Vacationing in San Diego

[Piglet]

After a less than relaxing week at our friends' cabin last week, we are ready for a real vacation (AKA one with grandparents to help in corralling the kids). My parents are planning a trip to SD in December and would be happy for us to tag along. I am just starting to research and am hoping anyone that lives in SD or vacationed in SD with kids can help me out:

1) Do we need to rent a car? We want to go the main attractions (the zoo, Sea World) and DH is dying to go to Legoland. How is public transportation?

2) What hotels/suites/condos/etc. are kid friendly and nice? We need someplace that can sleep 4 adults and 2 kids, preferably in 1 place.

3) What other kid friendly attractions should we go see?

4) What is the weather like in early December?

5) Anything else we need to know?

Thanks,

[nicoleandjackson]

We've done SD twice with DS--once when he was 22 months, and again when he was 3. Both times we went over spring break, and the weather was cool (too cool to swim outdoors, and needed a light jacket in the evening). My DH's grandparents live in Escondido, and the first time we stayed with them. This last time we rented a 3BR condo in Carlsbad, literally across the street from Legoland. Here's a link:

http://www.sonoransuites.com/sandiego/

It was very nice--full kitchen, washer and dryer, and two full baths.

Everything is quite spread out, so we rented a car. Legoland is about 30-40 minutes from San Diego proper. We wanted to visit Coronado as well--the Hotel Del Coronado is spectacularly beautiful, has a gorgeous beachfront, and a Sunday Brunch that is to die for.

Hope you have a wonderful time. Legoland is not to be missed!!!

Nicole
Mommy of Jackson 4/30/02

http://b5.lilypie.com/nD9Jm5.png

[kbudsberg]

We haven't gone w/our dd yet but I vacationed there w/my parents for over 15 years. We usually went between x-mas and New Year's. It is usually too cold to swim but beautiful otherwise. We too always stayed in Carlsbad. It's a wonderful oceanside town just north of San Diego. You will need a car although there is a train station in Carlsbad. It's a commuter train that runs from Carlsbad to San Diego and Old Town (called the COASTER I think). I haven't taken it but I know my parents used it some. Here's a link to it http://www.sdcommute.com/Rider_Information/coaster/index.asp

We have always stayed at the Best Western Beach View Lodge. It is right on the beach. The largest units they have are one bedrooms. http://www.beachviewlodge.com/

I absolutely love San Diego. My DH and I have tagged alone w/my parents there a few times too! Have fun.

Kim

[saschalicks]

I live in Los Angeles, and don't *vacation* there so I can only answer a few since I've been there a million times.

1) Yes, the Zoo and Sea World are kinda' close, but not extremely. Legoland is 30-40 miles north of SD. I don't know that public transportation will get you everywhere you want to go. It is limited.

2) Others would be better at answering this question.

3) Wild Animal Park is another. Definitely go to Coronado.

4) It's around the 70's

5) It can get cool in the night/evening so pack accordingly. It can get busy that time of year just b/c of travelers. The water is too cold to swim in the ocean that time of year. Oceanside is another smallish town that is nice to visit.

[MarisaSF]

I lived there for a year until DD was almost 2.

I would advise you rent a car.

The Wild Animal Park is very fun too. You can get combined tix with the zoo.
Legoland is very close to a big outlet mall. It is a great place for kids' clothes and stuff - Carter's, Osh Kosh, Gap, Learning Express(?), Right Start, and others.

Our other favorite things:
-Running on the beach
-Ride the mini train at the UTC mall
-Lots of great playgrounds
-IKEA

In December, it will be cool (50s) and may rain a little. We always run on the beach at Christmastime, so warm enough for that. Pack a sweater or two -- sound advice for SD even in the summer (nights are cool). Enjoy!

ETA: temp and precipitation averages: http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0982?from=search

[kaylinsmommy2]

ETA: oops. I don't know if K is your DD or DS. So really I just meant your child. Sorry!

I live in SD, so I can help you with a few questions.
1) Yes, you need to rent a car, especially if you want to go to Legoland*. Legoland is a good 40 min north of Sea World, and the zoo is about 10-15 min east of Sea World. I love the Wild Animal Park, which is about 40 min north east of Sea World. Coronado is about 5-10 min south/west of Sea World.

2) It might be cheaper to stay up in Carlsbad/Oceanside (which is right by Legoland), but it's more central to stay closer to downtown. They have a ton of hotels on Hotel Circle, which is very close to Sea World. My cousin stayed with her kids at the Embassy Suites in La Jolla/UTC, which is 15 min north of Sea World, but then partially closer to Legoland. They also have condos near the beach that are great, but am not sure how to get one. I know there are management companies that rent them out.

3) I like the Wild Animal Park. Hotel Del Coranado is fun, too, to walk around. Their Sunday Brunch looks awesome, but it's $50/person, so I don't expect to afford that any day soon. :) Old Town is nice to walk around, or Seaport Village (just shopping and some food places). There are many museums near Balboa Park (which is where the zoo is at), too, like the Ruben Fleet Science Museum which has a kids area.

4) Warmer then the rest of the US. Usually in the 70s.

5) *Legoland: Just note that your DD is probably too small to go on many rides at Legoland. I think there are only 2 rides that a child under 34 inches can go on. Then between 34 and 36 inches, there are only 6 rides that they can go on (DD was 35 inches two weeks ago when we went). There are some kid play areas that you guys can still do, but just note that if your DH wants to go on certain rides, one of you will have to stay back with your DD.

Caroline
mommy to Kaylin 6/5/04

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/bunbunadb20040605_-9_Kaylin+is+now.png[/img][/url]

and one on the way, due 2/26/07

[kaylinsmommy2]

M, I don't think it gets to be in the 50s in SD ever! ;) December is definitely long sleeves and jeans weather (maybe a hoodie or sweater in the evenings), but I usually don't bring out my warm jackets until Jan or Feb.

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/92131?from=36hr_bottomnav_undeclared

It says the average high temp for December is 68. But the avg low temp is 43, so it does get cold at night.

Caroline
mommy to Kaylin 6/5/04

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/bunbunadb20040605_-9_Kaylin+is+now.png[/img][/url]

and one on the way, due 2/26/07

[Tondi G]

check this site

http://www.localwally.com/

and check www.tripadvisor.com before you book to read recent travelers reviews on Hotels

If you want to do the SD ZOO be preparred to HIKE. It is BIG and have lots of hills! We love Sea World and can't wait to hit Legoland this time!

We are planning on trying out the SD Marriott Hotel and Marina

I have a friend who stayed at Paradise Point and enjoyed it with her family!

Good Luck

~Tondi
Mommy to Mason 7/8/01 and Aidan 5/4/05

[MarisaSF]

You're right, of course!
I must have been thinking SF. SD's winter is definitely the 60s. Heck, everything seems cooler than Arizona! :)
I would have added that our favorite activity was music class with C and K, but that wouldn't help the OP very much. ;)

[urquie]

i was just researching a san diego trip so i can tell you a little about what i was looking at.

the residence inn by marriott seemed like a good choice for us. you can get one and two bedroom suites (the rooms are seperate from the kitchen and sitting areas). some of the 2 bedroom suites even have two bathrooms!

check out this link for room configurations (this link is for the r.i. on hotel circle which is not a fun area to explore like the downtown r.i. might be) http://www.residenceinnsd.com/accommodations.php

here's a link for the downtown r.i. http://marriott.com/property/guestrooms/sanph

things i liked about the residence inn by marriot:
- seperate room for dd to sleep
- full kitchen
- free hot breakfast included
- i think they even have a free evening reception mon-fri that includes wine, beer, and a different food item each week (like hot dogs or lasanga)

the fodor's travel guides has a book on san diego for kids (i found it at my library along with lots of other san diego travel guides)
and here's a link for fun things to do in san diego with kids

http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/California/San_Diego/san_diego.htm

i'd love to hear what you end up doing and how you liked everything.