upcoming trip to San Diego

I am planning a trip to San Diego in August. I was wondering if all you Cali fans out there could offer some advice on what to do while im out there? Understand that this will be a family trip with a couple of young children and grandparents involved. What should we hit? Knotts? Disneyland? Universal? Not really into SeaWorld that much because SeaWorld TX is one of my home parks. Please offer up some advice...thanks!

I would *definitely* hit Knotts, it's not TOO far from SD and (other than Ghostie), the lines aren't bad at all in my experience.

DisneyLand totally rocked too, and I'd recommend it highly.

But if you're used to SFFT, then SFMM would probably make you think you'd done something wrong...you'd feel *punished*.

P.S. I'm not "from SoCal", it's just my home-away-from-home...;)

How long will it take by car to get from San Diego up to Knotts or the Anaheim area? Considering traffic??

If you have children and grandparents going, then Disney defnitely should be one stop. It has lots of the Disney mild rides, plus California Adventure which has some great thrill rides, so everyone gonig on your trip will find something fun to do. Universal is defnitely worth checking out if you have never been to a Universal before. The new Revenge Of The Mummy will be opennig soon, and that will be a ride not to miss.

Knots would be a great park to go to, but don't waste your time with Sea World if you already been to a hometown one.

I'd go to Knott's and/or Disneyland. Depending on their ages, you might want to swing the kids by Legoland in Carlbad.

In San Diego, don't miss Balboa Park (free pipe organ concerts on Sundays @ 2P). Old Town is fun in a touristy way. The Midway aircraft carrier museum just opened along the harbor. I think it's only $8.

You can get some eats at the Gaslamp near downtown or even catch a ballgame if you are into that.

For the beach, go to Torrey Pines. Hit up Torrey Pines State Park while you are at it. Gorgeous scenery. La Jolla and Del Mar are nice to check out too. Point Loma lighthouse, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, both worth a visit.

If you are REALLY bold, look up Tacos El Gordo in National City (H Street just off the 5 freeway)...best tacos EVER.

PS...If you are bringing dogs, let me know, I can tell you where to take them too. *** Edited 6/9/2004 6:45:46 PM UTC by janfrederick***

It is a 2 - 3hr drive from SD --> LA. Anaheim is approx 30 mins south of LA. The traffic shouldn't be too bad going up as long as you are not going to SFMM. SFMM is on the north side of LA where Knotts & Disney you don't hit LA traffic.

Also, I am not a SoCal person, I was in the LA area last summer, and did the drive from SD to LA about 5 years ago.

Cannot believe no one mentioned Belmont IN San Diego!!! Belmont Park is on Mission Beach and is home to the Giant Dipper, a classic wooden coaster from (guessing here) the 1920's. Also has a VERY small museum with historical pics of the ride and a really nice model of it. That and you can knock out your beach time there too. Another park that is very good for families is Legoland California and that is just north of San Diego.

^What they said. Although an August visit to Universal may be a test with a major new attraction opening at the end of this month. Since the park only has about 5-6 actual rides, the lines for those few rides tends to get pretty ugly in the summer. I remember hearing the horror stories of when JP very first opened, 3-4 hour waits were the norm. I'm assuming ROTM will be just as popular this summer.

I've done the drive from SD to Orange county in 1 1/2hrs. Even with traffic, I don't think it should take more than 2hrs.

And if you don't have time to check out all of Balboa Park, definitely at least check out the world famous San Diego Zoo. Not your typical zoo, absolutely amazing and beautiful beyond description. The kids and grandparents will love it!

If you're a credit whore, definitely take a few spins on Giant Dipper at Belmont Park. Nice beach area, and GD is a pretty rockin' little woodie for it's small size.

Hey thanks for the great info! I will definately have to hit up Knotts and Disneyland...I cant wait..should be alot of fun!

I third the motion to hit Balboa Park. It's got a ton of free museums and so many different kinds of plant life, including a rose garden and a cactus garden. So beautiful.

I would recommend going up to Point Loma, which is the most southwestern point in the continental U.S. It offers a great view of the harbor and the naval base. Don't forget to drive across the awesome Coronado Bay Bridge!

Adventure City is just a couple of miles south of Knott's on Beach Blvd. It is basically a Kiddieland but they do have a great Miler mouse, free parking.

Oh, and there's also the San Diego Wild Animal Park just N. of SD. Never been myself, but heard it's a pretty impressive and well themed animal park.

The Wild Animal Park is really neat and only costs about $20. Be prepared for some African-style heat though; it's hot out there.

If you do hit Belmont, pop across the street to Roberto's for some Mexican food. Not quite as good as Tacos El Gordo, but not bad (can you tell I like Mexican food?).

Another option is Da Kine's a few blocks North up Mission in Pacific Beach (take the beach path). This is a traditional Hawaiian Plate lunch joint. Good eats. Be warned, Hawaiians like their spam. :) Check out the Loco Moco--two hamburger patties served on a mound of steamed rice and topped with fried eggs and gravy with a side of macaroni salad.

You can forget about trying to surf after that! ;)

(or fitting an Intamin) *** Edited 6/9/2004 10:33:25 PM UTC by janfrederick***

^can you tell I like Mexican food?

If you ever make it back up to the Bay Area, let me know, I'll turn you on to some great places around San Jose!

Adding my two cents...

A visit to Disneyland is a must if you have never been there. It's a classic and even if you have been to WDW, there's nothing like visiting the place that started it all. Plus it's got the first tubular steel coaster with the Matterhorn!

Legoland is another park that deserves high consideration. I thought it would be a place that only kids would find interesting, but I have been there numerous times now and have never been bored. They have some unique rides that you tend not to see at other parks, beautiful scenery and the lego buildings are pretty darn cool too. The coasters, while not super thrilling are nicely done as well. I think all ages can find something they like here so it is an especially good choice for multiple age ranges.

Belmont Park is a must do for a coaster enthusiast. It;s a great beach to people watch too and it won't take too much time out of your day. You can ride the coaster, enjoy the beach a little while and leave.

Balboa Park/San Diego Zoo/Museums - There are lots of things to do in Balboa Park. They have some great museums including art, science, space/flight and even one on trains. The zoo is one of the best in the world and is quite large. If you can spend any time at Balboa park, do so. It's a great place.

Since Mike reminded me (thanks Mike), I'll put in a *plug* for Adventure City....the mouse gets all the praise (and deservingly so), but B2B Freeway is the coaster featured in the Snickers' commercials, and the head-banging (not -chopping) limb is a one-of-a-kind. It really is a KIDS park, but if you're a big kid like me, you'll *get* the place.

Jomo, I grew up in SJ and Milpitas. Ever been to La Bamba in Mountain View??? My friend's dad started Super Taqueria. Thanks for reminding me! I'll be there on Saturday. ;)

La Bamba that is...ah hell, I think I'll make a run there today! *** Edited 6/10/2004 3:41:42 PM UTC by janfrederick***

Super Taqueria - Yummmm!

I'll definitely have to check out La Bamba sometime. Thanks for the tip!

Just so this can't be classified as a highjack, can anyone confirm if Spellbreaker opened this season? There were rumors last year that it was going to be removed. Just wondering, short coaster but big on the fun factor, hope it's still there. thanks!

If you have a season pass to Sea World Texas might as well go to Sea World San Diego and try out Journey to Atlantis. It's a fun ride.

Spellbreaker is NOT operating, and was listed in the "for sale" section of Amusement Today...IIRC, it was pretty cheap, too...

edit: Might be wise to add here that SPs in the Busch chain don't operate like SPs in other chains...some (Platinum, I think) will get you into other parks for free, but most won't...;)
Oh, and SeaWorld *is* part of the Busch chain.

*** Edited 6/10/2004 6:15:48 PM UTC by rollergator***