1 day in San Diego with kids, where to stay & what to do

[Octobermommy]

We will be going to Legoland for 1 day , Disneyland for 3.5 days & we will be in San Diego one full day.

Any hotel recommendations for a family of 5? Bonus if it is a hilton family hotel. I was looking at the embassy suites downtown with a view of the bay but it is over $300 a night.

The no brainer would be to go to the zoo but are there any other ideas? I saw there is a duck tour boat/bus that I think my kids would like. We like zoos but they aren't our favorite but I know that San Diego Zoo is THE zoo.

[StantonHyde]

Search this forum--there have been LOTS of posts on San Diego and Hilton Hotel Recs.

[sariana]

Can you be more specific about your agenda? Disney is in Anaheim; Legoland is about 2 hours south of that in Carlsbad; the zoo is about an hour further south in San Diego. Are you looking for a place near Carlsbad or down in San Diego?

We really like the Homewood Suites (Hilton line) at Liberty Station, which is close enough to the Zoo. There is one up in Del Mar, too, which is closer to Legoland, but I never have stayed there. There are numerous Hilton brand hotels throughout the area, but be sure to check about parking fees. The Hampton Inn near Midway had a daily charge, which I never have seen for a Hampton Inn anywhere else. (The Homewood Suites has complimentary parking, complimentary hot breakfast every day, and complimentary light dinner M-Th.)

Old Town San Diego and Seaport Village are some other options. They are near each other and near Liberty Station. There also is the rest of Balboa Park (the part that isn't the zoo). There are museums, playgrounds, and sports facilities there (frisbee golf!). There is a little boardwalk park with a roller coaster and a few other rides in Misssion Bay, but I'm drawing a total blank on its name. It would not fill a whole day but could be combined with something else (maybe Seaport Village). [ETA: Belmont Park]

[SnuggleBuggles]

We stayed at the Hilton by the convention center for 2 nights and the Liberty Station Homewood Suites for 4. The location for walking was great by the convention center as were the views. The Homewood Suites was super and very family friendly. For just one night though, I'd probably go with the Hilton.

[Octobermommy]

Can you be more specific about your agenda? Disney is in Anaheim; Legoland is about 2 hours south of that in Carlsbad; the zoo is about an hour further south in San Diego. Are you looking for a place near Carlsbad or down in San Diego?

We really like the Homewood Suites (Hilton line) at Liberty Station, which is close enough to the Zoo. There is one up in Del Mar, too, which is closer to Legoland, but I never have stayed there. There are numerous Hilton brand hotels throughout the area, but be sure to check about parking fees. The Hampton Inn near Midway had a daily charge, which I never have seen for a Hampton Inn anywhere else. (The Homewood Suites has complimentary parking, complimentary hot breakfast every day, and complimentary light dinner M-Th.)

Old Town San Diego and Seaport Village are some other options. They are near each other and near Liberty Station. There also is the rest of Balboa Park (the part that isn't the zoo). There are museums, playgrounds, and sports facilities there (frisbee golf!). There is a little boardwalk park with a roller coaster and a few other rides in Misssion Bay, but I'm drawing a total blank on its name. It would not fill a whole day but could be combined with something else (maybe Seaport Village). [ETA: Belmont Park]

We will fly in to San Diego, drive to Carlsbad (stay a night), then drive to Anaheim (stay 4 nights), then drive back down to San Diego for 2 nights ( but only 1 full day), then fly out of SAN.

I guess my question is should we just do the zoo or should we try for several other smaller things to fill our day? I've never been to San Diego before.

[Octobermommy]

Search this forum--there have been LOTS of posts on San Diego and Hilton Hotel Recs.

I have but didn't find exactly what I was looking for. Maybe I didn't look enough. TY

[sariana]

We will fly in to San Diego, drive to Carlsbad (stay a night), then drive to Anaheim (stay 4 nights), then drive back down to San Diego for 2 nights ( but only 1 full day), then fly out of SAN.

I guess my question is should we just do the zoo or should we try for several other smaller things to fill our day? I've never been to San Diego before.

Okay, then I definitely recommend the Liberty Station Homewood Suites. It also is right by the airport.

How old are your children? If you are not "zoo people," there definitely are plenty of other things to do.

[Octobermommy]

Okay, then I definitely recommend the Liberty Station Homewood Suites. It also is right by the airport.

How old are your children? If you are not "zoo people," there definitely are plenty of other things to do.

My kids are 3,5,9

[justlearning]

My kids are 3,5,9

How often do your kids get to go to the beach? If you go all the time, then you can ignore my suggestion. But if you're like us and don't get there very often, then my recommendation is to stay right on the beach. (We stayed at La Jolla Shores and loved it.) That way you can maximize your time at the beach and it's easy to go back to your room to go to the restroom, take a nap, get a snack, whatever, and then go back to the beach later.

We've done many big things in San Diego (e.g., Legoland, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, kayak tour, etc.) but my kids have the most fun just hanging out at the beach. Depending on how adventurous your older kids are, they may like boogie boarding (my boys LOVED it last year when they were around those ages). We bought two for around $12 each at Walmart and then sold them after using them for $5 each to a family on the beach.

Another option is going to Belmont Park on Mission Beach. That way you get to spend time on the beach and can also do the roller coaster and other rides (some would work for a 3-year-old like small boats that go around and a merry-go-round). They also have a high-ropes course (DS LOVED it when he was 9), rock-climbing, laser tag, bumper cars, etc. We were always able to find coupons for there.

Of all the things we've done in San Diego, the zoo was probably one of our least favorite activity. We're not really zoo people in general and found the zoo to be extremely crowded (it'll be less crowded now, though--we went in summer). The little shows that they have are nice but weren't that exciting for my kids after going to Sea World.

Have fun!

ETA that one time we did the following during the hours before heading back to the airport (after checking out of our hotel) and it worked out really well. DS1 was 6 then and went with DH to tour the USS Midway. (http://www.midway.org/) He really enjoyed it and I've heard from other friends that their boys have liked it too. During that time, I went with DS2 who was 3 then on the ferry over to Coronodo Island. (The ferry is right next door to the Midway, and they're close to the airport.) DS2 enjoyed riding on the water and I was able to push him in his stroller. On Coronado, we walked around the shops, ate lunch together, etc. then headed back on the ferry to meet up with DH and DS1.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I was underwhelmed by the zoo and it is so expensive!

I'm on my phone and can't remember the other replies but I'd do Balboa Park and/or La Jolla. The aquarium at UCSD is good and the location rocks.

[sariana]

I would consider taking the trolley down to the border and/or out to the stadium. Just because--kids like trains.

Belmont Park is a great little place, but it likely will disappoint after DL and Legoland. September is the best month for the beach in SoCal. Balboa Park is a good option. As I mentioned above, there is much more to do there besides the zoo. There often are cultural events going on in addition to the permanent museums and parks.

[bisous]

I was underwhelmed by the zoo and it is so expensive!

I'm on my phone and can't remember the other replies but I'd do Balboa Park and/or La Jolla. The aquarium at UCSD is good and the location rocks.

I love Balboa Park but I also really, really like the SD Zoo. Either one would be a great expedition! My kids do like the beach but live near one and go often. SD beaches are nice but quite similar to our own beaches (farther north but still so cal) so we would probably do something unique to SD.

[Tenasparkl]

Sea world? I know people love the safari park, but I've never been. I love the pandas at the San Diego zoo.

[mom2binsd]

I think after your days at Disney and Legoland I'd do the beach...it'll be a nice breaks from standing in line etc and give you all a chance to unwind.

I agree that LaJolla Shores is great for beach access, but depending on when your flight is getting from La Jolla to the airport would be a pain, whereas staying at Liberty Station is so convenient.

If you want a really nice beach, head over to Coronado, the beach out front of the Hotel Del is awesome. You just need to find street parking which on a weekday is easy, on the weekend it's much trickier. There is subway nearby for lunch/you could pick up to bring or you could go up to the Del and grab a bite-they have a little quick serve place by the pool and it's open to non hotel guests. There are even little water spouts to rinse off feet before going home. You can also use the restroom at the Del....or you could stay at the Del, sometimes they have special deals.

The Del is such a neat place, and they encourage people to come and look around.

http://www.hoteldel.com/about.aspx

[Octobermommy]

How often do your kids get to go to the beach? .

We live near a beach and we have gone to Seaworld a lot. I was thinking of doing the Seal tour (the vehicle that goes in to the water) just b/c we have never done it before. Has anyone done that?

Maybe we will take the ferry to Coronodo. Hmm...too many options.

[Tondi G]

check out this site. www.localwally.com

[Kindra178]

The Wild Animal Park is amazing, but definitely a hike.

[AnnieW625]

I would stay at Liberty Station, but you would still have to drive to the beach. There is a nice set of two playgrounds about a 1/3 of a mile north of the Homewood Suites. There is also a Courtyard by Marriott next to the Homewood Suites. We are dinner at the Homewood Suites twice and it was nice and we didn't need more food. We ate at the Corvette Diner (an old college hang out for me in it's old location) the other night and enjoyed it.

We really like the USS Midway and we have taken kids under 3 and they have fun too. We have been 3 times and still haven't seen it all.

I would think about taking the ferry to Coronado or just driving over the bridge, which is really cool. We still haven't made it there yet, but there is also the Cabrillo Monument in Point Loma (on the same part of the peninsula as Liberty Station).

Almost all of the hotels in Downtown San Diego have pay charges as do some of the ones in Mission Valley.

Both the Zoo and the WAP are okay and I prefer the zoo better, but the Zoo and WAP are definitely a better deal if you can get multiple day or a season pass.

[Octobermommy]

Just wanted to update. We ended up going to the zoo & loved it. My kids loved the polar bear area, it was really neat. It was hilarious watching my dh push a double stroller up those hills! I helped by pushing him up! We all loved the Rio movie. We lucked out b/c it was kids free in October.

The favorite of my boys was Legoland for We were there from open to close & they would have loved more time.

I learned we are a WDW family. We enjoyed DL but I don't think we will be back.

Thanks for the suggestions! We stayed on hotel circle & checked out localwally website.