It’s the New Year and time to get out and have an adventure with your family! We know all about tight budgets, pinching pennies, and sometimes the cost of travel can be very immobilizing but if you will consider traveling on just one tank of gas and finding adventures for cheap, it can make for a day filled with fun memories with your kids. Here are some ideas for places to enjoy by traveling on one tank of gas from the San Diego area.
Palomar Mountain
Photo courtest Flickr uaer Abraxas3d
Any time our family can get away, our favorite places to visit are outdoor areas that have spaces to run, sticks to pick up, and fresh air to breathe. Our family loves to play “Base Tag” anytime we are in a forest. My kids hide behind rocks and trees and try to make it back to “base” before daddy can tag them. Approximately 70 miles from downtown San Diego is Palomar Mountain State Park, a pine-forested mountain area at 6,000 feet in elevation, with picnicking, hiking, camping, fishing, biking, and more. The highlight of this area is the Palomar Mountain Observatory where families can look at the 200-inch Hale Telescope and watch a video on its inner workings. On your way up or down the mountain, be sure to stop at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center for some delicious farm treats, or see living history at Mission San Antonio de Pala on Highway 76.
Julian
Photo courtesy Flickr user Mandaroo
This little town is known for its pies, antique stores, and fresh-grown, crisp apples. An hour drive from downtown San Diego will take families to this quaint and cute village. Train rides, mining tours, and panning for gold will have kids searching for that elusive treasure and talking about it for years to come. My boys quickly learned to swirl the gold pan just the right way to make the heavy gold flakes stick to the bottom while the lighter stuff washed away. They talked about their treasures all the way home. If you want to find some fun adventure mining, visit the Julian Train & Gold Mine, Eagle Mining Company, the Julian Mining Company, or the Julian Pioneer Museum. Make sure to finish day by devouring a delicious slice of pie!
Cabrillo National Monument
Families on Trekaroo are singing the praises of the Cabrillo National Monument because of the incredible views of the San Diego Harbor, downtown buildings, and the glittering Pacific Ocean. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is like a beacon for children who love running to it and viewing the historical facts and replicas. Families can climb the steep spiral staircase to the viewing platform above. Check the tide charts before going and enjoy the sea life in the tide pools below the lighthouse or take a stroll along the steep wave-weathered cliffs and enjoy the wild views of a seemingly never ending Pacific.
Torrey Pines State Park and Beach
There are too many gorgeous beaches in the San Diego area to list, but the beach below Torrey Pines State Park derves special mention. It is extra beautiful because the cliffs and hills above it is home to the rarest pine tree on the planet,the Torrey Pine. Families love exploring the hiking trails which feature sweeping vistas of Torrey Pines State Park which hug the Pacific and have spenting time in the visitor center. After exploring the “hill” where the Torrey Pines are, head down to the beach to enjoy some time in the sun and play in the water.
Escondido
Photo courtesy Flickr user Nicmcc
This North County city has several claims to fame, such as being home to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (a 4.5 star activity for Trekaroo families) and the EscondidoChildren’s Museum. My husband grew up in this city and eagerly took me to Dixon Lake while we were dating. Located just north of Escondido, but unknown to many residents, this man-made small lake boasts great bass fishing. Families will enjoy picnicking on the grass, getting out some energy on the playgrounds, and even renting a rowboat for a cruise around the lake. Camping, rock-climbing, and bike riding are other fun activities for families to enjoy. Many people enjoy parties and get-togethers at this outdoor park on the weekends, so if you want a less crowded experience, visit on a weekday.
Carlsbad
The beach town of Carlsbad boasts so many activities for families, that one day here might not be enough. My kids recently spent a couple of hours touring the Museum of Making Music where they got to play real instruments and learn about the history of music. When we visited the Flower Fields last May (open seasonally) my parents were just as delighted in the gorgeous blooms as my kids were, when they weren’t running through the Sweet Pea Maze. LEGOLAND is the biggest pull for families, and I must say that the Star Wars section of MiniLand is not to be missed. If your day-trip turns into an overnighter, consider a stay at the West Inn & Suites. My family recently had the opportunity to stay at this family friendly property and really enjoyed our visit. You can read my full review of the West Inn & Suites on Trekaroo.
Coronado Island
Photo courtesy Flickr user Funcrunch
The thrill of driving over the large, iconic bridge to Coronado Island is just the start to a great day of family fun. Trekaroo families have called Coronado City Beach the “Best Beach in Southern California.” That is saying a lot considering there are hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline in California! I guess the soft sand, free parking, and pretty shells go a long way in making a beach great. The Coronado Ferry Landing is a fun shopping and eating destination. Trekaroo user sunnysd365 recently shared her family’s favorite activities on Coronado Island. Their highlights included biking and scootering on the beach boardwalk, walking down Orange Avenue, visiting the historic Hotel Del Coronado, playing at Spreckels Park, and enjoying delicious treats at MooTime Creamery and Café 1134.
Wherever you decide to go on one tank of gas this year, let it lead you to great adventure and fun with your family. We’d love to hear about it!
Want more San Diego fun? Check out
San Diego Must See With Kids in 5 Days
5 Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in San Diego
Fun Activities For Toddlers in San Diego
Michelle McCoy (aka Mcfam) is Trekaroo’s Southern California Destination Guroo. She and her husband, Matt, have 3 boys and a girl ages 2 to 10. They love traveling to National Parks and going camping, but when life with young kids keeps them home, they find their fun in traveling to the local beaches in Orange County and hiking in the wilderness areas nearby.
Travel with kids to: CA|CO| DC| FL| HI| IL|MA| NC| NY| OR | PA| TN | TX |VA| WA
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Southern California! There may not be snow on the ground, and the shining sun may make it feel like the perfect 75 degrees, but decorations are popping up at every corner and special holiday events are being held almost daily. There are so many special activities to enjoy with your family that we’ve tried to pare down the list to just 10. If you live or vacation in Southern California this December, we hope you enjoy one of these events! If you call another part of the country “home”, check out the lists of local activities below. Enjoy the season, and Merry Christmas!
Boat Parades
Photo by: Flickr/YoTuT
Millions of twinkling lights covering cleverly decorated boats float through harbors and canals up and down the Pacific Coast of Southern California. Families who don’t mind bundling up their kids in the cool marine air will enjoy sitting and watching this quintessential SoCal event. Check out the harbor city near you for specific dates and times. Be sure to find out where the parade starts so that you know the approximate time of when it will float by your location.
Choose from the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, Huntington Harbor Boat Parade, Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights, Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Long Beach’s Parade of 1000 Lights, Channel Island’s Harbor Parade of Lights in Oxnard, Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland, and the Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade.
The Nutcracker
Photo by: Flicker/kelsey_lovefusionphoto
Dancing Sugar Plum Fairies and sword battles with monkey kings will delight many children, but really only those who can sit still for long periods of time. If you have young boys like me who like to blurt outloud, “those tight pants look funny” in a quiet theater, you may enjoy one of these special Nutcracker performances for kids. The 45 minute narrated ballet with an audience of young children is a great way to enjoy this delightful holiday tradition. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa will be performing the Nutcracker for kids on Dec 10. The San Diego Civic Youth Ballet presents a kid friendly performance of the Nutcracker at the historic Casa Del Prado Theatre in Balboa Park. Check websites for ticket and show times.
Special Teas
A good friend of mine loves taking her daughters with their grandma to a special Christmas tea every year. My active little 3-year-old girl may perhaps be ready in a couple of years to sit pretty with me at one of these special events. Pelican Hill Resort of Newport Beach is hosting a Nutcracker Tea Holiday Party on December 17 from 12-3:30 pm for parents and children. The Langham Huntington, Pasadena will hold their annual Teddy Bear Tea on December 10, 11, 17-23 at 10 am for a story time, photos with Santa and a marionette puppet show. The Grand Del Mar in San Diego celebrates the holidays with a Nutcracker Holiday Tea with an abridged performance of the ballet and child-friendly tea service. The Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad is hosting a Teddy Bear Tea from December 2 – 19 on Friday – Sunday at 1 pm. All tea events require reservations. Please see details on resort website for ticket prices and reservations.
Amusement Park Fun
Photo by: Flicker/Thom Watson
Southern California is known for it’s many amusement parks. Each one celebrates the holidays in grand style with extensive decorations and special events. Visiting these parks during the Christmas season can be twice as fun, extra special, and provide decorative backgrounds for really great photos of your kids! Knott’s Merry Farm celebrates a “Charlie Brown Christmas” with parades, carolers and a special Christmas shopping village. The Disneyland Resort makes memories magical during the holidays. Trekaroo has even created a list just for Disneyland to help you find all the great holiday events. SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, LegoLand, and Universal Studios Hollywood all celebrate the holidays with special events, decorations, parades, and are tons of fun.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Photo by: Flickr/SonnyandSandy
Gliding over the ice, or rather, inching along with your clinging son at your side, can be a great event that creates memories through laughter and exercise. Skating outside is twice as fun with sparkling holiday lights and music. Check websites for details on times and ticket prices for the following outdoor ice rinks. Ice at Santa Monica, Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles, Holiday on Ice a the Irvine Spectrum, The Strand at Huntington Beach, Horton Plaza, and the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego.
Special Light Displays
Photo by: Mission Inn
All during December I hear my little 3 and 5 year olds shouting in the back seat of the car, “Christmas Lights!!!” at the top of their lungs, just to make sure I see any and all of the twinkling lights that delight them. We often enjoy driving around neighborhoods with hot chocolate or walking the streets with sticky candy canes to enjoy the lights of the season. Here are some extra special places to visit this year. The Festival of Lights is held at the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in Riverside and is open to the public to enjoy thousands of lights and decorations, visits to Santa, carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and live reindeer. The San Diego Botanical Gardens host the Garden of Lights from Dec 2-23, 26-30 and invite people to enjoy a stroll through the wonderland of lights in the garden, live music, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa, and hot beverages. At the Del Mar Race Track drive your car through the Holiday of Lights from Nov 24 – Jan 1 or take a Holiday Hayride Dec 2, 9 and 16. Here is a list of Where to Enjoy Holiday Lights in Los Angeles.
Art and Culture
Photo by: Sawdust Art & Craft Festival
We drive by the Sawdust Art Festival every summer on our way to the sands of Laguna Beach and I always think, “I want to take my kids there!” I’ve heard of the fun crafts, art demonstrations, and beautiful displays that kids and parents enjoy. I was surprised to find that there is a Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy that would be equally delightful this season. Other cultural and artistic events are taking place all over the southland to celebrate the holidays. Las Posadas, a nightly tradition of acting out the journey of Mary and Joseph through the streets of Nazareth takes place at Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles Dec 16-24. Pinatas and live entertainment make for a special cultural holiday event. A special Irish Holiday Festival will take place at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana on Dec 11 from 12-4pm. Families will enjoy live music, dancing and special holiday treats.
History
Photo by: Flickr/Patrick Denker
Celebrate Christmas at historical sites in So Cal and let an old-fashioned Christmas come alive for your family. Christmas at the Mission will take place Dec 3 at the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Christmas comes to Heritage Hill in Lake Forest with a Victorian Christmas on Dec 3 and a Candlelight Tour on Dec 10 and 11. Children will learn history through butter churning, candle dipping, and decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus. Storytelling in the old one-room schoolhouse will delight children and parents. The La Mesa Village transforms into an old fashioned Christmas in the village with Victorian decorations and special events on Dec 9 and 10. The Queen Mary, the grand ocean liner docked in Long Beach, will hold it’s annual free Christmas Tree Lighting in honor of the military, the police and fire fighters on Wed, Dec 7, Pearl Harbor Day.
Train Rides to Visit Santa
Photo by Irvine Park Railroad
Visiting Santa is often at the top of most family’s checklist for the season. How much more fun to visit them on a farm or at the end of a train ride! Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center, north of San Diego is hosting Christmas in the Valley on Dec 9 and 10. Take a Polar Express Hay Ride to visit Santa and then enjoy live entertainment, crafts, a living nativity, and more. Take the Christmas Train on the Irvine Park Railroadto visit Santa during December. Kids will be delighted to find Santa at the North Pole after their nighttime ride on the train through the park.
Rose Parade
A list of holiday events in Southern California would be grossly inadequate without the famous Tournament of Roses Parade held every January 1 in Pasadena. Every year that I watch the parade and see the sun shining down on the beautiful floats covered with flowers, I am reminded of the blessing of living in sunny So Cal. Our family hasn’t been able to make the commitment of spending the night on the street, nor buying a ticket for the grandstands, but we did drive down Colorado Blvd. 2 days before New Years and our kids were fascinated with the preparations for the grand parade. I can’t wait to take them to the Showcase of Floats at the end of the parade to see the amazing structures up close.
Looking for more holiday-fun activities? Check out your neighborhood below.
California: San Diego | Orange County | LA & Environs | Bay Area | Lake Tahoe | Sacramento
Other US cities: Dallas | NYC/NJ | Philadelphia | Salt Lake City | Seattle
Don’t see your city?? Make a list of fun activities in your neck of the woods to share with Trekaroo users.
Michelle McCoy (aka: McFam) is the Southern California Destination Guroo for Trekaroo.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
October is an ideal time to visit the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park- the summer crowds are gone, the weather is pleasant, and kids are free! From now through October 31st, families looking for a great outing at an amazing bargain will be happy to know that children under the age of 11 can visit two of the top zoological parks in the world at no cost. Since my family hadn’t been to the Safari Park since it took on its new name (for the previous 38 years it was known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park) and we decided to take advantage of the free entry for kids and head to the park to check out the new cheetah run.
Truth be told, I kind of have a thing for cheetahs. You know those little girls who spend their childhoods pining away for pony? Well that was me, but with cheetahs. So as soon as I heard that guests now have the opportunity to see a cheetah run off-leash on a 330-foot track at 70 miles per hour, I knew the kids and I were going to have to head down to Escondido to experience that for ourselves. I figured we would love the experience but I had no idea just how much it would blow us away!
Every day at 3:30PM, park goers are encouraged to gather around the track to watch one of three cheetahs run the track. Last time most visitors saw these cheetahs was two years ago when they were tiny little cubs that stole the hearts of everyone who passed by their nursery window. Now cheetahs like Johari, are super stars as they chase their favorite toy on a lure at speeds normally seen on the interstate. You definitely want a front row view for this sprint because it is unlike you have ever seen.
There are a couple different ways to experience Shiley’s Cheetah Run. One way is from the bridge near the kids’ cool zone. This advantage point is great because it puts viewers at the end of the track where they can watch a cheetah run full speed in their direction. Another great spot to watch the cheetah run is from the preferred viewing area. For a $15 fee, viewers will get the chance to get an up close view of the cheetah at take off. Cheetah’s can run from 0 to 60mph in only three seconds so watching an animal accelerate that fast must be spectacular. Thanks to the Safari Park, my family went with the ultimate option- the Cheetah Safari Experience.
If you or your kids love cheetahs and want an up close personal experience, then the Cheetah Safari is definitely for you. The first part of the experience is a pre-show of sorts where guests get to meet an animal ambassador. We met a rock hyrax which looked like a cross between an overgrown guinea pig and a rabbit but is actually the closest living relative to an elephant. My kids got a kick out of having the luxuriously soft animal hop into their laps and watching it the little guy try its best to stay in our little viewing area where the treats were plentiful instead of having to go back to its enclosure with the trainer.
After that, we lined our private side of the fence to watch the cheetah speed by. First the dog companion of Johari the cheetah, Yeti, ran the track. My kids were certain that nothing could run as fast as the dog. Then the cheetah burst from its cage and ran with grace and incredible speed. Tears welled in my eyes- it was more than I could have imaged. I turned to the kids and saw huge grins on their faces. Even a five year old knew that seeing a cheetah run was like witnessing magic.
Johari ran 330 feet in 5.12 seconds- a new park record! She took a few minutes to regain her breath and pump some oxygen back into her blood before she have us one more show- 5.62 seconds. Then she joined us Cheetah Safari guests in our special seating area for a meet and greet. We sat a few feet from Johari, listening to her purr as she happily licked on her bloodsicle. Her trainers gave us a private talk about the cheetahs at the Safari Park and answered our questions about the animal that managed to leave me speechless. While our group wasn’t able to stand near the cheetah for pictures, I was told some groups do get that opportunity, dependent on a wide variety of factors.
Picture or no picture, our Cheetah Safari experience was incredible. My kids have told everybody who would listen about the “super fast cheetah with a doggy friend” and I fulfilled a cheetah lover’s dream. Of course, there are plenty of other great reasons to head to the Safari Park- including the chance to see the newest member of the gorilla family, Monroe.
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Sharlene Earnshaw is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
Welcome to 
Anybody who has spent time in San Diego’s Balboa Park knows it is one our nation’s great urban parks. Besides housing the world famous San Diego Zoo, it is also home to 18 different museums, sporting complexes, hiking trails, playgrounds, restaurants, and an outdoor concert venue. A family could vacation in San Diego, never leave the park, and still have an amazing time.
Every year for past 33 years, Balboa Park has hosted San Diego’s largest free community festival, December Nights. This year’s festivities take place Friday, December 3, 5:00-10:00pm and Saturday, December 4, noon-10:00 p.m. From 5:00 to 9:00PM on both nights, participating museums open their doors to the public free of charge. Crafts, food, and entertainment from around the globe can be found in the Cascades Holiday Marketplace. Music, crafts, dance and other holiday traditions from more than 30 countries can be found during the International Cottage Christmas Festival portion of December Nights. The Palisades Midway is transformed into family central with kid friendly experiences and family entertainment. The only problem with December Nights is trying to fit it all in!
Image by Richard Benton
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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 | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
This contest is now closed. Congrats to commenter number 280, Annette E. for winning!!!! We hope you enjoy your prize. For those of you who didn’t win but still are dreaming of a weekend at the Hyatt, be sure to check out their Sunshine on Sale package, listed below.
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
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
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- Post this giveaway on your blog
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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
