water on a harbor tour, holiday cruises or weekend brunch cruises. Seasonal whale and dolphin watching available with expert narration from the captain and volunteer naturalists. Gaslamp Museum at the DavisHorton House 410 Island Ave. 619-233-4692 www.gaslampfoundation.org Constructed in 1850, this is the oldest remaining home in the Gaslamp Quarter. Each room showcases a different period in the house’s history. Self-guided and private family tours available. Gaslamp Quarter Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Aves. (between Broadway and Harbor Dr.) 619-233-5227 www.gaslamp.org/family San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter is a fun area for a family outing with many restaurants, shops and museums to explore on your own or book a Family Walking Tour. Ghirardelli Ice Cream Shop 643 Fifth Ave. 619-234-2449
www.ghirardelli.com This old-fashioned ice cream parlor offers the same decadent sundaes and shakes as the San Francisco icon. Grant Hill Neighborhood Park 27th & J St. in the Grant Hill Neighborhood This park offers fabulous views of the Coronado Bridge, mountains and downtown. Great spot for a sunset picnic. The Headquarters at Seaport 789 W. Harbor Dr. 619-235-4013 www.theheadquarters.com Enjoy restaurants and boutique shops at this popular outdoor marketplace, the former site of San Diego’s Police Headquarters. While you’re there, look for the restored jail cells and snap a family photo against the lineup wall (free). iDessert 1608 India St. 619-544-1033 www.idessert.com Design custom desserts using inhouse iPads. Includes choice of gelato, meringue shell and optional whipped cream, toppings or cake.
Upgrade to a Vegas Bowl for an over-the-top experience created with dry ice! Little Italy Mercato W. Date St. (Kettner to Union) www.littleitalysd.com/events/ mercato Grab your amici and famiglia for a stroll through San Diego’s favorite farmers market. A feast for the senses, the Mercato features locally grown produce, sweets, handcrafted goods and more. Saturdays, year-round. Maritime Museum of San Diego 1492 N. Harbor Dr. 619-234-9153 www.sdmaritime.org Climb aboard this historic fleet of steam boats, submarines and sailing ships—including the iconic Star of India. Don’t miss family events like Pirate Days and Fleet Week. Sailing adventures and tours available. Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade Market St. to Petco Park, along Harbor Dr. This nice path features art installations, MLK quotes and a hedge maze for kids.
San Diego Ocean Adventures
Photo credit: Angela Beransky Photography
Visit Birch Aquarium’s Hall of Fishes, where families can get close to ocean creatures such as leopard sharks, eels, a giant pacific octopus and more. Don’t miss the two-story Giant Kelp Forest, in addition to the 600-gallon cylindrical Moon Jelly experience, and the touch pools on Tide Pool Plaza, where kids get hands-on with sea anemones and sea cucumbers. www.aquarium.ucsd.edu LEGOLAND’S SEA LIFE Aquarium is excellent for young explorers. Touch a sea star at the Interactive Rockpool and join an educational talk or feeding demonstration to learn about sea life and the importance of protecting marine species. Don’t miss the walkthrough tunnel, where sharks and rays swim overhead! Aquarium admission is separate from LEGOLAND admission. www.legoland.com/california/things-todo/sea-life-aquarium
Birch Aquarium
Take a 90-minute guided kayaking tour to the La Jolla Sea Caves. All levels welcome. Observe sea lions, kelp forests and maybe even leopard sharks. Life jackets and helmets provided. For ages 6+. www.lajollaseacavekayaks.com
Go behind the scenes during a SeaWorld Sea Lion Encounter, where you’ll meet with an animal educator and come face-to-face with a sea lion. Not included with SeaWorld admission; reservations required. www.seaworld.com/ san-diego/experiences/sea-lionencounter Take a Private Wildlife Tour at Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista, where you might choose to feed sea turtles or touch a shark. Learn from an animal ambassador about the marine species, birds and reptiles on the property. The two-hour experience is for groups of up to 10. www.thelivingcoast.org/experiences/ private-animal-encounters
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