San Diego question - Mission Beach/Balboa Park

[maxie]

I was thinking of stopping one evening at Mission Beach and one evening at the playground in Balboa Park so DS could have a play. We would be there after supper around 6:30 or 7. It'll probably already be dark. Is it possible to go to either of these places in the evening in the winter? Is it safe and light?
I would like to go during the day however we'll be busy at Legoland and SW and they both close early.

It would be great to let DS let off some steam by playing in the sand or going for a swing at a playground. Thanks!

Edited to add:

How about Belmont Park? If we went there on Saturday night could hang out on the beach for awhile? How about having dinner down there?

 

[nasmith]

Hi - I used to live in SD - but moved about 7 years ago - so not too much help (especially since I didn't have kids when I lived there)---I just wanted to say that Mission Beach, and the Belmont Area have ALOT of bars (in One of which I met my DH 11 years ago )- and I don't think I would bring my son there after dark to play on the beach now (he's 5 yo)....It may be a different atmosphere now - But I'd check it out first....... Jill

 

[msteddom]

I wouldn't plan on being in either of those spots too long after dark. Balboa Park tends to be attract the local homeless population, and PAcific Beach has a very adult crowd after dark. I'm not saying that either is necessarily unsafe, they don't exactly scream family wholesomeness either. In the winter it gets pretty chilly after dark too.


Melissa

 

[maxie]

Thanks! That's just what I wanted to know. Hmmm now what can I do with a little guy in the evening after SW closes?

 

[icekdz]

I bet after a day at Sea World and Legoland he'll be tired. We always seem to go to bed early on vacation. Does your hotel have a pool? Sometimes I bring a box with paper, crayons, markers etc to do in the evenings. Maybe a game from home?

Have fun!

 

[maxie]

Yup I think it's just going to be quiet time in the hotel for us since SW closes so early. Sucks that they aren't open later. Hopefully we can swim.

 

[denyd]

One other thing you might check on. Sometimes the SD Zoo will have evening hours. A lot of the animals are nocturnal and the zoo is a whole different trip after dark.

 

[msteddom]

That is only during the summer. In the winter the zoo closes at 4 or 5. I do agree though, the zoo at night is one of my favorite times to go.


Melissa

 

[maxie]

One other thing you might check on. Sometimes the SD Zoo will have evening hours. A lot of the animals are nocturnal and the zoo is a whole different trip after dark.

That would be cool!

Well if anyone thinks of a way to spend a Sunday evening in San Diego (in the winter!) with an infant let me know! We may get restless if it's raining and we can't swim.

BTW the malls aren't open Sunday evenings are they?