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You are here: Home / Family / Travel Diary / 5 exceptional reasons to visit San Diego with kids

5 exceptional reasons to visit San Diego with kids

May 16, 2017 by Puneeta 10 Comments

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Top 5 reasons to visit San Diego with kids | Best of California Sights | Maple and MarigoldCalifornia is one of our favourite holiday destinations with kids. And even though within this beautiful state one is spoilt for choice, we have one clear favourite – San Diego, the city of sea lions, long walks and much happiness.

Visit San Diego with Kids

San Diego often gets overshadowed by it’s more glamorous cousins, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Most people when they plan a trip they focus on attractions around these two cities, after all there are so many to choose from. In our planning I was 100% sure of one thing; I didn’t want to visit SeaWorld. I know, San Diego but no SeaWorld. Crazy, huh! But that’s a discussion for another article.

We also knew that we didn’t have time to include Disneyland. That’s a separate trip on it’s own. So what was left we thought. Well so much I couldn’t believe.  

5 reasons why we love to visit San Diego with kids

The Beach – of course the beach, the powdery sand, the surprisingly warm water, the tiny and large shells that the kids will collect only to plead, “Can we please take this one too, it’s perfect.”  You agree even though you know it’s the first day of the vacation, and there are millions more where these came from.5 reasons to visit San Diego with kids | Best of California Sights | Maple and Marigold

San Diego Wild Animal Safari Park – if you have to choose between the zoo and the park, choose the latter. Even if you don’t *have* to choose, pick the park. World class zoos fortunately exist in many North American cities, Toronto included. But the joy of seeing lions and cheetahs, giraffes and wildebeest in as close as their natural habitat as your kids can get is awesome. Almost as good as a safari in Africa. And if you can see them while on the longest zipline in North America, well nothing like it.

La Jolla – technically also on the beach but no, I am not double counting the beach. La Jolla is referred to as village on the Pacific Ocean. Of course if you can call a luxury town with beautifully maintained homes overlooking the vast ocean along with some of the best restaurants in California a village. And the sea lions – the stinky, ugly creatures that look like your cranky 70 year-old Uncle. The same ones. They are so entertaining that my 4 year old was happily telling us stories about five of them. “Ma, there’s grandma and daddy sea lion and they are trying to get on the rocks with sister sea lions…..” A lot of our stories feature sisters because well, sisters.Top 5 reasons to visit San Diego with kids | Best of California Sights | Maple and Marigold

Old Town City Centre – don’t let anyone scare you away from this quaint, little recreated Mexican village. Admittedly, it is kitschy and a tourist trap but it also gives you a good idea of what life was like when San Diego was established 250 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised by the reasonable prices and the variety at the shops and restaurants. Silver and tin ware, ceramic tiles, artisan food. A number of the houses have been converted into museums. I am not sure why but my kids were most interested in the jailhouse. The WANTED posters, the guns and ammunition and of course the prison cell. The last was most fascinating, small, made entirely of rusted iron, with bars on all four sides with a lock as big as my head!

LEGOLAND – of course. This one deserves a separate article especially since we had to consider the million dollar question – Legoland vs Disneyland.

Aaah, San Diego! We miss you already.

5 reasons to visit San Diego with kids | Best of California Sights | Maple and Marigold

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Filed Under: Stuff we Love, Travel Diary Tagged With: California, San Diego, travel tips, Travel with Kids

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Comments

  1. Derek says

    January 19, 2016 at 8:27 pm

    Now who in their right mind would not want to go to San Diego…looks and sounds beautiful!!

    Reply
    • Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma says

      January 20, 2016 at 5:52 am

      Right. We’ve been there a few times now and its still my favourite city. So nuch to do with and without the kids!

      Reply
  2. Kaley says

    January 19, 2016 at 9:48 pm

    I think these places look like so much fun!! Thanks for sharing!

    http://communicationisdifficult.com/2016/01/18/best-japanese-foods/

    Reply
  3. Amandas_Wanderlust says

    January 20, 2016 at 5:02 am

    Love this – especially the sea lions 🙂

    Reply
    • Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma says

      January 20, 2016 at 5:50 am

      So entertaining to watch, i could do without the smell though ;). Thanks for reading, Amanda!

      Reply
  4. Jojo says

    January 20, 2016 at 8:13 am

    I visited San Diego last October and really enjoyed it. I am thinking about another trip there this year!

    Reply
    • Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma says

      January 21, 2016 at 9:42 am

      I cant vouch for it enough, Jojo. Its my favourite with the kids. The pace of life, the ocean and the wonderful landscape, all awesome!

      Reply
  5. Puneeta says

    December 4, 2017 at 11:01 pm

    Test!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Kids World Through Kids Food - Mexican Taco Recipe That Your Kids Will Love | KetchupMoms says:
    February 16, 2016 at 1:03 am

    […] and spent a while there I didn’t really feel as if we were in Mexico. But San Diego, my favourite city travelling with kids, does feel a lot like Mexico. The same quaint streets and little taquerias (cafes) all lend to the […]

    Reply
  2. Family Travel Guides From Around the World - Multicultural Kid Blogs says:
    July 16, 2017 at 2:17 am

    […] Diego: Overview, Mission Beach, Legoland, & […]

    Reply

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About Me

Hi, I'm Puneeta!
I live in Toronto with my hubby and two kids, and love the colour my Indian roots bring to my life here. I write about family, food, kids, and how to make every day enjoyable, healthy, and delicious. Let's talk a little bit more over here.

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