ARTICLES
San Diego
Family Friendly San Diego
By: Sandy Kane (2009-12-18)
If you’re visiting San Diego with kids on vacation, you won’t go short of entertainment. Spending the day at the Coranado beaches, exploring the tide pools on Point Loma, visiting SeaWorld to see the Shamu show with the orca (killer whales), and you can’t miss the world famous San Diego Zoo. Not to mention Legoland and the Wild Animal Park.
The success of a family vacation depends on having a comfortable base that is child friendly and that can be a home from home, especially when you are traveling with younger kids. Plus you need some adult time too, so a good baby-sitting service makes sure that you enjoy your vacation too.
Here is a selection of hotels from luxury hotel through to budget basic to choose from; they all welcome families and will make your vacation as easy as possible.
The Grand Del Mar http://www.thegranddelmar.com/
For a luxury vacations with your family, this opulent new hotel provides amazing service and makes kids feel right at home. Outside the city but within easy reach of all the attractions, it is a peaceful spot surrounded by lush gardens and a golf course. Connecting rooms are available, there is a family pool where children’s meals can be served. The Explorer’s Club offers plenty of entertainment to keep kids occupied when you need a break or want to indulge yourself at the spa. A complimentary beach shuttle will even whisk you down to the beach with all your beach paraphernalia and save you the hassle of parking. A special family package gives free food for two under-8s from the children’s menu and a discount on their room.
Hotel Del Coronado http://www.hoteldel.com/
A historic hotel where Some Like it Hot was filmed 50 years ago, this is a fabulous and upscale place to stay. Right on the beach, it has a year round kids camp and opportunities for surfing and kayaking lessons, kids menus and babysitting services, so would suit a family teenagers as well as small children. Check out the special family packages that include passes to Seaworld or the Zoo at great rates.
Homewood Suites San Diego http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com
A three star hotel with clean suite accommodation with kitchens and living area, which makes it easy to travel with kids. Easy access by car to all the attractions of San Diego and it is in a quiet neighborhood. Free breakfasts and buffet dinners make for real savings on the overall vacation. Overall a good affordable base for visiting San Diego.
Catamaran Resort Hotel http://www.catamaranresort.com/
An affordable hotel in a great location right on the beach of Mission Bay, this resort works well for a medium budget vacation, when you are planning to spend time on the beach with your kids. A free games arcade will keep older children happy and the parrots in the shady grounds will fascinate young kids. Internet is free, but there is a parking charge, like with many of the city hotels. Check out the packages which are on offer when you book.
Ocean Villa Inn http://www.oceanvillainn.com/
For a cheap place to go with children and the family dog this could be what you need. Basic accommodation which caters for dog lovers, it is close to the dog beach and has an outdoor pool. Close to Sea World, it has free parking and a guest laundry.
There are many, many more options on the hotel front in San Diego, but this should give you a starting point if you are heading off to Southern California and looking for a fun family vacation.
