San Diego

WHEN:

Just about any time of the year is good for a trip to San Diego, but don’t expect the water to be warm in winter. It’s best to avoid summer when school’s out and thousands head to Disney California, which is just an hour and half away. September is a great time, when the temps are still warm, and kids are back in school. February, which is when we go most of the time, is pleasant-to-cool. You can do quite a bit at that time, the beaches are mostly empty, but the waters are not the warmest to swim in, but it’s never stopped us from taking a dip. Therefore, mid to late February is a great time for deals and shorter lines, and we have flown for as low as $50 RT from DFW.

D & S have been to San Diego between 1.5 and 6 years and they’ve loved it every single time.

TRANSPORTATION:

Rental car is the way to go for getting around San Diego. It’s the fastest and easiest way to cover the different neighborhoods. It also gives you the option to venture into Anaheim, if you are headed to Disneyland.

STAY:

The Mission Beach neighborhood is a great places to stay. It’s easy to get to most places from here with your rental car. Ocean Beach is also nice, it’s more residential, which makes it slightly cheaper. Airbnbs are a good option here.

Blue Sea Beach Hotel has been our choice in Mission Beach. Book an oceanview room and fall in love with the sight of the water. The kids loved staying at the Bahia Resort hotel, which though it needs updates is very kid-friendly. Sea World San Diego is just minutes away from Bahia, and even if you don’t make it to SW, the hotel has resident sea lions that you can visit especially during feeding time.

EAT:

1. Extraordinary Desserts: This Food network and Travel Channel favorite is a feast for your eyes as well as your bellies. It’s a must-do on every visit.
2. Babycakes: For cupcakes
3. Filippo’s: This spot in Little Italy is unassuming, until you see the line out of the door. Great spot for pizza
4. Davanti Enoteca: A cozy, family friendly spot in Little Italy with delicious food
5. Il Postino and Civico are other wonderful restaurants serving Italian food
6. Snooze: It doesn’t get better than this place for breakfast. Load up and you are starting the day on the right footing!
7. Great Maple: If breakfast is not your jam, then brunch instead.
8. Carne Asada fries. DO NOT leave San Diego without trying out some carne asada fries. Our absolute favorite was a little hole in the wall spot, called La Playa Taco Shop. We still dream of this place when we are back home!
9. Lucha Libre: It’s not just the food, but the decor here that is the hype. Go check it out, but expect long lines here.
10. Pt Loma Seafood: The mainstay when you go to Point Loma. It’s consistent popularity speaks volumes. If the weather is warm, sit outside and enjoy the boats that are docked at the harbor
11. Liberty Public Market: This is newish and indoor. You’re sure to find a restaurant in here that you enjoy.
12. Hammond’s Or Daily Scoop for ice-cream, because no vacation is complete without ice-cream!
13. Bronx Pizza and Corvette Diner for when you want the usual.
14. Hillcrest Farmer’s Market: My third most favorite place to eat apart from Extraordinary Desserts and La Playa Taco Shop. The variety of food here is a testament to the diversity of the city. Visiting Farmer’s Markets is a must-do in every city we visit, and this one in particular is one of our absolute favorites. Check out their instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/hillcrestfarmersmkt/. It’s food as it should be: simple, delicious, healthy, organic and fresh. It’s only on Sundays though, so make sure you plan your visit to San Diego accordingly. Even the kids love going through all the different options.

    

    

    

    

DO:

1. La Jolla: IMO, this is the prettiest part of San Diego, and therefore it makes sense that it is also the most crowded. Try to go earlier in the day. For a fun experience, visit Sunny Jim Sea Cave. Purchase tickets to go down stairs into a cave. The alternative is to kayak into the many caves in San Diego, including this one. Outside, on the cliffs of La Jolla, you’ll find sea lions, seals, pelicans. Hang out on the beach. George’s at the Cove is a restaurant that provides a great view, if you get hungry
   
2. Tidepools: This is a supercool experience especially for the kids. It’s unlike anything you have seen before. Twice a day, the ocean ebbs so the floor is exposed, allowing us to find crabs, sea urchins, shellfish and more. Wear nons-slip footwear. Check out the tidecharts here, to find the best time to go: https://ca.usharbors.com/monthly-tides/California-South%20Coast/San%20Diego/. Our favorite tide pools are at La Jolla Cove, Ocean Beach and Cabrillo National Monument

   

   

3. San Diego Zoo: A world-class zoo, set apart almost an entire day for this. The kids will be exhausted, but they will not be disappointed. Make sure to take along strollers. There are also shuttles within the zoo, yes it’s really that big!
4. There is also a safari-type Wild Animal Park that the kiddos would enjoy
5. SeaWorld San Diego: SW has lost it’s luster in recent years over the treatment of their animals, but it still remains a big draw for visitors.
6. USS Midway Museum: This aircraft carrier is a big hit with kids and adults alike. Their exhibits and special event days are a fun learning experience
7. Belmont Park: This is an old-fashioned amusement park in Mission Beach. No need to wait for the fair to come to town, just go here for your rides!
8. Coronado Beach: With its iconic and fabulous Hotel del Coronado, and the beach which is perfect for surfers and sunbathers, this resort city is a sight for sore eyes, and perfect for a relaxing day
9. Balboa Park: This is a beautiful cultural park that has tons to offer. Our favorites are the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, the Prado, Botanical Building and International Cottages. Home to 16 museums, expect to spend the good part of a day here. The kids in particular love the carousel and climbing the mosaic sculptures. If you get hungry, stop and eat at the Prado building.
10. Old town San Diego: Fun part of town to pick up souvenirs, and eat great food! Casa de Reyes is a great spot, but there are many others. The kids love riding the trolley and stopping at Tobey’s Candle Shop to make their own candles. Now how cool is that!
11. Scripps Pier and Sunset Cliffs National Park for amazing sunsets

    

12. Torrey Pines State Park, for more beautiful views and great hikes.
13. Gaslamp District: This is the area for bars and clubs. With kids, there was no reason for us to stop here. Drive through anyway if it is your first time.
14. Waterfront Park: If your kids are under the age of 10, they will love this place! It is super hard to wrangle them away from here. Parents can enjoy the views of the ships docked close by while the kiddos run around.
15. La Jolla Shores Park and also the Children’s Science Museum are two spots the kids seemed to enjoy if you are in the area.
16. Cabrillo National Monument– Amazing views! You can see Mexico from here, there’s a lighthouse you can climb up. If you are lucky, you may be able to see the migration of whales. Right outside it is Ft Rosecrans memorial cemetery. TIP: Go earlier in the day, and avoid holidays or it can take you forever to get in