Flying in to SAN

[Xenorye]

My family is planning a trip for next year (Feb - April sometime, but that's a whole other thread topic...). The wife brought up an idea of spending a day and a half more than originally planned and doing other stuff, so in thinking of "other stuff" to do, I know a lot of people here mention San Diego.

So, I think our extra time would be at the beginning of our trip (fly out on a Friday night, spend Saturday in San Diego (probably Sea World), move to PPH or DLH on Sunday and start our park days). Of all the San Diego talk, I don't think I've seen anyone say they've actually flown into SAN. So, what is your opinion on doing just that? Thanks for all input.

 

[Xenorye]

... also, is Sea World an all-day thing? I guess I need to do more research...

 

[Hootch]

several hours. It has been a few years since we have been to the San Diego one but we were at the Orlando one not too long ago. I think we were there 5-6 hours.

It should take 90-120 minutes to drive from San Diego to DLR depending on traffic (and there will be traffic). We just drove this in July. There is some nice scenery along the way.

You could also go the San Diego zoo. It is quite large. We spent about seven hours there but it was very crowded at that time

 

[Xenorye]

Thanks for the input!

 

[BoltzNBrew]

We are flying into SD. Spending a day at Legoland, a day a the beach, then driving up first thing Sunday morning and spending 3 days at DL/CA. Tuesday night we drive back to SD and spend a couple more days there before flying back home. The drive from SD to DL is not too bad, takes about 1.5 hours or less on good traffic days.

Depending on how many shows you want to do SeaWorld can be an all day thing but we usually get there at open and head out before dinner.

 

[JacksGirlz]

I haven't flown into San Diego but I have flown out of San Diego. We flew into Orange County, did DLR for a few days, then drove to San Diego. Had some fun at the Wild Animal Park then flew home the next day. We did a safari at the park where we got to feed the giraffes which was loads of fun. Everything worked out great. San Diego does have beautiful beaches.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

How long you need for SeaWorld will depend on how many shows you want to see. If you plan on catching four shows (Blue Horizons, Shamu, Sea Lion, and Pets Rule) then it becomes a fully day. Going through just the exhibits won't take that long.

I've flown into San Diego Airport several times but my upcoming solo October trip will be the first time I'll be traveling up to Anaheim from San Diego and am planning on using Amtrak. It's estimated to be about a 2 hour train ride.

 

[bumbershoot]

We make SW an all-day event. The Pets Rule show is fabulous! I like it more than the dolphin/whale shows, personally.

I'm a fan of flying into or out of the place where you'll be, so if you are starting your trip in SD, then fly in there! And then fly out of a Disney area airport. It only makes sense.

For getting up to Anaheim, you can get a rental car, or maybe consider the Surfliner train. It's a really pleasant way of getting up there, but of course you'll need to be in the downtown area to catch the train, and be OK with a cab ride (or finding the ART stop) to get from the station (which is in the parking lot of the Angels stadium).

 

[ShaunaM]

...flew into LAX....did Disney then drove to San Diego. Did a day at sea world, and a day at Lego land. In hind sight I likely would have done legoland first it was anti-climactic after Disney. We could likely have done a 1 1/2 days at sea world. Our kids loved it, and wanted more. At the time they were 5, 8, 10.
On our lat day on the way to the airport we stopped at La Jolla( think that was the name ) to seal watch that was amazing, and free. Perhaps the highlight, when you are from cattle country it was a sight to behold( we are landlocked too).