San Diego
Have you recently moved to San Diego or are you coming for a visit? Let us give you the lay of the land and some ideas on how to use the site so you get the most out of it.
Start with the RESOURCES and click on Activities & Family Fun...great ideas! If you are looking for child friendly places to eat, visit the Restaurant section.
You can find babysitters on our Classifieds and under Childcare . Click here for a list of Parks . If you are in need of baby equipment go under the Travel Page, for a list of places that will deliver cribs, strollers and more. And... if you like it here so much that you and your family would like to stay... please click on our Relocation link!
Oceanside is considered the “Gateway City “ between San Diego County and the Los Angeles and Orange County areas; the near-perfect climate invites visitors to relax at the 3.5 miles of sandy beaches or to step back in time by visiting the historic Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, the "King of the Missions."
The sport and lifestyle of surfing is celebrated at the unique California Surf Museum located on Historic North Coast Highway, it is great for families visiting, to hear about the highlighted surf legends and what to watch for - as they observe local surfers ride the beach-break peaks & barrels up and down the San Diego coastline. Plus, with free admission, you’re teens, little ones and pocketbook will all enjoy this cool spot!
Beautiful “Harbor Beach” is Oceanside's largest beach, offering everything from surfing to volleyball.
Another beach option, is the area “south” of the Oceanside Pier. It is Oceanside's most popular beach. If you don't mind crowds, you will be comfortable here. Surfing, body-boarding, and body surfing contests are held at Oceanside Pier throughout the Spring and Summer... the 22nd Annual Long Board Contest & Festival will be taking place at the end of August. There are also various events held in the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater. The pier itself is a beautiful walk for families, and at 1.942 feet long, many families throw their fishing lines off the pier and wait for the fish to bite.
The largest of all United States Marine Corps amphibious training bases, is also located in Oceanside: “Camp Pendleton.” Home of the First Marine Division, the base’s motto talks of “Preserving California’s Precious Resources,” as it is home to endangered species and many historical landmarks. Due to the many Military Families that call Oceanside home, "visiting" families feel very comfortable at the beaches and family style restaurants that are scattered along the coastline too.
The Wave Waterpark is a family aquatic park, owned and operated by the City of Vista. Little ones can enjoy splashing in the children's activity area, or taking swim lessons at the center during the Spring - Fall months. Older children will love the thrill of the water slides, or just relaxing on a tube, along the Rio Loco River.
Vista also has a skate park, located next to City Hall and the Public Library, in Civic Center Park, It is free to the public, they ask that all safety rules be observed.
San Marcos, is known for having the amazing “Historic Restaurant Row,” it offers an array of quality family friendly restaurants such as Zip and Zacks …which has a fun game room for kids of all ages. The Market Street Café & Bakery has a great outdoor eating area for breakfast or lunch…and with a huge movie theater complex located right next door – it is perfect to take in a show before or after dining.
Fallbrook's primary business is agriculture. Known as the Avocado Capital of the World, the town has been a primary avocado growing area since the fruit was first planted locally in 1912.
The “can’t miss” event in this town is “The Annual Avocado Festival,” which is held in April, each year. The festival is held along Main Street, which has its own turn-of-the-century charm, with many buildings dating back to the late 1800’s. Your family will learn everything they ever wanted to know about the amazing avocado. Tasting world-class guacamole and checking out the wares in hundreds of booths is a lot of fun too. Activities planned around the Avocado include--the Avocado 500, a "model" car building event and race using avocados as vehicles!
LEGOLAND® California is built for real family FUN with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions for the whole family to enjoy. This huge “garden-like” park is specifically geared towards children ages 2-12. I must admit…I have just as much fun as my children do, when we visit! And the burger they serve at the Burger Stop is fabulous! Our favorite show is the Fun Town Fire Academy, which is held daily.
The Flower Fields entertain and educate more than 150,000 visitors each year with flourishing gardens and community activities. World renowned sand sculptor Gerry Kirk will craft a life-sized, hand-sculpted creation especially for The Flower Fields this year. In addition, kids will love the adventure of finding their way through a giant maze made of fragrant sweet peas in the patriotic colors of the American flag. The fun will start on March 11, 2006 and run for 8 weeks, during the bloom of the flowers. Upon leaving, my children are normally tired enough to sit in the stroller as I push them around the neighboring Carlsbad Premium Outlets Mall – and enjoy the outside shopping experience of 90 major stores and beautiful fountains. Hint: bring pennies!
South Carlsbad State Beach is a family favorite! Various Campfire Programs, Junior Ranger Programs, and Nature Walks may be offered; check signs posted on the restrooms and at the entrance station regarding park information during your visit. The wide open space offered at this beach is perfect for spending a day swimming, surfing and picnicking. The large bluff-top campground is very popular, especially in summer. Stairs lead to the beach.
Located along six miles of Pacific coastline in North County, Encinitas is characterized by coastal beaches, steep mesa bluffs and rolling hills. There is a significant flower growing industry in the City and it is know for growing the winter favorite Poinsettia...the Paul Ecke family greenhouses put Encinitas in the limelight nationally due to their vast production and award winning poinsettia flowers. As the City has developed, it has grown up around the pre-existing flower growers. Quail Botanical Gardens is a beautiful oasis to visit with an Amazon Rainforest and the largest display of bamboo in the world...they offer occasional stoytimes and a great little play area geared towards preschoolers.
The Downtown Hwy 101 Area is a coastal shopping district featuring historic architecture, quaint shops, sidewalk cafes, and restaurants framed by beautiful flower baskets. Don’t miss the taco shops that line the highway, they are all worth stopping at…then you can bring your food to the beach.
The beaches in Encinitas are outstanding. There are many stretches of beach that lie between Cardiff-by-the-Sea and La Costa. Moonlight Beach offers a great playground now and restrooms. The surfing is unbeatable and many surf contests are held throughout the year in Encinitas. The surf culture is felt the strongest while driving through this town… board shops abound! The San Elijo Lagoon Reserve is the largest coastal wetland in San Diego County and is home to nearly 300 different bird species throughout the year...hiking around the trail area is better with older kids.
Beautiful Solana Beach is located along the northern coast of San Diego County. It is known for its shopping, with a mix of interesting art galleries and boutiques, furniture shops, surfing outfitters, and other unique stores. Most all located on one long street named “Cedros”
Fletcher Cove, located at Solana Beach Plaza has a wonderful little cobblestone beach with a park that overlooks the ocean. The picturesque cove has lifeguard service but not much sand and can be inaccessible at high tide. Off the beach, there is volleyball, shuffleboard, basketball, showers, picnic tables, and free public parking. This beach is very close to the Amtrak rail station that stops in Solana Beach and also the well known Cedros Design District...where a favorite boutique to many new moms is located: Baby Mabel’s.
The Village of Del Mar, is very much like visiting Carmel, CA (up in Northern California)
Most San Diegans associate Del Mar with the world famous Race Track and Fairgrounds that are located just off of the I-5 freeway.
The San Diego County Fair will take place June 10th – July 4th 2006, and this year’s theme is Come Ride the Tide to Fun. The fair will feature many activities and displays about our most important resource. The fair will also feature the world's most renowned environmental artist, Wyland, who will be on hand several times during the Fair to help show how each person can make a difference in preserving, protecting and respecting the earth.
The term “Where the Turf meets the Surf” is well known, especially with the horse racing set. This Summer, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club races open July 19 – September 6th 2006, featuring an array of horse races and purses. They have made many days family friendly, offering childcare and special concerts held on occasional Fridays, once the day’s races have concluded. Traffic around both of these events can be tricky, so please take note of these dates if you will be traveling past the Fairgrounds on I-5, during these times.
The Powerhouse Community Center which is owned and operated by the City of Del Mar, sits next to the Del Mar beach area (offering a large grassy area and playground) it also has a community space with restrooms, an outdoor theatre and beach showers where everyone can rinse off the Del Mar sand, wiggle their toes in glee, and soak in Del Mar’s historic glow.
Old Poway Park is such a great family spot! It offers steam train railroad rides every Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., children under 12 years are able to ride for only fifty cents...adults are charged a little more.
Also at the park on Saturday’s is a Farmers Market from 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. with produce sold directly to you by the farmer. Rain or shine! Certified by the County Agricultural Commissioner.
A 2 acre park and picnic area is also very near the Hamburger Factory Restaurant.
The Escondido Children’s Museum feels that perhaps the most important “life skill” you are able to pass along is a “hands-on, multi-sensory experience” and their programs do just that, by creating a unique setting that is wholesome, fun, and very accessible.
Scripps Ranch is a family oriented residential community nestled among thousands of acres of rolling hills, groves of eucalyptus & pine, and scenic views adjacent to Miramar Lake. Much of the open space of Scripps Ranch has been set aside for neighborhood parks, ball fields, nature trails, wildlife and a variety of outdoor activities. A favorite park is Spring Canyon Park which has a soccer field, basketball court, sand volleyball court and playgrounds!
The Wild Animal Park is an expansive wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 400 species. The monkey exhibit alone is enough for kids to go crazy over! It is located 35 miles north of downtown San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido.
Birch Aquarium is located on a beautiful bluff overlooking the ocean. Try to visit the aquarium during their Family Days! Enjoy arts and crafts, science, and engaging activities for all ages in this monthly program that promotes family learning and togetherness. Programs are included with admission and are ongoing from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm…it is worth checking to see when they offer these special days, on their website. And explore the wonders of the underwater world!
The Children's Pool ( 850 Coast Boulevard) is a small beach partially protected by a seawall. The walking path along the cliffs here has a panoramic view...which even my little ones are mesmerized by…that is, until they spot the seals! During much of the year, seals and sea lions are present on or near the beach and on a reserve for these marine mammals, called Seal Rock, just offshore. The name ‘Children’s Pool” is a little misleading, please do not plan to swim anywhere near the seals or sea lions – they now call this beach their home. …this beach area is within a short walk of the commercial area of the community of La Jolla. Grassy park areas can be found a short distance to the north and south. Picnics are popular here…there is no playground…but several parents I know, take turns playing with their children (while another parent shops) along Prospect Street…just a few blocks away! Prospect St. is San Diego’s answer to “Rodeo Drive” - with luxurious shopping and plenty of dining! La Jolla has something to offer to every member of your family!
The Torrey Pines State Reserve is a wilderness reserve that sits between two beach communities. The park preserves not only the trees, but also the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California. The reserve features high broken cliffs and deep ravines on headlands overlooking the ocean. Hikers can follow trails through stands of wind-sculpted pines. Picnicking and camping are prohibited in the reserve. The reserve's rich plant community features wildflowers in the spring and visitors can see the California quail gathered in coveys in the early mornings of fall and winter. Hike on down the trails and to the Torrey Pines State Beach… it is a great way to spend some family time… the trails are easy to walk and as long as your children are old enough to handle instructions, it should be fine for them to navigate them with you.
Other major beaches to mention in La Jolla:
Crystal Pier - is a landmark and a symbol of Pacific Beach history. The Pier was completed in 1927 and it is open to the public for fishing during daylight hours and is a popular spot for watching the spectacular sunsets. Pacific Beach seems to attract an older college aged crowd in the summer months, with eclectic festivities.
Garnet Avenue - is the main shopping district of Pacific Beach, with the first six blocks filled with interesting shops, bars and restaurants...don’t miss shopping at the Pangaea Outpost – it is really 60 shops, all under one roof , (and one of the best places to purchase baby & children’s clothes’ is located there: “Baby Chic”)! Garnet Ave. is like the main street of a small town. The Avenue has special events such as the Christmas parade and a huge block party each year.
Ocean Beach is such a unique place to visit! And one unique feature of Ocean Beach is Dog Beach, a sandy area at the north end. This is a dog run area where dogs are permitted without a leash at all hours of the day. Dog owners are responsible for control and clean-up of their dogs. This is a great place to visit and is one of the only beaches in San Diego where dogs run free 24 hours a day.
The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is the centerpiece of Cabrillo National Monument, with a spectacular view of San Diego Harbor. The Cabrillo Monument Park, part of the National Park Service, just above Ballast Point offers exhibits, living history lessons and tours of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.
Also, the Tide Pools along the base of the cliffs below the park offer visitors a chance to see various species of marine life up close and personal…our children loved learning about the sea life!
Coronado is a small “island” town in San Diego Bay, approximately 7.4 square miles in size, connected to the City of San Diego by the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and to the City of Imperial Beach to the south by State Highway 75. Our family likes to bring visitors to Coronado, to see the World Famous Hotel Del Coronado Hotel! It is so fun to walk around the hotel and then hit the family friendly beach that sits just below the resort! If time permits, we also try to stop by the Mootime Creamery for homemade ice-cream that's smashed & folded into your very own customized flavor and Gepetto's toy store, both located in the shops at the Del.
Coronado also has a city skate park that encompasses about 16,000 square feet of concrete ramps, bowls, grinds, and jumps. The park caters to all levels of skill and they can rent you safety equipment if you are here on vacation.
The entire family will enjoy taking a Ferry ride… the Ferry leaves downtown every hour on the hour beginning at 9 a.m., departing from Broadway Pier (1050 N. Harbor Dr.) and arriving at Coronado's Ferry Landing Marketplace shopping center…which is another favorite spot, due to the great family restaurants and gifts & souvenirs shops!
Seaport Village is very near the Convention Center and many other downtown hotels, in case you are staying nearby…you may want to take your children over to ride the carousel or play at the arcade, while you get in a little souvenir shopping!
Then, when snack time hits you can treat everyone to an ice cream at Ben and Jerry's and wander over to the Embarcadero Park for a shady bayside break. Our children love to visit the North and South Embarcadero Parks, due to the great steady breeze…perfect for kite flying! Also, to watch the ships sail on by is a treat!
If you then cross the street and walk towards the Gaslamp Quarter (full of shopping and restaurants), and follow the MLK Promenade along the Trolley line, this wide green belt path will bring you to the Children’s Park & Children’s Museum Park. The little ones love seeing the trolley cars pass and it makes for a nice walk away from the convention center.
If you are visiting during baseball season… Petco Park (which opened in 2004) is the only west coast ballpark to offer a large grassy section for familys to sit (just outside of the outfield) so that you can view the game. Also at the park there is also a children’s play area (behind the outfield). All in all, the Padre's experience is very family friendly!
If you have access to a car while you are visiting, I recommend driving up
Park Blvd. all the way to a true SD landmark... Balboa Park!
Balboa Park covers 1,200 acres and features over 85 cultural and recreational organizations, including fifteen museums and various performing arts groups.
The Pepper Grove Playground and Picnic area is where we like to stop and play either before or after visiting the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center which has San Diego’s only IMAX® Dome Theater. There are over 100 interactive science exhibits that will appeal to visitors of any age; they keep everything fresh and new so visitors and locals alike want to return.
Bring your walking shoes because you may want to see the Spreckles Organ Pavilion, this unique organ contains 4,530 pipes and there is a civic organist, who performs free weekly Sunday concerts…kids like to stop at least for a little while and marvel at the incredible sounds & music it makes!
If you have time…our children adore attending shows at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre. The adult tickets are five dollars and child tickets are three dollars and the shows are worth every penny! Click for Puppet Schedule
Also, more shows can be seen at the world-famous Old Globe Theatre, which presents at least 550 performances a year. And speaking of "world famous," the park is also home to the San Diego Zoo, where you can stroll around the 100-acre grounds, viewing colorful and exotic species of animals displayed in their natural habitats. Another Zoo favorite is the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad. This miniature locomotive holds 48 passengers and takes a 3-minute, ½-mile trip through four acres of Balboa Park. A conductor runs the miniature train on Saturdays & Sundays. The train is located opposite the entrance to the Zoo and adjacent to the carousel…which you can still play the “brass ring game” on, if you ride the carousel for five minutes! Enjoy your time at Balboa Park!
The City of Santee neighbors some of the most spectacular open space in San Diego County. Guided ‘Nature Walks’ at San Diego’s Mission Trails Regional Park are free and information can be found at http://www.mtrp.org/ The City of Santee also offers a Summer Concert Series on Thursdays, June 8 – August 24, 2006 6:30 – 8:00p.m.at Santee Trolley Square. It’s a great way to spend a summer night!
Downtown El Cajon has an eventful schedule, by visiting downtownelcajon.com you will be able to see the Summer Concerts they too, will be offering “on the Green” (which is the Prescott Promenade) every Friday throughout the warm months. Bring a blanket or a chair and they promise to entertain all ages in your family, start time is 6:00pm.
Also, the first Friday or each month, special events and activities are planned by the Downtown association with some fun themes.
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the City of Imperial Beach! They will be celebrating this milestone by hosting special events throughout 2006…but the “can’t miss” event will be held this coming July…IB is hosting the 22nd Annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition. You have to attend if you are here over the Summer!
Imperial Beach is also home to some of the best surf fishing, pier fishing and surfing in Southern California. The Imperial Beach Pier is a great place to take your older children fishing for the day. The pier extends out over the Pacific Ocean for 1,500 Square feet, and no fishing license is needed!
The National Estuarine Research Reserve it is a wonderful place to see and learn about the birds, fauna and flora of our region! Their Visitor Center is open to the general public, Wednesday through Sunday. The Visitor Center offers a variety of hands-on, interactive activities for all ages. There is also a Jr. Ranger program (free activity), for students 7-12 years of age, every Thursday from 3:30-4:30pm (check calendar for holidays). Jr. Rangers learn about the importance of wetlands by participating in related hands-on activities. Earn patches, buttons and more!
