Awesome Things to do with Kids in San Diego

You can read a million articles online about what there is to do in San Diego.  I have made it my life's mission to find cool and unique things to do that you and your kids will surely enjoy.  With this blog article being a LIVING post, I'll update it as often as possible as I discover new things!  Unlike other posts about family events, I'll clue you in on the parking situation as well, because parking is a premium in San Diego!

1.  Bring your family on a bicycle ride around Coronado Island.  As soon as you cross the Coronado Island bridge, take the first right and another right into the park.  From there, find parking and off load your bikes and go for a bike ride around this island!  There is a long paved road for bikes to travel around this island.  There's free parking if you make two rights right after crossing the bridge.  I've never had trouble finding parking here.

2.  Get an annual pass to the San Diego Zoo!  There are unique events going on throughout the year and having an annual pass gives you a chance to see all the animals up close which is something you cannot do if you just visit the zoo once or twice.  The tigers and monkeys are active during different times.  After visiting the zoo many different times, the tiger only came out for up-close viewing once.
**In the summertime, the San Diego Zoo does Night-time Zoo!  This is truly a unique experience where you get to see animals that are usually asleep during the day roam and prowl around at night.  The kids and I got to hear the lion roar and the kids were terrified.  The predators are active during this time and with spotty lighting, it can be scary for little ones.  There is a huge parking lot here.

3.  Take your family to the beach!  San Diego has several different beaches.  Some have cliffs, some have shallow areas full of wild life and some are completely flat and some are lit up at night. 

• Mission Beach - This beach is lit up at night and is near a carnival.  The carnival, a.k.a. Belmont Park, has a wooden roller coaster, arcade, carnival games and plenty of rides.
• Coronado Beach - This is the only beach in the world with gold flakey sand.  It is not real gold, it is mica which has no real value, but it is really nice to bring the kids to.  It is long, flat and wet which make it a runners sanctuary and sand castle builder's dream.
• Sunset Cliffs - This is off the end of Interstate 8.  It leads directly into the Sunset Cliffs before you get to Point Loma.  There are a lot of surfers and spectacular views.  The edge may be a bit scary for those afraid of heights.  Keep your kids on a short leash.
• Point Loma Tide Pool - After paying the $5 entrance fee, you can see wild sea creatures at the tide pool.  This area is protected by the Department of Agriculture and you can be fined for taking anything you find there including sea shells.  Some of the shells here are perfect for hermit crabs and on occasion, you may see one.  Kids really enjoy this one-on-one experience and beautiful views of the ocean.

4.  Visit "The Living Coast".  This is an interactive aquarium with a sting ray petting area, shark tank, eagles, etc.  They have animal feedings about 4 times a day which draw large crowds.  There's also a trail that leads out to the bay with the ruins of the old gunpowder plant and overgrown railroad tracks.  Parking is free and there is a free shuttle from the parking lot to the nature center.

5.  Go Cruising around Downtown San Diego.  This is rather an inexpensive journey.  From Petco Park to Adams Avenue, there's plenty to see, cool things to discover.  Small businesses thrive here.  Cupcake stores to costume shops.  You never know what you'll find unless you go out and explore.  Kids will awe in amazement with the city skyscrapers of downtown and the beautiful treed landscape while cruising through Balboa Park.

6.  Friday Night Liberty @ NTC at Liberty Station.  Every first Friday of the Month between 5-9 pm the art galleries are no cost.   There are live performances and art studios for kids.  It's also a beautiful place to visit outside of Balboa Park.  Lots of open room, parks and plenty of parking.  www.ntclibertystation.com

7.  The Cat Café.  This idea came from cat cafes in Japan where you can just sip coffee (hot chocolate or whatever) and play with cats.  The price of admission is the cost of a cup of coffee; just buy a cup and they'll let you in.  On crowded days, they let people in in 30 minute intervals and on slower days, you have plenty of time to enjoy the cats.  All the cats are up for adoption.  The cats are not always active so just let them be cats and take all the pictures you want.  Parking in downtown can be pretty hairy so I just park in the south end of Horton Plaza parking structure and get my ticket validated inside to score 3 hours of free parking at the cost of buying candy or something in Horton Plaza.  http://www.catcafesd.com/