San Diego w/ 3-year olds

Decisions, decisions. Pre-kids we went to San Diego annually, so are familiar with our usual stomping grounds, but heading down w/ a pair of 3-year olds I need some BTDT perspective. We are NOT doing Disneyland this year. We will be doing Legoland, Old Town, Mission Beach, Oceanside, and some hanging out at the pool while Daddy squeezes in a few rounds of golf.

I'd prefer to do the Wild Animal Park over the Zoo, but it's been about 4 years since we were there and I can't recall if there would be too much walking for 3-year olds, making the Zoo a better option this year. Also considering SeaWorld, but we don't have enough time to do everything, so we need to select between WAP, Zoo, or SW.

Which one would you select (or am I missing a big one you'd jump on)? Would also love any other San-Diego-with-preschoolers tips you might have, specifically any kid-friendly hiking near Escondido.

TIA

 

I would go between the zoo and Sea World. Our three-year-olds were not crazy about the Animal Park, partly because I don't think you get to see the animals up close like the zoo. But if I could only choose one I would probably end up picking Sea World.

 

I've been to Texas Seaword with twins at 2 and the San Diego Zoo without twins. I would suggest doing Seaworld myself. Both are quite nice though

 

We have annual passes to the Zoo/Wild Animal Park and Sea World and go all the time. Both the Zoo and the Wild Animal park have a significant amount of walking with some good hills. I personally prefer the Zoo over the wild animal park for the same reasons Nicole listed. The Zoo also has a way better Children's Zoo, and a lot more animals that are easier to see.

I would also suggest Sea World though. They have a huge kid play area, and the animals are easier to see because they are not as camouflaged like they are in the Zoo. The shows are also really fun for the kids. My girls are only 16 months and sat still through the whole Shamu show.

Have you been to Legoland? I have not, but I have not heard rave reviews about it. I know its really expensive, and everyone I talked to wasn't too impressed.

Have a Fun Trip!!

 

I voted the zoo. We have passes and go to the zoo & the WAP a lot. You will see more animals at the zoo. The WAP is a LOT of walking. You won't see anything without going out on the train. Sea World is fun. But the HUGE kids play area that Krystyn mentioned, scared the he// out of me last time we were there!! It was very very crowded and I lost all of my boys at least once. I was about to have a heart attack and so we left. But otherwise, SW is lots of fun, too, although much more expensive than the zoo.

When are you coming out? I only live about 20 mins from Escondido. Maybe we could hook up!

 

We already have Legoland on the agenda.

Thanks for the feedback...I think SeaWorld is probably a good choice since we have a decent zoo here and we're planning to go there next month anyway.

 

I would do SeaWorld, or you could do what cheap mommy does, take a picture outside of seaworld and say you took them :blush: I just couldn't pay THAT much, but mine were only 14 months! I LOVE san diego, would love to move there if we could afford a house there.

 

You'll have a blast at Legoland. I thought it was way to pricey, but I have to say my kids still are talking about our trip to Legoland last September. There is a lot of do for three-year-olds. Have a fun trip!

 

QUOTE(NicoleT @ Feb 24 2009, 10:13 AM) [snapback]1203304[/snapback]
You'll have a blast at Legoland. I thought it was way to pricey, but I have to say my kids still are talking about our trip to Legoland last September. There is a lot of do for three-year-olds. Have a fun trip!


I found a Legoland coupon that's good thru June $17 admission M-F or $26 S-S. It's normally $63 adults/$53 kids. If we were paying full price then I'd probably have to pick the zoo as our second activity, but since we're going for so little I can stomach the SeaWorld admission (which I agree is stupidly high...but they all are).

Take them back for less than $100 for the whole family!

 

We just got back from San Diego!

We picked the Wild Animal Park over the Zoo, but I agree with past posts...the Wild Animal Park is a lot of walking. In hindsight, I may have choose the Zoo. Legoland is expensive, but my boys have not stopped talking about it....certainly the highlight of their trip. Have a blast!

 

The zoo is awesome there...from what I remember. We went back in college, so that's been 9 years ago that I went. I LOVE, LOVE Sea World...that's what I voted. There are zoos everywhere to go to, but only like 2 Sea Worlds (I think CA and FL...unless there are more). There used to be one in OH about 2.5 hours from where I live and I WISH it was still here. I know my girls would love going there SO much and I wish I could take them!

 

I'm in Carlsbad and agree with the above posters that Zoo is better, then Sea World, WAP and then Legoland.

There is also Space center in San Diego that has the first Tuesday of every month free (Kid City), not sure when you are going to be here but just wanted to pass that on.

 

Just saw the kid friendly hiking near Escondido...

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/ElfinForest_7320.asp

I haven't done this with the girls but pre babies I did it and it wasn't too bad.

 

We moved from San Diego about 2 1/2 years ago. We are getting ready to go back to visit next month. I totally agree with above posts that the Wild Animal Park would be better when they get older. The tram/train thing is the best part and the animals are usually quite far away. Sea World and the Zoo are great.