Itinerary ideas with 7&10 yr old

Question

We have 6 days in San Diego at the Hyatt Mission Bay at the end of March- we will have a car. Planning to do San Diego Zoo, Midway museum, La Jolla caves

Other thoughts were

Old town trolley

Belmont park

Legoland (we have been to the Florida one and kids loved it but wasn’t sure if we should take an entire vacation day for it)

Mission Beach

Carrillo National Monument

Carlsbad flower field

Any of these stand out as good or bad? Any additions you would make?

Answer

San Diego is fantastic for families, and with kids aged 7 and 10, you have a lot of great options. Staying at the Hyatt Mission Bay gives you a convenient home base near water activities and many attractions.

Here’s a suggested approach to plan your 6-day itinerary:

San Diego Zoo: Definitely a must-see, especially for your kids’ ages. Plan to spend a full day there. Arrive early to avoid crowds and consider the guided bus tour for an overview before exploring on foot.
USS Midway Museum: Great for kids who enjoy ships and history. A half-day visit works well, as it’s large but not overly exhausting. The flight deck and aircraft exhibits are particularly fun for children.
La Jolla Caves: Can be combined with a visit to La Jolla Shores. A short kayak tour is possible for kids over 8, but even viewing the sea lions from the shore is exciting. Plan a couple of hours here.

Other attractions you mentioned:

Old Town Trolley: Good for sightseeing without too much walking. Fun for kids and allows a flexible hop-on-hop-off day.
Belmont Park: Classic boardwalk amusement park right on Mission Beach. Great for a shorter, fun activity; consider it in the late afternoon after other morning activities.
Legoland: Definitely a full-day commitment. Worth it if your kids loved the Florida Legoland. If you want to explore more of San Diego in your trip, you might dedicate one day exclusively for Legoland.
Mission Beach: Ideal for a relaxing beach day. Walk along the boardwalk, rent bikes, or play in the sand. Can be combined with Belmont Park.
Cabrillo National Monument: Offers history, tide pools, and panoramic views. Half-day is sufficient. Good mix of education and light outdoor activity.
Carlsbad Flower Fields: Seasonal bloom; in late March it’s usually beautiful. Perfect for a morning or half-day trip. Combine with nearby beach or lunch in Carlsbad Village.

Optional additions to consider:

SeaWorld San Diego: Can be an alternative full-day option if kids love marine animals and shows.
Torrey Pines State Reserve: Short hikes with stunning coastal views, educational for kids.
Balboa Park: Besides the Zoo, it has multiple kid-friendly museums like the Fleet Science Center and Natural History Museum.

Suggested pacing:

Day 1: Arrival & relax at Hyatt Mission Bay or Mission Beach
Day 2: San Diego Zoo (full day)
Day 3: USS Midway + Old Town Trolley or Balboa Park museums
Day 4: La Jolla Caves & Beach / Torrey Pines (half-day)
Day 5: Legoland (full day) or Carlsbad Flower Fields + nearby attractions
Day 6: Belmont Park & Mission Beach, relaxing morning before departure

Overall, your ideas are solid. Legoland is the only one that requires a full day. The rest can be adjusted for half-day visits or combined geographically to minimize driving. With a car, you’ll have flexibility to mix beach, educational, and fun activities for your kids without rushing too much.

Itinerary ideas with 7&10 yr old

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