san diego with 12 & 14 year old boys
Mar 29th, 2005, 04:49 PM
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san diego with 12 & 14 year old boys
We will be visiting San Diego for the first time this July..Looking for activities that
will not cause young teen boys to roll their eyes...they anything outdoors...but am wary of lego land and sea world..too childish?
will not cause young teen boys to roll their eyes...they anything outdoors...but am wary of lego land and sea world..too childish?
Mar 29th, 2005, 06:46 PM
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We took our boys to San Diego last year, ages 11 & 15. They loved Sea World, and the Beach, probably the most. Sea World is definitely NOT too childish. They now have rides for older kids. I think everybody loves Sea World! We did not do Lego Land, that is for smaller children. The trolley to Tijuana is fun for the shopping & bargaining, and they can see what it's like to be poor and live in Mexico. We haved rented bikes down at Pacific Beach area, and rode along the boardwalk, you can also rollerblade. They can rent boogie boards and play in the water. There is so much to do for kids that age in San Diego! Have Fun! If you want ideas on restaurants or places to stay, you can email me @ [email protected]
Mar 30th, 2005, 10:07 AM
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sea world is a lot of fun for all ages. unless your boys are REALLY into lego, they are too old for legoland.
unless you come from a beach community, most of my kid guests were happiest at the beach. i'd highly recommend pacific/mission beach where they can rent everything from wetsuits, boogie boards, roller blades, etc. there is also a roller coaster there they may want to ride.
go to la jolla cove area when the tide has just gone out and waunder the rocks looking at the critters. then walk down the block to see the sea lions in the "children's pool". or the cabrillo national monument area is good for exploring tide pools.
the museums in balboa park are usually free one day a week and there are a couple there that they may be interested (aerospace is suppose to be good).
if you go to coronado beach, you'll often have military planes flying overhead.
not sure if they still have it but they use to have one military ship in dock every saturday or sunday that you could tour for free. this interested most kids.
unless you come from a beach community, most of my kid guests were happiest at the beach. i'd highly recommend pacific/mission beach where they can rent everything from wetsuits, boogie boards, roller blades, etc. there is also a roller coaster there they may want to ride.
go to la jolla cove area when the tide has just gone out and waunder the rocks looking at the critters. then walk down the block to see the sea lions in the "children's pool". or the cabrillo national monument area is good for exploring tide pools.
the museums in balboa park are usually free one day a week and there are a couple there that they may be interested (aerospace is suppose to be good).
if you go to coronado beach, you'll often have military planes flying overhead.
not sure if they still have it but they use to have one military ship in dock every saturday or sunday that you could tour for free. this interested most kids.
Mar 30th, 2005, 10:46 AM
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at Seaworld you can do a dolphin encounter where you get in a pool with the dolphins and a trainer - have to reserve in advance - it is very fun!!
cant go wrong with the Pacific Beach area - how about a surfing lesson ?
cant go wrong with the Pacific Beach area - how about a surfing lesson ?
Mar 31st, 2005, 02:10 AM
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We took a harbor cruise that went by all sorts of military equipment, ships, etc - our teenage son liked that (and he is not usually military-oriented).
Do not know from where you are traveling, but when we went to Coranado and walked along beach (it was about 70 degrees and beautiful) both of our teenagers decided they needed to swim in the Pacific - fully clothed - since we are from Boston and want to swim in every ocean in the world.
They also wanted to go to Tijuana so they could say they had set foot in Mexico - all of us found it not very interesting and very depressing - not the socio-cultural experience above poster mentioned. They did, however, get some important education when we watched US Marshalls at the border arresting some guys at gunpoint.
Do not know from where you are traveling, but when we went to Coranado and walked along beach (it was about 70 degrees and beautiful) both of our teenagers decided they needed to swim in the Pacific - fully clothed - since we are from Boston and want to swim in every ocean in the world.
They also wanted to go to Tijuana so they could say they had set foot in Mexico - all of us found it not very interesting and very depressing - not the socio-cultural experience above poster mentioned. They did, however, get some important education when we watched US Marshalls at the border arresting some guys at gunpoint.
Mar 31st, 2005, 07:00 AM
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The Mission Beach area is pretty cool - your kids would probably like it. It seems like a good place to just hang out, wander around a bit.
On Coronado there are these 4-person peddle carts that you can rent. That looks like a lot of fun.
If you guys are interested in history, there is a free, hour-long tour of the Old Town square. It leaves from the visitor's center at 11 am, I believe. We took it and it was quite good. Being from Boston, you guys have an entirely different history than we do out here, so the kids might find it pretty interesting. Then you could get some Mexican food - there is a place called Coyote Cafe right down from the old square that has good food and homemade tortillas that you can watch the ladies make. It also has an outdoor patio overlooking the street, which is nice.
On Coronado there are these 4-person peddle carts that you can rent. That looks like a lot of fun.
If you guys are interested in history, there is a free, hour-long tour of the Old Town square. It leaves from the visitor's center at 11 am, I believe. We took it and it was quite good. Being from Boston, you guys have an entirely different history than we do out here, so the kids might find it pretty interesting. Then you could get some Mexican food - there is a place called Coyote Cafe right down from the old square that has good food and homemade tortillas that you can watch the ladies make. It also has an outdoor patio overlooking the street, which is nice.
Apr 1st, 2005, 04:07 PM
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We just returned from a week in SD. Our son is 12 and really liked the tour of the aircraft carrier Midway. We did legoland 4 years ago, it's definitely too young for teens. Bike riding, roller blading and boogie boarding would be sure bets for teens. A bizarre little side trip would be to this cave in La Jolla, I forget the name, but it was interesting and you got a good view of the kayakers and seals in La Jolla Cove. We love SD. Have been there 3 times in 5 years.
Apr 1st, 2005, 04:32 PM
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My boys are 14 & 16 and every year we go to the SD Harbor and explore one of the ships - Star of Indian, etc.
Balboa Park has great museums. Science is very good as is Natural History. If they like model trains, the model train museum is superb.
We went last year to the Zoo for the first time with the boys (I hadn't been since it was free for those under 16 and you could bring food to feed the animals!!!) We had a great time. Even if you have been to other zoos (we have one in our home town), there is nothing to compare with the SD Zoo.
They are too old for Legoland unless they are Lego fanatics - even then I have my doubts. I think parents really get steamed at having to pay an huge admission with there being little to do except watch the kids.
If they like history, there is Old Town. You could also take Amtrak up to San Juan Capistrano and visit that famous mission.
Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is nice. Sea World is worth a full day - sometimes there are promotions that let you in on a second day also for the same price.
If they have never surfed, they might want to have a try at that. At least boogie boards or body surfing - that's how I would spend weeks in the summer - no other entertainment needed.
If they have never been to a Disney Park, Anaheim is only a couple of hours away. Get in the HOV lane and you can exit right into the park's parking lot!
Balboa Park has great museums. Science is very good as is Natural History. If they like model trains, the model train museum is superb.
We went last year to the Zoo for the first time with the boys (I hadn't been since it was free for those under 16 and you could bring food to feed the animals!!!) We had a great time. Even if you have been to other zoos (we have one in our home town), there is nothing to compare with the SD Zoo.
They are too old for Legoland unless they are Lego fanatics - even then I have my doubts. I think parents really get steamed at having to pay an huge admission with there being little to do except watch the kids.
If they like history, there is Old Town. You could also take Amtrak up to San Juan Capistrano and visit that famous mission.
Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is nice. Sea World is worth a full day - sometimes there are promotions that let you in on a second day also for the same price.
If they have never surfed, they might want to have a try at that. At least boogie boards or body surfing - that's how I would spend weeks in the summer - no other entertainment needed.
If they have never been to a Disney Park, Anaheim is only a couple of hours away. Get in the HOV lane and you can exit right into the park's parking lot!
