Might be taking a trip to San Diego? Any suggestions?

For my DH's 50th Bday next month, I thought we could go on a family trip--I had hoped for the caribbean but that is out due to Hurricane season. However, my in-laws have a place they keep in San Diego and I was thinking maybe the 3 of us--including our 12yr old boy could go out and stay for a week. My question: What would be interesting for our 12yr old to do there? I thought he might like to go to Mexico since it is so close. What do you all think? Their place is in an area called Pacific Beach. Is the water warm enough to swim in? How close are white sands and palm trees? Love to hear from someone in San Diego!! :~)
Thanks.
Nancy

I have a 12 yr old girl. She will keep him busy. Lol. Pacific Beach is wonderful.It is right on the beach or at least not far depending on where their place is. There are lots of museums and such in Balboa Park. Museum of Man currently has a weapons exhibit that is rather cool. We took a crew to see it a couple of weeks ago. Science center is good too and do not forget ther arboretum. Palm trees are everywhere. You will want to go to the Zoo as much for the plants as for the animals. Their collection is fabulous.

The Nature Center in Chula Vista is a nice low key spot. It is built out on the tidal marshes and has a small musum and walks to the bay. There is also birdwatching. You take a shuttle in-no cars.

Hodad's in Ocean beach has the best hamburgers and is cool besides. Let me know and I can meet you and give you coupons for most places.

If you are going further than TJ (tijuana) in Mexico, perhaps. DD likes the shopping in Mexico but the border towns give my tender hearted son the heebie jeebies. Too many children begging and such.

Drop me an e-mail with your phone # and I will give you a call. There are so many things to do here depending on your interests!!
Janice

This message was edited Sep 8, 2004 7:47 PM

Oh I second the nomination for the Zoo! And Sea World is fun too. Check out what is playing at the IMAX theatre in Balboa Park, might be playing something cool for a 12-year-olds interest.

Nancy,

As frogs has said above, she can guide you to lots of interesting places in that area. There is so much to see down there. Janice, don't forget to tell here about the island (can't remember the name right now).

I will also tell you that you might "not" want to go down into Mexico (TJ). It really is a very depressing area and it's not easy to get out of....long lines to get out.

When are you coming out? This is a great time weather wise to visit as it's not too hot and not at all cold.

Donna

There's Sea World, Pacific Ocean ParK, kinda like Six Flags, lot's of bikinis on the beach, The World Famos Resturant on the beach in La Jolla. The USS Ronald Reagan, and old Riverboat in port too.....the Zoo.,,,,,,and miles of Ocean Surf........any beach but Black Beach.......beautiful, but too steep to access.

"eyes"

This message was edited Sep 9, 2004 11:18 AM

Oh and the Aircraft Carrier The Midway is downtown too. That was a lot of fun! My boys really enjoyed that.

Eyes, "there's a lot of crazy people there without any clothes..." as the song goes about Black's Beach. Lol. I did forget about Belmont Park in Mission beach.

I think SoCal is talking about Coronado Island. It is lovely too.

Reuben H. Fleet is the Science center with the IMAX dome. You can look it up online. Museum of natural of natural History has the flat screen IMAX that is also very cool. I think there is some sort of 3 museum deal in Balboa park.

So much to do, so little time, in San Diego.

When I saw the thread my first thought was "go see Frogrus!! My DGD is going to be stationed there after April...so I will get to visit there too...glad to know there is so much to see and do. Have a great time...Frogrus is a "misplaced" West Virginian....cool, huh? Jo

Yeah, Frogs...........forgot about "Batman" on the boardwalk....LOL!!

"eyes"

Thank you all so much for all of the information. It sounds great! We would be visiting around second week of October. I guess as long as 1 or 2 days feature a boardwalk or amusement park we are good to go. I would love to visit the museums and Imax theaters. I don't think we will be going to Mexico, my boy wouldn't be able to sleep for a long time thinking of the poor kids there. It would really bother him I think. Now I just have to confirm with my DM-in-law, that they won't be out there at the same time and the unit is available. Frogs, If things work out and we do get to come out, I'll email you for those coupons. If you want any thing from W.Virginia, just let me know--Harper's Ferry is only 25 minutes away! So thanks again all of you, I really appreciate it.

Don't forget La Jolla for the seals and Point Luna for the Tide Pools.

The water may very well be cold The surfers often have to wear wet suits, or they did when I lived there..San Diego is a wonderful City, you will have a wonderful time, and tell Frogs hello for me. A place to go and eat Mexican in Ocean Beach is Nati's.....wonderful food!

Best sandwich I ever ate was in Accident, Maryland but I think that's about 100 miles or so from where you are. Bit far for a sandwich.

Let me know when you are headed this way. We can meet somewhere along the way. Perhaps your son would like to spend an afternoon or a day with my kids and you can sneak some time ALONE with your DH.

Well, having been born and raised in San Diego and having raised two of my three daughters there I have to say that Balboa Park and the wonderful museums they have are a great place to spend the day. The San Diego Zoo is there too and I personaly think it is one of the best Zoo's I've ever been to. I love the museum of man that they have and they are have a great arberraium (SP? ) there that has a huge pond in front with swans swimming in it. A very pleasant place to sit and have lunch. The beaches are great as well as Sea World but I guess we all have our favorites and mine was the parks and Zoo.

I grew up there too, and Balboa Park was a wonderful place...and all the museums were wonderful but apparently things have changed, and it is no longer safe there at night? My friends and I used to prowl that Park at night, playing on the swings. etc. and we never felt that it wasn't safe...of course we were teenagers and they aren't afraid of anything! It is a wonder that any of them survive...
I really like Sea World, and the Zoo too. San Diego is a magical place to me! You must go to the end of Pt Loma too, the view is awesome! Take a jacket, as it was chilly there in July, with all the ocean breezes...

Well, unfortunately, we won't be coming out to San Diego. At this time, my in-laws have tired of the hurricanes--they live in the Rockledge/Melbourne Florida area and they are thinking of going out to their place in San Diego in a week or so. We are now making different plans for our vacation. I think we are now looking at Niagra Falls in New York and maybe staying on the Canadian side for a day or so. I had hoped for California, but maybe next time... Oh well, everyone, thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions.

Oh, well. That's the beauty of it. You can always go to San Diego later, and you received some great suggestions! Have fun WHATEVER you do and post pictures!

Given the current California tremors, and Mount St. Helens eruption, I think that ias a good idea.

We are almost 300 miles from Paso Robles and gee, maybe 1000 miles from St. Helens. Not worrying yet. Sorry you will not make it this way though.