Travel Article: Best of San Diego's Family Attractions

Untitled Document In the past, images of naval ships and submarines were probably the first to come to mind in association with the southern Californian city of San Diego. Although San Diego still is a prominent naval base in the United States, it's also surfacing as a sought-after holiday destination for families. Adults relish the abundance of trendy shops and restaurants, while children get excited about the variety of theme parks and beaches. Whether for a child, parent or grandparent, the following is a selection of the best attractions to visit as a family in San Diego.


A Killer Whale Dances at SeaWorld San Diego¹

THE BEST WORLD BUILT OUT OF LEGO

When visitors enter Legoland California they are greeted by a 9-ft-tall (2.7-m) red dinosaur called Bronte. Although Bronte's presence may be a bit intimidating to some, there's no need to worry. Like many of the park's residents Bronte is made entirely out of LEGO blocks. As visitors tour the complex, which is just north of San Diego, they can spend the day marveling at LEGO architecture, enjoying action-packed rides and watching a show. A few park highlights for little kids include the scaled-down town in Fun Town, the Safari Trek in Explore Village and the Egyptian-themed rides in the Land of Adventure. Bigger kids will appreciate the intricate mini replicas of the Las Vegas Strip, the United States Capitol building and other famous sites constructed from LEGO inside the Miniland USA attraction. Visitors inspired by the park's wondrous creations can attempt their own at home after a visit to the Big Shop, located near the main entrance. The gift shop features the country's largest selection of LEGO merchandise.

THE BEST PLACE TO GET SPLASHED BY A KILLER WHALE

At SeaWorld San Diego visitors can encounter some of the world's most intriguing aquatic species such as four-eyed fish, electric eels and beluga whales, all in one day. The centre has around 15 different themed exhibits and several animal interaction programs, which offer special experiences such as feeding a bottlenose dolphin and hopping into the water with beluga whales. However, the main attraction at SeaWorld is its energetic show lineup. Killer whale, dolphin and sea lion shows are scheduled daily. Other park activities include rides, behind-the-scenes tours and nightly fireworks during summer.

THE BEST WAY TO INCORPORATE ART INTO A DAY

The New Children's Museum is not a typical gallery where visitors should keep their voices at a whisper as they admire works of art from afar. In fact, guests are encouraged to touch, climb and even move exhibits! The museum's interactive displays are intended to be a fun way to educate children about visual arts. After playing with the exhibits children can create their own masterpiece in the studios or develop their artistic skills in an art class or camp hosted at the Art Education Center. The museum is located in San Diego's Marina District and can be easily reached by public transit.


	Alcazar Garden at Balboa Park²

THE BEST CHANCE TO SEE A PANDA BEAR

At the San Diego Zoo guests can say �hello� to more than 4,000 animals as they wander around the massive 100-acre (40-ha) wildlife centre located inside Balboa Park. The San Diego Zoo opened in 1915 and is acknowledged worldwide for its successful conservation programs. A great way to start a day at the zoo is to board the 35-minute guided bus tour. On foot, guests can get a closer and longer look at the zoo's 800 species, which include apes, tigers, polar bears, flamingos and Gila monsters. As visitors embark on the task of seeing all the exhibits, they should be sure to view the Giant Pandas. The zoo's Giant Panda Research Station provides a rare glimpse into the lives of these endangered and precious animals.

THE BEST SPOT TO VISIT A MUSEUM OR TWO

Known as the country's largest urban cultural park, Balboa Park in San Diego has something for everyone. The 1,200-acre (486-ha) park founded in 1868 features several museums, performing art venues, Spanish Revival architecture and the San Diego Zoo. The park actually houses a total of 15 different museums, ranging from the Museum of San Diego History to the San Diego Museum of Art. Balboa Park's collection of museums takes days to explore and there's also an array of beautifully landscaped gardens, such as the serene Japanese Friendship Garden and the lush, green Botanical Building, to consider. In other words, set aside plenty of time to visit these culturally and botanically rich grounds.

THE BEST LOCATION FOR A PICNIC

An ideal day at Mission Bay Park could consist of a swim in a quiet inlet, stretching out with a book on the beach, wind surfing the waves or the construction of an elaborate sand castle. Whatever each family member's dream day under the San Diego sun consists of, odds are they can achieve it at Mission Bay Park. The man-made aquatic park, which was originally built on marsh lands, spreads over 4,000 acres (1,619 ha) of land and water and includes a variety of beaches, picnic areas, bike paths, playgrounds and many more facilities. The park is comprised of several different sections each with recreational opportunities; the Tecolote Shores North area has a large children's playground, while the Vacation Isle area is a popular picnic spot with its gazebo, just to name a couple. Visitors who want to venture out on the park's waterways and bike paths can rent recreational gear from an assortment of stores in the area.


Top o' the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park³

THE BEST ROLLER COASTER TO LET OUT A SCREAM ON

Located on Mission Beach, Belmont Park exudes the old-fashioned charm of a seafront amusement park with its mix of new and classic rides. The park is perhaps best known for its Giant Dipper Roller Coaster built in 1925. The Giant Dipper's track of drastic drops and sharp curves has been a long-time favorite with thrill-seeking patrons. Other classic rides include the carousel, the Tilt-A-Whirl and the bumper cars. A popular new ride at Belmont is the Beach Blaster, which swings passengers up to 60 ft (18 m) into the air, backward and forward. Visitors who don't have the stomach for such rides can have fun in calmer ways, such as a round of mini golf, a game in the arcade or a swim in the indoor heated swimming pool. After testing out the park's attractions guests can go for a bite to eat at a selection of restaurants on site that specialize in anything from traditional midway treats to healthy grilled dinners.

If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles:
� Los Angeles Area Theme Park Adventures
� Top 10 Waterparks in North America

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

A Killer Whale Performs at SeaWorld San Diego; San Diego, CA, USA
The Alcazar Garden at Balboa Park; San Diego, CA, USA
The Historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park, Mission Beach; San Diego, CA, USA

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Best of San Diego's Family Attractions