Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 10:09     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
My friends in SoCal bought their kids wetsuits
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2026 09:48     Subject: Re:multi gen trip to San Diego area
I travel to San Diego a couple times a year to visit family. Any time of
year, the Pacific Ocean will never feel as warm as what an East Coaster is accustomed to. Even during our last trip out there in August, the water felt too cold to do more than wade in up to our knees. But you’ll see Californians swimming, frolicking, etc in the Pacific because they’re used to it!
La Jolla and Del Mar are nice walkable towns. Regardless of where you stay, you’ll need a car.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 15:10     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I liked Ocean Beach— felt very low key and chill to me.


I like and lived there about 20 years ago. Went back a month ago and a little has changed, but not much. Not sure it’s a good spot for someone from the dmv with grandparents.

Op- I’d look at Delmar, La Jolla, Solano beach.


If the OP is looking to stay in the most expensive beach towns in the country then Delmar and La Jolla are good suggestions.


Agree. And Pacific Beach just south is also nice and walkable. Maybe save a few dollars.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 12:42     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
You can swim in August but the Pacific will always be colder than the Gulf stream (water temps in San Diego will be 5 or 6 degrees colder than Ocean City for example).
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 11:37     Subject: Re:multi gen trip to San Diego area
^^ PP -- Just coming back to add that your group might enjoy the Sunday evening beach concerts at La Jolla. In particular, there's an oldies/jazz group that is really good (sorry I can't remember the name). It's a fun scene, with food trucks, sea lions, and a beautiful sunset. Cue the Beach Boys!
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 10:01     Subject: Re:multi gen trip to San Diego area
Yes -- you can swim -- and surf -- at SD beaches in August. La Jolla's a bit staid, but could work well for your group. For a location that might be more appealing to the young'uns, I'd check out Bird Rock. Either way, SD is a great choice!
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 09:52     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
Anonymous wrote:Being on the beach in California isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The water is cold and in general it’s windy and cold in the afternoons. What month are you going? In the summer you have the DelMar Fair and racetrack happenings. Walking around DelMar might be harder for people with mobility issues and there’s a lot of traffic but in general it’s a pretty area. Otherwise I’d stay in the La Jolla area (but be aware that UCSD is also in La Jolla but that’s not the area you want to be in). Bird Rock and Ocean Beach can be interesting and you might consider those as well. Mission Bay has water not directly on the ocean and is centrally located directly things.


This is OP. First, thank you to all for these ideas - I will start looking into rentals in these areas.

To this PP specifically, we are going in early August. Is the ocean water warm enough for swimming then? I didn’t check weather as I assumed Southern CA over the summer would be reliably warm for swimming and outdoor activities, maybe that was foolish of me!
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 08:32     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
located to things.*
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 08:32     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
Being on the beach in California isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The water is cold and in general it’s windy and cold in the afternoons. What month are you going? In the summer you have the DelMar Fair and racetrack happenings. Walking around DelMar might be harder for people with mobility issues and there’s a lot of traffic but in general it’s a pretty area. Otherwise I’d stay in the La Jolla area (but be aware that UCSD is also in La Jolla but that’s not the area you want to be in). Bird Rock and Ocean Beach can be interesting and you might consider those as well. Mission Bay has water not directly on the ocean and is centrally located directly things.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 07:49     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I liked Ocean Beach— felt very low key and chill to me.


I like and lived there about 20 years ago. Went back a month ago and a little has changed, but not much. Not sure it’s a good spot for someone from the dmv with grandparents.

Op- I’d look at Delmar, La Jolla, Solano beach.


If the OP is looking to stay in the most expensive beach towns in the country then Delmar and La Jolla are good suggestions.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 06:54     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
Anonymous wrote:I liked Ocean Beach— felt very low key and chill to me.


I like and lived there about 20 years ago. Went back a month ago and a little has changed, but not much. Not sure it’s a good spot for someone from the dmv with grandparents.

Op- I’d look at Delmar, La Jolla, Solano beach.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 06:52     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
We really liked walking around La Jolla and I recall thinking it would be good for the grandparents. We might stay there next time we go.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2026 23:54     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
Rent a place on Coronado. Bring your $$$.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2026 23:38     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
I liked Ocean Beach— felt very low key and chill to me.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2026 23:33     Subject: multi gen trip to San Diego area
I am trying to plan a multi generation family trip and have settled on the San Diego area. There is so much to do in the city, but for the grandparents’ sake I’d prefer we stay in a more low key area on or near the beach, and those who are interested in sightseeing can go into SD for the day. I’d love to rent a house or adjacent condos for our group, and be walkable to beach, some dining and shopping.

Does anyone have suggestions where I should focus an air bnb search? Thanks.