San Diego - Pitstops for Kids

Family vacation destination: San Diego

May 1, 2022 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re looking for a family vacation destination, why not consider San Diego? The southern California city is known for having great weather and beaches, along with a laid-back atmosphere.

There are a few downsides—for example, San Diego is one of the most congested cities in the country as far as traffic and roadways. San Diego is also a pretty expensive destination, which is true for most of California.

If you can avoid roadways during rush hour and set a budget, San Diego is a great travel destination when you have kids.

The following are a few things to know about San Diego, especially when it comes to travel.

The Basics

San Diego is a beautiful city, with plenty of hotels and other options geared toward tourists. There’s a lot of history in addition to the things you might first associate with the city, like the beaches.

The weather is one of the best parts of visiting. San Diego has one of the best climates in the country. It’s sunny throughout the year, and in the winter, you can expect temperatures in the upper 70s, while in the summer, the highs are usually mild and in the upper 70s.

Much of the culture and activities in San Diego revolve around the water. For example, San Diego is home to the Star of India, which is the oldest sailing ship still active. You can take the San Diego SEALS tour on a hydra-terra vehicle that will take you from the street to the water.

There are around 70 miles of shoreline in the city, and most are beautiful beaches.

The History

We don’t often think about San Diego as being rich in history, but in reality, it is. San Diego has centuries of history you can enjoy. If you visit the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park, you can learn a little more. This is a 1,200-acre cultural park in an urban area. There are 2.5 million images in the exhibit and 45 million pieces highlighting the history of San Diego.

Kid-Friendly Attractions

There are so many kid-friendly attractions in San Diego that it would be hard to name them all here, but some options include:

Old Town, California, is the birthplace of modern California. Old Town is where the original Spanish settlers arrived in 1769, and they built the first of the missions in the state. There are 15 historic buildings in Old Town, and you can take a narrated trolley tour.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has eight hiking trails to choose from, including Beach Trail, with cliff views of the Pacific. There’s also an easier option, which is the Guy Fleming Trail, ideal if you have young children.
La Jolla cove has designer shopping and high-end dining, but you can also enjoy the outdoors, and there’s often live music on Scripps Parkway. There are sea cliffs to walk along, and you can see the California Harbor Seals on the beach at Children’s Pool. Children’s Pool is a small cove protected by a breaker.
The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is ideal for learning more about sea life and conservation efforts, and you can get up close with sea creatures, including petting some of the sea stars.
You can’t miss the San Diego Zoo on a trip to the city. It’s one of the world’s most famous zoos, and you can take a double-decker bus tour to get a lay of the land. You can learn more about conservation efforts happening at the zoos, and if your budget allows, you can sign up for a private tour.
The Fleet Science Center is in Balboa Park, featuring exhibits on various topics, and is also home to a massive IMAX theater.
Legoland California is in San Diego, and so is Sea World.
Don’t miss the beach. We’ve talked about it a few times, but the beaches are perfect for families and free.

When you’re planning a family-friendly trip to San Diego, make sure you think about the season. If you go during the low season, you’re going to get better rates and smaller crowds. In San Diego, October is usually the off-season.

There’s also so much to do that it can be a good idea to plan ahead before your trip, to make sure you get to everything you want to do. If you buy tickets to attractions in advance, you’ll be able to skip the lines and save some money.

One week in San Diego with kids: San Diego itinerary

March 24, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

San Diego is one of our favorite spring destinations: it’s warm, offers up both beaches and culture, and can be affordable for a week-long visit. Here’s what not to miss with kids during a one week San Diego itinerary:

As travel today remains uncertain, please keep your safety and the safety of others in mind at all times. If you are comfortable with traveling, please travel responsibly and within regulation as any travel is at your own risk.

If you do decide to travel at this time, here are our recommendations:

Wear a face mask.
Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands on a regular basis.
Check official websites before your trip for the latest updates on policies, closures and status of local businesses.
Book a hotel with free cancellation in case you need to change your plans at the last minute.

During a time when many vacations are not possible, outdoor activities in road trip-accessible locations offer the ability to safely social distance. Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite activities and tips for exploring San Diego, so start here as you plan a safe and responsible vacation.

Where to stay and how to get around:

Decide where you want to center your home base for your San Diego itinerary: downtown San Diego or the Carlsbad area where beaches and LegoLand will beckon. There are many San Diego hotel options, depending on where you want to center your home base.

If you opt for downtown, we recommend the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina or the Grand Hyatt. Keep in mind that while you’ll be on the water, this is the marina side, so you won’t have access to swimming beaches. If you opt for Carlsbad, we love the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa. You can also get a taste of both marina and beach, city and neighborhood, by renting a house in lively Mission Beach.

San Diego is a car-centric city, so you’ll need a rental car to get around. Rent a car in San Diego starting at around $130 for a week, with prices going up from there if you need a larger vehicle. Renting from the airport location is always the most convenient, but you might save some cash if you can rent at your hotel or off-site.

What to do with a week in San Diego:

San Diego attractions that families will want to dedicate a full day to:

Legoland: If you have kids between the ages of 2-12, Legoland needs to be on the itinerary! Make sure to pack swim suits, too, for the waterpark section, and give yourselves the entire day, if not two days. Get our top tips for Legoland Calfornia here.

San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld San Diego: Depending on the choices your family makes, both of these parks will require a full day. We lean toward the zoo, where we feel the conservation efforts and educational aspects outweigh those at SeaWorld. Get our top tips for the San Diego Zoo here and for Seaworld San Diego here.

Beach day: Plan for at least one full day at a San Diego beach! Our top picks include the bustling Mission Beach district if you have older kids and want to do some dining and shopping as well (there are also paddle board and bike rentals in abundance). If you have younger kids, head over the bridge to Coronado and enjoy the gentle surf and flat sand on this relatively quieter island.

San Diego attractions that only require half a day:

Old Town San Diego: Often overlooked, we love Old Town! You can tour Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, where The Junipero Serra Museum lies right on Presidio Drive in Presidio Park, marking the exact location where historical scholars say the state of California was born. Outside in the Presidio is a wonderful place for an afternoon picnic and restful place to take a breather.

Extra Tip: if you want to learn more about the history of the city, consider a walking tour with a California State park guide. Tours begin at the visitor’s center on the plaza, and no reservations are required. Parents with little ones can detour from the tour whenever tired feet dictate.

After getting a solid historical background, you’ll want to kick back and enjoy some of the color and flavor of the Old Town marketplaces. Take your pick between Fiesta de Reyes, where the streets are always alive with a party, and Bazaar Del Mundo, which features goods from all over the world. Toy stores selling historically-based toys and candy shops with old-fashioned treats can also be found in the state park section of town.

Use Old Town Trolley Tours to explore the area without stress…it will also take you over to Coronado and through downtown attractions if you want to make touring San Diego without a car into a day’s activity.

Balboa Park and museums: Certainly, Balboa Park can take up an entire day, but with kids, you’ll want to pick and choose which museums and attractions to explore, based on their age. The San Diego Museum of Natural History is here, plus the Museum of Art, the San Diego Air and Space Museum, and the Museum of Man. When kids need a break and want to run around, be sure to check out the botanical building.

U.S.S. Midway: Kids will notice this aircraft carrier sitting in the bay almost immediately, and they’ll want to explore it. Luckily you can! A tour of the USS Midway takes a few hours, but is very interesting to all ages. We have tips for best exploring this attraction, which is right on the water on the marina downtown.

Enjoy your San Diego itinerary with kids! Spring break is coming…are you ready? This post was created in partnership with hotels.com.

San Diego with kids: U.S.S. Midway attraction

April 2, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in San Diego with kids and not gone to the U.S.S. Midway attraction. This incredible museum is comprised of the actual aircraft carrier that now sits in the San Diego harbor. Kids who love military vessels and planes will be in heaven, and even if your level of interest for these items is usually closer to lukewarm, you’ll still be blown away. We spent an hour here, thinking that would be enough, but wished we had at least 2.5 hours.

The U.S.S. Midway was in operation from 1945-1992. As families tour three main decks, a self-guided audio tour and interesting signage depicts what working aboard the ship (and general life aboard the ship) was like in all of these eras. A helpful staff member recommended we start at the top of the ship on the flight deck and work our way down, and he was right: seeing the planes (and the views of the harbor) first was a great idea. Starting here gave us a good introduction to what an aircraft carrier does. Throughout the flight deck, docents in yellow hats offer various talks on flying planes and landing them on the carrier and duties aboard. Most are retired military personnel, and they’re well worth stopping to listen to. Their passion for the subject was evident, and we really enjoyed hearing their accounts of time spent on the Midway.

From the top deck, we headed back to the hangar deck, where we sat in cockpits (and tried not to feel claustrophobic!). Then we visited the City at Sea area, which actually includes the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th decks. I found this to be the most interesting part of the ship: we toured berths, mess halls, officer’s quarters, the war room, a hospital wing, and even a dentist office and barbershop. Walking through the labyrinth of hallways and staircases, you really get a feel for life aboard a carrier.

The tour is self-guided, with the exception of an optional 30 minute tour of the bridge/flight tower at the top of the ship, which is led by a docent. These tours depart regularly from the flight deck, and are worth waiting for if you’re traveling with school-aged kids. The audio tour of the rest of the ship is included in your admission, and definitely worth doing. It’s well-planned, in that the exhibits are numbered, and visitors can simply input the numbers they want to listen to into their audio set, and skip the ones they aren’t interested in. There’s both a kid version and an adult version, and every headset can play both, so older kids can opt for either. Honestly, I found the kid version to be more interesting!

Admission:

Adult tickets are $19, youth/student is $15, and kids (6-12) are $10. Five and under is free. Families can get $2 off per person by ordering online, and current military personnel get in free. The better deal: the Midway attraction is included in a Go Select pass…these city passes definitely save money.

Hours of operation:

10 am to 5 pm daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). Last admission is 4 pm.

Dining:

There’s a cafe on-site on the hangar deck, overlooking the harbor, which scores points on the fun factor. Otherwise, plan to visit between meals. Vending machine drink machines are located on both the hangar deck and flight deck, should you need waters.

Directions:

The Midway is easy to find right on the harbor by the Manchester Grand Hyatt at 910 N. Harbor Drive. Parking is on-site, or families can walk from most downtown areas. Pedicabs and regular taxi cabs are readily available outside the museum.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced the U.S.S. Midway as a guest of the attraction, for the purpose of review.

Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa review

August 21, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Want to be central to LegoLand and San Diego, but stay at a hotel with a distinct ‘beach’ feel? The Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa is located one street off a lifeguard-manned beach, with ocean views from both rooms and the outdoor pool and lounging complex, and is still within easy driving distance to area attractions.

Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa review:

Located in Carlsbad, one of my favorite family-friendly beach towns, Hilton Oceanfront is decidedly upscale while remaining casual. We found the staff to be extra friendly and courteous, and loved the cool-tone colors and water-and-sand vibe. The outdoor areas featured local vegetation, cabanas, papasan chairs, and fire pits.

Room amenities:

This hotel is very family-friendly! We stayed in a standard room with an ocean view, which had a mini fridge, microwave, and coffee-maker. We loved the ability to make easy snacks and breakfasts in-room. First-floor rooms in our category include a patio, which we enjoyed to look out over the ocean. Note: you do have a street separating you from the sea. The Hilton also offers suites and less expensive standard rooms without views.

Hotel amenities:

The pool area is the best feature of the Hilton, as far as my kids are concerned. The salt-water pool features a zero-depth entry, and is nicely heated. There’s a decently-sized kiddie pool/wading pool and a hot tub. All pools are outdoor, with plenty of seating, lounge chairs, and fire pits adjacent.

An onsite restaurant overlooks the pool area and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and room service is available. There’s also a nice coffee service in the lobby. The exercise facility is not overly large but has everything you need: cardio machines, weights, medicine balls, and yoga mats. It overlooks the pool as well, which I always find to be a nice touch when I’m working out.

You’ll need to hop in your car to access other local dining, but self-parking is free! WiFi is free to Hilton Honors members (this is a free membership you can sign up for anytime). In short, the number of included amenities really makes Hilton Oceanfront stand out as family-friendly. Most hotels we experience in this category charge piecemeal for wifi and parking, and certainly don’t include microwaves in the rooms.

Rates:

Rates started at $195 for a standard room during the time of our visit (spring). Rates vary by season, of course.

Distance from the interstate:

Located right off I-5.

Directions:

From I-5, exit at Poinsettia Lane/Aviara Parkway. Turn west onto Poinsettia Lane, then south onto Carlsbad Boulevard. Turn east onto Ponto Road and resort entrance is immediately on the right at 1
Ponto Road, Carlsbad.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we stayed at Hilton Oceanfront as guests of the resort. Hosted visits make up-to-date reviews on Pit Stops for Kids possible.

Del Mar Racetrack: Fun for the whole family

August 25, 2015 By Sharlene Earnshaw

The following guest post is written by family travel blogger Amber Mamian of www.GlobalMunchkins.com.

Gorgeous weather, a nostalgic past, the season’s top race horses, jockeys and trainers plus free kids activities. Yes please! I’m talking about where the “Turf meets the Surf” at the famous Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in sunny California. This past weekend I had the opportunity to check out the racetrack for myself during the Pacific Classic… my family was lucky enough to tag-along.

Honestly what was not to love? The grounds were immaculate, there was plenty of food, friendly staff and fun activities to keep the kids occupied all day long. Did I mention that kids receive free admission and there are free kids activities on family weekends. Amazing! It really turned out to be quite the day. Let’s take a closer look.The drive to Del Mar is pretty easy since it is situated right along the coast and parking was a breeze too. They even have a cute little tram that drives you to the entrance.

Once you’ve arrived there are plenty of options to keep you entertained. I am a foodie so I always check out the food situation first. I was not disappointed. There were plenty of great options for dining including nine seated restaurants quite a few that even offered track-side dining. For the fancier restaurants and the Turf Club you must make reservations and abide by the dress code. We left those options to be explored at another time when we were sans kids. Today was all about soaking up the family day fun! So, we headed to the concession stands where they have everything from fresh caesar salad and gyros to hamburgers, corn dogs and cheese on a stick.

After filling our bellies we had fun walking around checking out the gorgeous paintings of past champion horses in the halls. There were also artists with equine art on display and gorgeous hats for the ladies. My daughter who happens to be a horse lover could have stayed there for hours. The boys, on the other hand, had seen the inflatable jumpers across the track and they were ready to go play.

So, our next stop was the infield where the family area was located. I was a bit leery about what types of activities would be on the other side of the tunnel and if the free price tag could really be true.To my pleasant surprise there were a ton of fantastic activities and they were all free of charge. Just a few tip jars should you feel obliged.

My boys wasted no time running over to the giant inflatable slides and competing with each other on the obstacle course. I appreciated that the staff had separate inflatables for the babies. (Our youngest was able to jump with kids her own size in the bounce house.) My daughter made a beeline to the pony rides where the most gentle and well groomed ponies stood waiting for her.

Next up were airbrushed tattoos and caricatures. I mean seriously guys: all free! Crazy! The wonderful caricature artist actually holds the World Record for Caricatures. He said he drew 45,000 caricatures while working at Disney over a five-year period. No amateur artist here. Impressive!

We peeled the kids away from the activities once the racing started. We watched a few races on the infield where there are several picnic benches and grass areas along the fence. It is actually a great view. Alternatively, there was also a bar area with tables under the shade and a giant tv screen should you want to let the kids run free and hang out to watch the races there.

After watching a few races we decided we wanted to head over towards the crowds in the stands. The excitement as the horses galloped past and the crowd started cheering was contagious! And, we wanted in on it!The kids found a spot right on the fence directly in front of the finish line. We watched race after race in that spot because the kids loved calling out the winner. We put a little bit of money down so the kids could take in the whole experience. They chose their horses and winners received a snow cone! Okay, everyone received a snow cone but you get the point. We were having fun!

I would highly recommend the Del Mar Racetrack to my own friends and family. Not only is it a great destination for locals but I think the track is equally as great for families passing through the San Diego area on vacation. The track was affordable and it made for an entire afternoon of fun. Plus, the fact that Seabiscuit once took the win there by a nose back in 1939 is pretty cool too!

The Del Mar Racetrack is open mid July- early September. Races run five days a week Wednesday– Sunday with the first post at 2pm except on Fridays when it begins at 4pm. Click here for upcoming events or to purchase admission tickets.

Must Pack:

Camera
Bottled water (bottles at the track are $3+)
Sunscreen
Snacks
Picnic Blanket if you want to sit and watch the races from the family area
Comfy shoes (not heels like I wore)
Tip money

Directions:

Del Mar Del Mar is located just west of I-5 freeway at the Via de la Valle exit in Del Mar CA at
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Amber enjoyed tickets to the racetrack as guests of Del Mar for the purpose of review.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

June 2, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Located in scenic Balboa park San Diego, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center offers hands-on science fun in a open-layout, easy-to-navigate facility. The museum is actually smaller than it looks on the outside, and for our family, that was just fine by us. With four kids in tow from age 4-14, we were thankful for the manageable size and open layout of the space. There are two floors: downstairs houses exhibits with live demonstrations, such as the popular drone exhibit, hands-on mind games and machine-based science, plus a great exhibit on the human body. There’s a great ‘Tinkering Lab’ where older kids can create projects of their own as well.

Upstairs is the ‘Play City’ for kids five and under, which is a full room of imaginative play pieces such as a grocery store, fire truck, and the like. Older kids can enter if playing and interacting with younger siblings or friends (in our experience). The upstairs section also features an interesting exhibit on the history and physics of the guitar, which older kids especially will enjoy. For an admission add-on, there’s an IMAX theater on-site.

Tip: Combine a visit with a stop at the Natural History Museum, located directly adjacent. Start your day at either museum, and eat a picnic lunch at the fountain between the two as a break. Each museum can be toured in about two hours.

Date last visited:

April 2, 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Balboa Park is an easy drive from I-5 or I-805.

Hours and admission:

The museum is generally open 10 am to 5 pm (but hours alter slightly during school holidays, etc). Admission is only $13 for adults and $11 for children (3-12).

Directions:

The museum is located at 1875 El Prado in Balboa Park, San Diego.

Photo credit: Pit Stops for Kids and Port of San Diego

Luv Surf: Best San Diego vacation home rental

May 20, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Pay attention, family travelers. I’ve recently discovered a gem of a San Diego vacation home rental option. If you’re not in the San Diego area, you probably haven’t heard of Luv Surf, but this local company should absolutely be on your radar before your next visit to Southern California.

Luv Surf is a boutique rental company with half a dozen beach home rentals in the Mission Beach and Mission Bay area of San Diego. Each home is beautiful, in an ideal beach location, and pet and baby friendly. While in a Luv Surf rental, families can enjoy both beach living and city living. Since I hadn’t heard of them before our stay, I admit to being skeptical. As soon as I opened the door to our vacation home rental at 812 San Rafael in Mission Beach, however, I was blown away. Check out our video:

How Luv Surf differs from standard home rental options:

Service and hospitality: Before I’d even arrived at our home rental, I called my rental contact Sheila (as instructed by Luv Surf). I thought I was calling just to get the key code for the front door, but instead, I got so much more: cheerful instruction for how to find the house, where to park, how to make my way to the rooftop deck (more on that later), where to find the SUPs and beach toys (yep!), and what I’d find complimentary in the fridge. In Luv Surf’s words: wine should always be waiting!
Amenities and extras: Many vacation homes are luxurious and beautiful (and 812 San Rafael is both of those things), but rarely do they have everything you need with turn-key readiness. We were advised to poke through our home’s kitchen cupboards before grocery shopping for our stay, which turned out to be great advice: already on-hand were all the small items we thought we’d need to buy, such as ziplock baggies, spices and oils, laundry detergent, soaps and sponges, and even standard over-the-counter medications such as cold medicine. The bathrooms were stocked with shampoos and lotions, and wine and beer were in the fridge.
Recreation items: We were so excited to see two SUPs (paddle boards) waiting for us, as well as boogie boards, a skim board, kids’ life vests, sand toys, beach towels, and cruiser bikes. This is such a savings in recreation rentals! Right away, we were riding bikes along the many bike paths and paddling around Mission Bay!

The 812 San Rafael location:

We stayed at the San Rafael home, which is located just three homes from the water of Mission Bay. On the other side, it’s only one short block from Mission Beach. The location absolutely couldn’t be beat for our family: we were in the area to explore San Diego (all within easy driving or public transit distance) and play on the water. Our school-aged kids could absolutely walk by themselves to the bay or the beach, and we could all ride bikes straight from the front door. There’s ample dining and shopping within walking distance—Mission Beach is a lively, vibrant, and fun community—and the beach is lifeguard-manned. Stop by the Luv Surf retail store just a few blocks away!

The home itself is three stories (in addition to a rooftop deck). The first floor houses one bedroom and bathroom plus the garage (with full laundry facilities). The second floor has two bedrooms (one of which is a children’s bedroom with bunk beds) and two bathrooms (one of which has a jacuzzi tub). Each of these bedrooms have their own private deck. On the third floor is the kitchen and living area (with yet another deck), and upstairs from the kitchen is a fabulous rooftop deck with fire pit, outdoor table, and seating.

A few extra ‘extras’ you can expect:

BBQ
granite counters
gourmet kitchen
espresso maker
flat-screen TVs
complimentary WiFi
pet amenities such as dog beds and toys
high chair and baby-proofing items

Get more tips on what to do in San Diego during your stay!

A word on parking:
The home is located in bustling Mission Beach, which is notorious for having little street parking. The property features two spaces to park: in the single car garage or in the parking space adjacent. The garage and space are located at the back of the house, in a narrow alley. We have a standard-sized minivan, and had a hard time fitting into the garage space (it involves careful navigation). We opted to park in the space instead, which meant that when we had a friend stop by for dinner, she had to find street parking, which was very difficult. This solitary inconvenience would in no way prevent us from renting a Mission Beach home, but it helps to go in aware.

Rates:

All Luv Surf rentals have rates that change seasonally. The San Rafael house ranges from $325-$620 nightly. It is absolutely a luxury home property. Once there, you’ll save on parking, entertainment, dining, and recreation.

Directions:

Mission Beach is only minutes from all points in San Diego. It’s also less than 30 minutes from Legoland and Carlsbad beaches.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we stayed with Luv Surf as guests of the company. Hosted visits make up-to-date reviews on Pit Stops for Kids possible.

An ideal day itinerary using Old Town Trolley Tours

May 19, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

San Diego’s Old Town Trolley Tour is an excellent way to get an overview of the city for first-time or infrequent visitors. The trolley drivers are entertaining and most stops are well-worth your time. However, admission is not cheap, so to make the cost of an Old Town Trolley Tour worth your while, plan to spend the whole day utilizing it.

After a day on the trolley as visitors already familiar with San Diego, we designed what we consider the perfect all-day San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour itinerary for families:

The trolley begins running at 9 am (in most seasons) and makes stops every 30 minutes at 11 points of interest (two of which are hotels). The tour takes two hours to complete if you remain on the trolley, but the real beauty of this tour is the hop-on, hop-off feature, so you’ll want to utilize that. However, you certainly don’t need to get off at every stop.

Step 1: Unless you’re staying at one of the two hotels on the tour route (Marriott Marquis or Hilton Bayfront), you’ll want to start at Old Town.

Arrive at 9 am at Old Town (the trolley station is located at the edge of Old Town Market on Twiggs). You’ll want to tour Old Town, but wait: the market is much more lively later in the day. Instead, board the trolley and start the tour.

Step 2: Get off at Stop B: San Diego Harbor.

Most families will want to either tour the USS Midway LINK or the Maritime Museum. Either will take about two hours to visit. If you don’t want to spend that much time, it’s still worth hopping off to walk along the harbor front to see the various ships docked: the historic Star of India, the Midway aircraft carrier, an historic submarine, and the odd cruise ship or two.

Step 3: Enjoy the trolley through stops C-H.

Get back on the trolley when you’re done with the harbor, and ride it through the next six stops (this will take approximately 30 minutes). The trolley will take you through the downtown area and give you the history of the founding of the city, plus point out Petco Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Horton Plaza. You’ll then head over the Coronado Bridge (with great city views) to Coronado Island.

Step 4: Hop off at Coronado-Orange Avenue.

Don’t get off at the first Coronado stop (on the bay side) but rather wait until the second stop near the ocean side. This is a great place for a causal lunch at any number of sandwich shops, plus a walk on the beach by the famous Hotel Del Coronado. Plan to spend an hour, then re-board the trolley.

Step 5: Hop off again at Balboa Park.

The very next stop is Balboa Park, home of San Diego’s many kid-friendly museums and the San Diego Zoo. We recommend saving the zoo for a separate visit (as it deserves a full day) but definitely get off the trolley to walk the grounds of the park. The botanical garden is free, as are several smaller museums. If you want to spend a few hours (which we recommend), our top picks are the Museum of Man, San Diego Natural History Museum, or Reuben H. Fleet Science Museum.

Step 6: Stay on through Little Italy.

Unless you need a meal (the dining in Little Italy is stellar), stay on the trolley through Little Italy after Balboa Park and take it to Old Town. The nice thing about hopping on and off: each driver has different tidbits to share, making the tour entertaining no matter how many drivers you get.

Step 7: Disembark at Old Town.

You’ll want to visit Old Town Marketplace and the Old Town State Historic Park for at least two hours, after which Old Town is a great place to get an authentic Mexican meal for dinner. Our favorite sites in Old Town include the visitor center and historic exhibits in the Old Town State Historic Park square, the marketplace with lively colors and (mostly) cheap souvenirs, and the many snacks and old fashioned candle, soap, and candy shops. Look for the lady making tortillas!

This tour itinerary should take you from 9 am to past 6 pm. Of course, adjust according to your interests, but we found this to be a great use of the trolley (plus you skip the hassle of parking at all these locations).

Trolley tickets:

Trolley tickets are $39 for adults and $18 for kids, making it a serious investment for your day. All the more reason to plan the perfect day’s itinerary to utilize it! Get trolley tickets online or at the Old Town or harbor kiosks.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the trolley as guests of the company, for the purpose of review. Without hosted activities, we wouldn’t be able to bring reviews to Pit Stops for Kids.

Beyond the San Diego Zoo: three Balboa Park museums you’ve overlooked

January 31, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Over 20 museums and family attractions await kids at Balboa Park in San Diego, but I bet you’ve only heard of a few of them, the famous San Diego Zoo most likely one of them. While families need days to see them all (and hours to see some), the following three Balboa Park museums for kids you’ve overlooked include:

Museum of Man:

Before touring the Museum of Man, I didn’t have a clear concept of what this museum contains. Since many families might feel the same, here’s my unofficial take: the Museum of Man is one part archeology museum and one part natural history museum. Plus, it has an excellent (though small) children’s section off the upper floor. This set of rooms have space with marketplaces and household items for kids to play in and dress up with.

The main floor of the museum currently houses an exhibit on ancient Mayans, and upstairs is space for a primate exhibit, plus a wing on ancient Egypt, complete with mummies and naturally preserved remains (parents are warned at the door). A temporary exhibit space is across the street; at the time of my visit, it housed a fascinating–though not for kids–exhibit on the history of torture.

The museum is smaller than most, but what exhibits it does have are very well done.

Museum of Photographic Arts:

Sometimes, kids will rebel against a traditional art museum, but love photography galleries. If this might be the case with your children, consider a stop at the Museum of Photographic Arts. We loved that the manageable galleries showcased only a handful of photographers, and that each introduced the artist and his or her take on the subject. There’s a great social photography experiment with abandoned or discarded instant photo prints stretching across one wall, and at the time of our visit, a wonderful exhibit by San Diego’s kids showcased what youth in the city deem ‘their San Diego’. You can tour the museum in just about an hour.

Museum of Art:

We love a museum with lots of family free days and art activities, and the San Diego Museum of Art has both. When you enter, look for the kids activity books just past the front desk; kids can go on a scavenger hunt around the museum, which makes their visit instantly more fun.

A kids’ art studio is located downstairs across from the stairwell, staffed most days by artists who help kids make creations of their own. Upstairs, collections of European and American art from realists to impressionists reign, with Baroque among the most prominent. Like the other museums on this list, the Museum of Art is not overwhelmingly large by any means, and can be toured by most families in under one hour.

If you have more time:

The San Diego Air and Space Museum is a solid pick for a half-day excursion, and the San Diego Natural History Museum is the place to be with animal-loving kids.

Have just a few extra minutes?

A great place to head before catching a cab or trolley, or for a picnic lunch is the free Botanical Building and lily ponds. Located adjacent to the Museum of Art, this building is open to the Southern California air and a welcome escape from the bustle of the museums.

Getting around:
Park the car and forget about it! Once in the park, access everything via the free tram. Balboa Park’s tram system operates daily 8:30 am to 6 pm. The second stop is the Visitor’s Center, a good starting point to head out on foot.

How to get to Balboa Park:
Driving, park in Inspiration Point lot. As an alternative to hunting down parking, consider getting to the park via the Old Town Trolley tour. You’ll want to plan to spend the whole day hopping on and off this sightseeing trolley to get your money’s worth, but it’s time well-spent in parts of the city you’ll want to visit anyway.

Homebase for a San Diego vacation: Manchester Grand Hyatt review

January 29, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

When most families dream of vacationing in San Diego, they picture themselves staying right on the beach. And this option does exist: namely in Coronado or north in Del Mar. But if you plan to spend the majority of your time in the city (and not in the car), you’ll want a downtown hotel by the harbor. I spent three nights at the Manchester Grand Hyatt and was pretty blown away by this perfect home base for a San Diego vacation. Why? Incredible location, luxurious accommodations, and family-friendly amenities, like a 4th floor pool, fire pits ready for s’mores, and full-sized sport courts.

The Manchester Grand Hyatt stands tall right at the bay’s edge with two massive towers: Harbor Tower and Seaport Tower. Within steps are Harbor Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, and the trolley line to get you wherever you need to go. The rooms are large, the views are stunning, and the laid-back California atmosphere prevails even amid the luxury, making it a great pick for kids. The rooms are newly renovated, with a full renovation of the common areas and lobby scheduled for 2015.

Rooms:

Wow. The windows truly make the rooms at the Grand Hyatt. (Check out the view in the photo above and below!) In my standard level corner room, I had no fewer than three separate floor-to-ceiling windows. I was told I had a city view (as opposed to a bay view), but I think this is a no-bad-seat-in-the-house type of situation: my room looked out over both. Beds are incredibly comfortable, families can snuggle up for a movie on a wide flat-screen TV, you get an iHome docking station, and plenty of plugs for your gadgets. In-room fridges and coffee makers make breakfast easy.

Rooms are located on both towers, and rooms at level 30 and up are considered Grand Club rooms. They include special elevator access to the Grand Club, a concierge lounge on the 33rd floor of Harbor Tower. What you’ll find there: complimentary breakfast offerings, plus all-day snacks and drinks, including soda, bottled water, and Perrier. In the evenings, cocktails are on the honor-bar system. When I visited in the morning, I was greeted with a full array of healthy breakfast offerings, including yogurt parfaits, homemade oatmeal with all the fixings, danishes and breads, cereal, and egg sandwiches, and in the afternoon, cookies, trail mix, yogurt, and fruit were available. In the evenings, light dinner fare is set out; during our visit, we saw sliders and sushi. Grand Club guests also have access to a private concierge on the 33rd floor.

Amenities:

Families will want to spend significant time at the 4th floor level outdoor pool and hot tub deck, overlooking the bay. The pool is not overly large, but the views and ambiance make up for this. Adjacent is the hot tub, plus a dedicated kids’ space with grass called ‘the backyard’. Toddlers (and their parents) will be happy. Dining services are available at the pool (menus listed throughout the pool deck) and the 24/hour fitness center is located there as well. Also on the pool deck: a fun fire pit perfect for visiting after dinner.

The Hyatt sport courts sit on the roof over the parking garage, offer city views, and include tennis courts, a basketball court, volleyball court, and shuffleboard space. Tennis rackets can be borrowed in the spa, and basketballs are on-hand at the courts. No need to reserve ahead of time unless you’re visiting in the peak of the summer season.

Camp Hyatt is available to kids 4-12 during the summer season and spring break, and includes activities at the pool deck and in the ‘backyard’ all day long. Sign up ahead of time, or drop in for morning or afternoon sessions. (Expect to pay $30-$40 per session.)

Kin Spa is located on the 3rd floor, and is a great place for a little R&R. I experienced the signature facial, which I chased with some time enjoying the spa-guests-only amenities. As always, my spa tip for parents is this: if you carve out time to book a treatment, plan to stay late or go early to enjoy the solitude and relax!

As with most downtown hotels, there is a parking fee at Manchester Grand Hyatt. Families can valet park for $40/night or self-park for $28/night.

What’s nearby:

Bikes can be rented from the Hyatt for a small charge, and ridden along the Embarcadero or on Coronado Island via ferry (just load the bikes right on). This is a great way to see the city. Want to explore the city from the water instead of by wheel? Steps behind the Grand Hyatt are docks with multiple watercraft rentals, including sailboats and personal watercraft. A tour of the bay on the Hornblower is a more economical choice for families, and will give kids a fun history lesson on the various naval ships dotting the harbor.

The Grand Hyatt is directly adjacent to the trolley line, making it easy for families to park the car and explore the city by foot. You can walk to the Gaslamp Quarter for dinner, and access Seaport Village, the harbor area and marina that sits on the water. This is a great location for spotting sailboats and freight ships.

The U.S.S. Midway is a five minute walk away (or you can take a fun pedicab). In short, families can walk to just about any dining, shopping, and transportation to attractions needed from the Hyatt.

Dining:

Families have several choices of on-site dining (there are no fewer than nine eating or drinking establishments in the hotel) but none come cheaply. In the Harbor Tower, Sally’s offers steaks and seafood right on the water for a nice night out, and Lael’s is more family-oriented with casual fare and an incredible breakfast buffet. There’s also a sports bar, and Top of the Hyatt where you’ll want to get drinks and raise a toast to your San Diego vacation (provided you have a babysitter). Families will also find plenty of dining within walking distance of the hotel, and there’s 24/hour room service. The above photo depicts offerings at The Grand Club, the best deal in Manchester Grand Hyatt.

Room rates:

At the time of our stay room rates started at $194 with advance booking. Average rate is listed at $229. A Grand Club double room is $269. Is a Club room worth the extra $40 (extending to $70 in peak season) per night? In my opinion, yes, provided you utilize the food offerings. If a family of four eats breakfast there every morning and grabs all their snacks and bottles of water for the day before departing to sightsee, they’ll come out ahead. Plus, it’s great to know that food option is always there, day or night.

Directions:

Manchester Grand Hyatt is located at 1 Market Place, San Diego. From I-5 N, exit at Front Street (exit 17) toward the Civic Center. Continue straight to Front Street, and then turn right onto W. Market Street and into the main entrance.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced the Manchester Grand Hyatt as a guest of the resort, for the purpose of review.

Photo credit: Amy Whitley, prayitno and drtran.