We’ve been needing to reconnect with our teenagers lately. I’ve got a houseful of teens and tweens so sometimes the face wash, the drama, and the text messages in our home are just maxed out. I’ve been trying to remember why I enjoy them so much like when I wrote this post. We needed some time to just enjoy our teenagers without all their after school activities, friends, and cell phones getting in the way. So when My Man had a conference down in San Diego, CA I jumped at the chance to make it a family getaway too. And I’m so glad I did. San Diego is the perfect place to take teenagers. So today I’m sharing 10 fun things to do and see in San Diego with teens.
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Get ready to find some fun activities to do with your teenagers in San Diego!
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First of all I have to give a shout-out to the amazing resort we stayed at. They were more than accommodating with all our needs. We stayed at Loew’s Coronado Bay Resort. This is the same place where my husband had his conference. Although the rooms were just standard size hotel rooms, it was clean, friendly, and full of things to do–including 3 large swimming pools (heated), tennis courts, ping pong, shops, spa, exercise room, and a shuttle to Coronado Beach (our favorite!). They even helped us out big time when my daughter lost her cell phone (a traumatic moment for a teen). So we are grateful to their hospitality.
It really feels like first class living. Though I have to say, realistically, the food was too expensive for our family to dine regularly at their restaurants and such. We ended up using the grocery store and restaurants in Coronado City instead.
Also, we purchased the Go City Card through Costco.com beforehand and loved it. We were able to go see many sites and parks in the 4 days that we were there. Just remember that once you start using the pass, you have to go consecutively in a row.
1. Flagship Whale Watching Tour. This was a beautiful ride out to sea. They have volunteers from the Birch Aquarium there to answer questions and help you spot the sea life.
Most of my kids loved it, even though I got seasick!! They give you barf bags just in case and warn you to take Dramamine if you are susceptible to motion sickness (and I am). So take it before it starts and you’ll be good. Once it kicked in we were loving the fresh ocean air, and big whales!
2. The San Diego Zoo. This large zoo is not just for little kids. My teens enjoyed seeing all the wildlife, like this large cat, and with our Go City Card we could even ride the sky tram for free. We only needed a half day for this attraction with my older kids.
3. SeaWorld San Diego. Our kids LOVED Sea World. It’s totally worth it. This park was included in our Go City Card pass. My kids loved the shows, the rides, and the aquariums. They left inspired and appreciative for this world and God’s creations. I even have one child who wants to be a dolphin trainer now–way to go SeaWorld, you succeeded.
More SeaWorld photos
4. USS Midway Museum. This was also included in our Go City Pass. Very cool museum with a lot to see and learn. They have self-guided audio tours and you get to see how the shipmates lived on this giant aircraft carrier. There’s also tons of aircraft and airplanes to see and look inside. The best part though–the movie. It leaves you feeling patriotic and warm inside.
5. Mormon Battalion Historic Site. This was a free museum in Old Town San Diego. It totally exceeded our expectations! It’s a completely interactive tour that immerses you into the story. Kids, teens, and even adults enjoyed it. It’s like a Disney inspired history site.
One of the interactive rooms at the historic site. Very well done!
6. La Jolla Cove. Just gorgeous. And crowded–with people and seals. The crashing waves are spectacular. And my teens loved seeing all the seals up close. Just make sure to get there early to find parking and avoid some of the crowds. Be prepared for people. You can also kayak and snorkel here.
7. Petco Park & Padres Baseball. This was a highlight of our trip. It was so fun to take our kids to a real baseball game. We live in a place where professional baseball is nowhere to be found, so it was fun to show them a real game. Lots of time to talk and watch the game together. And of course we had to try the hot dogs and nachos.
8. The City of Coronado. Coronado is such a cute city next to San Diego. It’s got tons of fun shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to take your teenagers for a stroll and some window shopping. It’s located right along the beach too. We saw many bicyclists and happy tourists. Our hotel had a bus shuttle to Coronado, making visits there super easy. Our favorite place to eat there was good ‘ol Panera Bread.
9. The Beach. Any beach will do, but we thoroughly loved the Coronado Beach. It was not crowded at all in April. It has life guards, which we truly needed since riptides were present while we were swimming (read about our scary close call with the rip currents). The sunsets were amazing and it was so peaceful. The beach is fun for teens because they can play and get out all their energy as well as relax and enjoy the beautiful world.
I hope you enjoy your trip to San Diego as much as we did. And may you reconnect with your family members the way we did.
I’m already wishing I could go back.
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