SAN DIEGO FAMILY ATTRACTIONS
San Diego, CA
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
DESCRIPTION: This relatively public treasure hosted by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography emphasizes learning for children, adults and teachers; it sparkles with that are eye-popping, informative conservation exhibitsand that scary, if we don't address Global Warming; award-winning aquarium staff lead numerous efforts and family activity programs as well; visitors will enjoy its giant Coral & Kelp Reefs, Tide Pool, Pier Walk, seahorses, sharks exhibits, explorers gallery and best of all, its dive shows in a 70,000 gallon aquarium
ADMISSION: $11 adults, $8 seniors & college students, $7.50 ages 3-17, ages 2 and under free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: 2300 Expedition Way MAP
PHONE: 858-534-FISH
WEBSITE: http://www.aquarium.ucsd.edu
DESCRIPTION: Has championed many save-from-extinction campaigns for a variety of animals; you may have heard about their great work with the California Condors; you can easily spend a day here; from downtown take 12th Ave north, you see signs for zoo parking; also notable for being among the first zoos to install near-natural animal habitats; worth the admission price to arguably, see the best zoo in America
ADMISSION: $34 adults, $24 ages 3-11, ages 2 and under free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: 2920 Zoo Drive MAP
PHONE: 619-231-1515
WEBSITE: http://www.sandiegozoo.org
Fleet Science Center & Planetarium
DESCRIPTION: The Perception exhibits are first-rate, even if you think this will only appeal to the kids – surprise, you’ll get hooked on the many interactive exhibits too; tons of fun for all; the IMAX dome theatre is a nice treat, especially if you wait in line 15 minutes before it starts to a an upper middle seat; separate admission fees for the museum and IMAX; for best viewing, come late to enjoy the planetarium
ADMISSION: $10
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9:30a-6p
ADDRESS: 1875 El Prado in Balboa Park MAP
PHONE: 619-238-1233
WEBSITE: http://www.rhfleet.org Museum of Natural History
DESCRIPTION: Kids will love watching the giant pendulum time exhibit and the dinosaurs; also has an informative exhibit explaining and demonstrating how Western wildfires spread quickly
ADMISSION: adult $13, age 62+, military ages 3-17, students with ID $8, ages 3-12 $7, age 2 and under free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sun 10a-4:30p
ADDRESS: 1788 El Prado in Balboa Park MAP PHONE: 619-232-3821 WEBSITE: http://www.sdnhm.org San Diego Air & Space Museum
DESCRIPTION: Photographs of the Tuskegee Airmen in training and on war bond posters, and scale models of the planes they flew in Europe; when in stock you can purchase Tuskegee Airmen airplane models in the gift shop
ADMISSION: $24 ages 12+, $22 ages 3-11, military $15, ages 2 and under free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sun 10a-4:30p
ADDRESS: 2001 Pan American Plaza in Balboa Park MAP PHONE: 619-234-8291 WEBSITE: http://www.aerospacemuseum.org
New Children's Museum San Diego
DESCRIPTION: a striking and creative new 50,000 square feet museum that reaches three-stories high and includes a dramatic atrium, 17-foot concrete entrance bridge, angled “saw tooth” roof structure, and a glass-enclosed elevator shaft that functions as a heating/cooling tower; multiple galleries provide spaces for hands-on experimentation, two birthday party rooms, a 250-seat theater and an indoor/outdoor café are additional features; compared to the old facility, the museum a triangle-shaped on-site park designed for children includes three shade-covered play spaces, for both day and evening activities; most impressive, the new structure utilizes green-friendly architectural and infra-structural practices and is one of the first “green” museums in California, has improved handicapped access, and many family-friendly features; Gizmo Garage is designed by former teachers to features exciting toys and gifts that help kids think, play, create and take home the Museum experience
ADMISSION: Adults and Children $10, age 65+ and Military with ID $5; children under age 1 enter free; Target Free Second Sunday 10a–4p
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Tue & Fri-Sat 10a–4p, Thu 10a–6p, Sun 12p–4p
ADDRESS: 200 West Island Avenue MAP
PHONE: 619-233-8792
WEBSITE: http://www.thinkplaycreate.org
Escondido, CA
DESCRIPTION: Many people consider this to be their favorite zoo that isn’t a zoo; by placing priority on the animals’ well being, the wild animal park goes the extra mile to allow them to live in dignity; narrated trams encircle regions of the park from safe distances enabling you to see pandas, elephants, rhinos, wildebeests, reptiles, lions and birds of prey in habitat that replicates their natural African and Asian environments; it is the closest thing you’ll see to a real African safari -- remarkable and unforgettable; this animal park also helped rescue the Condor from certain extinction
ADMISSION: $34 adults, $24 ages 3-11, ages 2 and under free; you should also consider a 2-day pass for this very large park
DAYS & HOURS: 9a–5p; summer hours are longer
ADDRESS: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road MAP
PHONE: 760-747-8702
WEBSITE: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wap
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