We just got back from a one week trip in which we did many of the same things you are planning. My 2 cents are that you shouldn't combine the zoo with anything else. Even if the DC zoo is good, the SD zoo is something else. It doesn't have the greatest of collections in some cases (their large cat collections are pretty sub-par especially since the Tiger one is under renovation), but the layout of the zoo is beautiful, and you can walk for hours. With my 5 year old daughter, we spent almost two full days there, and saw everything at least once. I think less that one day wouldn't be enough.

As for other things, Seaport Village is nice with little shops and an old carousel. A walk up the coast in La Jolla from the harbor seal beach to the Cove is a nice stroll, and your kids will love all of the little ground squirrels on the hillsides. Old Town was fun for Cinqo de Mayo, but probably not as good as some of these other options.

If you go downtown, be sure to stop at the Ghirardelli shop and get a large (and ridiculously priced ;) sundae.

- Paul

If you're already going to San Diego's Zoo and Wild Animal Park you might want to consider enjoying museums in Balboa Park, there are few that I think your family would enjoy. Also the Go San Diego Card gets you into Wild Animal Park + the Zoo and also includes Walking tours of the Gaslamp and Coronado, too. I would look into it since they are on sale right now and see if it's for you :D

We go to San Diego several times a year (grandchildren)-- Balboa Park is next to Zoo, museums according to your interests-- architecture is outstanding, walk or drive through. Old Town is nearby too, good spot for dinner before bucking traffic on 5N. Do the sea walk in downtown LaJolla, kids love the seals. Dinner at La Jolla Cove at Piatti delicious and off beaten path. Cottage great for breakfast in downtown LaJolla. Jakes for dinner in time for sunset a worthwhile splurge--relaxed, never stuffy, also in Del Mar. Coronado worth a visit either by car or ferry from downtown. Kids will enjoy the fighter plane training, the Hotel Del Coronado worthwhile and best beach of the city. You can rent bikes or rollerblades along bay walk (ferry terminal) Enjoy!

this website is great:
http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors/Resources/Coupons

I clicked on the coupons section, but the whole site has great info which I have used before.

Couple of point of clarification: the Zoo is actually in Balboa Park and Piatti is, I believe, at La Jolla Shores, not the Cove.

Another idea: Torrey Pines State Reserve
There are 8 miles of trails with beautiful views of the ocean. Most of the trails are easy. My third grade class loves to hike here, as well as my teen age son. It is located next to a fabulous Del Mar Beach where you can relax and spend the rest of the day.

I went to UCSD, so lived near La Jolla for 4 years. I will put in another vote for La Jolla - the sea walk and downtown are beautiful.

I've been to both the D.C. and San Diego Zoos; both are excellent but since you've been to the National Zoo several times you probably don't have to do the San Diego Zoo. You are already planning to go to the Wild Animal Park and that is definitely a very different experience.

Coronado is beautiful but there isn't much to "do" there except play on the beach and look at the hotel.

Also another vote for Del Mar and Torrey Pines. Just don't go too far south or you'll get to Black's Beach, which, at least 10 years ago, was very much a nude beach!

Hi, I think you would have time to do the zoo and the park in one day, if you didn't plan to attend the museums in the park and just strolled around or attended only one museum (in which case you won't have much time to stroll). There are a lot of museums and there is lots to see in the park, so you'd be missing a lot even if you had a full day in the park (not counting the zoo). It's possible to try to squeeze a lot in, but you'd be rushed and it's even more tiring with kids (especially younger ones).

As to Old Town, I was there recently under the new ownership and have also visited it many times before when the old owners owned it. There are different restaurants and shops than before but the historic buildings remain so while those who have been there under the prior ownership may notice a difference, new visitors, as has been noted, won't know the difference and will probably enjoy it. If you go, make sure you visit Heritage Park just outside Old Town (within a very short walking distance)if you're into historic buildings. The Old Town Visitor's Center also offers free walking tours that you might want to catch as well.

If it is a clear day, I highly recommend visiting Cabrillo National Monument for the great harbor views. There is also a nature trail there you can take as well as a brief film on the area and a number of exhibits that your kids may like.