What to do in SD with toddler and preschooler?

We are going to Legoland, San Diego Zoo and Sea World. We were going to drive from Buena Park each day since we are saving on accommodation staying with friends (we realise that it%26#39;s a 2 hour drive each way). We are now considering staying in San Diego for 2 nights. We are travelling with a preschooler and a toddler. Here are my questions:

1. What%26#39;s there to do in San Diego that is suitable for our kids? I mean, something that is unique that I can%26#39;t do anywhere else. I read about the SD%26#39;s aircraft museum, the reviews are pretty good.

2. Is there a particular area that I should look at for accommodation that is convenient? Any recommended budget hotels?

3. Is 2 nights accommodation enough?

4. Where are some of recommended places for dinner?

I look forward to the replies. TIA.

What to do in SD with toddler and preschooler?

I am a little confused. You have mentioned 3 parks that you%26#39;d like to visit with your children and then say you are ';considering staying in San Diego for 2nights and want to know what%26#39;s there to do that is suitable for our kids?'; It sounds like you already have some idea so is it that you want to drive each day to those parks and THEN stay an extra 2 days in San Diego or are you looking for other ideas if you don%26#39;t go to those parks?

Anyway, there is La Jolla Cove with its seals/pelicans,rocky beaches to explore and tidepools at low tide. The aircraft carrier museum and the other ships at the waterfront are certainly places to visit.

The toddler will be fine there but the question really might be are there things of interest to the adults that the children could also visit? Balboa Park in which the zoo is located is also a place to go.

We can help better with ';budget'; hotels if you define the amount of money you are willing to spend as everyone has a different budget.

What to do in SD with toddler and preschooler?

I strongly discourage you from driving each day from LA. Yes it should be 2 hours, but you never know it could be longer with traffic issues. All that car time not much fun for the kids.

You mention Zoo, Legoland and Sea World. Each will take a day so 2 nights might not be enough.

As Riff said La Jolla Cove/Childrens pool is a great spot for the kids. See the seals, play on the sand walk to the village and have lunch.

So many places to eat we ned to know likes/dislikes and price range.

Thanks for the suggestions.

We are thinking of driving to Legoland on day 1, check into a hotel/motel overnight, go to the Zoo on day day 2, go back to hotel/motel, go to Seaworld on day 3 and drive back to LA. So that%26#39;s a total of 2 nights accommodation.

Do you think we might need to stay another night to allow us time to explore SD?

We might not end up spending a whole day in each theme park, if we have time left over, apart from beaches (sorry, we have plenty of those in Australia), what else is there to do?

I found accommodation for $50/night at Priceline, which is quite cheap. It%26#39;s in the area of Sea World, Mission Bay and Shelter Island. Is that area safe??

Dinner budget - $25/person.

';$50/night at Priceline';

What is the name of the place?

The area will be safe but out of curiosity WHICH motel?

I have no idea. It%26#39;s Priceline, I don%26#39;t find out until I book.

Oop, it%26#39;s not Priceline. It%26#39;s Hotwire.

OOH, That%26#39;s what was confusing since IF you have a price on Priceline it means you have already bid and you know the hotel.

Soooo take a look at this site and it will give you a good idea of which motel you are talking about. I can%26#39;t look because I don%26#39;t know which dates you put into Hotwire.

www.betterbidding.com

It will give you descriptions of Hotwire Hotels so you can figure out which one it is OR you can tell us the description and we%26#39;ll tell you.

Thanks so much for that link riffsmom :-)

Do any of these ring the alarm bell?

3* Holiday Inn San Diego Downtown (previously 2.5*)

Customer Favorite

Amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Laundry

3* Holiday Inn San Diego - On the Bay

Amenities: Shuttle, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry

(once had Oceanfront icon also, but no longer does)

3* Quality Inn and Harbor Suites

Amenities: Shuttle, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business

(same as Radisson)

3* Radisson Hotel Harbor View

Amenities: Shuttle, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business

(same as Quality Inn and Harbor Suites)

3* Staybridge Suites

Amenities: Fitness

(previously showed: Suite, Fitness, Kitchenette, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry

According to Hotwire, the hotel/motel has a pool, restaurant, laundry and internet. Which one of above hotels do you think it might be?

Also with parking, how much do the above hotels charge for parking? It doesn%26#39;t say on Hotwire.

It looks like we are leaning towards 3 nights instead of 2 now given this price.

cheekyson, YOu said that the hotel you were looking at was in the SeaWorld/Mission Bay area on Hotwire.

I don%26#39;t think the ones you listed are in that area.Some seem to be in the downtown area so I can%26#39;t tell. Are you still thinking of that SeaWorld/Mission Bay area or downtown??

Which date did you put in so I can look myself?

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