sunday Brunch is World Class.)
3 The Embarkadero, Which includes 4-25 as places to eat and explore.
4 Balboa park. Great Planetarium and other sites
5. San Diego Zoo.
If you only have three days 1 SeaWorld
2 Peoples Park
3 The Embarkadero
2006-07-11 13:42:25 · answer #3 · answered by snoweagleltd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Cabrillo National Monument-- you can see how it's all laid out and you only spend a couple hours.
2. The zoo, the zoo, the zoo--go early, plan 1/2 day.
3. Torrey Pines Reserve--a nice walk on the beach and a hike if you want it.
4. Take a harbor cruise or rent a little boat--San Diego is about the water and you have to get out on it.
5. Take a walk along the Embarcadero and take the boys aboard the Star of India and other ships moored next to each other--a sailing ship AND a submarine.
2006-07-13 12:27:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they like baseball, go to Petco Park for a Padres game, the stadium is new with lots of fun stuff for kids. Sea World, San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park ( they are right next to each other), the beach at the Hotel Del Coronado.
Have a great trip
2006-07-13 06:46:35 · answer #5 · answered by liz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Top 5 Must See with little boys:
1. Sea World
2. Legoland
3. San Diego Zoo
4. Hotel Del Coronado & Coronado State Beach
5. PETCO Park. Buy a "park pass" for $5 each and enjoy the baseball game (San Diego Padres) from the outfield park. Its called The Park in the Park. The little boys can play baseball on little league field while the BIG BOYS play baseball on the bigger field. Guaranteed your boys will have fun. You can also bring your own food and picnic in the park but, must buy drinks from stadium. Check Padres schedule on website.
Top 5 Must Eat
1. Phil's BBQ on Goldfinch Street (Be prepared to wait. $$)
2. Cafe on Park for Breakfast/Comfort food on Park Blvd ($$)
3. The Prado in Balboa Park (Pricey but outstanding) ($$$$)
4. Corvette Diner (Fun for kids. 60s Diner. Long wait. $$)
5. Pt. Loma Seafood ($, Cash Only, Fish & Chips, Fish Sandwhiches, etc)
Links below are in the following order:
1. San Diego Padres
2. Pt. Loma Seafood
3. Phils BBQ
4. Cohn restaurants for Corvette Diner & the Prado
2006-07-11 17:17:03 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
San Diego things to do:
Sea World is more like an amusement park. There are more rides, and it's good for someone who doesn't have a great attention span (I'm not saying that's you, ok?!!!) If you have only 3-4 hours, you'll feel that you accomplished a lot.
Education-wise, Sea World has an obvious edge in the aquatic, marine life department. So, you have to factor that in if you like sea animals.
The Zoo has a lot more to offer, if you have more time. The Park is huge, and there's just so much more to take in -- not just animals, but plant life, two immense bird "cages", and yes, there are shows. Parking is free, unlike Sea World.
Outside the Zoo, you've got Balboa Park, with museums, the planetarium, space theatre, and nice restaurants.
If you are coming from the north (or staying in the northern part of San Diego), there's the San Diego Wild Animal Park -- and that's even bigger, with animals living in their own natural habitat.
Which one is better? Personally, I'd go with the Zoo. There are Sea Worlds in other states, along with other marine parks. But there is only ONE San Diego Zoo. Very few zoos in America compare to San Diego.
A good site for things to do in San Diego and San Diego hotels is:
http://www.san-diego-vacation-attractions-tours.us/
A few additional San Diego related websites are:
http://www.brokerforyou.com
http://www.medical-research-study-directory.info/san-diego-medical-research-study.htm
http://www.san-diego-plastic-surgery-cosmetic-surgery-doctors.us/
http://www.lasik-surgery-san-diego.info
http://www.sandiegolawyerforyou.com/
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us/
http://www.downtown-san-diego-real-estate.com/
http://www.san-diego-for-sale-by-owner.com/
http://www.la-jolla-ca-del-mar-san-diego-real-estate-encinitas-california.us/
2006-07-16 05:50:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to see these sights:
1.San Diego Zoo
2. Sea World
3. The beach (Del Mar or Coronado are recommended)
4.The Embarcadero/Downtown
5.Possibly Tijuana, Mexico (VERY Americanized)
6. With boys that age, you should definitely head to Legoland.
There are a TON of places to eat downtown and around Seaport Village (Embarcadero area). I recommend going to Horton Plaza downtown for a food court and a nice mall area.
2006-07-11 17:00:39 · answer #8 · answered by Hybrid 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World and definitely Lego Land with all those little boys in tow, what could be better... oh yeah, and the beach.
2006-07-11 16:35:25 · answer #9 · answered by Peaches 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
San Diego Zoo / Wild Animal Park
Sea World.
USS MIDWAY musuem / Seaport Village
Balboa Park museums (there are several - Natural History, Art, Science, Avaition, and so on)
Tijuana, Mexico
Enjoy.
2006-07-11 13:40:43 · answer #10 · answered by F. Frederick Skitty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋