4 days in San Diego
Nov 13th, 2017, 07:55 AM
#1
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4 days in San Diego
Hi, Hubby and I (along with our energetic 3.5 year old son) are visiting San Francisco for the first time mid-December for 4 full days (+2 travel days). Would love recommendations on areas to stay? Downtown / Gas Lamp / Coronado? Also, the San Diego zoo is on our list of activities to do but would appreciate other recommendations that are kid / family friendly. How is the safari and is that a full day or half-day activity? Also, are legoland and seaworld good for a 3.5 year old or are they geared for older kids?
Thank you!!!
Thank you!!!
Nov 13th, 2017, 07:58 AM
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I assume you do mean San Diego (you wrote San Francisco in the body of the post, but everything else refers to San Diego). Only one thing to say - Legoland is geared for younger kids, not older, so that should be a good activity.
Nov 13th, 2017, 08:56 AM
#3
We liked the Omni hotel, which easily walkable to the Gaslamp quarter, as well as the embarcadero marina park south, and lots of restaurants and shops along that waterside walk. It would be a great location for a 3.5 year old.
Nov 13th, 2017, 08:57 AM
#4
Nov 13th, 2017, 09:19 AM
#7
Traveler, I noticed they have a Kids Pack that you get upon check-in, which looks like fun for a 3.5 year old.
Rates in mid-December are about $228, with this package:
SIP STAY AND SAVE PACKAGE
Package Includes:
Luxurious accommodations, two holiday drinks and a late check -out of 1pm (confirm with the front desk at check-in).
Rates in mid-December are about $228, with this package:
SIP STAY AND SAVE PACKAGE
Package Includes:
Luxurious accommodations, two holiday drinks and a late check -out of 1pm (confirm with the front desk at check-in).
Nov 13th, 2017, 10:07 AM
#8
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Loved the San Diego Zoo, but loved the Safari Park even more. Both are a must as far as I'm concerned.
With kids, would also consider visiting Sea World. You could also do a drive out to Legoland (haven't been here).
With kids, would also consider visiting Sea World. You could also do a drive out to Legoland (haven't been here).
Nov 13th, 2017, 10:23 AM
#10
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@Bachslunch Thanks for the feedback. I think we will do both the zoo and the safari. Can't decide on seaworld and/or legoland. Looks like they require full days so might be too much to attempt everything!
Nov 13th, 2017, 10:35 PM
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Legoland was one of the highlights for my kids. On our first trip to Southern California, our younger two (then ages 6 and 4) liked it more than Disneyland. Especially the 4 year old.
It is not all putting together legos. There are low-key themed rides related to the different kinds of legos.
Worth checking the website, as some rides have minimum heights. Go to the map, click on rides and attractions and then enter your son's height. I suspect there will be lots to choose from still, but it's always nice to know ahead of time which rides to steer away from.
Also consider eating at Ruby's in Carlsbad after your trip to Legoland. It's a fun local chain of diners. The Carlsbad one features a model train track that is hanging from the ceiling and it's fun to see the train going around it while you eat.
It is not all putting together legos. There are low-key themed rides related to the different kinds of legos.
Worth checking the website, as some rides have minimum heights. Go to the map, click on rides and attractions and then enter your son's height. I suspect there will be lots to choose from still, but it's always nice to know ahead of time which rides to steer away from.
Also consider eating at Ruby's in Carlsbad after your trip to Legoland. It's a fun local chain of diners. The Carlsbad one features a model train track that is hanging from the ceiling and it's fun to see the train going around it while you eat.
Nov 16th, 2017, 11:34 AM
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Legoland is fun for very young kids and there is a height requirement for kids so make sure you know ahead of time which rides these are.
There are a number of other places to consider as well:
The Birch Aquarium https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/
The San Diego Zoo http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/
San Diego Wild Animal Park now called the Safari Park http://sdzsafaripark.org/
The USS Midway (your son can sit in the actual jets, etc) http://www.midway.org/
Balboa Park Museums
http://www.rhfleet.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQ...waAiO6EALw_wcB
http://www.rhfleet.org/?
gclid=Cj0KCQiAi7XQBRDnARIsANeLIetgLS5cnwWLupUAeYMo Scjlw3qXjlo3tfazqqFGmd09lR0xESZhUVwaAiO6EALw_wcB
La jolla Shores beach activities
There are a number of other places to consider as well:
The Birch Aquarium https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/
The San Diego Zoo http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/
San Diego Wild Animal Park now called the Safari Park http://sdzsafaripark.org/
The USS Midway (your son can sit in the actual jets, etc) http://www.midway.org/
Balboa Park Museums
http://www.rhfleet.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQ...waAiO6EALw_wcB
http://www.rhfleet.org/?
gclid=Cj0KCQiAi7XQBRDnARIsANeLIetgLS5cnwWLupUAeYMo Scjlw3qXjlo3tfazqqFGmd09lR0xESZhUVwaAiO6EALw_wcB
La jolla Shores beach activities
Nov 16th, 2017, 11:37 AM
#16
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disregard the last site (I don't think it is able to be opened anyway)
https://www.lajollakayak.com/
https://www.bikeandkayaktours.com/
https://www.lajollakayak.com/
https://www.bikeandkayaktours.com/
Nov 21st, 2017, 05:37 AM
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Moon Fish, sadly Jeff's Burgers in the La Jolla Shores has permanently closed. Piatti's is my favorite and reservations are generally a good idea. http://lajolla.piatti.com/
Nov 21st, 2017, 05:45 AM
#19
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traveler >> I think we will do both the zoo and the safari. >>
If you only have 4 days and the zoo/safari park will take up 2 days. I would just do one as they are both run by the same organization. I think the SD Zoo in Balboa Park would be the better choice for a young kid in tow. The Safari park is very spread out and the walking between exhibits is difficult.
If you only have 4 days and the zoo/safari park will take up 2 days. I would just do one as they are both run by the same organization. I think the SD Zoo in Balboa Park would be the better choice for a young kid in tow. The Safari park is very spread out and the walking between exhibits is difficult.
Nov 21st, 2017, 10:31 AM
#20
I'm going to agree with nanabee that either the Zoo or the Safari Park would be the best use of time. Then I disagree about which one. We took my four-year-old grandson to the Safari Park in March. He had been many times as an infant, but then they moved out of town and this was a first visit when he could walk. Kids that age don't want to sit in their stroller all the time, and at the Safari Park, he could walk and run and explore.
