San Diego Holidays with Kids
 

Hi everyone,

We will be in San Diego vacationing for a week with our 6 and 8 yo boys. They love animals and are really looking forward to the zoo and sea world. We will be arriving from New York on the 26th of December, thinking we will relax the first day and head to the zoo the next day.
Would you recommend going to sea world the following day or have a break in between?
Also, would you recommend going to Disneyland for a day (staying over not an option). Was thinking about going on 12/31 and watching the New Year fireworks - thoughts?

Many thanks in advance!

It's all up to you - as I am guessing the boys could hit it every day? :)

You can buy a combo type ticket for the Zoo and it's sister park - Safari Park (formerly called the Wild Animal Park - about 30 miles up the freeway/15 from SD and well worth it) - and also Sea World. http://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-sa...PopularTourist

I volunteer at the Zoo/Safari Park - and now they now have evening shows at the Zoo - so an afternoon start would be fine along with catching some of the entertainment/acts in the evening.

And Disneyworld is huge for kids (young and old) - about an hour and a half from SD if there is no real traffic and while it would be a long day - it would be a very memorable one.

Beware that Disneyland will be terribly crowded on that day and it is very likely they will close the gates at some point. So you will have leave very early to be sure to get it. There really is enough in San Diego, maybe save Disneyland for a not so popular time. What about Legoland, maybe a leisurely visit through Old Town?

I love LOVE Disneyland but you couldn't pay me to go there on NYE. It will be a zoo - very very crowded. Not enjoyable for small children IMO because of the lines/crowds.

Save it for another trip.

Thank you for you responses! Tomsd - I will be getting the combo ticket to the zoo, safari, and sea word for sure. I am now torn on whether to go to Disneyland. Is it really crowded a couple of days before NYE as well?

What are some of the other musts this time of year?

>> I am now torn on whether to go to Disneyland. Is it really crowded a couple of days before NYE as well?<<

Over Christmas/New Years when all the local kids are out of school is as crowded or more so than in the middle of summer. Especially this year since both holidays are midweek - the weekends between will be slammed.

Balboa Park has some museums that the kids would like.

http://www.localwally.com/

Thanks DebitNM, great site!

One more question - was looking around some of the sites and saw that we can go whale watching. Here's is a coupon I found http://www.newportwhales.com/newport...pon_16off.html
Thoughts?

Whale watching is a trip - and if you are first to see a whale - you can holler out: Thar she blows!!! - as you point out the whale. I went to the stern - while most folks were watching off the bow - and was able to spot one before the others. :)


But - if you go - make sure it's a calm day. Should be no problem just getting walkup tickets.

And the museums at Balboa Park are great - walkng distance from the Zoo. The boys might like the Model Railroad Museum, the Air and Space Museum (my favorite) - and perhaps the Antique Car museum - and there is also the science/games and an IMAX theater at the Rueben E. Fleet Museum - or the dinasours/etc - and another IMAX type theater - across the Prado - at the Natural History Museum. You could even tour one of the art museums if the boys/big and small - want to head elsewhere. :)


As for Disneyland - you have to decide yourself. As noted - it will probably be fairly crowded on the 31st, but if you can't do it any other time - think the kids will still love it.

The coupon for whale watching is NOT in San Diego. That would be a day trip up to Newport Beach to Orange County where Disneyland is located.

There are companies here in San Diego that do whale watching tours. I wouldn't drive all the way up to NPB just to whale watch.

Flagship does a whale watching tour with professionals from the Birch Aquarium. You can usually find coupons.

For some San Diego discounts have a look at
mousesavers.com

and

http://www.sandiego.org/coupons.aspx

To add to what Elizzie said - another Whale watching company - Hornblower - is probably the biggest cruise line and we have gone out with them a couple of times whale watching, once with some of the scientists from the Natural History Museum.

See which ever one fits your schedule/pricing the best.

For Hornblower: http://www.hornblower.com/port/overv...FQh1QgodQ3oAAQ