On my way to San Diego!

[wcc]

Taking the family out to SD in June 6-13. We plan on visiting Sea World, Lego Land, zoo and the beach. I'd like to tour the Naval base while we are there since I was in the Navy years ago, so is that locked down because of 'being at war'? I need to look into this more but if you know feel free to post it up.

Also, can you point me to a nice car museum or some other fun family stuff that would be helpful. Maybe a few family friendly 'LOCAL' restaurants would be great. Not big on the chains when on a trip. Lastly, it's my wife's 40th so I'd like to take her to at least one really nice restaurant, still kid friendly (5 & 3), for that. Thanks in advanced!

[nostatic]

Lego Land rocks, though 3 is a tad young. I haven't been to Sea World in decades, so can't comment on that. The Zoo is a classic, and there are navy ships at the Embarcadero I believe that you can tour. I don't think you can get on the active bases though.

Do you know where you're staying? San Diego is a fairly big place.

[wcc]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Lego Land rocks, though 3 is a tad young. I haven't been to Sea World in decades, so can't comment on that. The Zoo is a classic, and there are navy ships at the Embarcadero I believe that you can tour. I don't think you can get on the active bases though.

Do you know where you're staying? San Diego is a fairly big place.

Well by then they will be a couple weeks away from 6 & 4 FWIW. I know it's a Holiday Inn off the top of my head. Bayside? I'll have to look to confirm that, but I thought it was set up near the beach...

[nostatic]

There is Mission Bay, then there are various beaches. Some nicer than others. Also realize that you might not see much sun - "June Gloom" is fairly common, and sometimes the marine layer (low clouds) don't burn off at the beach until afternoon if at all. Just luck of the draw. The ideal time to stay in San Diego is Sept/Oct imho.

If you have a location where you're staying it is easier to suggest logistics and eateries.

[typ550]

As I recall, there's an auto and an aerospace museum next door to the zoo in balboa park.

[Rick Lee]

Be sure to eat at Pancho's, a dive in Pacific Beach, just across the street from Von's.

[wcc]

Here is the Holiday Inn...

http://www.holinnbayside.com/

Well, the dates were 'set' because instead of a 40 b-day party she wanted a trip and I thought this would be a nice one for the whole family.

I'll have to put Pancho's one on our list to visit....

[Rick Lee]

Be sure to look out the plane windows when you land in SD. You come closer to the highrises than at the old Hong Kong airport. There are a few intersections there where you think the planes are gonna hit your car.

[BLEW911]

As an x Navy man you'll want to be sure to visit the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier turned museum. http://www.midway.org/site/pp.asp?c=eeIGLLOrGpF&b=3038957
Well worth the time.


Don

[Zeke]

San Diego has an auto museum in Balboa park. I think the car folks gather there on Sat morning.

[red-beard]

The car museum is excellent! But you need to go to Symbolic motors in La Jolla. And the fun part, they are all for sale! Drop off your wife to go shopping in La Jolla, and then drive to Symbolic.

Kemosabe's (http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/restaurants/kemosabe/) in Hillcrest has good food, good wine, and will be casual enough for the kids. If you like hot spicy food, get "Skirts on fire". And the Winelover next door used to be the best wine bar in San Diego.

A few other things to do: The Hotel del Coronado. "Some like it hot" was filmed there. Good cheap fun, go to the end of Point Loma during low tide and look at the tide pools for organic sea life.

Remember, the water on the west coast is cold. Even in the height of summer, it is cold. If you are at the Mission bay Holiday Inn, you might want to hang out on Mission Bay, where the water is warmer.

And everynight, Sea World has fireworks, all summer long. I would avoid "Old Town", since it is more of a tourist trap without much.

IF you can ditch the kids for a night out for Adults, go to the downtown area, "The Gas Lamp District". Take a cab and then walk around. My favorite bar was "The Bitter End". There are lots of places for dinner, and music, and the rest.

Do not even THINK about going to Tijuana. It just isn't safe these days.

[JavaBrewer]

Mapped your hotel. I'll respond tomorrow with advice.

[lowyder993s]

rubios fish tacos...or wahoo's...doesn't sound appealing, but they're really good!
lemme know as it gets closer, i'm 3 miles from legoland.
oh yeah...tribute to LeMans w/ the POC june 6...3 hr enduro race. three hrs from sd

[Bill Douglas]

Lucky you Bill.

San Diego is such a great place.

Food, has anyone mentioned the food

[Tobra]

I think doing brunch at the Hotel Del Coronado is a must, but that is a bit spendy

[DasBoot]

Two words: El Indio! Very close to where you're staying. Be sure to buy a bag of their home-made tortilla chips. Still hot when they're bagged. You'll eat them all before making it back to the hotel.

http://www.el-indio.com/

[notmytarga]

Our family is driving down from Redding to spend Easter break (week after Easter) in San Diego - I'll be watching this thread. We have 17 & 15 yo girls (co-drivers) and 7 yo girl & 6 yo boy.

My wife is great at finding good housing situations - Tahoe Donnor etc. We will be in a Townhouse near Mission Beach for 4 nights. 2 master suites, full kitchen and laundry. Sleeps 10. $250/night with $150 cleaning. Much better set up than putting the teens in a separate hotel room.

The young kids and mom did LegoLand a year back but we may revisit. SeaWorld and a few visits to see campuses and friends at them are on the list. I appreciate the food recommendations coming up on this thread. What about BrewPubs - which and where are the best??

My wife and I will fly back the same weekend you start your vacation, to celebrate her 47th birthday on the 6th of June, and also cash in her gift to me last year on the mornng of the 7th - http://www.sandiegoprestige.com/rent/supercartour/

You could join the tour on the 7th if they have a spot for you!

Keep the local food and activity recommendations coming. I would also like tips on places to keep teens AND young kids interested. We plan to tour the Midway Aircraft Carrier so I can relive my months on the Nimitz. The Zoo - problably. Coronado Ferry.

[Don Plumley]

I love Sea World.

For something unusual, instead of the Zoo (which is excellent), go to the Wild Animal Park - see what the animals look like in a much more natural setting.

Balboa Park and the Aerospace museum are cool.

[nostatic]

For the Wild Animal Park you need to consider time of year. Summer blows - too hot and the animals are all sleeping. June is pushing it, right now would be much better.

I hate theme parks so I'm the wrong person to comment. That being said, I actually like Lego Land. Many of the rides are interactive rather than just passive, and for a kid 5-12 it is about perfect. Any younger and older and it is less attractive I think.

Balboa Park is cool, but I grew up going there on school field trips so it is very old hat to me...spoiled me. Ruben H. Fleet Space Theater is worth the visit as well as Aerospace.

[JavaBrewer]

Wild Animal Park is for older kids as the animals roam huge enclosures. They have a couple good shows but it pales compared to the Zoo (Balboa Park) for the young ones. Hot, like 100+ F in the summer months.

Lego Land - it's just down the street from where I live. I think it's suited for kids under 10. Your kids sound the perfect age. My daughter is 9 and wouldn't be caught dead there

Sea World is still great. I highly recommend it plus it's a 5 minute drive (no highways) from your hotel.

Balboa Park is worthwhile and do the USS Midway. They have lots of interactive activities (flight simulators) and stuff to keep kids of all ages interested.

Best beach is at the foot of the Hotel Del on Coronado. Old Town is fun for lunch but avoid the very busy Old Town Mexican Cafe. Terrible food and the worst margarita in all of SoCal. Eat at Casa Guadalajara in Bazaar del Mundo square. From old town take the trolley to downtown. Shopping at the outdoor Horton Plaza will be enjoyed by the wife. Next door to that is the Gaslamp district (4th and 5th avenue) with tons of good restaurants and bars with live music.

La Jolla shores is a good daytime destination to access the beach and then post beach food/drinks in downtown La Jolla. Georges at the Cove on Prospect is a sure thing for good food though pricey. Their top level outdoor seating cafe is great for the kids and has tremendous views of the cove.

There are tons more things here. If you have specific questions don't hesitate to ask.