Deblynn

Planning a vacation for July 2006 to someplace warm with beach and fun for our two boys, ages 12 & 16. We can't decide between San Diego & Santa Barbara. We have been to San Diego before with them, and have not been to Santa Barbara, but not sure if Santa Barbara is a good place for the teen age. Would there be enough to do? Are the costs of lodging and dining about the same, or more in Santa Barbara? What about the weather. Any input would be appreciated.
P.S. We have been to San Francisco and north with them. It was fun, but cold and hardly any good beach time.

Thanks,
Deblynn

J_Correa

I'd go to San Diego with kids. Santa Barbara is geared more toward romantic couples whereas San Diego has something for everyone.

IamBooth

Santa Barbara is nice for adults. There is the Pier, State Street, the Mission, the courthouse, lots of good eatin'. They have bay cruise or boat rides. I have never been there during summer so I don't know about the beach. I believe they have a zoo.

Restaurants are probably in the same price range as San Diego. Lodging may be a bit higher during summer.

I guess the 2 boys would like it. But San Diego is more exciting for the boys I would think.

Little_Man

I think San Diego has more to do, but it's got to be one of the world's most boring cities. Sorry, I'm in a mood, and it's true.

TahitiTams

HI..
I would do San Diego..I think with your teenage boys would enjoy the ocean for boogie boarding and the water temp will be warmer than SB..Love Santa Barbara but I think you will have a better time and alot of things to do in SD...
Great place to stay is the Sea Lodge at La Jolla Shores... ljbtc.com
And Frankie.. San Diego as one of the most boring cities? Have you been to Bakersfield?(no offense to Bakersfield) I hope that you don't live in our wonderful city..

maria_so

Been to both and I love Santa Barbara but it is slightly more expensive there and less stuff to do with teenagers.

Go to San Diego. Sea Kayaking is cheap, fun, and quite safe. So many things to do in the area vs. Santa Barbara for teenagers.

Barbara

I can't quite work out how "more to do" and "most boring city" go together in the same sentence.

Deblynn, bring the boys back to San Diego. You know all they want to do is play on the beach, boogie board and check out the babes! They would probably like either La Jolla Shores, as TahitiTams suggested, or Del Mar at 15th Street. Both are good for boogie boarding and have LOTS of kids their age. At La Jolla shores you have to stroll a little way from the beach to get to restaurants, at Del Mar they're right on the beach.

Little_Man

The reason I think San Diego is boring is that it seems to be missing that energy and vibrancy that I find in most big cities, even LA,...it seems very "midwest" to me, which might be a big plus for some folks. I took lots of family vacations with my folks when I was little, San Diego was the most forgettable of any. The zoo is incredibly overrated...
And in comparison to Bakersfield...San Diego is a "destination, tourist" city, Bakersfield isn't.
I live about 60 miles north in the OC, which I don't love either!

Barbara

frankie, when were you last at the Zoo? You may have found it boring, but for many, many years it's been in the forefront of Zoos around the world.

In fact, when were you last in San Diego? Not that I'm really encouraging you to visit. San Diego isn't a "big city" like NY or Boston or Chicago, etc. We don't try to be, it's pretty laid back here, not "midwest", but particularly Californian. There are now a lot of people living in the downtown area, in addition to business, and it's probably more vibrant than you remember.

Little_Man

I was in San Diego on March 12, less than 2 weeks ago, had dinner at an Italian Restaurant, Trattoria Mare & Monte (good) in the Gaslamp, then a show at the House of Blues. The town just doesn't do it for me !

It's been about 7 years since the zoo. Hope it's improved. The poor elephants had a postage stamp for space.

Barbara

Most of the elephants are at the Wild Animal Park and while it may seem like a "postage stamp" of space in the Zoo, it's an old enclosure which is being renovated. When it was first built, it was considered quite large, but viewpoints have changed.

J_Correa

Eh, different places appeal to different people, which is good because otherwise the places we all like would be awfully crowded

Little_Man

ain't that the truth!

jetset1

I would like to contribute an opinion here. My two boys are 11 and 16, and recently had a great time in San Diego. We did qite a few things, tour the Midway, take a two hour bay cruise,(in which we saw several Navy ships, some subs, the Stiletto boat used by the Navy, fighter jets, a whole gamut of interesting things in their eyes).
We did travel through S.B. after spending a night in Los Olivos, and I don't think it held the same choice of activities/interests for their age group.
Of course, this was my family experience, but since your kids are close to mine in age, I felt I should reply. We are already planning a summer return trip to do the other things we didn't have time for.
We also stayed on Coronado and enjoyed the quiet and friendly low key vibe, and being just a short bridge ride away from the city. The choice of restaurants there was perfect, and the beach, outstanding!! J.

TahitiTams

HI..
This message is for Frankie..Where we live is a huge for our well being and happiness and if you are not happy in OC or SD, have you thought about moving somewhere that will make you happy? I know that not everyone loves SD and thankfully so.. but when you find the place that makes your soul happy you should go there...wherever that may be..
I wish you all the best and let us know what city or country that it is..

jetset1

I forgot to mention the Aerospace museum and car museum, in the zoo vicinity. Those were both worthwhile and entertaining for all of us.
We try to feed our kids' interests without being boring, and since they're both interested in military related activity, San Diego fit the bill in many areas.

Deblynn

Thanks for all your input. I believe we will make it San Diego!! Barbara, you seem to know quite abit about San Diego. Can you suggest some good hotels at a reasonable rate, but nice? We have stayed at Sea Lodge and love it, but for oceanfront, it is so expensive! Any recommendations would be great. Thanks

h0b0

We live in Santa Barbara and have made several family outings to San Diego. We like the Embassy Suites in SD and LOVE Sea World.

SB is a great place to live and to "be" (wander aimlessly, etc.) - I just got back from Europe with three pre-teens, and I know how valuable planned "activities" are for them, so I'd concur about SD having more "stuff".... but it's a much bigger city than SB. There are fun whale watching trips, kayaking, great hiking etc in SB though...
(by the way, if you do come to SB, we have a lovely zoo)

Deblynn

Jetset1;
Where on Coronado did you stay?? Were their rates reasonable?

Little_Man

tahititams, I think you're right, thank you for your comments which I just saw. Originally a new englander, I do think I'd be happier in New England, or England ... or Mexico! But home is where my husbands job is, and my children love it here in Orange County, so here I will be for who knows how long. Someday somewhere more interesting that suits my soul.
Sorry about my comments about San Diego being boring. Obviously, that's an unusual opinion.