Family Friendly San Diego

A family vacation in San Diego? Definitely. There's so much to see and do that it could make for some serious family discussions. There's SeaWorld, Wild Animal Park, Birch Aquarium and the San Diego Zoo, just to name a few. We know you can't see everything, unless you're planning to tell the boss you're on indefinite holiday on the West Coast with the fam, so we've put together a doable list of activities that are family-friendly (that means things both kids AND adults will love plus some built-in down time to rejuvenate tired feet and absolve the occasional crankies).

We've concentrated our list in two major areas, Downtown / Balboa Park and Old Town. If you've only got a day, you can do it all, but you may not be able to linger at some spots as long as you would like. If you have the luxury of two or more days, you can still follow the path we've mapped out, but just spread it out, perhaps doing the Downtown / Balboa Park section one day and the Old Town section the next.

Start off by breakfasting at Hob Nob Hill. It's located on the western side of Balboa Park and serves breakfast starting at 7am. Listed in Gourmet magazine as one of America's greatest hometown cafes, this eatery serves up hearty fare like French toast, pancakes, and smoked pork chops and eggs. They also offer to-go baked goods if you get a late start and want to take your morning meal on the run.

Next head to Balboa Park, the city's prime cultural and recreational destination. It includes 15 museums, gardens, cultural centers, a carousel, miniature railroad and several theatres. Depending on the time you have, you can visit a few stops or simply ride one of the free trams that criss-cross the park to get a feel for this amazing place. The Visitor's Center provides a map and events calendar; it's also the place to buy tickets for the attractions of your choice.

After getting a feel for the park, head for the San Diego Zoo, located within Balboa Park. With over 4000 animals, this zoo is the best in the US, features state-of-the-art habitats and has a very successful breeding program. Cafes, perfect for a mid-morning snack, and shops are located throughout the zoo, and strollers are also available for rent.

After the zoo, head downtown for lunch. The Fish Market, located at the lower end of Harbor Drive, is a casual spot that serves up fresh seafood and offers outstanding views of the Bay. Don't worry – the kids' menu also has pizza, pasta and chicken if the junior set isn't into seafood quite as much as you are.

After a hearty lunch, visit the nearby Gaslamp Quarter, a historic neighborhood filled with many gift shops, boutiques and clothing shops.

When you finish strolling the Gaslamp, take the San Diego Freeway north toward the Old Town area and head for Old Town Historic Park, the city's birthplace. The park helps guests to understand what life was like in the early 1800s and includes several original adobes as well as a museum with plenty of artifacts that archeologists have discovered on the site. Additional historic structures include a schoolhouse and blacksmith shop.

Take a load off and enjoy some down time as you board a trolley for the Old Town Trolley Tour. It's an exciting and fun way to learn about more than 400 years of San Diego's history. The trolley runs every 30 minutes, and the tour lasts 2 hours. It travels as far away as Coronado, giving you plenty to see.

On the tour, you are free to get off at a number of different stops. Take advantage of this and definitely plan on stopping at the Bazaar del Mundo. A favorite of locals and tourists alike, this marketplace features shops with merchandise from across the world, with an emphasis on goods from Mexico. Everyone in the family is sure to find a treasure to take home.

For dinner, make a stop at the Old Town Mexican Café and Cantina. Here you'll enjoy Mexican interior cuisine with goodies like melt-in-your-mouth carnitas (roasted pork), classic enchiladas, fajitas and burritos.

Before heading back to your hotel for the night, stop for something sweet at the Old Town location of The Living Room Coffee House. It offers delectable European desserts – think black forest cake, cookies, carrot cake and apple strudel – along with gourmet coffees.