San Diego is one of our kids favorite vacation destinations. Whether your family is looking for natural beauty, adventure, museums, culture or sunny days by the pool – San Diego does not disappoint. Our kids love to explore the city and the surrounding marina. We love it because it is a super easy area to navigate with the kids and there is always something new to explore. We never think twice about bringing our kids to San Diego because we know that they will love it!
Accommodations
The Marriott Marquis is located on the San Diego Marina within walking distance of the Gaslamp District, Petco Park and the Convention Center. Our family has stayed at this hotel on multiple occasions and we have enjoyed our stay every single time. If you are looking for a hotel with great amenities for families and a convenient location this hotel is really a wonderful choice.
I love the fact that the rooms are spacious and modern and whether you get a city or marina view, the entire family will enjoy a spectacular view. Some of the rooms in the North Tower also include balconies that overlook the marina. Though we spend a lot of time exploring, our family will usually have at least one in-room movie night (pizza included) and so a nice spacious room is a must.
The kids love this hotel because there is not 1 but 2 swimming pools – and the best part – one pool is essentially a kiddie pool (3.6 ft max) – and includes an adjacent splash pad. The pool is heated but we find it to be on the cooler side – of course the kids don’t even notice.
During warmer weather, food and beverage service is provided in the pool area from the Tequila Bar and Grille -which also has tables for sit down service. We find that the food is pretty good “pool” food (tacos, hamburgers, quesadillas, nachos), however, we often bring our own snacks/fruit for the kids. (There is a Ralphs 3 blocks from the hotel which is always our first stop.) Depending on how busy the pool is, service can be slow and having snacks for the kids is a big help! The lounge chairs do fill up quickly. Your chances of getting a prime pool side seat are easier before noon, and if you must have shade I would come down earlier. The pool area also has firepits and lounge seating to enjoy during the cool San Diego nights. During the summer, family friendly movies are played next to the kid pool for a late night swim (well, 8pm late.)
With respect to dining options, the Marquis has several options: an all day restaurant – the Marina Kitchen (which includes a breakfast buffet), a deli/sandwich shop – the Exchange (includes to go items), a lobby bar and a Starbucks. There is also a Roy’s restaurant on property overlooking the marina. We have enjoyed the breakfast buffet with our kids and there are a lot of choices for both kids and adults. We found that there were quite a few families having breakfast (i.e. our kids were not the loudest ones there!) As usual, the buffet is on the pricier side. However, when traveling with young kids sometimes we decide that a small additional cost is worth it to avoid a long wait and meltdown(s). We have found that most restaurants in the Gaslamp district open late morning so if you have early risers your choices are very limited!
As a mom who plans all of our activities, one of my favorite things about this hotel is the location. The Marina and Seaport Village are directly behind the hotel and accessible from the pool area so a nice walk in the marina is only a few feet away. The Gaslamp District is also only just a few blocks away.
In addition to being located in between the Marina and Gaslamp, there is a metro station directly in front of the hotel. The metro line can drop you off in Little Italy, Old Town San Diego and Qualcomm Stadium to name a few of our more frequent stops. The kids love riding the metro and they ride free with a paid adult. The metro is generally clean but can be very crowded if there is a Padres or Chargers game. We always include at least one ride on the Metro during our trip.
Where To Eat
Sorrento
The area known as San Diego’s Little Italy has dozens of Italian restaurants and pizzerias to choose from. It is definitely a family friendly area. On our last trip, we discovered Sorrento which serves contemporary Italian cuisine. We asked for seats in their lovely outdoor patio and were told it would be a half hour wait. Five minutes later they called us to tell us that our table was ready. The outside atmosphere was very relaxed and the food was absolutely delicious.
My husband and I enjoyed the pesce espada alla griglia (swordfish) and pappardelle a la bolognese. There is no separate kids menu but the main menu includes kid friendly items like pizzas and simple pastas. The kids shared a pepperoni pizza with an amazing sauce. The best part was that mom and dad were able to sneak in a couple of glasses of wine since we were able to take the metro to and from our hotel. The metro ride from the Marriott Marquis took about 10 minutes. We found this to be a very family friendly choice.
www.sorrentoristoranteandpizzeria.com
The New Yorker
San Diego has great pizza joints and the New Yorker is no exception. I do have to admit that we were a little nervous when we walked in and saw a bar in the middle of the restaurant (literally there were big glowing letters spelling out “BAR” next to all of the liquor bottles.) But the New Yorker staff was completely accommodating and assured us that kids were welcome. The kids absolutely loved the pizza here and there were a lot of great choices for mom and dad. The only hiccup we had was that the restaurant did not have milk for the kids – though high chairs were available.
Casa De Reyes
We have enjoyed wonderful mexican food and margaritas on many occasions at Casa De Reyes – an outdoor restaurant located in the middle of the Fiesta De Reyes plaza in Old Town San Diego. The restaurant is very kid friendly and offers a variety of mexican dishes for mom and dad and a simple kids menu – including a quesadilla, bean and cheese burrito and chicken tenders. On weekends, brunch is offered and you may be able to catch a live show featuring mariachis or folkloric dancers in the plaza. After your meal, you should explore the shops located in the plaza which sell souvenirs and Mexican trinkets. If you do not have time for a sit down meal, you can order street tacos (with freshly made tortillas) from the taco stand or grab a freshly made churro from the plaza bakery.
http://www.casadereyesrestaurant.com
Kid Indulgence!!
The Donut Bar
What kid doesn’t love a donut – especially if the donut is almost as big as their head. Needless to say our kids loved the donuts at the Donut Bar as did mom and dad. Donuts are made fresh on site and the flavors are unique. We indulged in the birthday cake, strawberry shortcake, chocolate dream and creme brulee donuts. They were light, airy and delicious. The kids’ favorite donuts were the birthday cake (can’t go wrong with sprinkles) and the chocolate dream. The kids were also given a free donut frosted like a baseball in honor of the upcoming all star game.
For mom and dad, there is an actual bar with a good variety of draft beer. There is also a small lounge on the second floor to hang out and enjoy your donuts. The only downside to such a popular place was the 35 minute wait. Dad walked the kids around the block to help pass the time.
Once again we were able to jump on the Metro and got off at a stop only 2 blocks from the Donut Bar. Street parking was very limited and we saw at least 2 cars get parking tickets. The Donut Bar is near San Diego’s civic center.
Amazing Kidventures!!
The Gaslamp District
Located in the center of downtown San Diego, exploring the Gaslamp is a must. There are shops galore and blocks and blocks of restaurants. If you want to enjoy a particular type of food, you will find it there – and as can be expected, the cost will likely be easier on your wallet than a hotel meal. There are plenty of kid friendly options, though we strongly suggest heading out early evening as many restaurants become bars at around 9/10pm. You are also more likely to miss the lunch/dinner crowds the earlier you head out. A definite must for the kids is a stop at Ghirardelli for an amazing ice cream sundae.
AMAZING KIDVENTURE!!
Our kids love to take a ride in one of the many pedicabs that are found all over the Gaslamp. The pedicabs are decked out with lights and music. It is a truly one of kind experience – and may get your heart racing as you whizz by traffic! We typically ask for a short tour of the Gaslamp or of the Marina (We’ve paid approximately $40-50 for a half hour tour for the family. The rates and length are negotiable.) You can then have the pedicab drop you off directly at your hotel.
The Living Coast Discovery Center
The Living Coast Discovery Center is an interactive wildilfe center located just 6 miles from Downtown San Diego in Chula Vista. Because the center is located in marshland, there is no parking immediately in front of the center. Instead, you park in a parking lot and get picked up in a shuttle that comes every 10-15 minutes.
As the shuttle drove towards the center, I started to get worried because the area seemed to lack the normal manicuring that you would find at other museums/attractions. Then we walked off the shuttle and were greeted by the center’s Turtle Lagoon. Three sea turtles gracefully swam in front of us in the afternoon sun. The turtles were amazing. The kids were so excited! We walked into the center and enjoyed all of the exhibits. We saw sharks, fish (including some Finding Nemo favorites), lobsters, seahorses, eels, jellyfish and many different bird species, including an eagle. The center also has an interactive sting ray exhibit. My son was so excited when a stingray appeared in front of him and he was able to pet it.
Again the center is not a luxurious museum and does not have the array of exhibits that you would see at Seaworld, but it is absolutely charming and a lot of fun (note there is no restaurant or cafe so bring snacks/drinks.) If you have small children who will probably not last a whole day at Seaworld or if you are looking for something less expensive but still amazing, this is a fantastic alternative. The ability to see the sea life up close without crowds of people provides a different level of enjoyment. Honestly, seeing those sea turtles alone made this trip so worth it for us.
Balboa Park
On its website, Balboa Park is described as a landscape of art and culture. I would have to add the word beautiful. It is an amazing place with a mixture of museums, gardens, theaters and centers. It has its own carousel and mini railroad. It has play areas and trails for walking, biking or pedaling in a surrey. It is also the home of the San Diego Zoo. Hands down it is a wonderful place that will entertain both kids and adults alike.
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is famous because of the sheer number of animals that you can meet at the zoo. Needless to say, the park is very large and can take up a whole day if you want it to. We highly recommend getting to the zoo early due to crowds and the sheer size. Our kids are younger so we usually visit the animals that they will find most interesting – monkeys, lions, giraffes etc. Our kids also love the petting zoo and watching the giraffes being fed (this is an additional charge if you actually want to do the feeding.)
In order to save time and energy, we use the zoo’s kangaroo bus which stops at 4 different locations in the park. Though there is an additional cost $8 adults and $6 kids, again having young kids, we feel it is worth it if wait times seem reasonable (beware high attendance periods.) The buses come every 15 minutes. There is also a Skyfari aerial tramway that traverses the park and provide a spectacular view. Again wait times may not be the best if you have small kids.
The zoo has a large variety of restaurants serving various types of food – American, Mexican, BBQ, Asian and Italian. The zoo also sells craft beers which can be refreshing on a hot day.
Sea World
Sea World is an amazing aquarium that incorporates a decent theme park experience. Plan to spend a day here if you really want to explore the park.
There are exhibits showcasing hundreds of species of colorful fish and marine life. You can come face to face with a whale or a shark. You can pet a dolphin, stingray or starfish. You can see sea otters, manatees, penguins and seals. It is hard to say what exhibit our kids loved best because they were so excited to see them all.
When the kids need a break from the fish or when mom and dad need to sit for a breather, Sea World also showcases many wonderful animal shows that will entertain the kids. Our kids loved the dolphin show and the pets rule show featuring rescue dogs and cats. I personally liked the sea lion comedy show. During the summer nights, you can also enjoy fireworks over mission bay.
For those with teens or older kids, Sea World also has rides and roller coasters though our experience with the roller coasters is limited due to the height limits.
Old Town San Diego
Our kids have fallen in love with Old Town San Diego, the “birthplace” of California.
The buildings, decor and atmosphere reflects California’s mixed heritage. As you explore Old Town you will see many historical buildings, including a one room school house, courthouse, chapel and jail.
You can explore a historical “casa” completely furnished with furniture from the 1800s or a haunted hotel. Most of these buildings are centered around a town square making the area really easy to explore with kids. There are a variety of novelty stores including a candy store, a candle-making store and many souvenir shops where you can find cowboy and mexican inspired trinkets and toys. Our son loves trying on the cowboy hats and gun holsters. On many weekends, you can catch performances of Ballet Folklorico or Mariachis.
One of the best things about Old Town is all of the Mexican restaurants available to explore. You will find something delicious to eat and drink (margaritas!!) no matter which restaurant you choose. There is even a taco and churro stand for those not looking for a sit-down meal. The restaurants are pretty busy so you will likely experience some wait – though it is a question of what hour of the day you are looking to eat – i.e. with kids you may be missing the dinner rush altogether.
Old Town is accessible by way of the metro. There are also many parking lots around Old Town though parking on weekends can be a little tight.
http://www.oldtownsandiego.org/
