What to do in San Diego
 

Hi everyone. We are a family of four going to San Diego in June. We have six days, and four of them are already planned with the following: Disneyland, Wild Animal Park, Sea World, Zoo.

How should we spend our remaining two days? I'd like to do "general touring" of San Diego, but obviously don't have that much time. Some of the areas I"m interested in exploring are:

Seaport Village
Oldtown
Coronado
Gaslamp District
Del Mar and beaches (we are staying in Del Mar, north of La Jolla)

Which of these would you recommend? Can any be easily combined? We have two small children but they are extremely easy and laid-back. Anything fun I'm missing?

Thank you!

Next to SD Zoo, is Balboa park with museums and beautiful grounds/ fountains to enjoy. I like the Air & Space, Art and miniture train museums best. There's also an outdoor amphitheatre with a pipe organ. They give concerts on Sunday afternoon.

I second Balboa Park, and one day at the beach (even if it's overcast it's nice to play in the sand, etc.). That would round out your trip nicely.

Seaport Village, Oldtown, and the Gaslamp district are all fairly close to one another and are connected by the trolley (light rail, not the tourist bus) so they should be easily doable in one day. I'd also add the harborfront area across from Union Station for the harbor tours and the aircraft carrier tour.

Thanks, that's great advice! I think I read in another thread that Old Town is kind of "dead" right now; is that right?

Thanks again, the help is really appreciated.

Are you planning on staying in the Anaheim area overnight when you go to Disneyland? You may want to do something up there since it's a bit of a drive from San Diego.

We were hoping to make Disneyland just a daytrip. We will be travelling from Del Mar, so I think that's not as far as travelling from San Diego. Do you think that sounds manageable?

Thanks for your advice.

You can manage a day trip (I grew up in that area and we did them all the time). It will be a very long day and you will mostly likely have heavy traffic on the way up there (unless you leave later in the morning). I would plan on leaving a little later in the morning and staying until well after the fireworks in the evening.

We stayed near Del Mar (we were in Solana Beach) and easily did Disneyland in a daytrip. Just take 5 north and follow the signs. We also visited Old Town this last time and it's fine. I think maybe it's not supposed to be as good as it used to but if you've never been there before, how would you know? How old are your kids? The reason I suggested Balboa Park and the beach (the Del Mar beach is nice for kids because there is a playground there) is that your activities the other days are going to leave you exhausted! We had three days of down time and nevertheless my kids are still recovering. They are three and five.

I think with the change of ownership of Bazaar Del Mundo, there aren't many shops or dining there right now. Although, other parts of Old Town are still open. Maybe someone who's been there can let us know. I haven't been there personally for almost 2 years.

In response to what time to leave, we left at 8:00 on a weekday and were fine. Most of the traffic is going South on 5 in Del Mar, so you are against traffic until you get closer to LA, at which point there are carpool lanes. We were at the limit (actually way above the limit!) the whole way.

I think for me Old Town was cool for the actual state park thing. I thought the shops just offered tourist stuff anyhow. And there were plenty of restaurants to choose from. I think it has to do with your expectations.

I feel the same way as Monica - Old Town is good for the historical significance. It is interesting to wander around in the old square and go in and out of the buildings, seeing the exhibits. For shops, I've always thought it was ok. There are some good restaurants.

Cabrillo Natl Monument at the tip of Point Loma has one of the best views in the world, IMHO.:-X

The old lighthouse is so cool. We could just sit on the park benches and watch the world go by.

Question to Monica and others: Can we do the zoo and Balboa Park in one day? We have a terrific zoo here in DC and we go all the time, so I"m thinking perhaps we'll limit our time at the zoo and combine that visit with other Balboa Park attractions. Does that make sense?

Thanks again.

I'd suggest taking the bus tour that hi-lite the Zoo and moves you around quicker that walking it... then off to the rest of Balboa Park.

Mahalo,
Kal Others

I think you can do both. Just go when the zoo opens (the animals are out in the morning more). And do the tram/bus tour already mentioned. Then afternoon at Balboa Park.

Oh keep in mind, it could be hot at the Wild Animal Park in June, which is inland in Escondido. I'd go there early also.
Good to hear the scoop on Old Town. Yes, I like the State Park there also.

I would NOT do the zoo and Balboa Park in one day. We were exhausted just from the zoo and didn't see all of the animals anyhow. It's a LOT of walking at the zoo. For Balboa Park I like to slow down and just enjoy the buildings and the museums and the inevitable arts and crafts fair (we always go on a weekend because it's a good place to go that won't be too crowded). I guess I am trying to get you to slow down on your vacation--allow some time for rest and playgrounds, etc. If you rush from one amusement park/ zoo/ attraction to another you will miss actually enjoying San Diego. I do think you could do Old Town and Balboa Park on the same day, though. Oh, did we mention there is a carousel and little train in Balboa Park? My kids always enjoy those.

La Jolla is awesome.