Things to do in San Diego w/13 year olds

[endobear]

Heading out to San Diego for my oldest nephews USMC boot camp graduation in a couple weeks.
Going to make a little vacation out of the deal for the wife and my 13 year old twins. Looking at staying at a Hilton property to use points but not sure which one. Wife likes nice pools and the beach. Ideally we would stay within 20 minutes of old Town.
Kids and I like to go check stuff out. Maybe sea world? Any ideas of must does or nice properties to stay at?

 

[evantwheeler]

USS Midway would be #1 in my book depending on your girls interest it that kind of thing.

 

[endobear]

USS Midway would be #1 in my book depending on your girls interest it that kind of thing.

Wife's not so interested but my son and daughter would be all over it. Pearl Harbor was their highlight of our Hawaii trip. Paid extra to get the private tour deal of the Missouri. Epic.

 

[BigRedBryan]

Kansas City BBQ if you like the top gun movie.

 

[Ziggy]

The kids might enjoy some time at Belmont Park. LegoLand is 20-30minutes north. Bicycling around Mission Bay and/or the Mission Beach boardwalk is always a good time.

 

[DLow]

We always enjoy spending an afternoon biking around Coronado. Hit up Burger Lounge. Kayaking out of La Jolla shores is also pretty cool. The cave is a great experience for the kids. Mine are 12,13,15.

 

[TPC]

Giant Dipper Coaster.
Good food across the street at the Coaster Saloon. Check if the place is over 21, that rules comes and goes with new owners.
Maybe Legoland. That's an iffy age.

 

[paradise]

Heading out to San Diego for my oldest nephews USMC boot camp graduation in a couple weeks.
Going to make a little vacation out of the deal for the wife and my 13 year old twins. Looking at staying at a Hilton property to use points but not sure which one. Wife likes nice pools and the beach. Ideally we would stay within 20 minutes of old Town.
Kids and I like to go check stuff out. Maybe sea world? Any ideas of must does or nice properties to stay at?

Do the zoo, start at opening and just hang for a couple hours. Go see the elephants and giraffes first thing and you’ll have them all to yourself.

 

[DWC]

Head down La Jolla and do some kayaking. Beach to the caves is pretty epic. Padre games are tough to beat as well.
I’d stay at the bay front or gaslamp property. They’re close enough to walk to the game and meals. (The Torrey Pines location isn’t bad either. Decent pool to hang out at)

 

[RadMan]

Catamaran Resort is kinda cool
On mission bay and 2 block walk to the beach
They also have some watersport rental stuff on their dock on mission bay

 

[BIGRED9158]

Kansas City BBQ if you like the top gun movie.

Is the food pretty good?

 

[Gelcoater]

Take em to Tijuana

 

[Cobalt232]

+1 for the zoo

 

[Gelcoater]

In hindsight?
You shoulda left your toy hauler down here after the Glamis trip.
Is only a couple hours from SD

 

[BIGRED9158]

Take em to Tijuana

Hong Kong

 

[endobear]

Sounds like the concensus is the zoo over sea world?

 

[endobear]

Looks like the boss has booked the LA Jolla Curio Hilton. Looks like a close walk to the beach.

 

[Kachina26]

We always enjoy spending an afternoon biking around Coronado. Hit up Burger Lounge. Kayaking out of La Jolla shores is also pretty cool. The cave is a great experience for the kids. Mine are 12,13,15.

All I can add to this is, never do the double kayak, especially with the wife. There's a reason they call it the divorce boat.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

USS Midway , but the Maritime museum right on the water is great , old pirate type ships and WWII Subs ! Also the harbor cruise is fun . Also a tour of the homeless camps might be on some people’s list ?

 

[paradise]

Sounds like the concensus is the zoo over sea world?

I would say yes. Lots more to see but Seaworld has a couple rides. We love here and do the zoo a handful of times a year, we never do sea world.

 

[GOTTBoat]

Half day fishing trip out of Fishermans Landing to get out on the water.

 

[endobear]

Is there a time of day that's better for the kayaking cave deal?

 

[Caydens Cat]

Is there a time of day that's better for the kayaking cave deal?

Low tide.

 

[BigRedBryan]

Is the food pretty good?

Yeah, we go there every time we visit.

 

[BoatCop]

Take em to Tijuana

I hear the donkey show is a must see.

 

[Orange Juice]

Heading out to San Diego for my oldest nephews USMC boot camp graduation in a couple weeks.
Going to make a little vacation out of the deal for the wife and my 13 year old twins. Looking at staying at a Hilton property to use points but not sure which one. Wife likes nice pools and the beach. Ideally we would stay within 20 minutes of old Town.
Kids and I like to go check stuff out. Maybe sea world? Any ideas of must does or nice properties to stay at?

La Jolla Hilton is nice….20 minutes North.

The Hampton Inn next to the airport is new, and has walking trails along the bay.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

Mission bay sport center rentals have Hobie cats with a beach to launch and retrieve. Sea world and the zoo are fun. They might be too old for Lego Land. Check out the museums at Balboa park. Fun place to wander. Catch a padre game if they are in town. The Whaley house ghost tour is fun if they are into that. The maritime museum is pretty cool too.

 

[Taboma]

I thought Sea World today was like Disneyland, take out a 2nd on your home.

 

[WYRD]

I hear Blacks Beach is nice this time of year

On a serious note though 13 is probably a difficult age. Legoland is more geared towards little kids. And they're probably not wanting to spend the day at something like the zoo. SeaWorld would be fun but crowded and expensive. Midway was cool but it's run down and crowded. Maybe a private sailing tour around the harbor?

 

[84miller]

Not LegoLand, it's expensive and geared for children under the age of 8. Sea World is great.

 

[Backlash]

What do the twins enjoy doing? What are their hobbies or interests? That would obviously sway your decision on where to go or what to do. If they like golf, it wouldn't make sense taking them to see a baseball game if they aren't interested. Know what I mean??

I have had this exact experience with our two kids. A friend was racing Parker a few years back, so I thought it would be enjoyable to take the kids out on Shea Road to watch the trucks fly by. They were not the least bit interested and the time that we were there, they did nothing but complain, whine, bitch and moan. It got so bad that we just left.

To try and avoid that same experience, maybe sit down with the kids and let them plan what you guys do, and where you go. Just a thought.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Go surfing.

 

[Tamalewagon]

Heading out to San Diego for my oldest nephews USMC boot camp graduation in a couple weeks.
Going to make a little vacation out of the deal for the wife and my 13 year old twins. Looking at staying at a Hilton property to use points but not sure which one. Wife likes nice pools and the beach. Ideally we would stay within 20 minutes of old Town.
Kids and I like to go check stuff out. Maybe sea world? Any ideas of must does or nice properties to stay at?

The Bayfront Hilton next to Petco has a great pool area. Catch a Padre game, go to Seaworld, Legoland, walk around Little Italy and grab some lunch or dinner, Zoo, Balboa Park...all good options.

 

[endobear]

What do the twins enjoy doing? What are their hobbies or interests? That would obviously sway your decision on where to go or what to do. If they like golf, it wouldn't make sense taking them to see a baseball game if they aren't interested. Know what I mean??

I have had this exact experience with our two kids. A friend was racing Parker a few years back, so I thought it would be enjoyable to take the kids out on Shea Road to watch the trucks fly by. They were not the least bit interested and the time that we were there, they did nothing but complain, whine, bitch and moan. It got so bad that we just left.

To try and avoid that same experience, maybe sit down with the kids and let them plan what you guys do, and where you go. Just a thought.

Good point.
They love camping, riding their quads, skiing , rock climbing and outdoor stuff. They both are interested in military history. We let them choose a couple things to.do on every vacation..

 

[Quiet Cannon]

Not sure if it was mentioned, but the tidepools at the end of Point Loma are awesome with older kids. The drive through Fort Rosecrans National Cemetary on the way is breathtaking. Lots of history and amazing views