What to do on a rainy day visit?

[malcorub16]

I agree, the truth is rain here is usually pretty light compared to other parts of the country. Even if we do get a downpour, downpours here usually only go on for 15-20 mins.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by CVAlicia

Hmmm...Maybe the hotel will have umbrellas. I don't think we have room for rain jackets. I packed hoodies, but not rain jackets. And I know we won't melt. It's just that when you are coming from grey mid 50s, and picturing sunny mid 70s, the forecast of rainy/cloudy mid 60s is throwing me a mental curve.

So far we are thinking Thursday we will check out the USS Midway, Balboa Park (especially the model train museum), and maybe the aquarium or a movie. At least the aquarium, which has Pacific Ocean habitat, could be different than out NC aquarium.

Mild climate rain jackets can be extremely packable...even stuff them in a pocket. Put one in a day pack or carryon bag. The hoodie and your other clothing keep you warm. All the jacket has to do is keep them dry. Lots of inexpensive options.

[cruitr]

Originally Posted by CVAlicia

So far we are thinking Thursday we will check out the USS Midway, Balboa Park (especially the model train museum), and maybe the aquarium or a movie. At least the aquarium, which has Pacific Ocean habitat, could be different than out NC aquarium.

It would take you a week to see all of these places.

Since you're into trains, be sure to check out the new train depot @ Old Town. It's free. Donations accepted.

https://oldtowntrains.com/

[T. Damon]

Originally Posted by cruitr

It would take you a week to see all of these places.

Since you're into trains, be sure to check out the new train depot @ Old Town. It's free. Donations accepted.

https://oldtowntrains.com/

I love that hidden gem! I discovered it during lunch at Old Town next to my office last year. Great dioramas, urban vs rural with some funny tongue-in-cheek scenes.

Another hidden gem is the J. A. Cooley Museum in a deep storefront in North Park off of Park & El Cajon Blvd. Hardly anybody has heard of this and it really is a cool independent museum.
http://www.gothere.com/mg-world/Museums/cooley.htm

[sprez33]

This particular storm will be pretty blustery. Even so, as mentioned the storm will likely be a series of short downpours with periods of no rain in between. I would recommend Balboa Park for Thursday. You can duck into museums when raining and walk under covered walkways for a good portion of the park. A cool activity would be climbing to the top of the bell tower at the Museum of Man. Fleet Science center has an IMAX theatre. Japanese Garden could be nice during a dry spell after rain. Natural History museum is great. Air and Space Museum.

Assuming you have a smartphone, download a weather app with radar. You can watch and predict the rain bands as they pass through and not get caught.

[CatWarmer]

The USS Midway and the Model Railroad Museum are both good ideas for a rainy day. They do a fantastic job decorating the model train dioramas for the holidays but I'm not sure when that starts. The Birch Aquarium would be good for a couple of hours but be aware some of the exhibits are outdoors.

On the weekend, you might enjoy the Botanic Garden's holiday festival; lots of fun for families but go earlier rather than later in the evening: https://www.sdbgarden.org/lights.htm

Since you want holidays and palm trees, you could go to the Ocean Beach Holiday Parade on Saturday. It's very iconically southern California beach town vibe and where else can you see a Christmas Tree on the beach? We didn't realize how many families lived on Point Loma until we went to this parade the year after we moved here.
https://www.sandiego.org/explore/eve...ay-parade.aspx

[Robert&Ripley]

Originally Posted by T. Damon

I love that hidden gem! I discovered it during lunch at Old Town next to my office last year. Great dioramas, urban vs rural with some funny tongue-in-cheek scenes.

Another hidden gem is the J. A. Cooley Museum in a deep storefront in North Park off of Park & El Cajon Blvd. Hardly anybody has heard of this and it really is a cool independent museum.
J. A. Cooley Museum

I pass by there when I'm on my way to get a haircut next door - but yeah blink and you'll miss it.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by CVAlicia

We homeschool and are fine with educational history or science activities. I was just hoping we could do something "different." I want palm trees and sun mixed with Christmas.

Can you help?

Thank you!

You may already know this but there are 17 museums in Balboa Park. Some of my personal favorites with kids are:

Fleet Science Center
Natural History Museum
Museum of Man
Air & Space Museum

The Fleet Science Center has a cool IMAX theater and lots of hands on activities.

You can find out about all of the museums here: https://www.balboapark.org/explore/museums

If it's raining on Saturday, another Balboa Park option is the Dr. Seuss Christmas play at the Old Globe Theater. Details: https://www.theoldglobe.org/shows--t...-and-upcoming/


Depending on the ages of your kids, you might also take a look at these fun activities: https://www.iflyworld.com/san-diego/
Miramar Speed Circuit - San Diego laser tag, go cart racing, best team building, corporate events, birthday parties, bachelor parties, Bar Mitzvahs, and more.
https://www.verticalhold.com/



I really love Anza Borrego State Park, but it wouldn't necessarily be my first choice of destination with younger kids because it's a longish drive and the best bits require hiking. If you do decide to head that way, be sure to check out the exhibits in the visitor's center. The folks there will give you some ideas for other things to see as well. BUT be sure to check the weather forecast for Borrego Springs, as it may be raining there too.

If you like the idea of the desert, you could also add an overnight between SD and Disney and do a trip to Joshua Tree National Park or Palm Springs (take the ariel tram). This will add to your driving time, and neither are day trips from SD. But, both have lots of things to see and do for kids. Again, be sure to check the weather forecasts, but I find Joshua Tree NP to be really special when it is raining. And, if it's raining in Palm Springs, there's a good chance that you can see snow if you take the tram up to the mountain.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by T. Damon

You could try to get those one of those effectively throw away light plastic slickers with a hoodie such as given away as part of a bus tour (we used them in Paris and London on one of those Jump on Jump off buses). You certainly won't need a thick jacket for the temperature.

I bet some discount stores stock them- maybe even the hotel.

CVS has yellow and red rain hoodie ponchos in neat little lightweight rolls. But the way temps have been plunging, I hope the OP and family actually brought some down jackets!