With a plethora of family-friendly museums, miles of sandy beaches, a world-class zoo, nearby thrilling theme parks and good weather for most of the year, San Diego makes a great getaway destination for the whole family.
If you are planning on taking a trip with your kids to the place that is often called America’s Finest City, here are some helpful tips to help you make the most out of your holiday.
Choose a Well-positioned Hotel
You will find a number of accommodation options in San Diego and, thankfully, there are many family-friendly hotels around the centre and a little further out. It is a good idea to plan which things to do in San Diego in advance so you can select accommodation that is nearby to the attractions you want to visit.
While there are several options for getting around San Diego, things can get more complicated with the kids in tow. By making it quick and easy to travel to attractions from your hotel, you can make things easier and pack in more sights.
Staying at a hotel near the beach or harbour is a good idea. One excellent and affordable option is the Loews Coronado Bay Resort. Alternatively, if you want more luxurious accommodation, consider the Victorian Hotel Del Coronado.
Save Some Cash with Passes to San Diego Attractions
A holiday is the ideal time to splash out, but at the same time, it makes sense to save money where you can when you are travelling with the whole family.
You can then have extra cash for spending on treats and gifts. Luckily, there are several discount passes available for many of San Diego’s top-rated family attractions.
The Go City pass is a great choice. It enables you to visit more than fifty-five San Diego attractions while saving up to 45%. You can choose passes of different lengths, too, such as a one-day pass or a seven-day all-inclusive pass.
The attractions include San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and even a speedboat cruise! The Go City pass also comes with a digital city guide to help you make the most out of your trip to San Diego.
You can also get a pass for the wonderful Balboa Park; which should be on any family’s itinerary. In addition to being the home of the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park contains seventeen museums that are fun for all the family, such as the exciting San Diego Natural History Museum.
With the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, the whole family can visit the park’s numerous attractions and save up to 50% on admission prices.
Plan the Attractions You Want to Visit
While spontaneity can be a fun way of enjoying a holiday, when you are travelling with your kids, it is best to plan as much in advance as possible. By having a clear itinerary, you will not end up with wasted time, confusion, and bored or crying kids.
San Diego has an abundance of attractions that are suitable for adults and children, so spend some time working out which things you want to see and do, and which order you will do things in, to ensure your trip goes smoothly.
In addition to attractions like Balboa Park and SeaWorld, you could take a trip to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, the Maritime Museum of San Diego, the San Diego Air & Space Museum, or the beautiful Old Town San Diego. You might also like to head thirty minutes north of the city to visit the LEGOLAND California Resort.
Not only should you plan your itinerary in advance. You should also buy tickets for attractions in advance. Standing in line and waiting for ages with children can soon become problematic. So, buy tickets beforehand so that you can avoid the queue.
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.