Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[marsplasticeraser]

Originally Posted by sa226

Any recommendations for San Diego with 3 kids under 5?

Holy crap there are a lot of things to do, it seems everyone has a generic list, just wondering if anyone has some personal experiences like "avoid sea world at all costs, its gross" or "the aircraft carrier is really cool, but don't bother dragging a 3 year old through it" or "Our kids just loved playing on Coronado beach" or "Do the zoo, but skip the safari park"

Stuff like that, we've done San Diego before, but never with kids. It'll be early December so i'm sure there will be some good Christmas fare as well.

Our kids loved Xmas decorations at legoland. It’s also super fun to stay in their hotel as an adult. Food at the hotel sucks but there is a mall a 5 minute drive and in and out just a bit farther. Some great walks on the ocean near Carlsbad, and the actual town is pretty great. We always plan at least one chill / beach day, and being from Canada the kids play in the surf even if it’s only 18 C out.

San Diego zoo and safari are both great. Our kids loved them. I think I prefer the Safari park, but maybe it was just novel.

There’s a nice walk in La Jolla along the cliffs overlooking the ocean and lots of seals and sea lions. We do that every time and it’s nice.

Sea world is ok, but feels pretty exploitative. Also super expensive. Kids liked it but not as much as other stuff.

Don’t try the drive to Disney in the morning. Traffic sucks.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by sa226

Any recommendations for San Diego with 3 kids under 5?

Holy crap there are a lot of things to do, it seems everyone has a generic list, just wondering if anyone has some personal experiences like "avoid sea world at all costs, its gross" or "the aircraft carrier is really cool, but don't bother dragging a 3 year old through it" or "Our kids just loved playing on Coronado beach" or "Do the zoo, but skip the safari park"

Stuff like that, we've done San Diego before, but never with kids. It'll be early December so i'm sure there will be some good Christmas fare as well.

"the aircraft carrier is really cool, but don't bother dragging a 3 year old through it." Yes, just did the aircraft carrier this spring.

It is very interesting but it would be really difficult with even one little kid. 3 young kids would be a disaster. A lot of it is up and down very steep stairs and ladders and the entrances to each area are air locks so you have to step over the steel door surrounds. No lie it's also the literal equivalent of 10 Mall of Americas worth of walking.

Definitely go to the zoo and plan for an entire day. It's fantastic. We've done it a few times and find it's always best to do it clockwise from the entrance. Make sure you do a break or lunch at the Treetops Cafe.

Legoland isn't too far north in Carlsbad, maybe 30mins and our son loved it. Could be something to consider if you need another hole in your wallet and a day killed.

Since we were going to Legoland we stayed in Oceanside instead of San Diego and just made the trek down for the aircraft carrier. Was a much quieter area and easier to get a spot on the ocean.

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Assuming you aren’t renting a car (you don’t need to), here’s how I would break it up by day (in any order, but just lump these things together because they’re closer). I’ve included a couple things you COULD do with a car, and packed the days up beyond what you can actually achieve in a day, but these things all make sense to do in the same day (as in, if you’re trying to maximize your time, I wouldn’t do day 1 stuff with day 2 stuff, for example).

Transit is really good, so you can take the train/bus/ferry mostly anywhere. Load up a clipper card to make it easy.

DAY 1
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Sausalito
- Muir National Monument
- Point Bonita Lighthouse (some nice trails in the area)
- Baker Beach
- Palace of Fine Arts
- Point Reyes Lighthouse (if you have a car)
- Hog Island Oysters (near PR, again if you have a car)

DAY 2 (1.5 days maybe?)
- Alcatraz
- Fisherman’s Warf/Pier 39 (I hate this area but you’re there anyway if you’re doing Alcatraz so might as well have a look)
- Coit Tower
- Lombard Street
- Chinatown
- City Lights Bookstore
- Ferry Building
- SF MOMA (highly recommended)
- Oracle Park Tour
- (if you’re into live music, worth trying to see a show at the Fillmore, Orpheum, or Warfield)

DAY 3
- The Castro
- Haight Ashbury (worth a quick stroll just to see but kinda whatever)
- La Taqueria in Mission (get a burrito)
- Golden Gate Park (this could be a whole day by itself, includes the following:
- Japanese Tea Garden
- De Young Museum
- California Academy of Sciences
- Windmills)

Depending on what you like, there are also a crazy amount of food options and bar/lounge options to close out the night.

There is also a ferry that goes between a lot of spots in the bay. Doesn’t take too long and gives you some nice views. Might be worth taking the Ferry to Jack London Square in Oakland, exploring for an hour or so, and taking the Ferry back.

Great suggestions. I’m in SF at the moment and did many of your recommendations in addition to a bicycle tour of the city and a food tour of North Beach.

I also enjoyed hiking up to Twin Peaks and Mission Dolores Park.

I took a waymo car today and it was a fun experience.

For my last day tomorrow, I have a tour lined up to Yosemite National Park. The weather has been about 18 and sunny every day I’ve been here. I hit 39k steps on day 2, a new vacation single day step count high.

Also, I’m saying in the tenderloin. It’s not ground zero, more the edge of it, in a nice hotel, but the sights have sure been interesting to and form my hotel.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by sa226

Any recommendations for San Diego with 3 kids under 5?

Holy crap there are a lot of things to do, it seems everyone has a generic list, just wondering if anyone has some personal experiences like "avoid sea world at all costs, its gross" or "the aircraft carrier is really cool, but don't bother dragging a 3 year old through it" or "Our kids just loved playing on Coronado beach" or "Do the zoo, but skip the safari park"

Stuff like that, we've done San Diego before, but never with kids. It'll be early December so i'm sure there will be some good Christmas fare as well.

Definitely Legoland and if you can swing it stay a night or two in their hotel. The theming is pretty cool and a fun experience. Another thing to check out is the sea lion beach in La Jolla (La Jolla Cove.) Go at sunset when they start getting really vocal. You can normally get right down on the beach and pretty close to them but I think Christmas time is birthing season so I would expect them to be much more aggressive than normal.

[bizaro86]

For Legoland if the Lego hotels aren't in-budget, the Hilton Marbrisa, Sheraton Carlsbad, and Westin Carlsbad are all great choices. They're in a little cluster behind Legoland, and have a private back entrance. So you can walk (which saves on parking) and since the entrance is at the back of the park you get a huge head start on the rides back there. I find it's generally possible to do 2-3 if you arrive at opening before anyone from the front gets back there. Some of the good ones (dragon, submarines) are very close to that entrance.

[Johnny199r]

I’m currently spending the day in transit, flying. Nothing makes me more pessimistic about society and humans in general than observing how stupid a significant percentage of the population is when it comes to travel and the inability to be efficient and follow basic instructions and rules. It’s also not just a small minority of travellers. A large percentage of the population is hopeless. Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to people.

When people act surprised about examples of the dumbing down of society in the news, all I can think is really? Surprised?

[Acey]

WestJet on Monday will announce Calgary nonstop to Anchorage, Raleigh/Durham, Sydney NS and Sudbury ON, all to start summer 2025.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1857531247460753551

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Acey

WestJet on Monday will announce Calgary nonstop to Anchorage, Raleigh/Durham, Sydney NS and Sudbury ON, all to start summer 2025.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1857531247460753551

Anchorage is one I had been hoping they'd add for some time.

I think it makes senses as they can now sell airfare for both ends of a one-way Alaska cruise.

Interesting SLC is only from YEG. I suppose we already have service there on Delta.

[calgarygeologist]

I've been flying with a Nexus card for around 6 years now and I only learned this weekend that when you check in for a WestJet flight from the US using the app you can enter the card number into the known traveler box and it will apply TSA Pre Check. I've been stupidly waiting in line for an agent to check my Nexus card and give me TSA Pre Check all these years.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Anchorage is one I had been hoping they'd add for some time.

I think it makes senses as they can now sell airfare for both ends of a one-way Alaska cruise.

Interesting SLC is only from YEG. I suppose we already have service there on Delta.

Same, Anchorage is one I've been planning, it'll be nice to not have to transfer in Seattle or something

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I've been flying with a Nexus card for around 6 years now and I only learned this weekend that when you check in for a WestJet flight from the US using the app you can enter the card number into the known traveler box and it will apply TSA Pre Check. I've been stupidly waiting in line for an agent to check my Nexus card and give me TSA Pre Check all these years.

Add it to your profile and you won't need to add it in check in. It's automatic for me.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Talk about an emotional Rollercoaster.

YQY to YYC direct?!?!??!

Amazing!

YQY-YYC direct, but ONLY during the NHL off-season?!

Frustration!

YQY-YHZ on WestJet must connect in YYC

Hi-larious!

[Freeway]

This thread rules. Recommendations were really useful for Madrid and Barcelona.

[rotten42]

Originally Posted by Acey

WestJet on Monday will announce Calgary nonstop to Anchorage, Raleigh/Durham, Sydney NS and Sudbury ON, all to start summer 2025.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1857531247460753551

Cool...maybe its time to go take in a Hurricane's game.

[calgarygeologist]

Has anyone previously booked a stay with Marriott Homes and Villas as an alternative to AirBnB? I'd like to hear more about it and if it was a good and easy stay process. I'm thinking about booking a couple of places in France, Paris and Nice, for next summer and because I'm a Marriott Bonvoy member I'd prefer to stay in their ecosystem to get the points and room nights.

[InternationalVillager]

any recommendations for LA? Must see etc... Going next month.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

any recommendations for LA? Must see etc... Going next month.

LA has so much to offer so it depends on what you are after:

-The promenade/boardwalk from Venice Beach to Santa Monica. Stop at muscle beach and check out the bods, watch the skaters at the skate park, check out Santa Monica Pier.

-Griffith Observatory

-Hollywood Walk of Fame and Amoeba Music. Visit one of the comedy clubs.

-Drive down Mulholland Drive. Go for a walk through Franklin Canyon and you might run into some celebs like we previously did.

-Rodeo Drive

-Little Tokyo is cool for food and shopping.

-Grand Central Food Market and The Last Bookstore

-Helms Bakery

-La Brea Tar Pits/Petersen Automotive Museum

[Acey]

Originally Posted by rotten42

Cool...maybe its time to go take in a Hurricane's game.

The flight is summer only and ends October 13, roughly around the time the season starts.

[Engine09]

Depending on the schedule and if the Canes start at home it might be possible. First game of the regular season this year was on the 8th. Hoping to do the same, I'm at 19 rinks right now.

[topfiverecords]

Anyone been to Rome and have comments on areas to stay? We tend to stay in more locals neighbourhood areas that are a few metro stops from the main central sightseeing stuff to get better accommodations and less tourist trap restaurants.