KinderJet.com - Family Travel Blogs

A family we know is on their way to San Diego, California today, so I thought I would recap some of our favourite experiences there. Of course, Legoland was high on our family's priority list, and I know they are planning to go to Legoland, too. Here are 5 other things we loved in San Diego.

1. USS Midway Museum - Now, we have 3 younger boys, and they have 2 teenage girls, but I would reccommend this massive aircraft carrier to anyone. There are headset audio tours, and just imagining what it would be like to be crowded onto this floating "city" setting off to war is fascinating. 

Today is the last official day of Summer. If you are missing it already, and looking for somewhere to take your family where you can enjoy surf, sand and sun, look no further.

Well, I don't think anyone is even reading this anymore. And I'm a little tired of posting about it, so let's wrap up the vacation today.

Day 7 (Bernardo Winery): Our last full day in San Diego was one of my favourites.

LEGOLAND!!!

This was the day the boys had been waiting for since we started planning this trip. To be honest, I was a little nervous. After Sea World, I was not at all sure our family could handle Legoland. But, we had learned a few lessons, and had relaxed a bit since then. So, off we went, our best attitudes in mind, and our pockets full of cash.

San Diego Zoo: They call it one of the best zoos in the world, and it was pretty good. We could have taken a bus tour, but we chose to walk. It was a lot of walking, but it was a gorgeous day, and we enjoyed the stroll almost as much as the animals.

San Diego 2010-Day 4

Beach and Cabrillo Monument: This day was scheduled as a kind of rest day. Our kids LOVE the beach, and will jump and play in the waves no matter how cold. We started off walking to a restaurant called The Mission for breakfast. We waited 25 minutes out on the sidewalk for a table, but it was well worth it. The food was great and the kids were well behaved. After that, we headed to Target for some pre-beach shopping. New flip-flops, beach towels and swimming shirts for everyone. Then, the beach at Belmont Park.

San Diego 2010-Day 3

Sea World: This was the day that made us think maybe a family vacation was not such a good idea. You have to remember, we don't usually spend this much time together. All of us were getting a little impatient with each other. Despite the eight year old behavior issues (attitude, arguing and slamming things when they don't get their way) and the two year old behavior issues (attitude, arguing and slamming things when he doesn't get his way), there were some notable highlights to the day.

One thing those boys are awesome about is taking care of their little brother.

Boy meets fish.

The Sea Lion Show

Shamu!!!

You would not believe how many people got up and moved after this.
There is a reason they call it the Soak Zone people!

Paul took the older boys on this ride, which also ends in soakage.
(This is not a great picture, I have better video...which I can't access at the moment.)

End of the day, time for some playtime.

Jump...Jump...Jump

The Little One gets to play, too.

So, what did we, as parents, learn from the Sea World experience? Give up your convictions and throw out your expectations. Get ice cream as soon as you get through the gate, and let them buy the stuffed dolphin at the first souvenir stand and carry it around all day. Make them happy right off the bat. Then you can have some fun!

San Diego 2010-Day 2

USS Midway Museum: This was something the older boys really wanted to do. And it turned out to be pretty interesting for all of us. There were several parts that were not accessible by stroller, so we split up. Paul took the big boys through the tight passage ways, and I strolled around with the Little One, following the wheel chair signs.

San Diego 2010-Day 1

Travel: We left our house at 6:15am, drove too far on Stoney Trail, missed the turn into the park and fly, stood in the wrong WestJet line at the airport, but no line at customs and security. They searched our carry-on bags, swabbed our hands (???) and gave the kids dirty looks for touching the sides of the metal detector. We waited for half an hour at the gate and then...

Sorry, Mom. This DS game is too good to look up for a photo.

The Little One gets cozy with the complete stranger sitting beside us.