Well, I'm just starting to plan our first family trip to San Diego! Hubby has a conference there in mid -march. So, we will stay at his hotel (the Marriot near the convention center)from Wednesday to Sunday morning.

However, we would like to stay somewhere else the first few days (Saturday until Wednesday) of the trip. A two-bedroom condo on the beach (Mission, La Jolla?) would be ideal.

I am trying to organize what we would like to do with him and without him and figure out where we should stay and for how long we'll need a rental car.

I'm thinking that we would definately like to do the zoo with him and perhaps whale watching and a day of hanging out (hiking?) or Legoland (if the kids are not too old. )

I'd like to do some museums. But, we do spend time in NYC every year so I don't think we'll need to see the natural history museum.

Any suggestions on how I should organize my trip or on places to stay the first few days?

Thanks

Don't know how old the kids are, but the Wild Animal Park north of San Diego is fun. There's a great 5 mile hike in Poway - Iron Mountain - well marked, bring water, great views.

Thanks, they are ten and eight. How challenging is the hike?

Besides the zoo in Balboa Park, I would consider the model railway museum if they like trains.

Down in the harbor, there are old ships as well as an aircraft carrier to tour

Are your kids boys or girls?

I think Legoland is attractive for younger children but I believe your 10 year old will be bored and your 18 year old will never forgive you for taking him/her there.

Both the Zoo and Wild Animal Park are great. I don't personally enjoy Seaworld much but lots of folks do. In Balboa Park, the Aviation and Space Museum may be interesting to them.

Just a short walk on the waterfront from your hotel, Sea Life Village is fun to walk around, especially if some or all of you have the shopping bug. Just a short further walk, there are several waterfront attractions including harbor tours, an aircraft carrier and submarine, and a sailing ship.

The San Diego Trolley (light rail) runs directly in front of your hotel and it is the easiest way to get to Old Town San Diego - a part historical park, part tourist area, and part shopping and dining area. If your kids are into cops, be sure and visit the San Diego County Sheriff's Musueum on the edge of Old Town. The trolley can also take you other places including the Mexican border.

Just across San Diego Bay from your hotel is Coronado Island. The Hotel del Coronado is fun to visit, the beach in front of it is one of the best in southern California, and, boys or girls, your kids may enjoy seeing the Navy Seals training along the beach south of the hotel.

Just a few blocks from your hotel, the old Union Pacific train station is now home to AMTRAK, The Coaster (heavy commuter rail) and is a San Diego Trolley stop. My kids, at that age, enjoyed taking short train rides and AMTRAK runs up the coast a dozen times a day. A fun trip from San Diego is a train ride up the coast to San Juan Capistrano, a visit to the old Spanish Mission San Juan (est. 1776), and then a train ride back to San Diego. The train will be about an hour each way, the mission is only a couple of blocks from the train station, and a tour of the mission can be easily done in 2-3 hours.

An alternative is to take the train only as far as San Clemente and visit the beach and pier there. Be sure you understand the train shchedules. In March, not every AMTRAK stops in San Clemente. It would be discouraging to get off there then see the train you planned to take back whiz by without stopping.

Have a great trip. San Diego is a great place to visit.

i personally love sea world. that would be an easy day for you while your husband's in the conference. you could take a taxi from your hotel to sea world then you don't have to worry about a rental that day.
there are lots of places you can rent in mission beach that would have two bedrooms, kitchen etc. do a search on google and you'll find many options.

Thanks a lot. I am really getting excited about the trip now! So, do you think Mission beach would be the best place to rent for a family?

the great thing about mission beach is a lot of the places are right on the beach. so, makes it easy if one or two of the family members want to go "home" and the others want to stay at the beach, no big deal. no driving involved. these are homes/condos though so no pool. mid march, the beaches won't be hot but you will have some nice warm days. if you prefer a hotel, consider the pacific terrace inn or the ocean park inn. mission/pacific beach has a nice long board walk so it's a great area for walking, blading or biking.

If you have never been to San Diego, you REALLY should go to the famous San Diego Zoo, so keep that one on your list. I LOVE Sea World, so if you don't have one near you or have never been I highly recommend going, it is great and the kids will love getting splashed by Shamu! Over Labor Day we went camping on Mission Beach (campgrounds) and we took one day away from camping and went to Legoland, my opinion of it...wasn't worth the money nor the trip away from the beach. Itt suggested Mission Beach and I "second" that without a doubt, it is really nice. I also like Balboa Island, your kids might like this also, they have a few "seaside" type rides and there are shops and they will definitly see the typical California beach bums walking around, the whole experience down there is fun. If you decide against Sea World (that would be a mistake...lets put it this way, we go every year in May for my b-day/mothers day gift and I never get bored with it..plus they have fun rides now that your kids will love) but if you decide to make this ghastly mistake......check their site anyway for firework schedules because you can see their shows over Mission Bay!!
Have fun...I LOVE San Diego!!!!!!!!!

Here is another vote for the Zoo and SeaWorld. Legoland is a tough call, given your 10 yr. old. But I think it should be okay.

One thing you must do is Dine with Shamu at Seaworld. We booked our tickets on line several weeks in advance. We had a front row table and Shamu literally slid up on a podium right in front of us. Just an awesome experience for all of us. It is a little pricey but the food is pretty good (which is unusual in these types of events).

ssm, we have also done the dine with Shamu and I also recommend this. Me and DH did this before kids, now I would love to do it again with our boys, they would love it!

Hi Misha2!
I have a family-friendly theater suggestion: Triple Espresso at the Horton Grand Theater in the gaslamp district. I saw this show there and it's a really fun time. www.tripleespresso.com has all the info and they used to offer a coupon online, too. Just a thought if you want something indoors to do during your long weekend. Have fun!

misha2: I apologise for the Legoland part of my first response. Somehow, I misread your title as a 10 and an 18 year old and I did not notice my error until just now. I still think your 10 year old will be a little bored by it but the eight year old may enoy it.

I love Sea World. I am nineteen and i went to USD last year, which is right by sea world. i went all the time. the ages your kids are at are perfect for sea world... they are old enough to go on all the rides and to enjoy all of the shows. To me, the zoo is questionable. i love animals, but i would pick sea world over the zoo any day. The zoo has alot of walking and kids get cranky...

Also, i would pick La Jolla over Mission beach. Mission beach is a bit dodgy... La Jolla has great shopping, beaches, and restraunts. Also, in La Jolla there is a hang-glyder cliff place where people hang-glide, paraglyde, and fly remote control planes. It is amazing to watch and to see the sunset from up on the cliff is beautiful. both you and your kids would find it entertaining. You should ask someone for directions cause its a bit hard to find (it is really close to the UCSD campus in La Jolla).

Have fun!

San Diego is a great city. Might want to take a Harbor Cruise. Great way to see the city from the bay. If you are looking to rent a 2-bedroom condo might check out the webisite:

www.vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner)

Another vote for the World Famous San Diego Zoo. Be sure to take the bus tour around the park.

Have a wonderful time in SD.