2 nights in San Diego with 6 y.o., What's are your favorite experiences?

[Anonymous]

We are visiting in laws in Southern California and will take a few days off to drive down to and visit San Diego. Trying to decide what we would most enjoy doing.

We have done the Zoo there (which is fabulous), but not the animal park that you ride through. Have any of you been who can tell me if the animal park worthwhile? Do you see animals?

We want to go to Sea World and would appreciate your feedback on it. Is it an all day affair (it's fine if so)

I read that there is also a Children's Museum there. If you have been, how would you rate it for a 6 y.o?

We've been to beaches at Torrey Pines and Coronado. Are there other beaches we should know about? Would like to spend several hours at the ocean.

We've done Disney Land, and will do the Disney World adventure next Spring Break. What are your thoughts on LEGOLAND? Is it like Dutch Wonderland? I can't tell online.

Other suggestions are welcome, such as inexpensive, yet not rundown hotels (we will be out most of the day), places to not miss and places to eat!

In other words, if you had 2-3 days in San Diego with an engaged 6 y.o boy what would you ?

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

There are a bunch of hotels and motels along the 15? with some that may be reasonable priced. Also, if there's an In 'N Out burger, try that. Get the shake, too. Not fancy but good.

[Anonymous]

OP. Thanks to the tip on route 15. Don't need the food to be inexpensive, but enjoyable! I'm sure we will hit in n out burger, since my DH is from California. I personally prefer Five Guys! Smile

[Anonymous]

Recently there with kids. Animal park was great (you should look at the website because you do not "ride through" in the way that some of the old parks did with you driving in your car. If you take the tour in the safari truck (an add on but was great) you get to feed a giraffe by hand, which was very cool for kids.

Sea World is great if your kid is at all into the sea creatures and is pretty much of a full day affair.

[Anonymous]

We are visiting in laws in Southern California and will take a few days off to drive down to and visit San Diego. Trying to decide what we would most enjoy doing.

We have done the Zoo there (which is fabulous), but not the animal park that you ride through. Have any of you been who can tell me if the animal park worthwhile? Do you see animals?
Animal Park that you drive through? Do you mean the Zoo Safari (formerly known as San Diego Wild animal park) up in Escondido? You don't drive through that, but there is a tram ride available it takes a couple hours. And yes, you see tons of animals.

We want to go to Sea World and would appreciate your feedback on it. Is it an all day affair (it's fine if so) It's been a while, but I would say it's all day

I read that there is also a Children's Museum there. If you have been, how would you rate it for a 6 y.o? We went several years ago, after it first opened. Honestly, I was not impressed. There really wasn't much there. Other children's museums we have gone to (like the one in Boston, the one in Houston, and the one in Baltimore) are much better, IMO. If you only have 2 days in San Diego, I really don't think it is special enough to take the time out to do that.

We've been to beaches at Torrey Pines and Coronado. Are there other beaches we should know about? Would like to spend several hours at the ocean. I'm sorry, I can't be of much help on this one.

We've done Disney Land, and will do the Disney World adventure next Spring Break. What are your thoughts on LEGOLAND? Is it like Dutch Wonderland? I can't tell online. Typically, I'm not much of a fan of Legoland. I find that the height restrictions there are prohibitive to many small kids being able ride anything, and most of the rides are not "thrilling" enough for big kids. I do think, though, that a 6 year old boy would like it. Legoland's target audience seems to be kids between 4-8/9...anything younger and you are too little to ride anything, anything older and it will be too tame...and woe be the family with more kids than adults--because so many rides require that each child has an adult riding with them. But, since it sounds like your 6 year old will be the only child in your party, it should work out fine for you.

Other suggestions are welcome, such as inexpensive, yet not rundown hotels (we will be out most of the day), places to not miss and places to eat! You should eat Mexican food. It doesn't even have to be fancy--one of the things we miss most about San Diego are the little drive through Mexican restaurants (they almost all end in "berts--Alberto's, Roberto's, etc.) and they look like dives. They are usually open 24 hours. You can get a HUGE burrito CHEAP! Yum!

Have a great time!

[Anonymous]

For food, spend some time in Hillcrest. It's the DuPont area of San Diego (think Rainbows).

La Jolla, of course, is popular.

Point Loma with a 6 yo is fun -- go out to the tidal pools and see the animals.

Sea World IS a lot of fun, but you're right that it's a day-long activity. Pricey too.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and Old Town San Diego is a good place to visit with a kiddo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a bunch of hotels and motels along the 15? with some that may be reasonable priced. Also, if there's an In 'N Out burger, try that. Get the shake, too. Not fancy but good.

Oops, it's the 8 (between the 5 and 805, closer to the 5), not the 15.

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts on the aquarium there? I hear it is nice and the area it's in has tidepools that are fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Recently there with kids. Animal park was great (you should look at the website because you do not "ride through" in the way that some of the old parks did with you driving in your car. If you take the tour in the safari truck (an add on but was great) you get to feed a giraffe by hand, which was very cool for kids.

Sea World is great if your kid is at all into the sea creatures and is pretty much of a full day affair.

OP again. Thanks. Animal Park was on the short list. Sounds great. Also fed Giraffes at Tampa, Florida (Lowery) Zoo. Great fun. Thanks!

Yes, he's into ocean life--we spent two days at the Monterey bay aquarium easily, a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are visiting in laws in Southern California and will take a few days off to drive down to and visit San Diego. Trying to decide what we would most enjoy doing.

We have done the Zoo there (which is fabulous), but not the animal park that you ride through. Have any of you been who can tell me if the animal park worthwhile? Do you see animals?
Animal Park that you drive through? Do you mean the Zoo Safari (formerly known as San Diego Wild animal park) up in Escondido? You don't drive through that, but there is a tram ride available it takes a couple hours. And yes, you see tons of animals.

We want to go to Sea World and would appreciate your feedback on it. Is it an all day affair (it's fine if so) It's been a while, but I would say it's all day

I read that there is also a Children's Museum there. If you have been, how would you rate it for a 6 y.o? We went several years ago, after it first opened. Honestly, I was not impressed. There really wasn't much there. Other children's museums we have gone to (like the one in Boston, the one in Houston, and the one in Baltimore) are much better, IMO. If you only have 2 days in San Diego, I really don't think it is special enough to take the time out to do that.

We've been to beaches at Torrey Pines and Coronado. Are there other beaches we should know about? Would like to spend several hours at the ocean. I'm sorry, I can't be of much help on this one.

We've done Disney Land, and will do the Disney World adventure next Spring Break. What are your thoughts on LEGOLAND? Is it like Dutch Wonderland? I can't tell online. Typically, I'm not much of a fan of Legoland. I find that the height restrictions there are prohibitive to many small kids being able ride anything, and most of the rides are not "thrilling" enough for big kids. I do think, though, that a 6 year old boy would like it. Legoland's target audience seems to be kids between 4-8/9...anything younger and you are too little to ride anything, anything older and it will be too tame...and woe be the family with more kids than adults--because so many rides require that each child has an adult riding with them. But, since it sounds like your 6 year old will be the only child in your party, it should work out fine for you.

Other suggestions are welcome, such as inexpensive, yet not rundown hotels (we will be out most of the day), places to not miss and places to eat! You should eat Mexican food. It doesn't even have to be fancy--one of the things we miss most about San Diego are the little drive through Mexican restaurants (they almost all end in "berts--Alberto's, Roberto's, etc.) and they look like dives. They are usually open 24 hours. You can get a HUGE burrito CHEAP! Yum!

Have a great time!

OP again. Thanks! Thanks for insights into the Children's Museum. I'd rather spend time outdoors, but if the museum was good (like Boston's) I would have considered it. Thanks for restaurant suggestions for cheap Mexican. I will check out Yelp.com. I'd also like to find a good seafood restaurant while there.

My thoughts about Lego Land too. Think we will pass on it. My son isn't into Lego's much. He rode everything at Disney--including Space Mountain--and is tall enough to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For food, spend some time in Hillcrest. It's the DuPont area of San Diego (think Rainbows).

La Jolla, of course, is popular.

Point Loma with a 6 yo is fun -- go out to the tidal pools and see the animals.

Sea World IS a lot of fun, but you're right that it's a day-long activity. Pricey too.

OP again. Thanks for your thoughts. I would have no problem staying at Sea World all day!

Point Loma sounds fabulous and right up our alley! I will google it, and Hillcrest!

[Anonymous]

I suggest Legoland and the Wild Animal Park. Sea World is okay. We used to live in San Diego and the zoo was my favorite attraction.

[Anonymous]

Sea world is a waste of time. La Jolla and a kayaking trip( guided) would be fun. My nephew liked legoland but its kind of cheesy. Any of the berto's are ok: carne asada fries are yummy. Depending on when, the fair might be in.

[Anonymous]

We were there last year and weren't that thrilled with sea world. We went back for a second day at legoland though.