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Imagine yourself relaxing on a sandy beach while your kids run and jump in the waves. Maybe you’ll decide to scoot over to Mexico for lunch, spend the afternoon visiting with the Panda bears or ride a scenic trolley. Can’t decide which of these vacation activities sound most appealing to you? Why not experience it all with a San Diego vacation.
There are so many San Diego attractions to explore and enjoy, it seems like many vacation destinations rolled into one. Plan ahead and your family will have a very memorable holiday. Here are eight “must experience” places to go and activities to try on your trip to beautiful San Diego:
1. Take a Trolley Ride
San Francisco isn’t the only California city with a popular trolley. The San Diego trolley, in fact, serves as the city’s public transit system. You can purchase an all-day pass and see more San Diego attractions than you ever could by car. The San Diego highways can be quite intimidating, thereby making the trolley your best bet for stress-free sightseeing.
2. Hit the Beach
San Diego beaches are truly spectacular year-round. Whether you visit in summer or over the winter holidays, the local beaches personify the entire San Diego lifestyle. Go and visit the gorgeous Mission Beach. Ride the famous Belmont Park roller coaster. From bodysurfing to soaking up the rays, San Diego beaches are certainly where the action is.
3. Catch a Fish Taco
Not exactly a well-known San Diego attraction, rather a must-try taste of the city, fish tacos are pieces of battered and deep-fried fish encased in a corn tortilla. Taste one, and you’ll want to come back to San Diego just for another taste of this local treat. Guests to San Diego say that fish tacos are among the city’s best foods.
4. Shuffle off to Mexico
The lovely city of Tijuana is just across the Mexican border from San Diego. Taking a side trip to Baja or Tijuana is easy and quite safe; just bring your passport and be mindful of the Mexican laws. There is an international paradise all set to be explored, so say “Si” to a day in Mexico.
5. Nightlife
The historic Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego is the place to be for dancing, eating, and people watching. Snack, shop, and take in the stunning architecture during the day. At night, there are more than ninety restaurants plus live theatre and countless nightclubs to choose from. Gaslamp is the sure place to let loose in San Diego.
6. Visit the Pandas
The popular San Diego Zoo at Balboa Park is a famous tourist destination, but the pandas are the real attractions. Baby Su Lin and the other pandas are most active in the morning, so plan to see them first on your travel to San Diego zoo. Sea World and Legoland are also great options for entertaining your “little animals”.
7. Old Town
History buffs can discover bits of Old San Diego incorporated with new developments throughout the city. Tour Old Town State Historic Park for a blast of San Diego’s past. Make sure you visit the Old Town Mexican Cafe, as it serves the best Mexican food San Diego has to provide.
8. Balboa Park
The undisputed shining jewel of San Diego is no less than the Balboa Park. It’s the nation’s largest urban cultural park, housing fifteen museums, beautiful gardens, the San Diego Zoo and renowned performing arts venues. The atmosphere is breathtaking no matter when you stop by, but if you visit on Tuesdays, you’ll know that most museums offer free admission. After you work up an appetite exploring Balboa, stop at Prado or any of the fine restaurants within the park for a fantastic meal in a wonderful setting.
If your family is divided between exciting excursions, historic America, exotic adventure or a tropical paradise, visit San Diego. The variety of San Diego attractions provides the best of all worlds in one vacation destination. Place it on your list!
Tagged with: family travel • san diego
Filed under: Family Vacation