Good plan to consider ordering in or dining at your hotel if you have had a busy day at Disneyland.

The Poway train ride could be fun for the kids (we have been there when they had a western festival - which was even fun for big kids) but I would recommend that you also consider going to the Safari Park in Escondido. Would pick Safari Park (was called Wild Animal)over the Zoo - which is also great.

Seeing the animals in more of their natural setting is just amazing. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/park/index2010

Street festivals in Little Italy are always great - with a lot of tasty things to try. For a cup of java - the Cafe Italia on India St is one of our favorites - and they also have good gelato - but the classic gelato place is nearby Pappalecco. http://www.yelp.com/biz/pappalecco-san-diego-2

The little museum up at the Cabrillo National Monument is fun/interesting (Did you know Juan Cabrillo was really Portuguese but sailing for Spain? The Portuguese had the best navigators!)
- as is the tide pool down below.

And I am a big fan of the USS Midway - and next door - the Fish Market has tasty fish (and other choices if the kids are not fish eaters) at a reasonable price - with a great view. http://www.thefishmarket.com/default.aspx Of course, you can just walk down the Boardwalk a bit (there might be a big cruise ship in?) and have fish and chips type dishes at Anthony's fishette - and sit outside on the deck and also look across at Coronado. http://www.gofishanthonys.com/fishette.html

The Star of India - a bit further down the Boardwalk - which is an old Clipper sailing ship/museum - is also fun to tour. http://www.sdmaritime.org/star-of-india/

As for fish tacos - I think you can get them at either of the places I mentioned - grilled upon request I would think? - but the original was at Rubio's, who copied what he found at street carts around Rosarito and Ensenada - south of TJ.

And if you want authentico - albeit a bit of a hole in the wall - El Zarape in North Park - on Park Ave - has some of the best fish tacos. http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-zarape-san-diego And here is a general review for fish tacos: http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/San-Diego-Magazine/January-2010/San-Diego-Fish-Tacos/

BTW - if you like Mexican food - the Old Town Mexican Cafe has good stuff (love the Carnitas there) - and as a bonus - you can look through the front windows and see the women hand making the tortillas. http://oldtownmexcafe.com/

Of course, you can walk around Old Town and choose - and the best food now may be at nearby Cafe Guadalajara. http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-guadalajara-san-diego

Have fun and hope you like San Diego as much as we do.

Tomsd - thanks for the great info!! We decided on the zoo instead of the safari park since the boys are only 2 and 3. I think the 2 year old would have trouble sitting on the trams and spotting the animals off in the distance. And thanks for the gelato tip! I love gelato and will definitely pick some up.

Off to check out all the links you posted now....

LOL - didn't know they were toddlers.

If you're staying in Sorrento Valley, be sure to stop in at Opera Cafe for a fabulous breakfast or lunch. It's just off of Mira Mesa Blvd via Scranton near the 805. Not expenisve and very tasty food!

Your kids might also enjoy having lunch or dinner at the Corvette Diner. It's a 50s style diner with wacky servers. There's a corvette in the restaurant and a DJ/ Good family style food.

Beach bonfires are always fun as well. Many beaches have bonfire pits and you'll need to bring your own supplies. More info: http://www.sandiego-romantics.com/san-diego-fireworks.html

howefortunate - thanks for the dining advice! as for bonfires, are there usually a few on the beach every night? i'd rather just have the kids walk the beach and see some, than worry about having my own and cleaning up.

Forget driving the coast. You see very little of the ocean - just a lot of traffic thru the coast towns. If you must, wait until Carlsbad and drive the coast road to Torey Pines.

Fires on the beach are restricted to fire rings.