However, there are other ways to get to Disneyland that might be better for you and your family. Also check out our guide to the best activities in San Francisco, if you are exploring more of Cali! Headed to San Diego? Eat lunch at off-peak times. Also the first night in Anahiem you can go shopping((ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Oh, and I forgot to mention that they serve cocktails at the kids play areas at the hotels. 212 shares Are you planning a trip to LEGOLAND California in 2023? Over 100 attractions, hotels, and restaurants offer free kids admission, stays, and meals when accompanied by a paid adult. Plus, the optimal climate appeals to everyone. This is when the sun is out and the ocean temperatures are warmest of the year. Thirdly, they are set up to help parents out. All Rights Reserved. Initially known as the tuna capital due to the citys primary tuna industry, it encouraged over 6,000 immigrant families to move to San Diego to partake. The road trip from San Diego to Los Angeles covers 120 miles and takes 2 hours 20 minutes. Here are some examples of why families might choose one location over the other. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Aquatica San Diego tickets can be bought for less than gate pricing. A list of the best SeaWorld San Diego rides for all ages from toddlers to teens (and even adults will love them, too). YES! Families often opt to stay in San Diego's North County, which shaves 30-plus minutes off the drive . Stump Removal - San Diego's Best Tree Service A world-famous dive site, La Jolla Cove is an ecological preserve and San Diegos top swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and diving spot. Ok, Im not normally someone who tells people to stay in a specific hotel because I know everyone has different needs and budgets. San Diego is 95 miles from Disneyland, which is about an hour and a half by car. For interactive rides, LEGO Ninjago The Ride is pretty fun. The BEST way to buy attraction and theme park tickets is my discounted site. The most comprehensive guide for fun things to do in San Diego with kids from the perspective of a local mom who specializes in helping plan San Diego family vacations. The next stop is Seaport Village, where refreshments, shopping, and entertainment are waiting. Rarely are you so close to the most magical (or second most magical depending on how you feel about WDW) place on earth. Your guide to important information and updated experiences. Everything you need to know before visiting Birch Aquarium, one of the best things to do in San Diego, including tickets, hours, exhibits and a list of awesome offsite adventures. Others may opt for Carlsbad because theyd like to stay at a nice resort and to center their vacation around golf or LEGOLAND California. What time to leave Disneyland to get to LAX for 11am flight? And Lost Kingdom Adventure is where you shoot laser guns at targets (sort of like Buzz Lightyear). 100 Free Things to Do in San Diego: Museums, Attractions, Walking Tours, & More. Hey! Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently. The best beaches in San Diego for families reviewed so that you know where to sunbathe, swim, surf, play and beachcomb with kids. Get there at opening, eat lunch, tour for another hour or two and head to the beach after that. To end your first day in San Diego, take a trip toSunset Cliffs Natural Park. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form, Hotel del Coronado Review & VERY Detailed Guide: Your Access to VIP Rates, Fairmont Grand Del Mar Hotel Review & How to Book VIP, Four Seasons Residence Club San Diego, Aviara Review: A Top Pick, Loews Coronado Bay Resort Review, Guide & How to Book, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa Carlsbad: Detailed Review & How to Book, Pendry San Diego Hotel Review & Detailed Guide, THE US GRANT, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego: Review & How to Book, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa: What You Should Know, Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa: Review & Booking Advice, Beach Village at The Del: BEST Expert Review & How to Book VIP, Detailed Guide to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 10 Best SeaWorld San Diego Rides That You Cant Miss, 22 Things to Do at Belmont Park San Diego, 6 San Diego Zoo Tours that Elevate Your Visit, LEGOLAND California Guide: Why Everything IS Awesome, What to Expect at Aquatica San Diego Water Park, San Diego Zoo for Kids and Toddlers: Things to Do and Tips from a (Mom) Member, 25 SeaWorld San Diego Tips and Tricks for a Fun Day Out, San Diego Zoo Animals and Attractions: The Must-See List, How to Buy Discount San Diego Zoo Tickets: 15 Best Ways to Save, How to Buy Discount San Diego Zoo Safari Park Tickets: 18 Best Cheap Ways, How to Buy Discounted Tickets to SeaWorld San Diego, How to Buy Discounted Tickets to LEGOLAND California in 2023, How to Buy Discount Aquatica San Diego Tickets for the Water Parks Final Season, 56 Best Things to Do in San Diego with Kids: Fun Activities for All Ages, Insiders Guide to Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla, Fleet Science Center San Diego: Things to Do, Tickets, Tips, 20 Fun Things to Do in San Diego with Teens (and Tweens), San Diego Natural History Museum: Tips, Highlights & Local Kids Guide, 7 Top San Diego Surf Schools for Lessons, Camps, and Rentals, How to See the La Jolla Seals and Sea Lions: Map & Locals Guide, 10 Best Tide Pools in San Diego and Tips for Visiting Now, Cabrillo National Monument San Diego: Things to Do, Tickets, & Tips, Old Town San Diego Guide: Restaurants, Shopping, Parking, and Things to Do, 30 Fun Outdoor Activities in San Diego for Locals & Visitors, 15 Best Beaches in San Diego for Families, 100 Free Things to Do in San Diego: Museums, Attractions, Walking Tours, & More, 15 Best Beaches in San Diego: A Complete Guide from North to South, my article about best San Diego family hotels, 10 Reasons a Go City San Diego Pass Is Worth it for Sightseeing, What to Pack for San Diego: Practical Fashion Advice from a Local. Winter minus tides reveal spectacular tide pools during the days. The truth is that the majority of our luxury hotels are actually inland from the beach. Are you planning your first trip to LEGOLAND California? What are the best free family activities? My family loves visiting LEGOLAND California because its smaller than other theme parks, it has shorter hours, and there are so many fun things to do there! There are lots of options for kids but there are also great options for adults. Luxury meets sustainability at these unique ecolodges. An alternative option for the last evening of your San Diego weekend getaway is to hit the beach. Disney Cruise San Diego 2022 Complete Guide [Updated] Especially during the busiest times of the year, you will maximize your time at SeaWorld San Diego if you eat lunch earlier or later than the standard lunch hour. I think LEGOLAND California is really fun year-round. Brilliant! Disneyland Crowd Calendar - Best Times to Visit Disneyland in 2023 Thankfully, several elevators are available, and about 60% of the exhibits are wheelchair accessible. Renting a car is also great, as it gives you the flexibility to explore at your leisure. Thanks for your support, kind friend! Day 2: LEGOLAND California (in summer, you may want to spend the entire day here because in addition to the theme park, the water park is open). There are guests who let the hotel determine what part of town they stay in, as we mentioned before. Sunscreen is helpful because so much of the park is in the open air. 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM . A hub spot for history, Old Town homes acres of Mexican heritage, colorful shops and restaurants, and historical sites waiting to be explored. If you leave SD at noon or 1pm you will misss the morning and evening rush hours. The San Diego area rolls out. 1. We plan to go on a weekday, either Wed. or Thursday. Youll also need to be prepared to pay more for the convenience or choose perhaps a moderate hotel versus a luxury hotel, which may fit your budget more comfortably. Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa in Pacific Beach, San Diego makes a perfect base for an uber-casual family beach vacation. There are also fewer crowds, making the attractions more enjoyable. By Malika Freydberg for TravelCoterie in partnership with Tripadvisor, The best places to visit in March in the US, From indie music-filled nights in Austin to family-friendly skiing in Vail. Day 6: Go to downtown San Diego to enjoy the USS Midway, Waterfront Park, lunch or dinner in Little Italy, New Childrens Museum, Seaport Village and/or a SEAL Tour (you can even split this into two days). The last San Diego Disney Cruise for 2022 which is available right now is the October 3, 2022 sailing for 3 nights to Ensenada. Spring break season starts the second week of March and continues through mid-April or after Easter. We have family on the North side of San Diego, right off I-5. Here's what to know before you go. Plan for arrival at San Diego that evening. The beaches at La Jolla have white sand that many beachgoers like to sunbathe on and waves that make it a hit surfing spot for surfers from all over the world. It can help you figure out the exact dates to go for the fewest crowds. These fun activities dont cost a cent! Look at every theme park and museums event or tour schedule to see what is on offer that may enhance your experience. If you feel the need to get out on the water during a winter trip, try a whale watching excursion. We all know that traveling with toddlers has its own struggles and doing a theme park with toddlers is different than with older kids. One of the best snacks at LEGOLAND is Grannys Apple Fries. This is my two cents, I think it might be better to go up the night before to miss the morning traffic. Alternatively, you may use, San Diego with kids: 7 unexpected, fuss-free ways to explore the city. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. These are trustworthy ways for discounted tickets to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with straight-to-the-gate vouchers, bundled attractions passes and more. In this post, Ill share my top 10 tips for planning the perfect LEGOLAND vacation. So you know your truly getting the best: Most Major Credit Cards Accepted. Theres also a really cool aquarium you can visit in about 2 hours. INDEPENDENT AFFILIATE, CADENCE TRAVEL Adding Disneyland to Your San Diego Itinerary Summer break season starts in mid-May and ends after Labor Day. Although tourists tend to linger well into September to soak up the last of the summer weather (average highs remain in the mid-70s), October and November see a drop in crowds as well as hotel rates. Study the locations of the hotels on your list. Read Next: Looking for more activities to add to your itinerary? A visitors guide to Cabrillo National Monument, San Diegos National Park, including location, things to do, tide pools and more to explore. With two days, you can easily do all the rides on your list. We will be leaving their house Tuesday morning, checking into DL Hotel, checking out Saturday. Located at the Naval Pier in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway Museum houses close to 10 acres of exhibits, over 30 restored aircraft, and displays that tell history. Average temperatures rest in the 60s and the lows drop into the high 40s, but that's only very late at night or in the early morning. If youre wondering where to stay during your trip to San Diego, our recommendations for the best accommodation will help you choose the top spot for your budget! I hope this post helps you plan your perfect LEGOLAND California vacation! Then, we keep moving through this where to stay decision tree. Then, simmer down to bask in the famous San Diego sunset while gazing across the ocean. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. We will stay in Anaheim that night instead of driving back the same day. These months tend to see the lowest visitor numbers. This saves a lot of money to do it this way versus paying for soda everywhere you go. If you or your kids prefer animal interactions, I would suggest San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Because the park has shorter hours than other theme parks, the day really does fly by. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! While exploring Balboa Park, make some time to visit this world-famous zoo. What time in the morning should we leave (factoring in rush hour traffic) to get to Disneyland by 9 a.m.? 8. What to know before visiting Fleet Science Center San Diego, including how to buy tickets, insider tips, not to miss highlights, and more. Assuming you would like an article discussing the various ways to travel from San Diego to Disneyland: San Diego and Disneyland are two popular tourist destinations in California. Autumn is a sweet spot in San Diego tourism. Midway Aircraft Carrier, the U.S. Navy Surface Fleet, the San Diego Coronado Bridge, and the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. If you click on an affiliate link and buy something, I may receive a very small commission. The WWII-era U.S. Navy ship has low ceilings, cramped hallways, and a lot of narrow stairways that can be difficult for some people to navigate. Want to Rent a Car in California?One of the best places to rent a car in California is Expedia because they usually have the cheapest rates and fantastic customer service. And when it comes to rain, San Diego sees the most rainfall during the winter months, so a day at the beach is out of the question during this time (not to mention the ocean's waters are too frigid for swimming). Drive time will vary depending on the time and day you travel, but a conservative estimate is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from downtown. Explore the museums and the zoo, and end the day by watching a classic Cali sunset at the cliffs. Leave Huntington Beach for a drive along the coast. From a roller coaster built in 1925 to laser tag, here are the best things to do at Belmont Park, one of San Diegos best attractions. If you leave SD at noon or 1pm you will misss the morning and evening rush hours. However, I strongly suggest staying in a LEGOLAND hotel for a few reasons. Read next: The Perfect 3 Days in Seattle Itinerary. Many families choose to stay in Coronado because theyd like to visit the San Diego Zoo (15 minutes away), go to the beach, and be able to walk to shops and restaurants. In La Jolla, we Farmer & the Seahorse which has outdoor games on its lawn. Heading north along the Pacific coast? So, skip the lines with thisadmission ticketand get ready to have a blast. Morning drive from San Diego : Disneyland - Reddit https://disneyland.disney.go.com . Very few people have visited San Diego without stopping in Balboa Park. A list of the best ways to buy LEGOLAND California discount tickets that can SEA LIFE Aquarium and the Water Park, too. Copyright 2023 Marcie in Mommyland | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club offers guests an oceanfront San Diego hotel option with a private beach, golf, tennis, and suites for larger families. The best times to visit San Diego are March through May and September through November. This means youll need to drive or take an Uber to the sand, though Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers a beach concierge service where they will set you up with chairs, umbrella, and water at Del Mar beach to give its guests the best of both worlds. Three or four BART trains ($8.50) per hour leave from SFO and take 30 minutes to downtown San Francisco. Answer 1 of 6: Will be in San Diego for five days. Best time to leave for DLR from San Diego Teens also love the rides, arcade, mini golf and walking around Belmont Park, our seaside amusement park in Mission Beach. An insider's guide to exploring San Diego's tide pools, Old Town, and white-sand beaches with kids. As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. In addition, guests can access free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and a 40-inch flat-screen TV with over 60 channels. Coronado Beach is good for sightseeing, as there are lots of fancy mansions lining Ocean Boulevard behind the sand. Also make sure you stop by theSan Diego Museum of Art, a world-renowned fine arts museum. After your full day at Disneyland you can drive back to SD in 1 1/2 hours becuase you will misss the evening rush-hour which ends at 7pm. Packed onto this extensive outdoor location is a 50-acre hillside section designated as a species conservation area and links to the 640-acre Point Loma Ecological Reserve. A list of the top things to do in San Diego with teens and tweens including best beaches, museums, sightseeing tours, Instagram spots and more. They love building sandcastles and playing at the shoreline, especially if they dont normally live by the beach. Youll have even more fun if you follow these simple steps below, so lets get started! The number one San Diego attraction is the San Diego Zoo. They also have some fun Halloween events. Return to a land of magic. The waterfront Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is popular with business travelers and families for a downtown location and well-priced rooms and suites. As Disneyland costs rise, here's the cheapest ways to visit - SFGATE FAQ: Where to find villa/condo and house rentals in San Diego? Rest assured that you can also rent a variety of baby gear for your hotel or vacation rental through our partner,Toddlers Travels(mention that La Jolla Mom sent you). Grab special 3D viewing glasses to see the . There are always deals for LEGOLAND California so theres no reason to pay full price. Youll also want to bring LEGO minifigures with you to trade inside the park. Which is the best Outlet Mall in San Diego?? Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. They also rent beach gear, toy packs, high chairs, bath tubs, car seats, strollers, and more so that families can pack light. Your station options for catching the train to Disneyland in San Diego are Santa Fe Depot (downtown), Old Town, Solana Beach, and Oceanside. Otherwise, invest in thisPrivate Transfer to/from San Diego Airportfor a stress-free transfer from the San Diego International Airport to your destination in San Diego. We residents still go to the beach year-round though we use it differently in the colder months. During your tour of this San Diego museum, climb aboard real cockpits, peer through restored WWII-era aircraft, and witness a powerful historical production in the Battle of Midway Theater. Day 5: Balboa Park Museums and beach time. I am here to help you break down the planning process into manageable stages that are fundamentally split into four when to visit, how long to stay, where to stay, and what to do. Open 24 hours a day, every day, Balboa Park is an urban park with history, attractions, and nature. You can actually swim with them. By Malika Freydberg for TravelCoterie in partnership with Tripadvisor, The best places to visit in March in the US, From indie music-filled nights in Austin to family-friendly skiing in Vail. These may be peak dates but they are still fantastic times to come. Find the best San Diego surf schools for lessons on beaches near popular hotels that are fantastic for nearly any age and ability. Families benefit from this promotion the most when it comes to saving on attractions tickets as all of our theme parks participate. Before you get started exploring your San Diego itinerary options you need to figure out how to get around. But that doesn't necessarily mean sunny days abound as well. The USS Midway served as the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century from 1945 to 1992. Spring is one of the best times to visit America's Finest City. Everything you need to know about how to see the La Jolla seals and sea lions including a map, six popular viewpoints, parking, and other tips. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. SeaWorld San Diego tips and tricks for how to save money, maximize time, and visit sanely with kids for an easy day. Read my reviews of the LEGOLAND Hotel and the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel. Start the day with some peaceful strolls along the walking paths and through the gardens. If you take an early morning flight, you might be able to get to LEGOLAND right as its opening (or close to it) so you could drop your bags at the hotel and go play. Disneyland for one daybest transportation w/out car - San Diego You only need to pay for parking at Cabrillo National Monument but you can spend a half-day walking the trails, learning about the discovery of California, earning a Junior Ranger badge, and tide pooling in winter. Families tend to visit San Diego mostly during winter break, Presidents Day weekend, spring break, and summer break. There are plenty of things to do in this reputable Southern California city if you know where to look. What you need to know about choosing a room and maximizing your stay. The Big Easy isnt the only city that goes big. Disneyland vs LEGOLAND: Which is Right for Your Family? 3:00 PM?? It will get you discounted entry to the zoo, museums, Old Town tours, and numerous other attractions. Finally, end the day with world-famous Little Italys best food and drinks! Most of the food options dont open when the park opens, which can leave you scrambling with little kids who are hungry. On the last day of your San Diego itinerary begin the day kayaking at a world-famous dive site in La Jolla. The Red, White and Boom celebration on July 4 at Legoland California will conclude with a fireworks show set to a patriotic musical tribute at 8:30 p.m.