Family Travel: Beautiful San Diego, California

San Diego is one of America's greatest vacation spots for families with children. Nestled in the southern end of the beautiful state of California, the temperatures are conducive to a good time no matter what time of year you decide to go get away from it all. You will have the added expense of having to rent a car while there, but there are so many incredible options for family activities that the cost is well worth it.

For cheap entertainment, San Diego has some of the best beaches in the country. Just head to the water and there you are. Seriously. It really doesn't matter much at which point you land at the Pacific Ocean. It is all about gorgeous sand and wonderful sun. Food & refreshment kiosks line the coast, as well as wonderfully inexpensive tourist trap shops in which you can pick up sand chairs, boogie boards, souvenir towels, and that sun block you will likely find yourself needing.

Being on the ocean, there are a ton of options for water and boating activities from Para sailing to Scuba Diving to taking a relaxing ride aboard one of the numerous tour boats from the harbor. San Diego Harbor Excursion is a company specializing in all kinds of short cruises for the entire family. Their Whale Watching cruise is amazing and you can often find discount coupons on line to print out. The base rates for that is $35 for adults and $15 for kids, but they guarantee whale sighting or you get another cruise free. This is a full 3 1/2 hours of great entertainment.

If you are not into Whale watching, they have numerous other cruises for the family such as brunch and dinner trips, nature cruises, tours of the harbor, and even an all-in-one Waterfront Fun day.

Speaking of fun days, do be sure to check out Ferry Landing Marketplace at Coronado (First Street and B Avenue.) Here you can find bicycle rentals, a delightful array of food, fun shopping, street vendors, and just a whole variety of things to keep you and your family amused all day.

The San Diego Zoo is widely known as one of the biggest zoos in the world. It is a sight to see, that's for sure. Do be sure to wear comfortable clothing and footwear. It is very hilly also, so plan on taking a tram or train ride around the park... or even both. Get there early and plan to stay late. The place is just enormous.

If you have deep pockets, do hit Sea World in San Diego and say hello to Shamu. This will set you back $59 for folks over 10, and $49 for kids aged 3-9. But, there is much more to this adventure park than just the sea animal shows. Sea World has a bunch of rides and educational activities too. It will take up a full day and leave you tired enough for a good night's sleep.

Balboa Island is a must-see excursion for any trip to San Diego, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg like other activities. They have an excellent boardwalk full of entertaining things to do, a great beach, and even free Plays where the actors roam amongst the audience inviting participation. This is a wonderful spot to save a bit of cash while keeping everyone entertained.

Lego-land California is right there in Carlsbad and sure to be a major hit with the children as well as the adults. You can get into a splash battle with water cannons, test your bravery by joining one of the Knight's battles, wander around and snap pictures of the amazing Lego constructions, or have your kids earn their driver's license at the Volvo Driving School. There are over 50 shows, rides, and attractions at Lego-land making the cost of admission well worth it.

Downtown you can wander over to the Gaslamp District where you will find incredible dining options, great shopping, live street entertainers, and local artists of all ilks. This district is on the National Register of Historic Places. Galleries and theaters and museums... oh my!

Do jump on the Internet and do a bit of research prior to booking a trip to San Diego. There is so much to see and do that you really do need to have a plan prior to arriving. Plus, you can find a whole lot of printable discount tickets for most of the major attractions. No matter what you decide to see while there, you can rest assured that you will never be bored.