I would stick to the East Coast Op.

People whose kids are super flexible or don’t have sleep schedules don’t understand. Maybe my kid should “toughen up” or “go with the flow” but I don’t want to deal with the fall out of that while I’m trying to vacation.

We have seen a lot of FL while getting through the young parenting years. It’s so convenient, affordable, warm and sunny. Plenty of time for CA and Europe later. YMMV.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We travel from DC to CA a few times a year (my family is in CA) and the jet lag has always been brutal for us when the kids are little-- better now that the youngest is 8, but it's still tough. You know your kid's sleep habits best, but at age five, all of my kids would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning in CA for the first 2-3 days and never sleep past 5 during a week's vacation there. Then they were exhausted and cranky by 7:00 every night. We still had a great time during the day but jet lag is no laughing matter and can cramp your style if you're not a super early bird yourself.

It's funny how different every kid is. We also visit CA pretty often and the kids never have any issues with jet lag- they go to bed around 7 the day we get there, wake up around maybe 6 AM, so a little earlier than normal, and then are totally adjusted the first full day there.

Were also surprised when we went to Europe and they had the same pattern- except slept the first day until 11 AM to catch up after missing some hours on the flight.

Think it will be tough to say how your kid will react to the time change until you do it.

When our kids were little, they woke like clockwork at 3:30 am every day during our CA trips, and they really didn't adjust during the week (and by day 4 or 5, you don't even really want them to since you're getting close to flying home). It limits when you can see, for sure. And where you can eat breakfast (24 hour places only).

Europe is easier--they adjust better going the other direction.

I like San Diego a lot for kids but it depends how much time and hassle you want to take on. Charleston is easier--no time change, shorter flight.

Sorry, just saw your updated post. Getting an apt will be helpful if your kid does have time-change struggles. And I would consider doing Legoland, even if you aren't that into amusement parks. It's fun for a 4 yo, and pretty easy overall. Pretty good food, not that crowded, and not a big stressful Disney-type experience. I found the safari park more exhausting/stressful/crowded, for what that's worth.

OP. Appreciate it. I am having second thoughts maybe I should cancel this trip and do something closer.

I think as long as you are flexible and have a positive attitude it will be fun even if there are unexpected challenges (there always are, when you travel with kids!). When we look back on our trips, even the 3:30am wakeups are funny memories. On the plus side we got to watch a lot of early morning surfers at the beach and eat a lot of donuts (first thing open in the morning). I think it will be fine if your expectations are flexible.

It depends what you're looking for. It was worth it for us to take small kids to CA to visit family, go to Legoland, walk on beaches, do the zoo, Gaslamp district, etc. If you aren't interested in doing most SD-specific activities, it might make sense to do something closer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We travel from DC to CA a few times a year (my family is in CA) and the jet lag has always been brutal for us when the kids are little-- better now that the youngest is 8, but it's still tough. You know your kid's sleep habits best, but at age five, all of my kids would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning in CA for the first 2-3 days and never sleep past 5 during a week's vacation there. Then they were exhausted and cranky by 7:00 every night. We still had a great time during the day but jet lag is no laughing matter and can cramp your style if you're not a super early bird yourself.

It's funny how different every kid is. We also visit CA pretty often and the kids never have any issues with jet lag- they go to bed around 7 the day we get there, wake up around maybe 6 AM, so a little earlier than normal, and then are totally adjusted the first full day there.

Were also surprised when we went to Europe and they had the same pattern- except slept the first day until 11 AM to catch up after missing some hours on the flight.

Think it will be tough to say how your kid will react to the time change until you do it.

When our kids were little, they woke like clockwork at 3:30 am every day during our CA trips, and they really didn't adjust during the week (and by day 4 or 5, you don't even really want them to since you're getting close to flying home). It limits when you can see, for sure. And where you can eat breakfast (24 hour places only).

Europe is easier--they adjust better going the other direction.

I like San Diego a lot for kids but it depends how much time and hassle you want to take on. Charleston is easier--no time change, shorter flight.

Sorry, just saw your updated post. Getting an apt will be helpful if your kid does have time-change struggles. And I would consider doing Legoland, even if you aren't that into amusement parks. It's fun for a 4 yo, and pretty easy overall. Pretty good food, not that crowded, and not a big stressful Disney-type experience. I found the safari park more exhausting/stressful/crowded, for what that's worth.

OP. Appreciate it. I am having second thoughts maybe I should cancel this trip and do something closer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We travel from DC to CA a few times a year (my family is in CA) and the jet lag has always been brutal for us when the kids are little-- better now that the youngest is 8, but it's still tough. You know your kid's sleep habits best, but at age five, all of my kids would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning in CA for the first 2-3 days and never sleep past 5 during a week's vacation there. Then they were exhausted and cranky by 7:00 every night. We still had a great time during the day but jet lag is no laughing matter and can cramp your style if you're not a super early bird yourself.

It's funny how different every kid is. We also visit CA pretty often and the kids never have any issues with jet lag- they go to bed around 7 the day we get there, wake up around maybe 6 AM, so a little earlier than normal, and then are totally adjusted the first full day there.

Were also surprised when we went to Europe and they had the same pattern- except slept the first day until 11 AM to catch up after missing some hours on the flight.

Think it will be tough to say how your kid will react to the time change until you do it.

When our kids were little, they woke like clockwork at 3:30 am every day during our CA trips, and they really didn't adjust during the week (and by day 4 or 5, you don't even really want them to since you're getting close to flying home). It limits when you can see, for sure. And where you can eat breakfast (24 hour places only).

Europe is easier--they adjust better going the other direction.

I like San Diego a lot for kids but it depends how much time and hassle you want to take on. Charleston is easier--no time change, shorter flight.

Sorry, just saw your updated post. Getting an apt will be helpful if your kid does have time-change struggles. And I would consider doing Legoland, even if you aren't that into amusement parks. It's fun for a 4 yo, and pretty easy overall. Pretty good food, not that crowded, and not a big stressful Disney-type experience. I found the safari park more exhausting/stressful/crowded, for what that's worth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We travel from DC to CA a few times a year (my family is in CA) and the jet lag has always been brutal for us when the kids are little-- better now that the youngest is 8, but it's still tough. You know your kid's sleep habits best, but at age five, all of my kids would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning in CA for the first 2-3 days and never sleep past 5 during a week's vacation there. Then they were exhausted and cranky by 7:00 every night. We still had a great time during the day but jet lag is no laughing matter and can cramp your style if you're not a super early bird yourself.

It's funny how different every kid is. We also visit CA pretty often and the kids never have any issues with jet lag- they go to bed around 7 the day we get there, wake up around maybe 6 AM, so a little earlier than normal, and then are totally adjusted the first full day there.

Were also surprised when we went to Europe and they had the same pattern- except slept the first day until 11 AM to catch up after missing some hours on the flight.

Think it will be tough to say how your kid will react to the time change until you do it.

When our kids were little, they woke like clockwork at 3:30 am every day during our CA trips, and they really didn't adjust during the week (and by day 4 or 5, you don't even really want them to since you're getting close to flying home). It limits when you can see, for sure. And where you can eat breakfast (24 hour places only).

Europe is easier--they adjust better going the other direction.

I like San Diego a lot for kids but it depends how much time and hassle you want to take on. Charleston is easier--no time change, shorter flight.

Too cold for beach stuff. Stay in downtown and do the museums. Absolutely get the car to go to the beaches, amusement park, Meals etc.

We stayed in an apartment on mission beach. Walkable to Belmont park and restaurants.

Anonymous wrote:OP. Thanks for all the comments. Everyone we spoke to, warned us against how bad the time change will be for kids that young hence the question. Doing 8 days -flights booked. Now the serious work of finding appropriate accommodations. Not going to do a hotel this time. Will look for an apt, any suggestions as to areas? I think we will rent a car. Not interested in Disneyland, or LEGO land or sea world.

I would try to find an apartment in Ocean Beach. It will be too cold to go into the water, but you could still walk on the beach, and there are restaurants to walk to.

OP. Thanks for all the comments. Everyone we spoke to, warned us against how bad the time change will be for kids that young hence the question. Doing 8 days -flights booked. Now the serious work of finding appropriate accommodations. Not going to do a hotel this time. Will look for an apt, any suggestions as to areas? I think we will rent a car. Not interested in Disneyland, or LEGO land or sea world.

Is this a serious question OP? San Diego hands down. Much more fun for a kid. We started time change travel with our kid at 4 months old. Kids bounce back really well (sometimes better than adults). Have fun! Coronado is great nearby.

Anonymous wrote:We travel from DC to CA a few times a year (my family is in CA) and the jet lag has always been brutal for us when the kids are little-- better now that the youngest is 8, but it's still tough. You know your kid's sleep habits best, but at age five, all of my kids would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning in CA for the first 2-3 days and never sleep past 5 during a week's vacation there. Then they were exhausted and cranky by 7:00 every night. We still had a great time during the day but jet lag is no laughing matter and can cramp your style if you're not a super early bird yourself.

It's funny how different every kid is. We also visit CA pretty often and the kids never have any issues with jet lag- they go to bed around 7 the day we get there, wake up around maybe 6 AM, so a little earlier than normal, and then are totally adjusted the first full day there.

Were also surprised when we went to Europe and they had the same pattern- except slept the first day until 11 AM to catch up after missing some hours on the flight.

Think it will be tough to say how your kid will react to the time change until you do it.

We travel from DC to CA a few times a year (my family is in CA) and the jet lag has always been brutal for us when the kids are little-- better now that the youngest is 8, but it's still tough. You know your kid's sleep habits best, but at age five, all of my kids would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning in CA for the first 2-3 days and never sleep past 5 during a week's vacation there. Then they were exhausted and cranky by 7:00 every night. We still had a great time during the day but jet lag is no laughing matter and can cramp your style if you're not a super early bird yourself.

San Diego was my home sweet home for many years. There's a ton for families to do:

Zoo (at Balboa Park) and Zoo Safari Park in Escondido
Balboa Park has some fantastic museums, including the Fleet Science Center and the Natural History Museum, Museum of Man, and the Little Model Train Museum is fun for kids
The Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater in the park is great and often overlooked
Legoland
Old Town
Liberty Station
Belmont Park at Mission Beach
Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, seals at La Jolla Cove
Kayaking in the bay
Coronado Island and the Silver Strand are some of the best family beaches, IMO
Sea World
The Gaslamp and Seaport Village
Also, check out the New Children's Museum downtown

While the average highs will be in 60's/low 70s in San Diego in March, it's not at all uncomfortable in the sun... and you are also guaranteed to see the sun most of the time (just avoid in May/early June)

Anonymous wrote:San Diego is better for kids - zoo, Safari Park, Legoland, Balboa Park.

+1.

San Diego is better for kids - zoo, Safari Park, Legoland, Balboa Park.