San Diego Restaurant reccomendation? Drive from SD to Anaheim?

[exwdwcm]

Doing a quick weekend in SD/DL August 24-28th. A few questions:

1. good place to eat dinner in SD? We are staying at the Westin San Diego downtown
2. any tips on beating traffic north from SD to DL? We are leaving by 3pm on a Friday.
3. Sunday, hoping to hit a beach for a bit near SD before our 5:30pm flight. Any recs on a good kid-friendly one with bathrooms? We won't have a hotel at that point, so need to be able to change clothes and clean up. Don't need big waves, looking for clean, fun, sand etc.

I have a full day workshop on Thursday and looking for dinner that night in SD. Taking hubby and my 4yo. So, first, looking for a rec on a good (kid-friendly) spot for dinner in San Diego- should we do the Gaslamp? (that's the only spot I've done before, on business)

DH will take DS to do something (maybe legoland) while I work on thursday.

Friday, we will head to tackle the zoo at opening. We hope to leave the zoo by 3pm at the latest to start the drive north to DL. We will have a rental car. Hoping to beat a little traffic by leaving that early, but I've heard it can be bad (hopefully not as bad going north?). Any recs for time to leave or tips for beating traffic or good points of interest to stop along the way to check out the coast?

We have 7:30 ADRs for Goofy's that night at Disneyland Hotel where we are staying on points for 2 nights.

Saturday, hitting Disneyland bright and early for MM and spending the whole day there.

Sunday, drive back to SD and hopefully hit a beach for a bit. Flight is at 5:30pm out of SD.

Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

1. I don't have any great suggestions because other than fast food I haven't been to anything great for kids downtwon.

2. It would be great to leave before 3, but the Zoo time is valuable. Because it's Friday the traffic starts to pick up at 3, so I'd be in the car then.

3. I really have never liked the restrooms at the beaches, I think Mission Beach or Ocean Beach is a good bet. Also maybe north Mission Beach by Belmont park.


4---check on the themepark board if anyone has a Buy Adult get Free Child Legoland ticket. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2752927

 

[momjkm]

Dining in San Diego-with kids? suggest in-out burger, cheap easy and yummy. We loved it. We also loved Phil's BBQ on Sports Arena Blvd. Actually ate there twice. It does have long waits- we waited for 40 minutes on a Wednesday night but worth it.

We really liked La Jolla Cove. There is a nice beach there with restrooms to change in, playground area. Seals nearby too (but I think portapotties are at "seal beach") . We went to 9 different beaches when we were there last month and La Jolla was our favorite. Spent a terrific afternoon there.

Jill

 

[ahutton]

When in the downtown area with the kids we like Anthony's Fish Grotto. It has great views that captivated my kids, and DS was 4 on the last visit. Not too expensive, not too fancy but very family friendly.

La Jolla Cove and Shell Beach are both nice, and there is a huge grassy play area there. We also like Mission Beach with the kids; there are restrooms - not too fancy but functional - and showers to rinse off your feet.

4 is the perfect age for Legoland!

When driving to DL - I think there is a carpool lane exit for Disney Way - can anyone confirm that? I googled it and it says there is, but we didn't use it when we drove up because it was Saturday afternoon and traffic was light. While not perfect, the carpool lane should help your commute.

You could also check out Google Traffic - I checked it before our trip to see if I could identify how bad traffice might be and it was very accurate on where the jams were. Pull up a map of DL, zoom out and on the right side of the map click the check mark for Traffic. You can then scan down I-5 all the way to San Diego.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

There are a number of family friendly restaurants in the downtown/Gaslamp district of San Diego. TGIFridays, Bucca de Beppo, Joes Crab Shack...on the bay side of the convention center, and a recently opened Hodad's around Broadway and ninth or so.

 

[jmainaz]

Our favorite place to go is Prado at Balboa Park.
We also have a 4-year old and have taken her there (without any problems/trouble) each year.
Grab a table outside on the patio for a great view. Walk around Balboa park before/after. You won't regret it!

-J