When it comes to family vacations in the United States, there is no better place to be than San Diego – the second most-populous city in California. Set around a gracefully curving bay, San Diego has much on offer, from beautiful expansive parks and historic places to top-notch eateries and vibrant shopping, to animal venues and fabulous sandy beaches. The list of San Diego things-to-do-and-see is truly extensive, so we have chosen those places of interest that are family-friendly, sure to entertain every family member. Whether this is your first visit or fifth, keep in mind that whatever your pleasure, in San Diego you’ll find it all and even more!
LEGOLAND California Resort
The hottest family fun spot in San Diego, located some 30 minutes north of the city, the awe-inspiring LEGOLAND California Resort is a world class amusement park that welcomes families with kids and adventure lovers for a wonderful experience of a lifetime. Comprising numerous areas, including Dino Islands, Explore Village, Knight’s Village, Miniland USA, Funtown and Imagination Zone, for all ages LEGOLAND California Resort offers more than 60 exciting and innovative rides, shows and attractions, add to this a wealth of activities geared toward children age 2 to 12.
At SEA LIFE Aquarium, visitors will find undersea creatures like, sea stars, sharks and stingrays, along with interesting discovery zones, while LEGOLAND Water Park educational, interactive and imaginative fun. Kids can build dams, bridges and cities out of DUPLO bricks and test them against the flow of water. This is truly amazing. Fine dining and great shopping are also available at the resort. Visit this beautiful corner of San Diego and feel the excitement grow from the very moment you reach the front entrance, where a 9-foot bright red LEGO dinosaur welcomes you to a day of color, fun, thrills and action.
San Diego Zoo
A tropical oasis for all ages, the San Diego Zoo is a must-see destination not only in San Diego but also in over Southern California. Founded in 1916, the zoo has been an icon in San Diego for nearly a hundred years. Conveniently located in the city’s Balboa Park, the zoo covers an area of 100 acres and is home to more than 4,000 animals, representing more than 800 species from around the world. Visit amazing habitats for animals to see gorillas, tigers, sun bears, flamingos, polar bears, birds of paradise, leopard and giant tortoises to name but a few. Enjoy a guided tour on a double-decker bus or an aerial view from Skyfari, or else have a fine dining experience in the surroundings of Albert’s restaurant.
A new addition to the San Diego Zoo is the striking Panda Trek that will take you through beautiful bamboo forests, where besides black-and-white bears visitors will come face-to-face with other colorful creatures. Next to the public panda viewing area is the building that houses the Giant Panda Team, the members of which observe and study giant panda biology and behavior.
SeaWorld San Diego
No family vacation to San Diego is complete without a visit to SeaWorld – one of the most famous theme parks in the world, renowned for its shows featuring dolphins and killer whales. Open all year round, including holidays, SeaWorld comes with numerous exhibits, including Turtle Reef, Shark Encounter, Penguin Encounter, Dolphin Point, Sesame Street Bay of Play and Coco Loco Arcade, each with its own offerings sure to delight every visitor.
Not to be missed are the enticing Shamu and the thrilling rides like Journey to Atlantis, Shipwreck Rapids and Wild Arctic, add to this Manta, a new mega-attractions that seamlessly transitions guests on an exhilarating ride on a coaster shaped like a huge manta ray, featuring dozens of twists and turns, plus a thrilling 54-foot drop. In addition to its thrilling rides and incredible entertainment, SeaWorld is dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment and all its wildlife.