When people ask me for my favorite family friendly vacation destination on the West Coast, my answer is always the same- San Diego.  With its Mediterranean climate, stunning beaches, and endless activities, its nearly impossible to have anything less than a great vacation in this Southern California beach town

Though much of the country has experienced record breaking heat and humidity this summer, San Diego has hardly seen a day above 90.  Now, with fall fast approaching, many people across the nation will be turning in their tank tops and shorts for parkas and scarves. Not in sunny San Diego!  Fall brings the California Coast some of its best weather and gives visitors the chance to keep those shorts from being packed away for just a little bit longer.  The summer crowds may be long gone, but warm days spent lounging by the pool or splashing at the beach are far from fading.

This past spring, my family and I were lucky enough to be guests of the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina in San Diego.  I immediately fell in love with the tropical but contemporary decor, bay front location, and amazing pool area.  Not to mention the fine but still family friendly dining at the Hyatt’s own Red Marlin restaurant,  the on site children’s programs, the watercraft rentals, and the spa.  Oh the spa.  Suddenly my recommendations for families to make  San Diego their vacation destination were followed by the suggestion of making the Hyatt their home base during their stay. You can read my entire review of the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina here.

Another great thing about the Hyatt’s bay front location is that the resort is within walking distance of SeaWorld.  This marine park has great animal exhibits, shows, and even water rides which are perfect for cooling off on a warm autumn day.  Be sure to check out Blue Horizons, SeaWorld’s new show.  It has a dolphin show meets Cirque du Soleil feel and is very entertaining.

If are interested in taking your family on a sunny San Diego autumn getaway, be sure to check out the Hyatt Mission Bay Spa and Marina’s Sunshine on Sale package .  From September 7th through the end of the year, book two nights at the Hyatt MB and you will receive a third night at the resort for free!  What a great way to extend the weekend and soak up few extra rays before winter chill back home sets in.

And now for…

The Steal:  Win a Weekend Stay at the Hyatt Mission Bay and Tickets to Sea World

Number of Winners: 1 winner

Prize: Two nights at the Hyatt Mission Bay in San Diego, CA and four (4) one day passes to Sea World San Diego

How to enter:

Visit the Hyatt Mission Bay Spa and Marina website and tell us what hotel amenities or activities you are most looking forward to enjoying if you win.

For additional entries, feel free to do any or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra entry but be sure to leave a separate comment for each one.  This is how we keep track of extra entries.

• Fan Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina on Facebook.
• Fan the Red Marlin restaurant on Facebook.
• Fan the Blue Marble Spa on Facebook.
• Follow the Blue Marble Spa on Twitter.
  
• Write a review on Trekaroo and post a link to it in the comments (include your Trekaroo username) one entry per review
• Subscribe to the Trekaroo Blog
• Tweet a link to this Monday Mad Steal via @Trekaroo
• Post this on your Facebook Wall using the Facebook Share link above
• Fan Trekaroo on Facebook
• Follow Trekaroo on Twitter
• Post this giveaway on your blog
• Subscribe to Trekaroo in your reader
  

Rules and guidelines:

• 18 years of age or older
• US Residents only

Deadline to enter: Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 11:59PM PST

What is Monday Madness?

Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either a fantastic giveaway or an incredible deal.  It could be a green water bottle, a hotel stay on Maui or theme park tickets. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog for the details. Want a reminder? Become a Trekaroo member or follow us on facebook or twitter.

Thanks to Contest for Moms, Online Sweepstakes, CashNet Sweepstakes, and Sweepstakes Advantage.

Disclosure:  My family received a complimentary stay at the Hyatt Mission Bay. I received no other compensation besides the stay and dinner and the Hyatt didn’t state any requirements that I express any particular point of view.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Last summer, my family stumbled upon the summer fun that the popular ski town, Park City, had to offer.  I couldn’t believe just how much there was to do in a place normally associated with winter activity.  This year, we found summer fun in a ski town closer to home: Mammoth Lakes, CA.

Mammoth had always been on my radar as a winter destination, with its world class skiing, dramatic high Sierra beauty, and popular resorts, but to be honest, I never even knew much went on in this town once the snow melted.  When the Snowcreek Resort invited my family up to visit their resort in Mammoth and participate in the Children’s Fishing Festival I thought it sounded like fun but wasn’t sure  how else we would spend our time.  After spending the weekend in Mammoth Lakes, I left wishing we had about 5 more days to enjoy this amazing place.  Here are my tips for what to do, where to eat, and where to stay while in Mammoth:

Where to Stay:  The Snowcreek Resort

Wow.  I could have lived here.  This resort features spacious condos with all the amenities of home, and then some.  We stayed in a two bedroom condo (which was bigger than my house!) and loved every minute of it.  The bedrooms were spacious and each had it’s own full bathroom.  The living area of the condo had a sleeper sofa, wood burning fireplace, dining table and full gourmet kitchen.  There are also three and four bedroom condos available and I think these condos would be great for multigenerational family travel, large families, or family friends traveling together.  You can read my full review of the Snowcreek Resort and all its incredible amenities (including golf, tennis, and an awesome athletic club) here.

Where to Eat: Publik Square and Petra’s Bistro

I am sure there are many fine places to eat in a resort town like Mammoth Lakes, but these are two places I can personally vouch for. The first, Publik Square, is a little sandwich shop that is locally owned, reasonably priced, and just plain yummy.  My family and I love to picnic when we hike or play by a lake and Publik Square is the exact style place I look for when packing our lunch.

Petra’s Bistro is a high end restaurant in the heart of the main tourist village in Mammoth Lakes.  If you are looking for a special occasion meal, this is the place to go.  Although they do not have a specific children’s menu, they do have child friendly options and were very accommodating to our family.   The food was amazing and it was quite nice to put on a dress and see that my kids are capable of eating dinner like civilized little people.  Even though we had a very pleasant experience,  I do think this restaurant is best suited for parents with older children.

What to do: Mammoth Mountain and Devil’s Postpile National Monument

Most people know Mammoth Mountain Resort for its skiing and snow park, but come summer it is also a mountain biking mecca.  Riders from all over the country come to take the gondola up to the11,000 foot  summit and ride some of the 70 miles worth of trails that traverse the mountain.  I saw kids as young as 7 or 8 strap on their helmets and take to the slopes like pros.  Since my children are still on training wheels, we opted to take the gondola ride and explore the summit on foot. The view of the Eastern Sierra was breathtaking.  We could see everything from granite and pine covered mountains to the lakes that are Mammoth Lakes’ namesake.  Back down below there is also a climbing wall and a zipline specifically designed for children 12 and younger.  I couldn’t convince my kids to zip but I did see tots as young as 3 or 4 ride.

There are so many fun outdoor activities to take part in while visiting Mammoth, including fishing, golfing, and taking  day trips to Mono Lake and Yosemite.  My family loves to hike, and we found there was no shortage of trails in the region.  Some of the best family friendly hikes in the area are found at Devil’s Postpile National Monument.  The hike from the ranger’s station to Devil’s Postpile, an impressive and extremely rare example of columnar basalt, is a half mile stroller friendly walk to the base of the formation.  Those who choose to head further down the trail (which you absolutely should), will be rewarded by the sight of the 100 foot Rainbow Falls.  On sunny days, the mist reflects two rainbows near the base of the falls, thus giving the waterfall it’s multihued  name.

Disclosure: My family received a complimentary stay at the Snowcreek Resort as part of a press tour.  Snowcreek Resort also covered our dining at Publik Square and Petra’s Bistro and the Gondola Ride at Mammoth Mountain.  They never requested that I express any particular opinion in my reviews.  I will always give you my honest opinion of every hotel, restaurant, and activity I visit.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Welcome to

Most people know Lake Tahoe as a gorgeous skiing destination in the winter and picture perfect boating and camping destination in the summer.  The lake, known for its crystal clear water and incredible scenery, has always held a special place in the hearts of the California and Nevada citizens that are proud to call it their own.  I have spent many summers camping along the shore and enjoying those awesome alpine sunsets.  But it wasn’t until I had children of my own that I discovered that there were a few other lakes in the Lake Tahoe basin that deserved our attention.  Fallen Leaf Lake and the Angora Lakes are within only a few short miles from Lake Tahoe and the perfect places for a family vacation.

Fallen Leaf is a glacial formed lake near Camp Richardson. There is only a small one mile strip of land separating Fall Leaf Lake from Lake Tahoe, because the glacier that carved the lake stopped just short of plowing all the way through to Tahoe.  Much of the lake is privately owned but there is some land that is public, and the trail that takes you from the parking area to the shore is a great little family hike at only one mile in each direction.  Much of the shore is pebbly which means you can get some serious rock skipping competitions going.  Just like Lake Tahoe, the water is crystal clear (and quite chilly), and many of the lake shore homes use it for drinking water.

Just on the other side of the ridge and a few miles down the fire road are the Angora Lakes.  These lake may be small in size but they pack an incredible amount of beauty into a tiny package.  A short uphill hike takes visitors from the parking are to Lower Angora Lake before carrying forward to trails end at Upper Angora Lake.  There is a resort at the upper lake complete with a swimming beach, boat rentals, and a snack bar known for its lemonade and sweet treats.  Cabins are available for rent on a weekly basis, but they sell out quickly due to popular demand because little resort and the people who run it are truly special. Even if you can’t get a cabin at the resort, these little lakes are definitely worth a day trip.

Do you have an outing that you would like to spotlight this week?

Perhaps its a post about a vacation you just took or a day trip that you think our readers should know about.  Or maybe its a post about the vacation you are currently planning and going to book through Trekaroo!  Link up something fresh from your blog using the Mr Linky below. 

PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Step 1: Pick a recent post (past couple of days)

Step 2: Under “Name” write: “Title of your blog post (blog name)” – blog name in parenthesis
Under “url” paste: the link to your blog post (not your home page)

Step 3: Grab the Spotlight Thursday image and link to this post so your readers can see who else is playing along this week.

We want to be sure that everyone who participates in Spotlight Thursdays gets their moment in the spotlight so blogs that don’t link back will unfortunately have to be removed.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

For years I stared at her, wondering what life was like in her world. She was so close;  just looming quietly in the distance, but she might as well have been in a foreign land.  All we needed was a boat and a weekend, then we could finally make her acquaintance.   Finally, the temptation became too much and I decided that our family had to go see her. I wanted to know what life was like on Catalina.

Santa Catalina Island is only a 22 mile ferry ride from the Port of Los Angeles, but as soon as the town of Avalon appears on the horizon, travelers quickly realize that they have arrived someplace very far from the freeway clogged urban monster that is LA.  In Avalon, golf carts rule the roads and rush hour is nothing more than a few hotel shuttles picking up guests from the dock.  Catalina is the US version of Mediterranean paradise.  Mountain peaks surround Avalon Bay and vacation homes cling to their little piece of the hillside.  The 12 story casino building dominates the skyline, battling with palm trees and azure waters to capture your attention. After only a few hours on the island, my husband and I were already plotting ways for us to move there permanently.

We stayed at the newly remodeled Pavilion Hotel, just 14 steps from the main beach in Avalon.  Sipping complimentary wine (or lemonade for the little ones) as we lounged in the garden sitting area gazing out at the ocean was pure heaven.  It was so nice to stay in a hotel that was literally steps away from Avalon’s action hub, while still being able to find peace and serenity by the fire ring or strolling through the palm fringed courtyard. You can read my entire review of the Pavilion Hotel here.

Catalina offers a wide array of activities and tours from parasailing to snorkeling to island tours.  The island even has what my family has deemed, the best miniature golf course of all time!  My pick for must-do island activity has to be the zipline.   Flying through the sky with nothing but incredible ocean panoramas in view was definitely the highlight of my trip.  The friendliness of the staff and the focus on safety helped me push my nagging fear of heights out of mind.  In my group there was an eight year old, 12 year old, and sixteen year old, and they all had an absolute blast.

Photo Courtesy Cataline Zip Line Ecotours

The zipline tour begins and ends at Descanso Beach, a beautiful little cove that serves as an activity headquarters.  Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and snorkeling gear can all be rented here.  For those looking to spend a lazy day on the beach, the Descanso Beach Club is the best place to do it.  Private cabanas and chaise lounges are available for rent, and food and drinks are available at Avalon’s only seaside restaurant and bar.  As I sat enjoying my post-ziplining lunch from the comfort of our cabana and took in our amazing view, I had to keep reminding myself that I was still in Southern California and not some far off locale.  Catalina had officially stolen my heart.

Our final morning on Catalina was spent on an Undersea Tour.  We chose this activity because it was suitable for all ages and I had always wanted to get a close up view of the sea life that called the Southern California coast home.  The tour is given in a semi-submersible boat which reminded me a bit of the submarine ride at Disneyland.  Luckily instead of an animatronic Nemo, we were greeted by brightly colored orange garibaldi and calico bass weaving their way through the kelp beds.  My kids were incredibly excited about the fish swimming freely just outside their windows and their excitement only grew as the crew sprinkled some fish food into the water and the feeding frenzy began.

As with all great weekend this vacations, this one had to end so we could return back to the mainland and a life filled with obligations and responsibilities.  We boarded the Catalina Express once again for our high speed journey home.  As we sped away from the island and we lounged fin the comfort of our deck seats, I found myself turning back more than a few times so I could watch Catalina slowly lose its detail and become nothing more than a mysterious shadow of an island once again.  Its nice to know that when we need to get away from it all, she will still be waiting for us just across the channel.

Great deal alert!!!

If your family decides to book a two night stay at the Pavilion Hotel between August 22nd and October 16th, 2010, you will be able to take advantage of the hotel’s Unlimited Package. The package includes:

Unlimited  (aka: free) Access to all the following Discovery Tours:

Undersea Tour, Behind the Scenes Casino Tour, The Casino Walking Tour, Skyline Drive Tour, Avalon Scenic Tour, GPS Walking Tour, Flying Fish Tour, Glass Bottom Boat, and Sundown Isthmus Cruise.

And…Unlimited use of these activities:

Golf Gardens Miniature Golf, Catalina Island Golf Course, Descanso Beach Club Entry, Avalon Movie Theatre, Tennis Court Rental

Plus..

Preferred seating and reservations at the new Avalon Grille Restaurant and 50% off the Zip Line Eco Tour (savings of $45 per person).

Now that is an AMAZING deal!  Pick and choose which activities you are interested in and be entertained all day long for the price of a two night stay.  But remember, this package is only available August 22nd through October 16th, 2010.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Located 2 hours south of San Francisco and just north of the infamous Big Sur Mountains of the Central Coast, is beautiful Monterey, California.   With farms to the north and the mountains to the south, it’s like a world of its own. The Monterey Peninsula is a great place to hike, bike, sight see, explore world class beaches, and dine at incredible restaurants.  With a seemingly endless array of things to see and do, Monterey is both a terrific family vacation destination and a great place to call home.

Here are my top 5 picks for tourists and local families alike:

BEST PARK – El Estero Park

El Estero Park is the largest playground for young and old in the Monterey County.  It encompasses 45 acres of fun, fun, fun.  In the middle of Lake El Estero you will find the impressive Dennis the Menace Park.  It houses 3 play structures, a suspension bridge, climbing wall, hedge maze, bumpy slides and tunnels, as well as a Southern Pacific steam engine.  There are also grass areas for picnics and a few picnic benches.  Bring along some sand toys because the majority of the park is one giant sand pit, perfect to keep little ones entertained while their older siblings are off playing.  You can also enjoy paddle boating on the lake, fishing, and barbecues.  For the fitness enthusiast there is a 1.2 mile parcourse around Lake Elstero with three exercise station clusters.  The older kids will enjoy the youth center, ballpark, and a skate park.  There is also a snack bar and rest rooms.

BEST HIKE – Garland Ranch Regional Park

Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley is a 4,462-acre park with about  50 miles of trails.  It is extremely popular for hiking, biking, horse-back riding, dog walking, bird-watching, painting, and photography, and is home to a wide variety of plants, birds, animals, and insects.  Some of the beautiful sites to be seen include the Carmel River, a waterfall, and reminders of Carmel Valley’s past – Rumsen Indian Habititation Sites.  There is a visitor center on- site with maps of the area, and the hikes are marked according to intensity.

BEST INDOOR ACTIVITY – The Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of our favorite days out.   There is something so serene about watching ocean creatures moving majestically through the water.  The exhibits are absolutely amazing.  There are feedings throughout the day, touch tanks, educational activities, and many interactive exhibits that will keep children and adults wanting to come back time and again.  My favorite exhibits, and the ones I highly recommend, are the Kelp Forest Feeding, The Secret Lives of Seahorses and the Outer Bay.  For parents who need a little break, there is a Splash Zone for little ones with water activities, dress-up, and many areas for kids to explore.  Children will especially love the walk-through wave crash experience.  If you don’t want to eat in the Café, then bring a picnic lunch and sit outside at the on-site picnic area overlooking the bay, where you will most likely see sea lions and otters playing in the water  or get a stamp on your hand for re-entry and head out to one of the many restaurants on Cannery Row.

BEST BEACH – Lovers Point Park and Beach

When you drive along Ocean View Boulevard through Pacific Grove, you will initially see 4.4 acres of parkland overlooking Monterey Bay. Pull over and head to the north side of the park where you will come across a staircase leading down to Lovers Point Beach.  Although small, it is perfect for tidepooling, surfing, kayaking or just enjoying a good book while the kids build sandcastles.  In the parkland above you will regularly find families enjoying picnics, flying kites, and biking or walking along the Coastal Recreation Trail.  This is also a popular spot for photographers and you will often find visitors climbing out onto the rocks to get a better view of the bay or playing beach volleyball.  A rest room and a snack bar are located within the park.

BEST FOR EATING: Cannery Row & Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row are connected by the Coastal Recreation Trail and it is only a short walk between the two.  Both have some amazing restaurants and seafood is abundant.  Walk out onto Fisherman’s Wharf where you can see taffy being made in a store window or enjoy a cup of clam chowder. be sure to stop and look out at the boats, sea lions and otters floating around the bay.  Further south on Cannery Row families will find many restaurants (our favorite being The Fish Hopper for it’s child friendly environment), boutique stores, and magnificent views over the bay as the sun is setting.  There is also the Ghirardelli Café for those with a sweet tooth, the IMAX theatre, a small beach, the Mirror Maze, and of course, the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  However, please check that the restaurants you go to are participating in the Seafood Watch, which means they are making environmentally responsible seafood choices.  Not all seafood is farmed or purchased in ways that protect the ocean that helps shape Monterey into the incredible community that it is.

Related:

• Activities for Kids Around Monterey and Carmel
• Kid-friendly Hotels Around Monterey and Carmel
• Perfectly Divine Weekend in MOnterey and Carmel with Young Kids

Tonya Staab is a mother to adorable twin toddlers and one handsome teenage son.  She was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia and moved to California in 2003, when she married into the military.  She is a crafter, photographer, party planner and explorer.  She makes my attempts at decoupage and party throwing look absolutely pathetic because let’s face it, she is the master.  Mud puddles and glitter don’t scare her and she will tell you how to handle both like a pro on her website, This and That.

This contest is now closed. Congrats to Trekaroo member Darla Kidder, lucky number 25!

There’s just something about Legos that captures the imagination of most kids who play with them.  Those simple plastic blocks may not look like much on their own but with a little bit of ingenuity and imagination, they can be take the shape of whatever your child desires.  Part of what makes the LEGOLAND resort  so special is that celebrates  a simple toy that has been a part of countless childhoods around the globe, and it does it on a grand scale.  Where else can you see a replica of New York City recreated with over 2 million legos?  For over a decade, families have enjoyed more than 50 rides, shows, and attractions inside the LEGOLAND gates but now, they have something new to get excited about. This June, LEGOLAND opened the newest portion of its resort, the water park.

Recently, my family had the opportunity to visit LEGOLAND’s new water park and check out how Lego does water.  We were very pleased with what we found.   Just like the rest of the resort, the water park was geared towards the 2-12 year old age group.  There is a large toddler water play area with shallow water to splash in, Duplo animal shaped fountains, and toddler sized slides to ride.  A huge Lego castle is the centerpiece of the park, with brightly colored slides branching from it’s sides.  The Build-A-Raft River winds lazily around the middle of the park, filled with Legos which kids can snap to their rafts to create their own floating masterpieces.  Its a water-filled primary-colored wonderland!

Read my entire review of the LEGOLAND Water Park here.

With an amusement park, aquarium, and water park all on it’s resort grounds, LEGOLAND has turned itself into a major destination for young families.  Carlsbad is a great beachfront town and there are plenty of family friendly lodging options which make it all the more enticing (including Homewood Suites Carlsbad. You can check out my review of our recent stay here).  If a trip to LEGOLAND sounds like something your family will love, then pay attention because have we got a steal for you!

Are you one of the first families to visit the new Legoland Water Park?  Tell us what you think by writing a review!

The Steal:  Win a LEGOLAND Resort Family Four Pack of Park Hopper Tickets!

A lucky Trekaroo family will win four park hopper tickets to the LEGOLAND resort!

Number of Winners: 1 winner

Prize: Four (4) park hopper tickets which include entry to LEGOLAND, the LEGOLAND Water Park, and the SEA LIFE Aquarium

How to enter:

Leave a comment telling me what you would like to see recreated in Lego form.

For additional entries, feel free to do any or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra entry but be sure to leave a separate comment for each one.

• Write a review on Trekaroo and post a link to it in the comments (include your Trekaroo username) one entry per review
• Follow LEGOLAND on Twitter.
• Fan LEGOLAND on Facebook.
• Subscribe to the Trekaroo Blog
• Tweet a link to this Monday Mad Steal via @Trekaroo
• Post this on your Facebook Wall using the Facebook Share link above
• Fan Trekaroo on Facebook
• Follow Trekaroo on Twitter
• Post this giveaway on your blog
• Subscribe to Trekaroo in your reader
  

Rules and guidelines:

• 18 years of age or older
• US Residents only

Deadline to enter: Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 11:59PM PST

What is Monday Madness?

Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either a fantastic giveaway or an incredible deal.  It could be a green water bottle, a hotel stay on Maui or theme park tickets. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog for the details. Want a reminder? Become a Trekaroo member or follow us on facebook or twitter.

Thanks to Contest for Moms, Online Sweepstakes, CashNet Sweepstakes, and Sweepstakes Advantage.

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Disclosure:  My family received a complimentary visit to LEGOLAND. I received no other compensation besides the tickets and LEGOLAND didn’t state any requirements that I express any particular point of view.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

This contest is now closed. Congrats to comment #139, Danielle!

I will never forget my first trip to Sea World.  It was a huge treat to be able to drop fish in the mouths of smiling cetaceans and watching dolphins and whales perform their acrobatics twists and flips in the air was nothing short of exhilarating.  I left the park that day intent on becoming a dolphin trainer.  Unfortunately, I was not an expert swimmer so my dreams of dolphin training were never reached, but I still get a kick out of paying them a visit  every time I head to the park.

Recently, I took my kids to Sea World for the first time (you can read my full review here).  They were thrilled by the sight of Shamu splashing the crowd and squealed as they dropped fish in to the mouths of barking sea lions at Pacific Point.  They loved seeing sharks swim above their heads in the Forbidden Reef and enjoyed entering the chilly world of those adorable little waddlers that reside in the Penguin Encounter.

A sea gull wondering why he can't be a penguin.

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When we weren’t exploring the animal encounters, we were enjoying the Sesame Street Bay of Play.  In addition to fun kids rides, there is also a huge play structure with rope nets to climb, bridges to cross, and slides to whirl down. When the weather is warm, there is also a nice splash area.

For bigger kids, there is Shipwreck Rapids and Journey to Atlantis.  I was completely jealous of everyone riding Journey to Atlantis and tried to convince my three year olds that it would be fun to go splashing down a huge waterfall but they weren’t buying it. Oh well, there is always next year.

My favorite experience of the day was watching the new Blue Horizons dolphin show.  It definitely had a Cirque Du Soleil feel to it. The show combined acrobatics, music, colors, birds, and water effects with beautiful dolphins showing off their incredible abilities.

I’ll be honest, after The Cove came out last year, we at Trekaroo had some concerns about theme parks that utilize dolphins in shows. I expressed these concerns to the fine people at Sea World and they assured me that “SeaWorld is opposed to the drive fisheries in Japan and does not support, fund or acquire dolphins from the drive fisheries”. They also told me that “SeaWorld is a member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA). We strictly prohibit any zoological park and aquarium from joining the organization if the facility acquires animals from the drive fisheries… The Alliance, with the voice of 51 member marine-life parks, aquariums and zoological parks, has urged U.S. government agencies to proactively work with the government of Japan to end the drive fisheries. Also, a Web site, sponsored by AZA (SeaWorld is a member), provides the opportunity to sign a petition pushing for the end of the drive fisheries — http://actfordolphins.org/help.html.” This certainly made me feel better about taking my children to see the aquatic life at Sea World.

SeaWorld Deals

SeaWorld San Diego has several great deals on tickets this summer. Here are a few:

SeaWorld Cares Offer – This is a single day offer perfect for families who only plan on visiting Sea World once within a calendar year.  With the purchase of a full-price adult ticket, you can purchase as child’s ticket (age 3-12) for $5.  The $5 will then be donated to wildlife conservation.  This is an online offer only at at www.seaworldcares.com

$59 Summer Pass – This is a great summer offer for people living in the San Diego area or for those vacationing in San Diego. With this pass, you can visit the park as many times as you’d like through Sept. 6.  There’s a similar offer if you live in the Los Angeles area.  You can buy this at the gate or online.

Buy a Year, Get a 2nd Year Free – This option is greta for locals who can’t get enough of Sea World. Buy an annual pass is $109 and gives you a 2nd year free.

Here’s to the Heroes – This fantastic tribute program provides a single day’s free admission to any active duty, active reserve, ready reserve service member or National Guardsman to SeaWorld for the service member and as many as three of his or her direct family members (spouse & children). Register at the gate or online at www.herosalute.com.

To learn more about these and other admission offers at check out the Sea World San Diego website.

And now for…

The Steal:  Win a Sea World San Diego Family Four Pack of Tickets!

A lucky Trekaroo family will win four tickets to Sea World San Diego.

Number of Winners: 1 winner

Prize: Four (4) tickets to Sea World San Diego

How to enter:

Leave a comment below telling us which animal you are most excited to see at Sea World San Diego.

For additional entries, feel free to do any or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra entry but be sure to leave a separate comment for each one.

• Write a review on Trekaroo and post a link to it in the comments (include your Trekaroo username) one entry per review
• Follow Sea World on Twitter.
• Fan Sea World San Diego on Facebook.
• Subscribe to the Sea World Blog.
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• Tweet a link to this Monday Mad Steal via @Trekaroo
• Post this on your Facebook Wall using the Facebook Share link above
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• Subscribe to Trekaroo in your reader
  

Rules and guidelines:

• 18 years of age or older
• US Residents only

Deadline to enter: Sunday, July 4, 2010 at 11:59PM PST

What is Monday Madness?

Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either a fantastic giveaway or an incredible deal.  It could be a green water bottle, a hotel stay on Maui or theme park tickets. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog for the details. Want a reminder? Become a Trekaroo member or follow us on facebook or twitter.

Thanks to Contest for Moms, Online Sweepstakes, CashNet Sweepstakes, and Sweepstakes Advantage.

Disclosure:  My family received a complimentary visit to Sea World. I received no other compensation besides the tickets and Sea World didn’t state any requirements that I express any particular point of view.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA