Jackie Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 We just realized we had a lot of airline miles that are about to expire, plus DH's work closes down for the week after Christmas. We were thinking we might fly out to San Diego for a week. Where do we want to stay? Specific hotels or neighborhoods What do we want to plan to do? Our 5yo daughter will be with us. She especially likes anything related to science or history, and playing in the sand at the beach. Really, all I know about San Diego is that it has great weather, and there's a well-known zoo, and a bit more that a quick Google search turned up. (Other possibilities for this trip include NYC and Washington DC, if anyone thinks we should head to one of those instead.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaniemom Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Balboa Park....great museum, beautiful gardens, playgrounds. It was one of our favorite places when we lived there. Another fun thing is to take a ferry ride over to Coranado and play in the sand there before riding back across. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFG Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 I asked a very similar question a little over a year ago. I got some great suggestions and we had a great time! http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/517880-things-to-do-in-san-diego-ca/?do=findComment&comment=5714075 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 We spent part of a day on the USS MIdway. I thought the kids would be bored but it turned out to be one pf the favorite activities of the trip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 We would love to hang out with you guys when you are here. Sacha is 6. We have a kid-proofed sailboat if you guys want to go sailing. Yes, in San Diego, it's perfectly possible to go sailing in December (El Nino permitting, of course). Feel free to PM me. Aside from the things recommended above, we like playing in the snow at Sea World and ice skating outdoors (which you can do in Coronado, at Horton Plaza, and soon in Liberty Station). There's something especially nasty about posting pics of playing in snow and ice skating in shorts and 70 degree weather in December. :p Re Balboa Park, check to see if you will be here during December Nights. It is crowded, but so much fun. Another idea is surf camp. The SD Surf School has amazing programs for both kids and adults. Sacha loved it this summer, and is going again over Thanksgiving break. They take 5 year olds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Adding more: The Zoo, of course and/or the Wild Animal Park if you don't mind a schlep Legoland is in Carlsbad The Birch Aquarium and La Jolla Cove Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach at sunset The SD Botanical Garden is in Encinitas The Mission San Diego de Alcala and Cabrillo Monument for history buffs Kate Sessions Park in Pacific Beach is a lovely spot for a picnic. You get a great view of SD. Another favorite in Pacific Beach is Fanuel Park, a playground right on Mission Bay Panning for gold in Julian -- also a schlep SD Junior Theatre puts on tons of plays/musicals for kids The New Children's Museum and Seaport Village downtown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 My family is inland and I prefer north county to, say, east county. Balboa park, sea world, and the zoo or wild animal park should be on your list. Legoland is fun but overpriced. If you want to be close to amenities check on hotel prices in hotel circle. Location isn't super important because just about everything is a small drive. Ramona and Julian are fun this time of year. It just kind of depends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 We spent part of a day on the USS MIdway. I thought the kids would be bored but it turned out to be one pf the favorite activities of the trip. YES. I made my family go "for an hour" - we ended spending half a day there. The docents make it SO interesting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 My family (even the "big kids") enjoyed the creativity of Legoland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Perfect timing Jackie! We are also flying into San Diego just before Xmas, and are looking at options/) Maybe a meet up:) Thanks for the thread.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Perfect timing Jackie! We are also flying into San Diego just before Xmas, and are looking at options/) Maybe a meet up:) Thanks for the thread.... My invite is extended to you as well. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted November 7, 2015 Author Share Posted November 7, 2015 SeaConquest, I figured I'd PM you if you didn't stumble onto this thread :) I'd be thrilled to meet up! Kerileanne, super-thrilled if all three of us (and all our kids!) can meet up! Everyone else: thank you so much for all the input! Any recommendations on where we should stay? Are there hotels in walking distance of Balboa Park, since it sounds like we'll spend a chunk of time there? Also, I generally prefer public transit over driving in unfamiliar cities. Would we be fine with public transit? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 SeaConquest, I figured I'd PM you if you didn't stumble onto this thread :) I'd be thrilled to meet up! Kerileanne, super-thrilled if all three of us (and all our kids!) can meet up! Everyone else: thank you so much for all the input! Any recommendations on where we should stay? Are there hotels in walking distance of Balboa Park, since it sounds like we'll spend a chunk of time there? Also, I generally prefer public transit over driving in unfamiliar cities. Would we be fine with public transit? Yay! Public transit here is safe. You could stay in Hillcrest or Downtown, and have easy access to Balboa Park. There are lots of relatively inexpensive places to stay in Mission Valley (Hotel Circle area), but I don't know the transit routes well enough to speak to the ease of access. I'm an LA native, so I drive most everywhere. As the song says, "Nobody Walks In LA." :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 SeaConquest, I figured I'd PM you if you didn't stumble onto this thread :) I'd be thrilled to meet up! Kerileanne, super-thrilled if all three of us (and all our kids!) can meet up! Everyone else: thank you so much for all the input! Any recommendations on where we should stay? Are there hotels in walking distance of Balboa Park, since it sounds like we'll spend a chunk of time there? Also, I generally prefer public transit over driving in unfamiliar cities. Would we be fine with public transit? Awesome:) Will PM both dates and locations... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakelly Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 SeaConquest, I figured I'd PM you if you didn't stumble onto this thread :) I'd be thrilled to meet up! Kerileanne, super-thrilled if all three of us (and all our kids!) can meet up! Everyone else: thank you so much for all the input! Any recommendations on where we should stay? Are there hotels in walking distance of Balboa Park, since it sounds like we'll spend a chunk of time there? Also, I generally prefer public transit over driving in unfamiliar cities. Would we be fine with public transit? There are a lot of hotel downtown, but any that I can think of super close to Balboa Park. Pubic Transportation is safe, not always convent though. San Diego is pretty big, it depends on what exactly you want to do. The Bay Front Water Park is a fantastic creative playground with a huge kid friendly water feature. It's a great picnic spot, and free. Scripps Aquarium is a great place to see sea life without the huge expense of Sea World. Carolines is a great breakfast-lunch restaurant at Scripps beach. Not over priced, good food, awesome ocean view. We like to take out of town guests to Cabrillo. The monument and lighthouse are beautiful, and the view of San Diego is breathtaking. There are also tide pools here. It's like $5 to park, other than that it's free. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.