SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
 

On our Great American Road Trip, we will stay in San Diego for two full days. Daughters are 15 y.o. and 11 y.o. Neither hubby nor I have been to San Diego. We will spend one full day at the Zoo. We are looking for suggestions on what to do for day two. Please don't suggest shopping...we live in Dallas). We want to get a feel for what makes San Diego unique.
***BEACH...we love the beach
***We would consider a BUS TOURS if we can get off and get on at will. We've never done that but with such a short stay, it is a valid option.
***Our kids generally last about 2 hrs at a MUSEUM and ONLY if it's something they've not seen in NYC or DFW. (Been there, done that mentality).
***YOUR IDEAS
Thanks!!!

Do plan on visiting Old Town (State Historic Park). Not for the shopping, but for the history. Great place to walk around, some good food, etc. This will give you a good overview of early history for this part of the country. There's one restaurant that I recall has some ladies out front making tortillas, you can buy to eat as you walk (little butter and salsa, rolled up, yum). http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=663

You might have already looked at this thread, but in case not.. http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...california.cfm

If you want a great ride/view - go over the Coronado bridge - and visit the classic Hotel Del - about half an hour from downtown. While there are beaches over in Coronado, you might consider say Pacific Beach - where the girls can see some young surfers. :) There is also a fun amusement park-roller coaster ride at Pacific/Mission Beach - called Belmont Park: http://www.belmontpark.com/

Old Town is great - and from the street - at the Old Town Mexican restaurant - you can see the women making tortillas.

And driving out to Cabrillo Point - by Ocean Beach/Pt. Loma is very pretty - and they have a great little museum/story about the founding of the West Coast - from a great viewpoint overlooking San Diego and the Pacific.

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm

With regard to a bus tour, I recommend the San Diego Trolley Tour, which is a hop on-hop off tour that takes you all over town.

http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/

There are Zoos all over the country. Some, like the Bronx Zoo in NYC, are rated as high as the San Diego Zoo. And of course you have a Zoo in DFW. I recommend the Safari Park in Escondido, an easy commute from San Diego. It's operated by the San Diego Zoo, but it's a totally different way of experiencing the animals. See:

http://sdzsafaripark18.reachlocal.ne...rip/index.html

This web site gives a good view of what to see and do in San Diego.

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/...city-guide.htm

As to bus tours that you can get on and off at will, here is one idea:

http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/day-tour.asp

You don't mention the time frame you will be visiting? The suggestions all ready made are awesome. The trolley is great, off and on. If you really love the beach as I do and it is warm enough I would have to suggest a trip to La Jolla. The scenery is gorgeous. I think the Seals at La Jolla cove are interesting to see. I guess they are still migrating there? There is a wall you can walk out on into the water. Just breathtaking views on a clear day mind you!! If it is cloudy or foggy not so great. There is also a short harbor cruise taken down by the wharf in San Diego. A drive to the lighthouse up at Ft. Rosecrans is also spectacular--again on a "clear day." 2 days is hardly enough time to really see and experience San Diego. Stretch it a day and spend another in America's finenst City! Enjoy!

My nieces did a kayak tour in La Jolla Cove and really liked it.

Scripps (Birch) aquarium

Aircraft carrier Midway, Star of India and other ships (depending on your girls' interests)

As for going into the ocean, the water stays pretty cold until July and even then can be cold into August

Old Town is fun. Look for the Mexican restaurant in a colorful courtyard. Also, the Maritime Museum offers a lot to explore: http://www.sdmaritime.org/

HTTY

Lots of good suggestions here.

I agree that the Safari Park is a lot of fun and is quite different from the zoo. Depending on the time and how much you want to spend, you can go out in a truck and feed a giraffe.

The Midway is fantastic. I think it is one of the best things to see here and often take our visitors there. If you have time, check out the Star of India too. It is in the same area.

If you want to go to the beach, La Jolla is very pretty. Water is cold, though.

I am not that crazy about Old Town. It seems kind of touristy to me, but everyone has their own likes and dislikes.

Have fun!

I was a bit disappointed with Old Town, too, but loved walking in Balboa Park. Probably mentioned above, but may have missed it. Lots of museums and interesting Spanish architecture.

To me - the only place the Trolley goes worthwhile is the one line to Little Italy and Old Town. And the bus service is not that great either, unlike places such as San Francisco.

And I also would say the Wild Animal Park/now called Safari Park is more interesting as you get to see the animals in the wild (riding the two mini-railroads) - but the SD Zoo is top notch and has some great new exhibits - especially the elephant enclosure with some Lions sleeping nearby. :)

I'd spend half day at Zoo, take a stroll through Balboa Park, then head over to Coronado; if a good beach day, great, if not stroll through the Hotel Del and head back to Mission Bay. Drive up the Pac Coast Hwy 101 to La Jolla and see Seal Beach, drive around to LaJolla Shores and perhaps kayak into the caves. Rent a boat or rollerblade around Mission Bay; the water activities will be far more enjoyable than Old Town, and the Safari Park is too far away for a two-day trip and with kids that age. Also dine one night in the Gaslight Quarter downtown or on Harbor Island near the airport. Second night you can dine in LaJ or DelMar. Our son has lived in San Diego 15 years, and our first trip out w/ them they were 11 and 14.

Begging your pardon - but Safari Park is only about 45 minutes from San Diego, and even less if you drive like I do. :) And I prefer the beach/Cove at La Jolla - almost like going to the Med - and you can stroll over to the nearby beach which the Seals un-naturally infest.

And while there are many dining options in La Jolla - the kids might like The Spot (burgers, fries, etc) on the main drag/Prospect - or perhaps Jose's - for Mexican Food, or the bit more upscale - Alphoso's.

http://alfonsosoflajolla.com/ and for The Cove

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=...w=1253&bih=658

BTW - if you want to sample some of San Diego's great seafood - the Fish Market - next to the USS Midway/museum - is hard to beat. And while I love the Midway - the girls might like to explore the old Clipper/sailing ship - Star of India. Actually - walking/strolling along the Embacadero is fun (from the Midway to the Star of India is less than a mile) - and you can also pick up some fish and chips/Scallops, etc - at Anthony's Fishette - and sit out on their deck - right over the water - and and look across at Coronado.

BTW Dos: The Scripps/Birch Acquarium is terrific, and the view from their deck is spectacular, overlooking the Pacific. Have been there for catered receptions - and what a setting. It's only about 10 minutes from the Village of La Jolla.

http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/

And have to add: Driving/Parking in and around San Diego is fairly easy - so suggest you drive most places - than try some touristy hop on - hop off option.

The seals in La Jolla can be found, unfortunately, at the Children's Beach.

You've gotten a lot of great suggestions. Here's another idea -- try a Segway tour. We toured the "Gaslamp" area and then up into Balboa Park. It was very fun!

Aggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. While I am always very friendly and helpful to tourists, when I see a Segway line of touri - I just want to honk at them and run them off the road onto the sidewalk. Sorry - just my personal peeve.

Well - to be fair - maybe that's how the Greeks felt on Corfu when we motored around the island on Vespas?

You folks are making it REALLY hard to make our decision!!! Segway, kayak into caves, seals, food, beach, shopping...what's a family to do??? :-) THANKS BUNCHES!!!

(((Next stop will be Anaheim for DisneyLand and then Los Angeles...look for me to post about that in a few days))) I complete one leg of the trip...reservations and all...before I start on the next leg.

benitaswan - we are doing your trip, but in the opposite direction. so i'll be following all of your posts.

HA rizzo0904 - that's funny! I just began reading Fodor's California today. I've finished Fodor's Grand Canyon and Arizona. To me, the hardest thing is...you've got to pick and choose. You simply can't do it all. Normally, we go to a destination and stay for 9 or more days. This trip is different. We're hitting a destination for only 2-3 days. And that makes it hard. We're accustomed to doing everything a place has to offer in 9 days. Now, we're going to have to learn how to "hit the high spots" in 2 days. Wish us luck!

benitaswan - our challenge this time is including 2 toddlers! so we have to narrow things down to accomodate them. i'll go read fodor's california.

There are several museums at Balboa Park, not just the zoo. You might want to check out if any would be of interest to your girls.

rizzo and benitaswan, we're going to be there within the week and have really enjoyed this thread. We're doing 2 days, too, with the Zoo, a whale watching tour with Adventure Rib Boats, Children's Pool for the seals, drive out to Hotel Del, and dinner in Old Town. Should be fun! Thanks for the advice!
Rizzo, we're staying at the Homewood Suites to accomodate our kids. Check it out- it might suit you, too.

Half day is enoght for the zoo as it isn't very large.I second the idea of the Zoo's safari park. Sea World can be fun too.

Interesting, both the San Diego Zoo and the Bronx Zoo have about 4,000 animals, but the former is only 100 acres and the latter is about 265 acres. By contrast, the Berlin Zoo has 17,500 animals in 84 acres (thank you Wikipedia!)

And Safari Park (formerly Wild Animal Park) is over 1,800 acres, with other open space nearby - and is our favorite, but we also love the Zoo. You can buy a 2 day ticket - one day each and get a discount.

In the good old days, I would spend at least half the day at the zoo feeding the animals!

topping

And be sure to bring your swimming trunks. People go swimming in the ocean year round in SD - although some seem to think that is too cold during the winter months. The shallower water at the Cove in La Jolla is always pleasant enough to wade in - and pleaseant enough to usually dive in for a few strokes. :) People also go scuba diving and snorkeling there year round.

The beach at la jolla shores is great. My favorite swimming beach in all of california.

USS Midway Museum. Here's my account of our visit (with photos).

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...3_Entry_1.html

((H))

Toms idea of the Embarcadero is good. Kids usually love the Star of India. You can go inside the actual ship. Nearby is the ship used to film the movie Master & Commander. There are several other boats/ships to tour as well.

From the same area, you can catch the passenger ferry to Coronado. It's a fun and cheap way to actually go out in the bay.

On the Coronado side, you can get a good meal or snacks at the ferry landing. If you want to see Coronado ( a beautiful town) you can rent bikes or a victorian trolly to cruise in. You could also take a bus, taxi or walk the 12 blocks up to the Hotel Del and the beach. Lots of great places to eat in Coronado.

Amen lcuy. And the girls would probably love walking around th Fashion Valley Mall/Shopping Center - and maybe getting into the Godiva chocolate shop? :)

https://foursquare.com/v/fashion-val...64a52042401fe3