The Perfect Family Getaway: San Diego, California

The weather in San Diego is always ideal. It is never too hot or too cold. Temperatures range in the 70s all year round. And its wonderful attractions: the San Diego Zoo, Lego Land, Balboa Park and the wonderful beaches make San Diego, in my mind, one of the most ideal destinations for family vacations.

The ideal climate also makes the world famous San Diego Zoo the place to see all the animals outside in their “natural” habitats all year round. I have not seen as extensive a collection of animals in any other zoo as I had seen in San Diego. The zoo also does have the distinction of being one of only four facilities in the United States to not only house critically endangered giant pandas but to successfully breed, birth and rear healthy cubs. In August of 2003, the zoo welcomed, Mei Sheng, the male panda cub of mother Bai Yun and her mate Gao Gao.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention other popular zoo activities including the bioclimatic exhibits like Absolutely Apes, Rain Forest Aviary, Hippo Beach and Gorilla Tropics that house endangered species in enclosures that mimic their natural habitats. Our favorite was the children’s petting zoo and animal nursery. My grandson enjoyed not having a barrier between him and the animals so he could pet and feed them up close.

If you really want to get up close to the animals, then a visit to the Zoo’s Wild Animal Park is a must. The Wild Animal Park is a 2,200-acre preserve where wild animals roam free as they would in their native habitats of Africa and Asia. The park’s guided monorail tour gives you the best view of the preserves 3,000 animals. If you’d rather get a view on foot, then the 1.75 Kilimanjaro Hiking trail takes you through lush botanical gardens past the homes of gorillas, elephants, cheetahs and lions. And for those interested in the land before time, there is Dino Mountain. Four acres of forest are turned into this land before time with more than 20 life-size robotic dinosaurs from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Yes, it does include the old favorites Stegosaurus and T-Rex.

Lunch and dinner is served with the famous killer whale, Shamu at SeaWorld San Diego. Reservations are required for dinner. You have a lovely buffet meal which is followed by the show starring Shamu. To ensure the children get a good splash, make sure they are in the front row. For the adults who want to stay dry, seats at least four or five rows back is a good idea.

If you can get away for the long Memorial Day weekend, you may want to catch Sea World’s newest attraction, Journey to Atlantis. This attraction, based on the tale of the “lost city” will be the parks’ largest attraction that will offer a six-minute trip including a 60-foot plunge and a heart pounding negative G force set against a backdrop of the sunken city. You will be able to hear a soundtrack of dolphins and after the ride get up close to the exotic Commeron’s dolphins in their 130,000 gallon tank.

Often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West,” is the jewel of community parks, San Diego’s Balboa Park. Not only does it house the San Diego Zoo, but its 1,200 lush acres include 15 museums, art galleries, sidewalk performers, the Tony Award winning Old Globe theatre and sports facilities. The layout of the park make it very easy to meander through the Museum of Man, Art, Automotive Museum, Aerospace and wind up at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center to be swept into the middle of an IMAX film.

In keeping with today’s interactive adventures and the yearning to play with the toy from yesteryear, Legos, there is LegoLand, located 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego in Carlsbad. This is definitely for children of all ages. All the rides are kid-powered where they push, pull, steer and pedal their way through a wonderland of activities. New additions are Miniland USA — a miniature Florida complete with Cape Canaveral and the famous Daytona Racetrack and the Block of Fame containing busts of Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. The best part for me was watching the children build to heart’s content and I didn’t have to pick up the Legos from the floor.

When I think of San Diego, I think of the wonderful beaches where families can swim, snorkel, play volleyball and just enjoy 70 miles of wonderful coastline. My favorite is Coronado Beach along with the elegant Hotel Del Coronado. You may not only sunbathe alongside some of California’s most famous but wine and dine afterwards in the beautiful tapestried dining room at the Hotel Del Coronado. You might find yourself eating with former President Bill Clinton, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Cruise, just to name a few.

Copyright by Marcia Abramson