Family travel destinations attractions and things to do with kids in san diego

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

San Diego is consistently chosen as one of the best places to visit with kids. From the world famous zoo, to various amusement parks, to the miles of sandy beaches, there is plenty of fun to be had with kids in San Diego. Any time of the year is a good time to visit San Diego because of its generally mild weather. Following is a list of places sure to please the whole family.

Beaches. One thing there is no shortage of in San Diego are sandy beaches, which line the Pacific Ocean. There are more than 30 miles of beaches that stretch across San Diego County. One of the most beautiful is Coronado beach, located on Coronado Island. It has been called one of the best beaches in the nation. It is located across a 2.13-mile bridge that arches 246 feet above the San Diego bay, making just traveling to this beach a spectacular site. A fun family activity in Coronado is to rent a sailboat or canoe, then explore the bay up close and personal. Another popular beach that has great family activities is Mission Bay Park, just 15 miles north of downtown. It is a great place to picnic, water-ski, fly kites and even make s'mores at a sunset bonfire.

Ocean Beach is a small town where all roads lead to the ocean shore. An authentic, cozy beach town, it has some of the best waves the county has to offer. Many local shops offer surfboard and wetsuit rentals, and many offer lessons. What better place to learn to catch a wave? Surf lessons are usually one to three hours in length, and are appropriate for all ages. The water is generally warm, especially in the months of July, August and September. This is one of the few places in the United Sates where you dont have to freeze while having fun in the sun.

Another popular beach for family fun is Pacific Beach. It is the perfect spot to picnic with your family, while enjoying a beautiful view. Pacific beach has a boardwalk that goes for miles. Rent a bicycle from one of the local vendors and travel the boardwalk with the wind blowing through your hair, the whole family will enjoy it. Go prepared with towels, bottled water and plenty of sunscreen.

The Zoo. The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park, which also houses 15 museums, a theater, a golf course and numerous gardens. The 100-acre zoo is one of the attractions that San Diego is best known for. Opened in 1922, it now houses 4,000 animals of 800 different species. The zoo is beautiful to walk through, with hundreds of trees, plants and flowers. There is a lot to see that kids would enjoy including, Hippo Beach, Polar Bear Plunge and Gorilla Tropics. There are also guided, double-decker bus tours and the Skyfari, an aerial tram that offers fantastic views of the zoo, Balboa Park and downtown San Diego. Coolers and picnics are permitted in the park, and there is a family-friendly picnic area called Rainforest Cove.

Seaworld. The 150-acre marine park is located in Mission Bay, about 15 miles north of downtown. It is one of the most well known marine animal parks in the nation. The most famous resident is Shamu, a killer whale. Shamu performs daily for the crowd and you can even make reservations to dine with him. Other animal highlights include, Penguin Encounter and Shark Encounter. Kids will enjoy Shamus Happy Harbor, with its water maze and sand play area. For older kids, there are roller coasters, including the newly opened Journey to Atlantis, a water ride with an eight-story drop.

Legoland. Legoland is a perfect family stop if you have kids between two and ten years of age. It is located in Carlsbad, about 25 miles north of downtown San Diego. It is a small amusement park, where almost everything is made out of legos. Inside are numerous rides and roller coasters; many are perfect for smaller members of the family. There are play areas that will keep kids busy for hours, including a water play park that is a hit on hot days. Legoland also has some of the healthiest food of any amusement park. The family friendly fare includes fruit, salads, soups and barbeque. Dont miss Grannys Apple Fries, cinnamon apples fried and served with a creamy dipping sauce.

These are just a few of the highlights San Diego has to offer. There are plenty of activities to please kids and parents alike. If you start with a few of these suggestions, you will be on your way to having a great family experience in San Diego.