San Diego (continued)

Old Town Trolley Tours are a fun way to see Old Town as well as several other points of interest we’ve recommended, like Balboa Park, Coronado Island, San Diego Zoo, and the Aerospace Museum. You can get on and off at several locations as you make a complete loop with your narrating tour conductor. Prices are $39/adult and $19/child (buy tickets online for a discount). Phone:(866) 754-0966. 

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, located in Balboa Park and a favorite among kids and adults alike, boasts interactive exhibits, the first IMAX Dome Theater in the world, and exciting experiences in motion simulators and virtual reality. You’ll have so much fun, you’ll forget that you’re learning at the same time! Prices are $19.95/ages 13+, $16.95/kids ages 3–12 and $17.95/seniors ages 65+. Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101. Phone: 619-238-1233. 

San Diego Air & Space Museum is one of the country’s best aerospace museums, located in Balboa Park. The museum showcases everything from hot air balloons to modern combat airplanes, replicas of Apollo, Gemini, and Mercury spacecraft, and an International Aerospace Hall of Fame, as well as interactive exhibits and short films to entertain and educate. Prices are $19.50/adult (12+), $16.50/seniors, students, and military, and $10.50/kids ages 3–11. Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101. Phone: 619-234-8291. 

San Diego Maritime Museum has one of the best collections of historic ships, including the world’s oldest active ship, the Star of India. You can also explore exhibits showcasing sailing, steam ships, commercial fishing, and the U.S. Navy. Prices are $16/adults, $13/ages 13-17 and 62+, $8/ages 3-12. Address: 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. Phone: 619-234-9153. 

Downtown San Diego offers the Gaslamp Quarter, which is one of southern California’s best dining, shopping and entertainment districts. Learn more at the district's website. Also downtown is Horton Plaza, an open-air mall which looks similar to a European marketplace with elements of an amusement park and touches of historical San Diego. Learn more at their website.

Seaport Village is a charming waterfront collection of one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants close to downtown. This is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon. Little ones enjoy a ride on the antique carousel, and adults enjoy some of the best views of the bay. Parking is limited—you may need to park and walk several blocks. Address: 849 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. Phone: 619-235-4014. 

Sporting events give you the chance to spend a beautiful afternoon enjoying a baseball or football game in an open-air stadium. San Diego is home to the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, as well as the MLB’s San Diego Padres baseball team, giving visitors great options for watching two of America’s favorite pastimes. There are teams representing nearly everything from Major League Baseball to the National Premier Soccer League to the Women’s Professional Football League!