What to do in SD with 8yo, 4yo and 9mo?

[bisous]

I'll be staying in No. County with family. We'll be there for about 3 weekdays and possibly up to 2 weekend days in mid June.

So far I think we want to do Legoland and SD Zoo for sure. We've done Sea World and I don't think it is worth paying for again (went two years ago). Safari Park? I'm on the fence about Safari Park. I'm actually kind of upset about the changes as I used to love the old Wild Animal Park. We're open to Seaport Village and Balboa Park.

I need to balance "fun things to do" with 9 mo old with "seriously awesome in crib napper" issues. Because SD is smaller and closer than our usual LA "haunts" I'm considering sending DH and the older boys to some of the attractions early and joining them after the morning nap. Also, I'm thinking of balancing "busy" days with smaller days.

Any thoughts on our plans? Or scheduling suggestions?

Anyone know of any deals on legoland admission? Last year we got awesome free child admission to Legoland tickets for signing up with our library reading program but I'm not sure what is going on this year.

TIA!

Jen

[mom2binsd]

Can the 9 month old stay with the family and you guys go for one of the days.

I'd do Balboa Park (the Ruben H. Fleet Museum has some cool things but it doesn't take more than about 2-3 hours).

Yes to the Zoo, but remember it's hilly.

Never been to Legoland but I hear it's getting pricey.

You could do Seaport Village and take a water taxi over to Corondo (rent a bike over there and cruise down to the beach/Del). This would be without baby.

What's changed about Wild Animal Park-it was so cool to go to.

Maybe Birch Aquarium?

[fivi2]

It was kind of low key, but we enjoyed the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas (I think). They had two kids' areas - one for younger kids and then a (fake) treehouse area for older kids. And a butterfly garden and some other areas. My girls were 5.5 yo and we spent a few hours there one morning. It wasn't too expensive and we all enjoyed it. I am not sure how an 8 year old would feel about it, though.

The zoo was nice, but a lot of walking. We didn't do Legoland or Safari park. Seaport village wasn't all that exciting for us (I think we got some ice cream and that was about it.)

[Tondi G]

Legoland has an adjacent water park now it could be fun to buy a park hopper ticket to do that one day. They also have the sea life aquarium which was cute but small.... you could cover all of it in a couple of hours for sure!

one recommendation ... up in Carlsbad is a restaurant called Pizza port ... YUM pizza, chicken wings (BBQ was well liked by all the kids) and caesar salad. If the adults like specialty beers they brew their own and even have root beer on tap for the kids!

Safari Park is supposedly great .... haven't been since I was a kid. Keep in mind in June it will start heating up in-land where the safari park is.

The family you're staying with, do they have a pool? If so I would probably just plan on spending at least one or 2 days just swimming and BBQing. We just got back from Palm Springs and my boys were in the pool every minute they could... we arrived on Friday evening and didn't leave the house/pool till Sunday evening!

[bisous]

Just saw these responses. Thank you! So helpful.