San Diego Travel Forum

We'll be in San Diego for four nights beginning on Friday, May 29 with my two kids, ages 5 and 7. So far we're planning to visit Sea World and the USS Midway. We may also go to the zoo. Originally we had planned to spend quite a lot of time at the beach, but it doesn't look like it will be warm enough. So, we're looking for suggestions for other things to do. Thanks.

Balboa Park where the zoo is has many different museums that you could visit. Also a trip to Coronado Island where you can rent bikes and bike around the island.

My parents live there and they call it "June Gloom" as the weather can be very overcast in the AM. However, by the afternoon it can get pretty nice. You need to plan accordingly. At those ages you would be remiss in not taking them to Legoland. They would like that way better than USS Midway. Another thing, Legoland is some what inland and therefore the weather can be much warmer.

At Balboa Park, the Museum of Man offers caveman and Native American exhibits, as well as a Children’s Discovery Center. The Museum of Natural History is fascinating to children who love nature ancient and everyday. If they like planes, jets and spacecraft, the San Diego Air & Space Museum would be fun for them. At the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center, your children would have great fun with the "hands on" science displays, perfect for their age levels. Also the IMax will be showing, "Under the Sea" and "Animalopolis" during your visit. Just behind the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center, past two parking lots is a tree shaded park where you can have a picnic while your kids run off steam.

One thing I do with my grandchildren is to buy them each a "throw away" camera and take them to places like the "Star of India," part of the Maritime Museum down at the harbor, where they can run around a bit pretending to be pirates taking pictures of each other at the helm, or over to Old Town and near, up to the Presidio.

Also, at Cabrillo National Monument there is a great tidepool section just past the entrance, off a road that descends the cliffs and at the Light House area there are fun trails for the kids to discover viewing stations, lizards and even hidden bunkers.

I always have enjoyed going through Old Town. They dress up in costumes and have great old shops.

Then there is the mission there you can go though. Fr. Sierra had a mission there and the last time I was there they were digging up more of it.

Don't make the zoo a maybe, make it a must. It is possibly the best zoo in the country. There is a lot of walking, however, and I think the walk would be a bit much for your 5-year old, so I suggest using their bus that circulates through the zoo. I really enjoy everything you mentioned, I know they will love Sea World. Although I loved the USS Midway, unless your children are really interested in airplanes and boats, the Midway may not be as interesting to them as to you.

Hi, for 5 & 7 years old.. get thee to Legoland in Carlsbad (about 25-40 min north of Downtown San Diego, depending on the traffic. It's an awesome place for kids. Instead of the zoo, try the San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido, CA. It's inland and it lets you see the animals in a more "natural" habitat. Plus there's a tram that goes around the whole park so your kids don't get too tired! For beaches, try the La Jolla Cove for the tide pools. They're fun to explore. SeaWorld in fun but may be too much for the little ones as there's SO much to see there. They do have an area for little kids and most of the shows are geared toward a younger audience. Fireworks most nights also. Though if you can, stay & watch the nighttime shows as they're more spectacular.

Something unique is the Roar & Snore overnight program at the Wild Animal Park

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/wap_roar_and_snore.html

Also Sea World which may not have been mentioned.

Good suggestion Kathy.

They have these sleep-overs at the SD Zoo too, but it's pretty expensive. A family of four would pay over $500.00 for one night.