My top 5 things to do in San Diego with kids
"When life gives you lemons, trade them for tacos in San Diego." -Unknown
Our family travelled to Southern California in the Spring to visit my sister and it was so nice to leave the cold behind and embrace the SoCal lifestyle for a short time. It was my second time visiting San Diego but I still did quite a bit of research (and leaned on my sister's recommendations) to make sure we experienced all the best highlights and ate all the best food! We really made the most of our five days there without ever feeling overly scheduled. Here are my top five recommendations for "must dos" while in San Diego with kids (that will also appeal to the grown-ups):
Go Hiking at Torrey Pines State Natural Preserve: This was one of the many highlights of our trip for me. Torrey Pines is widely known for its iconic golf course but Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve spans 1,500 acres of land on the Southern California coast and we were blown away by its beauty. We spent an entire morning hiking some of the area's ultra peaceful trails that accommodated our young kids (and the grandparents) and we all agreed that our efforts were rewarded with some amazing views. Afterwards, be sure to make your way to The Grill at Torrey Pines which offers an exclusive view of the Torrey Pines Golf Course for lunch and cocktails outside on the patio. And of course grab yourself some cute merch from the gift shop before you leave!
Visit the storied Hotel del Coronado: The Hotel del Coronado recently completed a $550 million renovation, including the restoration of its historic Victorian building and the addition of new dining and lodging options including the Shore House to the south of the main property. The resort is situated on Coronado Beach and is a perfect mix of historic charm and modern luxury. We stayed two nights in the Shore House building and loved it, it's ideal for families. It features one to three bedroom suites each featuring a full kitchen, washer/dryer, a fireplace and access to a private pool. And of course you're always only steps from the beach! Take some time to stroll the historic buildings, then walk to downtown Coronado which is home to some cute shops, bookstores, and unique restaurants.
Visit the San Diego Zoo: Visit the zoo and plan on spending many, many hours here especially if your kids are as obsessed with wildlife as mine. Lots of great animals and exhibits. One of the best zoos we've been to so build this into your itinerary.
Hit a Padres game: Grab tickets to a Padres game at Petco Park if you're visiting during baseball season. Make your way to Little Italy after the game(about a 10 minute drive) for dinner/drinks at Ballast Point Brewery.
Explore La Jolla: We stayed at a VRBO in La Jolla near Windandsea Beach for a few nights and loved walking and exploring the neighborhood. We discovered Rosemonts Cafe for coffee and breakfast most mornings and made a few trips to admire the seals in La Jolla Cove. And we had some of the best tacos we've ever had in our entire life at The Taco Stand on Pearl St. OMG, delicious.
Honorable mention: LegoLand. It's in Carlsbad which is about 35 miles from San Diego. Your kids will thank you but be prepared to be a little underwhelmed. It's a little dated but has some basic theme park attractions and some rides. We all most appreciated the lego builds on display throughout the park. They were super impressive and cool. It was worth a trip to say we did it and the kids definitely enjoyed.
