San Diego - Recommendations?

[Chickadee]

Will be heading to San Diego for a last minute-ish trip in December with hubby and the boys (3 and 5 years old). We're staying in a small rental house in Ocean Beach and are renting a car. Planning on the zoo, tidal pools, maybe wild animal park, probably a visit to the air craft carrier.

Does anyone have recommendations for other fun and interesting things to do or see? Things that aren't worth the price of admission? Places to eat (the boys are fairly adventurous for their ages)? Words of warning beyond common sense?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[loria]

3 adn 5 years old? lego land!!!!!

[promoguy]

I would suggest Sea World in lieu of Lego Land. Also, if you or kids like Mexican food, you can't go wrong in Old Town.

[Chickadee]

We spent 2 days at Sea World in Florida pretty recently (and enjoyed every minute!), so I think we're going to skip it this time. I didn't know if LegoLand looked too "old" for the 3 year old though (mind, he thinks he's 5 like his bother and knows no fear). Would love to hear more on this since I was on the fence about it.

[sailorgirl]

The Midway is fabulous, but its alot of walking. We did the audio tour and it took over three hours. Im not sure if there is an abbreviated version, may be too much for the 3 year old. I second the Zoo, check to see the days they are open late and go in the afternoon. We got there at 3ish and stayed until 8 or 9, it was much better after the day time crowds. Don't miss Hodad's for burgers.

There is a nice air and space musuem as well as a great model train musuem in Balboa Park. Consider getting the pass which lets you into most of the museums at a fixed price. Do the math it might work out better, but Im not sure what the reduced child's admission prices are.

[California Girl]

Balboa Park, where the Zoo is, has tons of museums to visit! The Reuben H. Fleet Space Theatre has planetarium shows and an "exploratorium" with hands-on experiments to play with. It's really fun!

Some pictures of Balboa Park here: (I hope this works!)
http://www.facebook.com/margo.gripp?ref ... 1063643621

[Terry]

Free stuff for that age would be to see which harbors are having holiday light parades. Watching all the boats decorated with lots of lights going up and down a harbor is way fun. Second, Seaport Village is fun with inexpensive food, duck pond, shopping, carosel, etc.
Drive to Coronado Island and rent bikes (some with kid seats) and ride the bike path around.
Might be a bit chilly for a boat ride around the harbor.