Things to do in San Diego

[lisaradz]

Hi, we are going on a family trip 3 kids 7 - 16 years old. I'm looking for some fun restaurants & places to see. So far our only plans are to see the Mission & the Midway Museum. Any recommendations?

 

[endy]

There is so much to do. SD is my most favorite place. My ds14 loves Padres games, we did the park tour a couple of years ago. Reasonable price and quite interesting if you don't have baseball where you live (we don't).
Something you don't hear much about is the Chula Vista Nature Center, again reasonable, easy to get to - it's right off the 5. Last summer they had baby sea turtles, nature trails down to the bay.
The harbour tour is nice too. You can do north or south tours or a combined one. On the north tour you see sea lions. Theres an amphibian tour that we haven't gone on yet, but loved the Seattle one. So it's still on my list.
We always try to get to Fashion Valley Mall as it's all open thru the middle. Being from a cold place half the year we don't have these.

Scripps Aquarium is a great place for a couple of hours.Whale and dolphin tours. We did one out of Dana Point twice last summer. And will do it again this summer.
I think there's a Dave & Buster's tho we've never been to one. I'd likely never get my DS to leave.
Balboa Park is beautiful.
Then there's the usuals: we have seaon passes to SeaWorld and go 5 or 6 times in 10 days. Zoo, WAP, Legoland the younger kids would enjoy while the older ones would enjoy the outlet mall, only a few minutes from LL so 1 pparent could do LL while the older did shopping. The beach is really close to LL too.
I could go on forever. I'd move there in a heartbeat if I could work in the US.

Don't forget In N Out Burger if you don't have one locally.

On the budget side. There's coupons out there for everything. Get the SD guide sent to you after April 1st. There's coupons in the back.
MacD's usually has SW coupons, last summer it was pay adult get kid free. LL kid gets in free with adult often available on this board. Carl's Jr had LL coupons last summer.

 

[spacemermaid]

You can't go to San Diego and not have a meal at Fillipi's Pizza Grotto, which is an Italian restaurant that's been famous for decades! Go to the one in Little Italy for a truly classic San Diego experience- the food is SO GOOD, the portions are quite large, and the prices seem to have stayed the same for the last 25 years or so. Here's a link to their website: http://www.realcheesepizza.com/ It's a short drive to/from Balboa Park, so you could make a day of looking at the museums & then have dinner at Flillipi's.

 

[chelleydi77]

You must go see La Jolla! It's beautiful and that's where the seals are (Children's Pool). I also love Coronado, it's a beautiful little town and the beaches are gorgeous! If you want good Mexican food, go to Old Town.

 

[Salome]

also interested so a little bump...

 

[fliplover101]

Some more off-the-beaten-track options:

In Balboa Park, there are free organ concerts every Sun. at 2 pm at the Spreckels Outdoor Organ. While there, you can check out the Model Railroad Museum, the Reuben H Fleet Science Center, or the Natural History Museum (lots of options, but these are the most fun for kids).

La Jolla Cove for tidepooling, seeing the seals, and picnicking.

Mission Bay Park for great playgrounds, biking, water sports, etc.

If you want to hit the beach, La Jolla Shores or Coronado Beach are the most family friendly.

Old Town is also really fun to wander through, it's like a giant living history museum, a fun and (semi) educational outing for the family. Also great shopping and FOOD! The Old Town Mexican Cafe is not to be missed!

Also, when are you going? Glad to give suggestions on events happening around SD when you'll be there.

 

[fliplover101]

Just thought of one more option - if you are coming soon, the Carlsbad Flower Gardens are great...a little expensive ($10 per person), but just down the street from Legoland if not everyone wants to hit the theme park