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Post by Anita on Jun 30, 2014 1:40:54 GMT
Hi, My kids and I are going to visit my parents in Vista next week. We usually go once a year, and while we're there, we visit Sea World, the zoo, etc. This year, I'm looking for different things to do. Kids are 8 and 17. My parents are mostly disabled and don't go out much, so we'll visit with them, but also need some fun things to do to get out of the house. We'll hit the beach one day, but just wondering if anyone has ideas for fun things to do with the kids while we're there. I don't mind driving, so San Diego, La, or  ? Any fun things to see and do? My son really wants to find somewhere to take surf lessons for a day, so I'm googling that. We're trying to do inexpensive things most day, so any help would be appreciated - things to see, do etc. Thanks! Anita |
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Grom Pea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,944 
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Post by Grom Pea on Jun 30, 2014 1:46:09 GMT
I know you do the zoo etc, but the Wild Animal Park just got the most amazing tiger exhibit, when I visited I saw 6 tigers, which is more tigers than I've seen in 11 years of visiting the WAP and the zoo combined. I know there are a lot of surf schools down in La Jolla, I used to work for Surf Diva, they primarily cater to women but will do private lessons for guys and if he's a teen I believe they're affiliated with another camp for teens. One free thing we like to do which may be too early is to go by La Jolla Shores behind the marine room restaurant and wade in the water and see sharks...they usually come late July/early August but you could always just go just in case  |
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Post by *Shannon on Jun 30, 2014 1:47:14 GMT
I'm going to watch this thread... we (Dh, Dd13, Ds10 and myself) are heading to San Diego later this summer and I need to start planning things out. We've been a couple of times as well and are looking for different things. |
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Post by Anita on Jun 30, 2014 2:10:02 GMT
I know you do the zoo etc, but the Wild Animal Park just got the most amazing tiger exhibit, when I visited I saw 6 tigers, which is more tigers than I've seen in 11 years of visiting the WAP and the zoo combined. I know there are a lot of surf schools down in La Jolla, I used to work for Surf Diva, they primarily cater to women but will do private lessons for guys and if he's a teen I believe they're affiliated with another camp for teens. One free thing we like to do which may be too early is to go by La Jolla Shores behind the marine room restaurant and wade in the water and see sharks...they usually come late July/early August but you could always just go just in case Great idea Grom Pea! Thank so much. Anita |
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
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Post by raindancer on Jun 30, 2014 4:49:06 GMT
We love the Wild Animal Park, and you can do extra "safari's" that are great, and help the animals. We did the Cheetah one last time. Also what about sailing? Or the USS Midway Museum is incredible, my kids loved it (9 and 11 at the time), and last time we went we had a 17 yo boy with us who loved it too, it's a great tour.
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Post by jenn on Jun 30, 2014 4:59:48 GMT
If you make it up to the San Clemente/ Capo Beach area, my friend owns a board shop and gives surfing lessons. Damian Brawner of Brawner Boards is awesome!
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Post by padresfan619 on Jun 30, 2014 5:01:17 GMT
The Birch Aquarium is fun, but I wouldn't plan for it to be an entire day activity. You could maybe get a good 2 hours of it and then the beach is right there.
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Post by Memo on Jun 30, 2014 5:14:28 GMT
We just got back from Pacific Beach a couple of weeks ago. We saw this surf school Pacific Surf School and they seemed to have a lot of participants. |
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smginaz Suzy
Pearl Clutcher
Je suis desole.
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Jun 26, 2014 17:27:30 GMT
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Post by smginaz Suzy on Jun 30, 2014 5:17:00 GMT
Rent bikes or a surrey on Coronado Island and bike along bike paths or the island itself.
Visit the tide pools at Point Loma/Cabrillo National Monument. Bonus: great views of the bay.
Check out the swap meet at Kobey's. Yeah, it can get overrun with standard swap meet crap, but it is a cheap and fun form of people-watching and if you skirt the edges of the swap meet, you can pick up bargains with the weekend yard-sale people.
Trapeze High in Escondido if you're not skeered of heights...can be different and fun.
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betazed
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by betazed on Jun 30, 2014 5:34:19 GMT
Depending on the dates you'll be here...the San Diego County Fair goes through July 6. It's in Del Mar fairgrounds, not too far from Vista.
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luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,428
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Post by luvnlifelady on Jun 30, 2014 5:40:04 GMT
I live right there. Technically we're in Oceanside, but we're on the virtual border with Vista and Carlsbad.
There is a Boomer's off Emerald Drive along the freeway with mini golf, go-karts, batting cages, laser tag, etc.
There is a small water park called "The Wave" in Vista. There's about 4 slides, a large pool and a lazy river. Nearby is the local movie theatre with free movies on Tuesdays (2 showings daily).
We just got a "Get Air" trampoline park on Business Park Dr. in Vista. I think Tuesdays are still 2-fer days.
You can rent bikes at the Oceanside Pier and there's a diner (Ruby's) at the end. I think you can take surf lessons there too. They also have shaved ice.
We also just got a "Rita's" Italian ice shop right by the high school on Melrose.
There's bowling at the Vista Entertainment Center on Vista Way. I think they give kids a free game each day (you pay for shoes).
Oh "The Wave" also has a wave machine you can ride with a boogie board.
We have a Sonic on Santa Fe that has 1/2 price slushies I think in the afternoons.
Peppertree Ice Cream stand is near there too and has been there for over 50 years. Lots of selection.
Might be a bit spendy, but Moonlight Amphitheatre at Brengle Terrace Park offers plays during the summer and "Mary Poppins" is coming up.
There's a city pool near Carlsbad high school that has a high drive and rock wall. Carlsbad also got a new aquatics complex near Bressi Ranch.
There's a Chuck E. Cheese near the Target off Sycamore.
There's minor league baseball in Rancho Cucamonga and Lake Elsinore. Major League you can see the San Diego Padres or Anaheim Angels (their official name is Los Angeles Angels but I'm old school).
Good shopping at either the Carlsbad Outlets (local) or Irvine Spectrum (about an hour north).
Ice skating in Escondido.
I hear there's a Paintball park on Camp Pendleton and I think it's open to the public.
Not sure of the dates but there's a Sawdust Art Festival in the summer in Laguna Beach.
If our fair is over, it moves up to Orange County shortly after it's done here.
Mission Beach is San Diego has a small outdoor amusement park. You can rent bikes/Segways nearby too.
"Pmail" me if you need any other info.
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skippet
Junior Member
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Post by skippet on Jun 30, 2014 8:05:23 GMT
In San Diego, you can easily spend an inexpensive day at Balboa Park without going to the Zoo. There are the many museums. There is a free organ concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion at 2:00 pm every Sunday. sosorgan.org/I love the Spanish Village Art Center between the Zoo & the museums. It is free & consists of a collection of small cottages which are artist studios. You can watch the artists at work & they have everything from glass blowing & metal works to painters & gemologists. spanishvillageart.com/ There are many lesser known Balboa Park museums such as miniature railroad, sports, aerospace & photography that charge nominal admission. The puppet theater has performances 3 times per day and costs $5. There is a free evening organ concert every Tues, Weds & Thurs at 6:15 pm. As a kid, I always enjoyed the Pan-Pacific Relations buildings (free) which is a small group of tiny buildings that are sponsored by host countries and display items from different countries/cultures. They have special programs hosted by a different country/house each Sunday. www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/house-pacific-relations-international-cottages The Ruben H Fleet Science Theater does charge admission, but has a hands-on science activity area & they are known for their IMAX surround effects. The center with a movie will set you back about $20.00. www.rhfleet.org/visit/hours-admissionHere is my favorite map of Balboa Park: www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.balboapark.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fbalboaparkmap.pdf&ei=hgyxU6zbLM6nyASixoKwCg&usg=AFQjCNHJx0E7_EVGd1A--jxsS141l5-CoA&bvm=bv.69837884,d.aWw Seaport Village is a touristy shopping area on the San Diego harbor waterfront: www.seaportvillage.com/shopping I still love going there because it is right on the water & is a good place to shop for unusual things - especially souvenirs. They have activities & live music every day. You can find restaurants from very expensive to very reasonable. I love the fudge, cookies, soap & Christmas shops. It is near the USS Midway museum which most kids (and men) seem to love. Old Town San Diego has been one of my favorite "free" places ever since I was required to take a San Diego history class in high school. If you go, try to get on one of the historical walking tours. It adds so much to the experience - otherwise you might just think it was a Mexican theme area. Lots of great Mexican food & shopping too. You can buy art & souvenirs with a Mexican flair. www.oldtownsandiego.org/The most gorgeous (free) view of San Diego & Coronado Island is from the southwest fences of Rosecrans National Cemetery on Point Loma. It is right next to the grounds for Cabrillo National Monument. but I think the view is much better than from the lighthouse. Hope that helps! |
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Post by rune2484 on Jun 30, 2014 8:13:02 GMT
Mission Beach was amazing. In 2008 we rented a house on the boardwalk for a few days and as a non-beachy person I could have spent every second on that beach and been happy.
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quiltz
Drama Llama
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Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jun 30, 2014 17:02:20 GMT
Coronado Island is beautiful! And the downtown (Gas-light district?) |
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Deleted
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Sept 19, 2024 22:04:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2014 17:13:29 GMT
I'll second the suggestions of the tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument and renting a surrey in Coronado. So fun! Browse around Groupon and other such sites for activities. Stand up paddleboarding is very popular here now and there are places you can rent them. You can also rent kayaks in La Jolla. You could get a tandem kayak with your 8 yo. I see groupons for paddleboarding and the kayaks all the time. kayak in la jollaYou might like going out on the Bahia Belle which leaves from the Bahia and Catamaran hotels on Mission Bay. Bahia Belle |
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Post by Anita on Jul 4, 2014 4:36:02 GMT
Thank you all so much for the great ideas! We leave tomorrow, and I've printed out this thread. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to type out all of the suggestions.
Anita
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? Any fun things to see and do? My son really wants to find somewhere to take surf lessons for a day, so I'm googling that. We're trying to do inexpensive things most day, so any help would be appreciated - things to see, do etc.
