Belmont
Park
3100 block of Mission Boulevard
Phone: 619-491-2988
Located directly on the Mission Bay Boardwalk, this
park features a beautifully restored wooden roller
coaster guaranteed to delight enthusiasts of classic
amusement park rides.
Legoland California
Legoland Drive off I-5
Phone: 760-918-5346
With 128 acres, 40 interactive exhibits, elaborate
miniaturized cities, and millions of the multicolored
plastic bricks for which it is world renowned, Legoland
California has something to delight children of
all ages. With areas specially tailored to appeal
to children of various ages, Legoland California
has become a popular site for visitors since its
opening in March 1999.
Sea
World
World Drive off I-5
Phone: 619-226-3901
One of San Diego's premier attractions, Sea World
gives visitors the opportunity to view impressive
performances by Shamu the killer whale, be amazed
and amused by the acrobatic antics of dolphins,
and come face to face with fearsome looking sharks
in the Shark Encounter. Those who wish to keep nature
at a slightly greater distance can view one of the
bird shows occurring periodically throughout the
day. Other featured attractions include the Penguin
Encounter, Manatee Rescue, Wild Arctic and Shipwreck
Rapids ride.
San
Diego Wild Animal Park
Highway 163/I-15 to Via Rancho Parkway
(in Escondido)
Phone: 619-234-6541
For those wishing to see nature in an uninterrupted
state, the Wild Animal Park is the place to go.
With two animal shows, a quiet monorail, and unobtrusive
paths, this 851 hectare (2,100 acre) preserve dedicated
to the preservation of endangered species strikes
a balance of preserving nature while still allowing
visitors to appreciate the beauty of the animals
and exotic plants found within its grounds.
San
Diego Zoo
In Balboa Park
Phone: 619-234-3153
One of the most widely known zoos in the entire
world, the San Diego Zoo is also one of the largest.
Numbering among its eight hundred species of animals
are some of the rarest and most exotic species in
captivity. Most widely known for the animals it
houses, the Zoo also contains a wide variety of
tropical and semitropical plants. Its 40 hectares
(100 acres) feature over 6,500 species of plants.
Some of the featured exhibits at the Zoo include
the Tiger River, Sun Bear Forest, Gorilla Tropics,
Polar Bear Plunge and the new Ituri Forest and Rain
Forest Aviary. Also available to visitors at no
additional price are a guided bus tour and a sky
tram.
Stephen
Birch Aquarium Museum
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla
Phone: 858-534-3474
The Stephen Birch Aquarium Museum, associated with
the world-renowned Scripps Institute of Oceanography,
is the largest oceanographic exhibit in the U.S.
With over 3,000 fish from waters cold to tropical,
the museum features enough species to keep even
Jacques Cousteau busy. The museum's bookshop sells
a variety of works focusing on marine science and
oceanography and includes teaching materials.
Balboa
Park
Phone: 619-232-2721
With perhaps the most to offer of any area of San
Diego, the beautifully landscaped acres of Balboa
Park include museums featuring world class collections,
the San Diego Zoo, the Starlight Bowl outdoor theater,
the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, the Old Globe Theatre
complex, rose and cactus gardens, and the Japanese
Friendship Garden, where the occasional traditional
tea ceremony can be observed. If you are in the
mood for a walk or a picnic, this is the area for
you. Even the open areas feature entertainment with
both artists and street performers being common
sights during the weekend.
Plunge
and Giant Dipper
3146 Mission Blvd
Phone: 619-491-2988
Phone 858-488-3110
Perfect for entertaining families, the combination
of the Plunge and Giant Dipper can either relax
or excite the entire family. Located in Mission
Beach, The Plunge, dating back to 1925, is the largest
swimming pool in Southern California. The Giant
Dipper is a wooden roller coaster featuring 13 hills,
the largest of which is 70 feet in height.
Reuben
H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center
1875 El Prado, Balboa Park
Phone: 619-238-1233
Fax: 619-231-8971
With activities both entertaining and educational,
the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center
has something for every member of the family. With
the latest technology, giant OMNIMAX films treat
visitors to a variety of entertaining, educational
topics. From the comfort of their seats, visitors
can go on exciting adventures or view planetarium
shows. The Science Center portion of the facility
is definitely a hands-on experience, where visitors
are both invited and encouraged to experience the
variety of exhibits firsthand.
San
Diego Aerospace Museum
2001 Pan American Plaza
Phone: 619-234-8291
Fax: 619-233-4526
Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Aerospace
Museum is the place to be for aviation enthusiasts
both young and old. Whether it is an interest in
historical flight or merely a child's fascination
with the wonders of flying that brings one here,
there is plenty here to view, entertain, and educate.
Children's
Museum of San Diego
200 W. Island Ave.
Phone: 619-233-KIDS
A definite must for travelers with children, this
interactive attraction, which encourages participation,
is a home away from home for kids. Among the attractions
are supervised activities, as well as a monthly
special celebration recognizing important issues
such as earth awareness or African-American history.
Children are invited to take part in a variety of
activities from the indoor-outdoor art studio to
the theater, complete with a variety of costumes
for actors to don. The observation walk above the
exhibits gives children a birds-eye view of what
the museum has to offer, as well as a playground
feel when they exit it via a spiral slide. The museum
also has a shop where toys, games, crafts, and books
suitable for children of all ages are available.
San
Diego Museum of Man
1350 El Prado, Balboa Park
Phone: 619-239-2001
FAX: 619-239-2749
Those interested in the early history of American
Indian, Mayan, and Egyptian art and culture can
view exhibits here. The exhibits vary from American
Indian art to early Egyptian mummies. The museum
also features a Children's' Discovery Center for
younger museum patrons.
|