What to do Spring Break, San Diego/DLR

[kikismom]

I'm looking to book a spring break trip for the first week of April. I want to do three nights in San Diego and five nights at Disneyland and can't figure out if I should do San Diego first or Disneyland first.

Our Spring break starts March 30th, we would fly out the night of March 29th after school and come home on April 6th. We'd rent a car for the San Diego portion and then take it back to whichever airport we were closest to. Depending on if we choose San Diego first or Disneyland first. Does anyone see any benefits to doing Disneyland first or last on the trip?

The other thing is we were thinking about doing a Disney World trip instead. I know this is the Disneyland forum but we have really missed Disney World since our first trip a few years ago. The only thing holding me back on that is the weather and the price of flights. Holy smokes flight prices are super expensive over that week to Florida from Seattle.

It shouldn't be this hard to make a decision! If Tiana's was going to be open in DW by then I would absolutely book that trip but I don't think it will be.

The trip will be my daughter (11) and myself.

 

[bbeagle]

Holy smokes flight prices are super expensive over that week to Florida from Seattle.

I found roundtrips Seattle/Orlando from $370 on JetBlue down, Alaska Airlines back. Mon, April 1 - Sun, April 7.

Try GoogleFlights in your search for cheaper flights.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I prefer to do San Diego first because I like to be out and about visiting attractions in San Diego, and I am usually pretty tired after a multi-day Disney trip. If my plan was to just lounge at the hotel and/or beach in San Diego, then that might be best after Disney as a relaxing finish to the vacation. So knowing what your goals are should help you decide what order to do things.

 

[chezcurrie]

I would see where flights are easiest/cheapest and go from there. As PP said, if you are planning on chilling in San Diego then perhaps do that at the end of your trip. I find I like to front load the action of a trip, so would start with Disneyland.

Also note that San Diego Unified and North County San Diego are also on spring break the first week of April. It will mean the beaches will be PACKED. I would also try and avoid heading south on the 5 on a Saturday, or north on the 5 on a Sunday afternoon as we tend to get a lot of OC and LA people over weekends, especially holiday weekends. It took me 2 1/2 hrs to get home from Disneyland on labor day weekend, and there weren’t even any accidents!

 

[kikismom]

Thanks all!

I'm super picky about flying so I'll only do Alaska or Delta with Delta being preferred. We also upgrade so that is part of the equation.

We will be hitting up the zoo but that's about it in San Diego. We just plan of exploring some restaurants and shopping and lounging by a pool. Most likely no beaches.

The two trips are pretty comparable as far as pricing with the exception of flights.

Any fabulous hotels we should look into in San Diego. We like Marriott branda but are open to others. A great pool is our only requirement.

 

[MillauFr]

I found roundtrips Seattle/Orlando from $370 on JetBlue down, Alaska Airlines back. Mon, April 1 - Sun, April 7.

Try GoogleFlights in your search for cheaper flights.

Only Delta and Alaska fly non-stop between Seattle and Orlando.

 

[Aspencreek]

We did a spring break trip to San Diego this past March and had the best time ever. We rented a car and stayed at a really nice Airbnb which had a pool and I think it still came out to be almost as cheap if not cheaper than a lot of the hotels there. We're not really beach-goers either but instead got the San Diego GoCity Pass and used it to hit the zoo, ride mini speed boats, tour a couple of the aquariums, tour Whaley House, ride the hop on/off tour buses, etc. Also splurged a bit and did the Nurtured by Nature "swim with the otters" encounter and also hired a small boat to go whale/dolphin watching near Oceanside (saw more dolphins up close than I knew existed!) We had thought about also going up for a couple DL days but we were having such a good time in SD we put that off for another trip.

 

[chezcurrie]

Any fabulous hotels we should look into in San Diego. We like Marriott branda but are open to others. A great pool is our only requirement.

https://lajollamom.com/best-hotel-pools-in-san-diego/

This is a great local resources for all things San Diego and family related. Many of these pools also offer day passes through resort pass if you really wanted to check more than one out. I have a cabana booked at the park Hyatt Aviara for after Christmas as a surprise for out of town friends.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

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[Kit Jackson]

We will be hitting up the zoo but that's about it in San Diego.

I'd consider the USS Midway and The Maritime Museum in San Diego as well if you aren't into beaches. The San Diego Zoo is amazing. I've heard the Safari Park is also wonderful, but I haven't been there yet.

 

[chezcurrie]

Aviara is about a 35 min drive to the zoo, just so you know. It’s basically on the border of Carlsbad and Encinitas so you get the laid back chill vibe with access to downtown and beach town. The Safari park is inland and will be a longer drive from San Diego proper or North County. At your daughters age I would suggest the zoo as it is in Balboa Park which is a beautiful place to explore in its own right. Lots of museums and gardens, just stunning. Also: free parking.

If you want to stay in San Diego proper the Hyatt has a great location and pool with a view of the harbor. It’s adjacent to Seaport village with lots of cute shopping and dining. The gaslamp district is more lively (esp at night) with more funky modern hotels, a few with rooftop bars.

If your daughter is into instagrammable places (not necessarily to post but just cause like many of us she likes pretty things) check out https://insideoutsd.com/ They do pop up style themed “events” throughout the year. Last spring was a beautiful oasis type of thing (can google). Kids are welcome during the day and reservations encouraged during those unique events.

Another hotel/pool your daughter might really like is the La Valencia in La jolla. https://www.lavalencia.com/ It’s gorgeous (think all coral and pink and lush). While pricey they also have day passes and a spa. While you said not likely to go to the beach La jolla cove is literally around the corner from the Valencia. I think this is a must do to see the sea lions of La jolla. It’s just so unique. Lots of great restaurants in La jolla as well, many with ocean views (duke’s, George’s at the cove), and our fave taco place Puesto (no view, get the filet mignon taco!!!)

While my boys love the midway and maritime museum it may or may not be your daughters thing. As you have a car consider a drive to the hotel del Coronado. If you’ve been to WDW you will see a similarity to the Grand Floridian (I believe they copied the architecture but could be wrong.) They do historic walking tours and high teas.

Ok, I will stop bombarding you with suggestions - clearly I love where I live! Have a great trip!!!

 

[Kit Jackson]

Another hotel/pool your daughter might really like is the La Valencia in La jolla. https://www.lavalencia.com/ It’s gorgeous (think all coral and pink and lush). While pricey they also have day passes and a spa. While you said not likely to go to the beach La jolla cove is literally around the corner from the Valencia. I think this is a must do to see the sea lions of La jolla. It’s just so unique. Lots of great restaurants in La jolla as well, many with ocean views (duke’s, George’s at the cove), and our fave taco place Puesto (no view, get the filet mignon taco!!!)

While my boys love the midway and maritime museum it may or may not be your daughters thing. As you have a car consider a drive to the hotel del Coronado. If you’ve been to WDW you will see a similarity to the Grand Floridian (I believe they copied the architecture but could be wrong.) They do historic walking tours and high teas.

I'd forgotten about La jolla cove and the sea lions. That is a great idea. Also, the Hotel del Coronado is where they filmed some of the exterior/outdoor scenes in Some Like it Hot. The scenes where they arrive at the hotel, the scenes on the beach, and some other locations as well.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

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[wabbott]

Don't know how young you are, but you may want to think about doing DLR/DCA first, then San Diego afterwards. As we all know, parks take quite a bit of energy what with early days, late nights, and plenty of walking. Afterwards, the San Diego visit can be a bit more relaxed if you wanted to sleep in a morning or two.

Ditto the La Jolla area. We visited there several years ago and were impressed.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

For San Diego here are a few of my favorite things to do

Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Old Town, Gas Lamp district and balboa park (there is a museum pass you can get and hit most the museums)

 

[kikismom]

Thanks all! You guys have given me excellent advice.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I'd forgotten about La jolla cove and the sea lions. That is a great idea. Also, the Hotel del Coronado is where they filmed some of the exterior/outdoor scenes in Some Like it Hot. The scenes where they arrive at the hotel, the scenes on the beach, and some other locations as well.

Recent change - you can't go down on the beach by the sea lions in La Jolla anymore. People shouldn't have been doing that anyway. I don't think that affects the sea cave tours or the sea kayak rentals.

After nearly 30 years living in So Cal we finally went and toured Midway. LOVED it! The ship is manned by retired military personnel, some of which actually served on the ship when it was active. They are all so helpful and welcoming. The pride really shows. We were REALLY impressed. If you have the time, the Regan Library was also very interesting. We have not done it, but can only imagine the Nixon library would be similar.

There are a ton of things to do in Balboa Park besides the Zoo. Our favorite gem is the model railroad museum.

If you don't want to brave the traffic, you can always take the train down to San Diego. The station is right on the waterfront across from the Midway - very convenient to the hotels in that area. It's an easy Uber ride to Balboa from there.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I'd consider the USS Midway and The Maritime Museum in San Diego as well if you aren't into beaches. The San Diego Zoo is amazing. I've heard the Safari Park is also wonderful, but I haven't been there yet.

Safari Park is great - much improved from the last time we were there (about 10-ish years ago). They currently have a couple of Platypuses on loan from Australia that my daughter couldn't wait to see. Those little buggers are cute, but REALLY difficult to see - the enclosure is kept dark and they often times just decide they'd rather stay back behind the exhibit area and don't come out at all. LSS - I wouldn't go just for them. The tram ride is OK but if you've been on Kilimanjaro Jeeps you will likely be kinda disappointed. Still, better than it was, and included with admission.

 

[chezcurrie]

Aviara is a further drive from the Zoo/Midway. It’s very close to Legoland and is closer to the safari park than being downtown (although its still a drive from Aviara). We definitely enjoyed the climate at Aviara, it is a laid back vibe and the service there is fantastic.

Our kids really enjoyed Legoland, I would say there is probably a top end age of 12ish there though. Most rides/attractions seem to be for kids under that age. Our daughters also loved the Midway and have already asked to see it again on a future trip.

Yeah, we live around the proverbial corner from LEGOLAND and my 10 year old went once and he is done. Even my 7 year old is aging oit (waste of AP there!!!) with the age of her daughter I would not spend that kind of money, especially after time at disney.

 

[Lisa24jks]

If you have the time, the Regan Library was also very interesting. We have not done it, but can only imagine the Nixon library would be similar.

The Reagan Library was great (and I'm not a fan of of the man, just a fan of history and the view from up there is gorgeous), but it's in Simi Valley, so not really applicable to the OPs trip to SD/DLR.

The Nixon Library is... less spectacular. (But closer to Disneyland than Reagan!) It's just kinda plopped in the middle of a neighborhood in Yorba Linda without a lot of fanfare. And some of it is a little fuzzy on facts, so to speak.