Places to visit while in San Diego? (Orange, Corona: rent, amusement park)

[burghgirl]

Hi everyone,

My family (husband and I, and two kids, aged 8 and 10) are planning a visit to San Diego for a week in August. Just wondering if anyone has advice on what are the "must sees" as far as places to visit while there. We, of course, have heard much about the San Diego Zoo so we figured we'd spend a day there.

Is there some kind of day trip/tour that anyone would recommend as a good way to get an overview of the city?

Also, how far is the drive to LA from San Diego? I tried mapquesting it and it looks like maybe 2 or 2 and a half hours but that doesn't count local traffic patterns. Does that sound like about how much time it would take?

Thanks!

[kettlepot]

LA to SD, 2 1/2 hours minimum, but that's after 8pm or maybe between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you pick the wrong time of day you could be on the road for 4-5 hours. Be sure to listen to the radio traffic reports, and be sure you understand exactly which freeways they are referring too.

San Diego Zoo: Overrated in my experience, but I suppose you need to do it at least once.

Sea World if you can foot the bill. The ticket prices are enormous.

Legoland up in Carlsbad. Your 8 year old is a good age for that. Pushing it a bit for the 10 year old. I'm not sure of the cost.

There are harbor tours that leave from the downtown pier. That might be a pleasant trip.

You might consider a trip to the Point Loma Lighthouse. Perhaps pack along a blanket and lunch. Besides the Lighthouse there is also information on old WWI and WWII shore batteries.

There is a tour bus that looks like a red trolley car that I've seen driving around the downtown area. Sorry I can't remember the name of that (Old Town Trolley?). But somehow I don't see the kids being too excited about something like that.

Go to the beach on Coronado. The absolute best beach in the area. Another pleasant family beach is Torrey Pines. Bring your sandcastle building equipment.

Pacfic Beach has a mini-Coney Island type amusement park which the kids will like, but PB is also very congested, and perhaps a bit too much of 'everything' for the young kids. But you'd could rent a boogie board at PB which you couldn't do on the less busy beaches.

[burghgirl]

Thanks so much - this is exactly the type of advice I was hoping to get, from a local who knows what's up!

Also, just curious, what makes the beach on Coronado the best beach (cleanliness, location, size, etc.)?

I also appreciate the info on LA...we may just stay in San Diego since we are only there a week, and save LA for a future trip.

[Jax]

I lived in Coronado for close to two years...it's a great place. Coronado has a large beach and more of a family friendly atmosphere than PB (Pacific Beach), etc. It is a beautiful, clean beach with the historical Hotel Del Coronado to your left and the Point Loma Peninsula at a distance to your right. Plus, there is a "dog beach" area down by the base entrance at the Coronado beach that we used to enjoy visiting. I loved seeing pugs and English Bull dogs! Coronado is easy to walk or bike around...make sure to visit Mootime Creamery for some yummy ice cream on Orange Avenue or at the Hotel del. I agree with Kettlepot that Torrey Pines is a good beach, too (definitely a GREAT place for some hiking!), although, make sure not to wander WAY down south to Black's Beach, as you'll be in for a bit of a "nude" surprise. I enjoyed the San Diego Zoo, and we even had season passes there. I liked Old Town, too...a good spot to go to if you're craving some Mexican food...easy to get to, just off I-5. I would avoid LA unless you're dying to go up to the Universal Studio amusement park or to see Rodeo Drive or something...lots of traffic and a much dirtier, smoggy city overall. Have a fun trip! You'll love SD!

[Magnum Mike]

If both of you and your kids like Navy ships, check out the Midway aircraft carrier. It doesn't cost much and it's definitely worth it.

[Imperial1904]

Balboa Park
Wild Animal Park (North County)
Tijuana
The La Jolla Cave which the entrance is inside a store.

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by Imperial1904

Balboa Park
Wild Animal Park (North County)
Tijuana
The La Jolla Cave which the entrance is inside a store.

Tijuana!?!.... As Krusty the Klown said, "It's the happiest place on earth!"

If you're a 18 - 25 year old looking to get a few drinking binges under your belt.

Maybe catch a "Girls Gone Wild" video in the filming stage.

They may have delayed the passport requirement. Be sure to check into that if you go south of the border.

Lots of good ideas from the other folks, Wild Animal Park, Midway Carrier, etc.

And Coronado is the best beach because of the cleanliness, available space, and quality of the sand.

[NYSD1995]

- Balboa Park. Museums and walking around the grounds
- La Jolla. The Cove, Restaurants, shopping
- Downtown. Restaurants, shopping
- Coronado. Lunch at the Hotel Del Coronado, and a swim.
- Mission Beach / PB : beach-blanket bingo
- Old Town for some old buildings and tourista trapista gringo-mex food.