San Diego Traffic? Best toddler beach?

[cgh]

Our main focus is heading to the beach, toddler pool, and getting to the zoo and Train Museum. I'm debating about staying in La Jolla, downtown (embassy suites) or the Hilton Mission Beach. On the map, all these look close together, but the reality in traffic may be very different.

Lonely Planet lists a beach in La Jolla as the best for young kids (shell beach or something) Unauthorized California for Kids suggests mission beach.

I imagine we'll go the beach for a little each afternoon. (will be there 4 nights). Otherwise, we may do the zoo a couple days, but I don't want to overschedule. DS (2.5) would be happy just digging in the sand.

If we were to stay in La Jolla, how long would it take us to get to the zoo do you think at 8:30 am.? What about downtown or mission beach to the zoo? Or alternatively downtown to a toddler friendly beach?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Shananana]

Our main focus is heading to the beach, toddler pool, and getting to the zoo and Train Museum. I'm debating about staying in La Jolla, downtown (embassy suites) or the Hilton Mission Beach. On the map, all these look close together, but the reality in traffic may be very different.

Lonely Planet lists a beach in La Jolla as the best for young kids (shell beach or something) Unauthorized California for Kids suggests mission beach.

I imagine we'll go the beach for a little each afternoon. (will be there 4 nights). Otherwise, we may do the zoo a couple days, but I don't want to overschedule. DS (2.5) would be happy just digging in the sand.

If we were to stay in La Jolla, how long would it take us to get to the zoo do you think at 8:30 am.? What about downtown or mission beach to the zoo? Or alternatively downtown to a toddler friendly beach?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hmmmm.... I always take my girls to La Jolla (ages 6 and 2). The water's calmer, warmer and it's usually less crowed. With that being said, parking is a pain. So, I stay near la Jolla and then drive out. It takes about 10 minutes just to get the the freeway, but once you're there, it shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes to get to the zoo or the train musuem.

 

[GrumpyGoat]

When you people say "train museum" do you mean the San Diego Model Railroad Museum (in Balboa Park) or the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (in Campo?)

The model railroad museum is within a five minute walk of the Zoo in Balboa Park. You wouldn't even have to move your car.

On the other hand, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (full size trains) is fifty miles out of town to the east and takes an hour via Interstate-8 to reach.

 

[lcasa]

That model railroad museum is great for toddlers! They have the minature train outside they can ride too.

On weekends often the model railroaders are working on the layouts.

The interactive science museum also in Balboa park may be fun too. 2.5 is a bit young, but I think there would be things to see for him

 

[libstar]

La Jolla Shores is the best kid-friendly beach in San Diego. Lots of open sand area to play in and relatively calm ocean with small waves. La Jolla is beautiful but there is only one way in and out of there to get back to the freeways, traffic can be rough to say the least. Trying to get downtown from La Jolla in the morning could also be rough because so many people work downtown and will be trying to get there the same time as you. That being said, if your main focus of the trip is the beach, then I would say stay in La Jolla.