Top 10 Getaway for Family Travelers - San Diego, California
FTF honored San Diego, California with a Top 10 award as one of the best places for a family getaway in 2002.
San Diego, California
Don't worry about your vacation being ruined by rain, humidity or extreme temperatures. Year-round, most people return from San Diego and exclaim, "The weather was perfect!" Located 120 miles south of Los Angeles, between grand mountains and sparkling beaches, San Diego has all the ingredients for an unforgettable family vacation. While there is so much to do that you need to plan carefully, the mood is laid back and you will feel calm and relaxed once your feet hit that white sand!
First, the incomparable San Diego Zoo located in Balboa Park is not to be missed. Did you know that within the inventive, naturalistic displays of more than 4,000 animals, a new baby is born nearly every day? To explore the other wonders of 1,400-acre Balboa Park, take a half-mile miniature train ride, climb onto the fabulous hand-carved carousel dating from 1910 or attend the puppet theater. On day two, you can visit several kid-friendly spots such as the Natural History Museum, the Aerospace Museum and the Fleet Science Center. There are also picnic and playground areas with a special section for tiny tots. Allow a day for SeaWorld San Diego on Mission Bay, the home of Shamu. Kids can learn by petting dolphins, feeding bat rays and meeting penguins and marine life from around the world, and enjoy an exciting water ride and a two-acre play area while you rest your feet.
Families with LegoManiacs in tow should drive about a half-hour north to Legoland California, a 128-acre themepark with interactive attractions and rides including the new Lego Technic Coaster. More low-key than most, we recommend it for 2 to 9-year-olds who will be inspired by the incredible Lego creations throughout the park.
For fun in the sun, head to Mission Bay Park for swimming, sailing, kayaking and other watersports, plus lots of play areas and space for picnicking. The 70 miles of shimmering coastline at Mission and Pacific Beaches are connected by a popular, paved boardwalk, perfect for biking and blading. Belmont Amusement Park is great for older kids and features one of the best wooden roller coasters in the country. The Pacific beaches offer more of every kind of waterplay including surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling and that all-time favorite, sand castle building.
After such busy days, plan to stop at Seaport Village right on the waterfront for a delicious meal or snacks, a fun shopping experience and a spin on the 1890's Looff Carousel. Other intriguing neighborhoods for supper include the Victorian-era Gaslamp Quarter and the lively Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town. Here, historic buildings have become colorful Mexican shops and restaurants where children can sample treats from South of the Border.
We recommend making your base along the coast of this busy city, so count on some driving. The two-mile-long San Diego-Coronado Bridge takes you to the end of a serene peninsula, home of the turreted, Victorian-era National Historic Landmark, the Hotel Del Coronado (619/435-6611; 800/HOTELDEL; www.hoteldel.com). Splurge if you can for a unique experience with a posh, historic setting, superb food, outstanding service, a kid's camp (for 4-12s) and everything you might need for your babies. For detailed information and other accommodations, contact the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau (619/236-1212).
