Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 16:20     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Anonymous wrote:Primates at the zoo are also very smart and some of the other animals as well. Pigs are very smart. But I appreciate the good points about dolphins and orcas and being forced to entertain. My main interest is in seeing sea life — if they don’t have much of that, I have zero interest in going.


Then hit up the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla.
Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 16:19     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Anonymous wrote:Primates at the zoo are also very smart and some of the other animals as well. Pigs are very smart. But I appreciate the good points about dolphins and orcas and being forced to entertain. My main interest is in seeing sea life — if they don’t have much of that, I have zero interest in going.


You still don't get it. Its not just that they are smart -... at Seaworld, they separate families - as a PP said "They live in familial pods and have learned languages that are different from those of other pods". Pigs are not the same that way.
Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 14:58     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Primates at the zoo are also very smart and some of the other animals as well. Pigs are very smart. But I appreciate the good points about dolphins and orcas and being forced to entertain. My main interest is in seeing sea life — if they don’t have much of that, I have zero interest in going.
Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 14:12     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Anonymous wrote:Ok I really don’t want this to become a post about the ethics of Sea World but zoo animals are also kept in captivity and nobody is telling me not to go to the zoo. Animals are kept in captivity for food production and nobody is telling me to eat at vegetarian only restaurants. I am not interested in the morality lesson and just want to plan a fun trip for my family. But fine, please tell me why Sea World is so much worse than the zoo or a factory farm — I am open to hearing it and it may change my mind. (I would never ride an elephant in Thailand for this reason - but Sea World doesn’t seem that bad to me.)


You must live under a rock because the abuse at Sea World has been widely discussed. There have been protests against them, news articles and documentaries about it. Sea World is a FOR PROFIT amusement park. The San Diego Zoo is a learning institution, partnering with universities to allow students to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching or Biology while working. They also hosts the Beckman Center for Conservation Research, a dedicated education and research lab focused on saving species and protecting biodiversity. A stark contrast to for profit SeaWorld which prioritizes entertainment, forcing animals to perform tricks, separating natural families and causing significant psychological stress

https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/400-dolphins-dead-animal-allies-to-confront-seaworld-visitors-with-ugly-truth/

Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 11:32     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Because orcas and dolphins are extremely smart an show signs of depression/suicide in captivity. They live in familial pods and have learned languages that are different from those of other pods. They are picky about what they eat. Some transit the open ocean and some stay residential to a certain area. They mourn their dead and have strong bonds with each other.

Ever seen any of the videos from the 70/80’s when seaworld was capturing them? Horrific. The humans doing it had full on ptsd. That’s why it’s worse than a zoo.
Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 11:30     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Anonymous wrote:Ok I really don’t want this to become a post about the ethics of Sea World but zoo animals are also kept in captivity and nobody is telling me not to go to the zoo. Animals are kept in captivity for food production and nobody is telling me to eat at vegetarian only restaurants. I am not interested in the morality lesson and just want to plan a fun trip for my family. But fine, please tell me why Sea World is so much worse than the zoo or a factory farm — I am open to hearing it and it may change my mind. (I would never ride an elephant in Thailand for this reason - but Sea World doesn’t seem that bad to me.)


Ethics aside, when we went to Sea World several years ago the whole place just seemed meh. There wasn't a lot of sea life to see. All I really remember is the one big show with the orcas and getting soaked on a river raft ride and there was a Sesame Street themed play area but we felt like the day was a waste. My oldest was 6 or 7 at the time.

I think the Birch/Scripps aquarium is a better idea.
Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 11:10     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Ok I really don’t want this to become a post about the ethics of Sea World but zoo animals are also kept in captivity and nobody is telling me not to go to the zoo. Animals are kept in captivity for food production and nobody is telling me to eat at vegetarian only restaurants. I am not interested in the morality lesson and just want to plan a fun trip for my family. But fine, please tell me why Sea World is so much worse than the zoo or a factory farm — I am open to hearing it and it may change my mind. (I would never ride an elephant in Thailand for this reason - but Sea World doesn’t seem that bad to me.)
Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 10:48     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What about the zoo? You will be right there when you do the carousel.

-native san diegan


We are doing the zoo the very first day. It's on the original post before the carousel. My kids have seen a lot of model trains and aren't that interested. We go to the annual exhibit at the Botanic Garden at Christmas time. They look at the train for about 3 seconds and then run off to run around. They are honestly more interested in the plants. I've thought about taking them up to Encinitas for the botanic garden, there seem to be a lot of activities for kids but it's an hour each way. Has anyone done that and think it's great for kids?

I have considered going to Scripps aquarium over Sea World. Anyone done both and can opine on which is more fun? I think my kids will like the shows at Sea World and I know they will like the rides. But I am more interested in seeing sea life.


Well scripps isn’t responsible for the horrors of orcas and dolphins in captivity. Honestly, bypassing seaworld is a great way to teach them about right and wrong.
Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 09:14     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Anonymous wrote:We are headed to San Diego for spring break. We have a 9 and 4 yo and are staying in La Jolla. Any recs/critiques of my itinerary:

Day 1: arrival half day - La Jolla beach/Kellogg Park/La Jolla Cove + dinner in La Jolla

Day 2: zoo + Balboa carousel + walk around Spanish Village Art Center + dinner in North Park

Day 3: Sea World + dinner back at La Jolla

Day 4: Torrey Pines Guy Fleming Trail + La Jolla Tide Pool + early dinner near tide pools and Windansea Beach for sunset

Day 5: Legoland + dinner in Carlsbad

Day 6: I want to go to either Old Town or Barrio Logan. Will there be things to walk around and see with kids in Barrio Logan? Food gets panned in Old Town but is there a place kids would like? + probably swim at hotel pool

Day 7: Depart
Plan day 4 around this- timing is important.
Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 09:08     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Anonymous wrote:The Padres are playing 4 of the 6 days we're there but we will not be going to a baseball game. My kids have no interest - we don't even go in DC.


Bummer for you then.
Anonymous
Post 03/24/2026 08:43     Subject: San Diego spring break itinerary
Be sure to go to Oscars for a smoked fish taco and Point Loma seafood for lunch. The only thing I miss about living in SD is Mexican food!