My family will be on vacation for 5 days in San Diego at the end of August. We will be staying at Doubletree San Diego Mission Valley. Questions:
1) I will go to Old town to try Mexican food. Any suggestion which restaurant I should try. We will be with my 5 yr old son so I will prefer family type and not too expensive type.
2) Should I drive to Old town or should I take San Diego trolley?
3) I heard that La Jolla is a very nice beach and good for family outing. Any thought on this? Is it difficult to find parking spot?
4) Can someone tell me more about Point Loma?
Thanks

Gary,

Obviously, you have done a ton of research on your upcoming trip. That said, I would heartily recommend Black's Beach. I'm sure, if you type it into one of your search engines, you will be successful.

Native

Point Loma is a large peninsula which climbs in elevation to it's end, affording a fantastic view of San Diego proper, San Diego Bay, Coronado Island and the ocean. There is a nice big visitors center there, also a quaint lighthouse. An afternoon visit is more likeley to get a clearer view. The marine layer that rolls into the coastal lands at night can linger into the afternoon, even. It's a great view spot.

1. Casa de Bandini, Old Town Mexican Cafe both family style moderate priced. Also eat at Baja Fresh (fresh healthy fast food) in Mission Valley by Borders Bookstore. You'll probably like it better and is much cheaper. Most San Diegans eat Mexican food at small taco shops, neighborhood mom/pop style restaurants or Rubios,La Salsa and Baja Fresh. Mostly tourists eat at Old Town.
2. It's cheaper to drive since Old Town is about 5 minute from the Doubltree. There's lots of parking.
3. La Jolla Shores beach is great for kids. Small waves and a playground. Numerous lifegaurd towers. Avoid weekends or arrive by 0800. Go early anyways because parking in the lot fills up fast on weekdays. More parking in the neighborhood but futher to walk.
4. Point Loma is difficult to describe but what you will be interested in is Cabrillo Monument (Great View and you can learn the history of the discovery of San Diego). Tide Pools below the Cabrillo Monument. Ocean Beach to the north is moslty a locals/surfer beach. Not as big as Pacific Beacg/Mission Beacg or as nice. Shelter Island- great place to walk and picnic with great views of the Harbor, Downtown. Oh and Point Loma Seafoods. Fresh Fish market that serves great food. A little on the pricey side for a market but awesome food. A San Diego Local favorite.

1) Old Town has no other kind of restaurant, any will have plenty of kids. My personal favorites are: Casa de Pico and Old Town Mexican cafe.
2) Take your car and bring clothing layers. Old Town can be sweltering at 3:00pm and chilly at 5:30pm.
3) La Jolla Shores is great. Parking is a bit like Old Town, sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you walk a couple blocks.
4) covered by Becky

Ignore Black's Beach comment.

1. The Gudalajara Grill is also very good. Also Casa de Bandini.
2. Here I'm going to disagree with everyone else. I think you should take the Trolley. Yes, it will cost a little more, but, even though there is lots of parking in Old Town, it's often full. Also, if you take the Trolley, you don't have to worry about driving after drinking those huge margaritas!
3. I agree with sd and Joe, La Jolla Shores is the place to go. Black's Beach is a "clothing optional" beach. Access is difficult, even dangerous. It is not a child-friendly beach.
4. Point Loma has been well covered. It's definitely worth visiting. Take lots of film!

Have a great time in San Diego.

blacks beach is out...don't consider it with a child.
check out the tides and hit point loma at low tide so you can check out the tide pools.
another nice place for views of the city is up on soledad mountain.

casa de bandini in old town is fun.