THINGS TO DO
DAY TRIP IDEAS
01/
Balboa Park
One of the most popular urban parks in the United States, this bucolic paradise is packed with an array of attractions, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Prado Restaurant in Balboa Park is amazing. Reservations are recommended.
02/
La Jolla
La Jolla is great for golfing, shopping, eating, walking, beach-going, surf lessons, checking out tidepools, and even the visiting the aquarium among other attractions. Two well-known and excellent restaurants there are George’s on the Cove, and the Marine Room.
03/
Tijuana
If you brought your passport (and only if you brought your passport), you may want to take a day trip to Mexico. You can park at the border and walk across, eat some Mexican cuisine, and check out souvenirs on Avenida Revolución. Side note: Did you know that Caesar Salad was invented in Tijuana?
04/
Temecula Wineries
Just an hour drive from Carlsbad is Southern California Temecula Valley Wine Country. With nearly 50 wineries, our wine country offers boutique and full-service wine resorts that are friendly, relaxed and unpretentious.
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FOR KIDS
(& KIDS AT HEART)
01/
Batiquitos Lagoon Hike
The lagoon that you can see from El Camino Real and La Costa Avenue has a great trail and is a nice place for birdwatching, a walk, or a jog. You can access it by walking from the house, or you can drive to one of the trail heads, which you can access from Batiquitos Drive (just a few traffic lights west of Mimosa on Aviara Parkway).
02/
Legoland and Legoland Waterpark
The resort consists of LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE® Aquarium, and LEGOLAND Water Park. If pressed for time, LEGOLAND California theme park can be visited in a half-day. The park is best for toddlers and younger kids as the suggested age is between 2–12.
03/
Aviara Resort or La Costa Resort Swimming Pools
If you are looking for a day of pool time, both the Aviara Resort and the La Costa Resort have multiple swimming pools and sell day passes. Both of these resorts are less than a 5 minute drive from the home. Contact the resort directly regarding cost and reservations.
04/
Museums, Museums, and More Museums
There are loads and loads of museums in San Diego—too many to list here. A few of our favorites include the U.S.S. Midway, the Fleet Science Center, San Diego Botanic Garden, and the Museum of Making Music. Check the web for more information.
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05/
Moonlight Beach
If you’re looking to stay local, this is a great beach to visit with or without kids. There’s a play area, life guards in the summer, plenty of other kids, and even a snack bar. Bring the sand toys and boogie boards we provide, and you can spend the entire day!
06/
Birch Aquarium at Scripps, La Jolla
This is the public exploration center for the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It’s one of the best things to do in San Diego with kids for a few hours, especially if they’re lovers of marine life. Tag on a La Jolla beach day or a visit to downtown La Jolla and grab lunch and/or watch the sea lions in action.
07/
San Diego Zoo / San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The world-famous San Diego Zoo tops our list of things to do in San Diego with kids. Located in Balboa Park, it’s home to over 3700 rare and endangered animals and a beautiful display of over 700,000 exotic plants throughout its 100 acres. The Safari Park is located in Escondido (a 20-30 minute drive) and is an opportunity to see animals in a more natural environment. (Consider getting there early in the day when the animal are generally more active.)
08/
Old Town San Diego
As California’s birthplace, Old Town San Diego is a fun half-day visit in San Diego with children. Kids tend to like The Whaley House, one of the coolest haunted houses in the country, and walking through the graves at El Campo Santo Cemetery. Great eats at the Old Town Mexican Cafe with just about the best homemade tortillas in the world.
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