Here are a few tips for stretching your family’s vacation dollars on a trip to San Diego.
We chose the San Diego Zoo as our “main event” for this visit, first because it seemed the most age-appropriate for our daughters at this time (2.5 and 4.5 years), and also offered many changes of pace and interesting transportation throughout, including an aerial tram and buses (a.k.a. chances to get me off my feet since I’m pregnant). When I found out all children were free for the month of October, that was even better.

Don’t miss your chance to hang out on San Diego’s great free beaches, stroll through its scenic walking districts, and simply soak up that SoCal vibe while you’re in the area. Some of my favorite moments from this trip were absolutely free: watching a mom roll along on a skateboard with her toddler on her hip, watching my family insist on staying in the sand at Mission Beach until well after the sun had set, and of course watching a glorious sun set into the Pacific with my own toes in the sand.
A good hotel can also be part of a great San Diego family vacation, but for one with great family amenities and a primo location, you’ll generally have to pay through the nose. Using Hotwire.com, however, we really were able to get a 4 star hotel at the going rate for 2 star hotels in town just as they advertise.
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I was just complaining to my wife how in 2013 (almost 2014) there still aren’t many good resources out there that simplify regional travel for families.
I was born, raised and have lived in California for a good portion of my life but I find it amazing how poorly guide books, guide families. I want to thank you for posting your San Diego recommendations. My wife and I just booked through Hotwire for the first time for ourselves and 2 children and we were super excited to score a 4 star resort right on the waterfront for $69 a night. And I really appreciate your notes on where to go including the videos on Balboa park and your advice on not to overdue it on the events!
It took your blog post to push me over the line to give Hotwire a go after many years and now I feel like I have been missing out.
Anyway, I just wanted to say great blog and keep up the amazing work into 2014. You have definitely built something here that is well organized and extremely useful. I wish you and your family the best on your “travels with baby” (and beyond!)
Stephen
Wow, thank you so much Stephen – you just made my day! And here I’ve been feeling guilty that I haven’t had a chance to implement all the improvements I want to make for the site yet. Better organization is coming soon, along with some big announcements… hope you have subscribed for updates. Meanwhile, have a fantastic trip to San Diego with your family (and enjoy the heck out of that 4-star hotel)! 😉
The San Diego Botanic Garden formerly Quail Botanical Gardens is a great place to take kids! They have two different children’s gardens. The Seeds of Wonder is for the little ones which contains a water table area, play house, sand area, sometimes bubbles or art, and it even has a model electric train for the kids to watch. The larger children’s garden has a ton of different areas for climbing, building, making art, playing music and sand play. I believe its about $12 per person.
Your family has a wonderful time in your vacation. I wish I can also give my family a vacation like that. Having a vacation with your family is a great to make your family stronger.
I am planning on taking my family to San Diego in May, and am just looking for some tips. We will have a 2.5 yr old and a 1 yr old when we go. We definitely want to do the zoo, and I think the Birch Aquarium is a great idea, instead of Sea World. We live in Arizona, so it is only about 8 hours away, and we can always come back for Sea World. Can you give me any more suggestions?