USS Midway Museum (San Diego, CA)

Simply amazing. If you haven't been on an aircraft carrier, you definitely need to visit this museum. They have a large collection of aircrafts on board. The collection spans from WWII, Viet Nam War to Desert Storm They have flight simulators, audio tours from the Engine Room to the Bridge. You can't bring stroller to those exhibits due to steep stairs and narrow walkway.

Website:

http://www.midway.org

Address:
910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, California, 92101


General Admission:
$18 adults  
$15 seniors (62+) and students (with valid ID)
$10 retired military (with valid ID)
$10 youth (ages 6-17)

Complimentary Admission
Children 5 years old or younger
Active-duty military personnel (including Reservists) with valid ID (daytime admission only)

Parking rates:
$5 up to 1 hour
$7 for up to 4 hours
$10 for up to 10 hours
$12 for up to 12 hours


VL Rating: Exellence


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SeaLife Aquarium (Carlsbad, CA)

Having been to the SeaLife here in Grapevine, TX, I was expecting a much larger one in California. I was very disappointed. It's just a little larger than the one here in Grapevine, TX. On the day we visit (Thursday in September), there were barely people inside. Just a few families. I can see why.

Note: This place is next to Legoland California.

Website:
 http://www.visitsealife.com/California/

Address:
One LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone:
(760) 918-5346

VL Rating: OK


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Point Loma Tide Pool (San Diego, CA)

This is one of the best tide pools that I have ever been to in the US. This is part of the Cabrillo Monument Park so to enter you have to pay a $5 fee (per car) which is valid for 7 days. To get to the pool, take the second right turn after the entrance station down a windy road. It is very close to the entrance station (about 0.05 mile) and there is no sign. If you see a large parking lot, you have gone too far. There is a parking lot (FREE) at the bottom of the road where you have to park your car and take a walk down to the tide pools. We saw crabs hiding in the rocks and snails on the rock walls. Check this link for the best date and time to visit the tide pools.





 
See website below for direction to the park or check out the Google map on the bottom of this blog. The green pointer shows the parking for the tide pools.

Website:
http://www.nps.gov/cabr/naturescience/tidepools.htm

Address:

Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
San Diego, CA 92106-3601

Phone:
(619) 557-5450


VL Rating: Excellence


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Legoland California (Carlsbad, CA)

 

WOW. This place is totally fun for kids. My 5-year old boy had a blast. But not so for my 2 year old girl. I can tell she was a little bored. There was not much things she can do there.  He can do most of the rides here with me or my wife going with him. The coolest attraction has to be the "Miniland USA". Both my children enjoy this attraction. We spend at least 1 hour here. They just run up and down and around.

If you can come during the weekday, do so because weekend is way too many people and the lines were pretty long for the rides. We bought the 2 day ticket and went there both during a Sunday and Thursday. On the Thursday, the lines were roughly around 15 min. max v.s. 30-60 min (or more) during Sunday.

Parking: $12 (for cars)

Website:
http://california.legoland.com/

Address:
1 Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008


Phone:
(760) 918-5346


VL Rating: Excellence (for kids 5 or above but probably not for teenager)



































































































































































































































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