Family Fun in San Diego (Kid Friendly SD)

Description:

Inspired by the African Serengeti and the endless expanses of the Asian plains, the 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park offers you an exotic safari adventure unlike any other outside of Africa itself. San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park is home to more than 3,500 rare and exotic animals - most of whom roam freely in vast enclosures.

Witness a family of giraffe mingle among the gazelles and cranes while rhinos gather at a watering hole. Observe South African cheetahs lounging on a sunny hill or gaze into the eyes of the majestic California condor. Board the the Journey into Africa tour for a 45-minute tour past herds of elephants, zebras, and several endangered species.

Venture into the dense forests and grassy savannas at the Heart of Africa, a 32 acre safari trail. Miles of walking trails lead guests to overlooks of lions, tigers and special encounters with exotic creatures. Stroll through Nairobi Village for shopping and dining.

Description:

The word "Hodad" is a slang term used to describe a surfer "wanna-be." A hodad may own a surfboard and may even haul that board to the beach, yet never actually surfs. This joint has character, surfing character, with surfing memorabilia covering the walls and a jukebox playing appropriate tunes. Guests experience a surf dream world at this Ocean Beach establishment. For an extra treat, try sitting in the booth constructed from the front of a VW bus. Now THIS is Southern California!

Our Local Expert Says:

Though perhaps not as 'obviously' classy as some other San Diego hotel staples, the Crystal Pier offers up families a beach cabin feel without worrying about cleanup or tenants

Description:

If historic charm is higher on your wish list than hotel-style service, head to this unique cluster of cottages sitting literally over the surf on the vintage Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. You'll get a separate living room and bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private patio with breathtaking ocean views -- all within the whitewashed walls of carefully renovated cottages from 1936. Each of the Cape Cod-style cottages has a deck. The more expensive units farthest out have more privacy. Six less expensive units are not actually on the pier, but still offer sunset-facing sea views. Guests drive right out and park beside their cottages, a real boon on crowded weekends. This operation is strictly BYOBT (beach towels), and the office is open only from 8am to 8pm. These accommodations book up fast; reserve for summer and holiday weekends 8 to 11 months in advance, 4 to 6 months in advance for winter. Or with luck, you might be able to nab someone's cancelled reservation.

Our Local Expert Says:

The food is fantastic for a quick fix before a day in the sun - with a friendly staff to top off the excellent grub, if you want a second round they'll let you cut the long line!

Description:

Kono's serves up a beach breakfast that's popular with locals and tourists alike, which can lead to an intimidating line- but it moves quickly and there are surf videos to watch and quotes of the week to laugh about. If customers choose to walk outside (burgers and other lunch foods are available, and breakfast is served all day), their meal comes with a view: the ocean and all the characters strolling by. Kono's is as casual as the beach, and plates are big and inexpensive.

Description:

Fresh ingredients, the tasty combinations of toppings, and a mouth-watering store-baked crust. As for the innovation side of things, well that's easy. Think about it. What does an office full of freethinking, pizza connoisseur daredevils get you? It gets you mandarin oranges, Canadian bacon, pineapples, mozzarella, and cheddar (Paia Pie). It gets you black beans, ground beef, olives, onions, cilantro, and cheddar (California Cactus). And for the politically savvy pizza-eaters, it gets you homemade hummus in place of tomato sauce, tomatoes, olives, feta, fresh basil, pepperoncinis, and mozzarella (Peace in the Middle East). This is the sort of pizza invented by people who sail from kites, who snowboarded before there were snowboards, and who learned to always color outside the lines.

Our Local Expert Says:

Though perhaps not as 'obviously' classy as some other San Diego hotel staples, the Crystal Pier offers up families a beach cabin feel without worrying about cleanup or tenants

Description:

If historic charm is higher on your wish list than hotel-style service, head to this unique cluster of cottages sitting literally over the surf on the vintage Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. You'll get a separate living room and bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private patio with breathtaking ocean views -- all within the whitewashed walls of carefully renovated cottages from 1936. Each of the Cape Cod-style cottages has a deck. The more expensive units farthest out have more privacy. Six less expensive units are not actually on the pier, but still offer sunset-facing sea views. Guests drive right out and park beside their cottages, a real boon on crowded weekends. This operation is strictly BYOBT (beach towels), and the office is open only from 8am to 8pm. These accommodations book up fast; reserve for summer and holiday weekends 8 to 11 months in advance, 4 to 6 months in advance for winter. Or with luck, you might be able to nab someone's cancelled reservation.

Description:

With a huge selection of meats, sides, spreads and veggies, you can never go to Which Wich in Pacific Beach and get the same combination. A simple concept with loads of flavor, there is breakfast options, a spam option, turkey, chicken, salami, roast beef and everything in between. All at the same price (with extra for avocado or extra cheese), if you layer the flavors you'll get more punch with each bite. Don't skimp out here, just make sure they dish out the right flavors!

Description:

The Scene
Black and white checkered floor, chrome accented counters and real soda fountains fill the two-tiered dining room, with a shiny, vintage corvette on display in the center. Waitresses don huge wigs and display impressive pin collections on their aprons, and their colorful personalities are exaggerated during impromptu song-and-dance routines whenever Rock Around The Clock cranks on the juke box.

The Food
In classic 1950s diner style, every burger is named for a pretty lady and the milkshake section is the longest on the menu. Chicken fingers and mac 'n cheese please the kiddos, which make up the bulk of the clientele, and parents will delight in a decent salad selection. After dessert, watch out for flying Bazooka bubble gum at your table as the check arrives.

Our Local Expert Says:

Not just for the kids - if you buy a year pass you can visit anytime, and sip on one free glass of free beer!

Description:

Spend a full day exploring the awe-inspiring world of marine life at SeaWorld San Diego. Every encounter is a new adventure when you come face to face with the friendly dolphins, magnificent white beluga whales and playful penguins of SeaWorld San Diego.

Experience life far under the sea as you feed dolphins, get up close to a polar bear and count the teeth on a shark! Of course, there's also the mythical rush of the Journey To Atlantis water coaster and Shamu - our biggest star both day and night in Believe and Shamu Rocks.

See itinerary below for full descriptions of SeaWorld attractions.

Special Offer - Book for travel in 2010 and receive unlimited admission for seven (7) consecutive days - BOOK NOW!

Our Local Expert Says:

Though perhaps not as 'obviously' classy as some other San Diego hotel staples, the Crystal Pier offers up families a beach cabin feel without worrying about cleanup or tenants

Description:

If historic charm is higher on your wish list than hotel-style service, head to this unique cluster of cottages sitting literally over the surf on the vintage Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. You'll get a separate living room and bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private patio with breathtaking ocean views -- all within the whitewashed walls of carefully renovated cottages from 1936. Each of the Cape Cod-style cottages has a deck. The more expensive units farthest out have more privacy. Six less expensive units are not actually on the pier, but still offer sunset-facing sea views. Guests drive right out and park beside their cottages, a real boon on crowded weekends. This operation is strictly BYOBT (beach towels), and the office is open only from 8am to 8pm. These accommodations book up fast; reserve for summer and holiday weekends 8 to 11 months in advance, 4 to 6 months in advance for winter. Or with luck, you might be able to nab someone's cancelled reservation.

Our Local Expert Says:

You can drive on the trolleys, so if you're heading downtown for a night out or over to Petco Park, be safe and drink on the trolley instead of drinking and driving.

Description:

These highly visible green and orange trolleys with well-informed tour guides provide an excellent first glance at the city. For one price, you can tour the city of San Diego with plenty of time to stop and visit attractions along the way. Board or disembark at any of the eight stops, and as long as you reboard at the same stop, you can continue along the full tour. Trolleys embark every 30 minutes for the two-hour tour that stops at such attractions as Horton Plaza, the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park.

Our Local Expert Says:

Padres games can also be enjoyed from Altitude Sky Bar, the rooftop bar at the Marriott Hotel across the street.

Description:

Home to the San Diego Padres, Gaslamp's PETCO Park is one of the most distinctive features in downtown San Diego. Concrete walls separate the rest of the city from it's major league baseball players, where every summer hundreds of fans from all over the country come out to show their support for the blue and gold (officially "sand"). Just outside the massive doors are some of Gaslamp's most lively bars and nightclubs, perfect for before or after game drinks, while inside fans nosh on Friar Franks, beer and peanuts. In true San Diego fashion, the cheap seats offer up families and big parties grass seats, while kayakers can often be spotted catching the wide screen from the adjacent ocean. 

Our Local Expert Says:

This restaurant repeatedly receives rave reviews among BBQ aficionados.

Description:

Smokey ribs smothered in housemade barbeque sauce draw the crowds, while good prices and no-frills atmosphere keep locals coming back.