We are going on a family trip to San Diego in February (2 adults and 2 kids ages 6 and 11).
I have a pretty good idea of what we will do there....SeaWorld, the zoo, LegoLand, and maybe a whale watching boat. There are so many things to choose from! I would really appreciate advice on hotels and restaurants. Does anyone have experience with kids in San Diego? I am having a hard time figuring out the best part of town to stay in. We will be flying in and renting a car. All help and hints are appreciated.

Try the Princess Hotel.Its on the bay, very centrally located and great for children.

Wendy,
I vacationed in San Diego a couple of years ago and stayed at the Marriott. It is right on the harbor, situated next to Seaport Village and within walking distance of the Gaslamp Quarter. I thought it was a great location and a very nice hotel.

I live in San Diego. It would be much easier to advise you if I had some idea of your price range. I will make a couple of recommendations and some generalities. February is generally not beach weather but you never know. We had some beautiful beach weather this last February.

The Embassy Suites in downtown San Diego is very nice and you get a suite with a free full breakfast. It is right next to Seaport Village and very easy walking distance to the Gaslamp area. The Gaslamp area has 80+ restaurants. I highly recommend the Dakota Grill on the corner of 5th and E in the Gaslamp area. There are many things to do and see downtown all within walking distance. The waterfront is very nice.

In general you should stay in downtown San Diego, Coronado, or along the coast from Mission Bay North up to Carlsbad. There are many excellent choices and it will be off-season so you maybe can negotiate. Check out the Travel websites for accomodations in the area.

Do NOT stay south or east of downtown. Hotel Circle and the rest of Mission Valley is not good for tourists. It is a safe area and nothing is wrong with it. It is just that there is nothing to do within walking distance. The hotels in that area are geared more for the business traveler.

I also highly recommend Miguel's Cocina for some of the best Mexican food in the area. There are two of them, one at Shelter Island ( close to airport ) and the other is in Coronado across from the Hotel Del Coronado ( must see ). The ambience and service is excellent and the prices are very reasonable. Both of them are very good though the one in Coronado has a little more ambience.

I would also include the Wild Animal Park in you list of attractions to see. It is by Escondido about 35 minutes from downtown San Diego. Many people like it better than the zoo.

I second the Dakota Grill recommendation. Great ribs and ambience.

Thank you,Tom, Paul, and SDSam! We will try to get to the Wild Animal Park if time allows. I understand you can get a combination ticket to the Zoo and Wild Animal Park. Your recommendations for restaurants are helpful. I put Dakota Grill and Miguel's Cocina on our list.I will also check out the hotels you mentioned. It was especially helpful to get an idea of what areas not to look at. I was hoping to spend in the $100-$125/night range. We won't use the facilities of a resort on this trip so I would prefer not to pay for them. Hopefully I will find some off season specials. Thanks again . Any further input is always appreciated!

Wendy: I don't know where you live, but just in case you are leaving a a cold location and expecting, as I was, that San Diego would be MUCH warmer: it isn't in February! It was my own fault; I should have checked on the average temperature in SD in February, but I didn't and arrived with all the wrong clothes and froze for a week. Pack layers, especially for the kids.

Thanks, Lindsay, for the warning. I'll be sure to pack accordingly.

SDsams recs and right on the money! Also rec a great Greek Restaurant down my Horton Plaza, near 4th, I think. Something like Gardens of Athens or Athenian Garden....Fabulous food and superior service. Go for the moussaka.....

The Greek Restaurant is Athens Market. It is next to Horton Plaza which is a nice outside mall. Great lentil soup. Another hotel to consider is the Hilton at Mission Bay. It is very well located and there is a playground next to it for children. Another restaurant that is good for families is the Fish Market.

The question of San Diego weather in February is a good one. This area is unlike any other in the country. I am asked about the weather constantly and I always reply with the same answer. San Diego weather from November-April is best described as iffy. People will argue with me because they visited for a week in January or February and it was very warm. What they don't know is that it can also be chilly and rainy especially in February and March. The inland areas get frost sometimes. At our house, it is not uncommon for it to be 30 at night and 80 during the day. It has been as hot as 95 at our house in January. The good thing is that no weather pattern during the winter lasts very long so all in all the winter is pretty nice. However who knows what it will be like on the time that you visit. Therefore be prepared for anything.

Can I suggest contacting the San Diego Visitor and Convention center? They are on the internet. They can send you out great booklets on accommodation plus a voucher/coupon booklet which comes in very handy!

Thanks for all of your advice! I'll let you know how the trip goes.

One of our favorite places to go with kids! Be sure to vist the Cabrillo Monument, there's a great lighthouse kids love to explore. Also, "Old Towne" San Diego, and the Scripps Institute in La Jolla has some fun hands-on learning for children of all ages.
By the way, my five-year-old grandson thought lego-land was "stupid" - I haven't met a kid yet that wants to go back. Disneyland is almost the same price.

And don't forget to try a "local," delicious specialty: the fish taco. Either at Rubio's (a local chain), or El Indio, or any of the small, independent taco shops.