Are you on the hunt for the perfect family vacation destination that goes beyond just a typical beach getaway? Do you dream of a place where the sun shines bright and the weather is almost always perfect? Look no further than the beautiful city of San Diego! And yes, if you do in fact enjoy going to the beach, they do have those there as well, so you won’t miss out. In fact, the beach was just one of the many stops that made our family vacation in June 2025 an unforgettable adventure!
Let’s start first with how we got there, where did we stay and how did we get around the city. We live in the Northern KY/ Greater Cincinnati area so I think it goes without saying that we flew to San Diego versus driving. We flew non-stop on Breeze airlines from the Cincinnati/Northern KY International Airport. If you’re visiting San Diego for more than a few days, renting a car is a great way to save money and get around more easily. We rented a large, luxury SUV with Enterprise car rentals at SAN airport and we were very pleased with our rental. We rented a very nice house in Mid City near San Diego State University. The location was convenient, and the extra living space, private patio with a hot tub, and full kitchen made it a great alternative to a hotel.
To check out our Breeze Airlines First Class Review please click HERE!
GO CITY Passes
We purchased a 5-day San Diego All-Inclusive GO CITY pass 3-4 months prior to our trip, and it was undoubtedly the best decision! The total cost for 4 adults (note that a teenager is charged at the adult rate) was $1212.20. At first glance, this amount may seem significant, but when you calculate the admission fees for 4 people to all the attractions we visited—and those we could visit—it’s an exceptional value. Our passes included access to 47 attractions, featuring popular destinations like Legoland, San Diego Zoo & Safari Park, and SeaWorld. Parking fees are not covered by the pass so it’s essential to keep that in mind and budget accordingly. You’ll find it easy to manage all your passes through the GO CITY app, eliminating the hassle of keeping track of physical tickets.
Legoland
The first stop with our GO CITY pass was Legoland. Even though the park is tailored to kids ages 4-12, there is something there for those of all ages. Our teenage boys really enjoyed Legoland, more than we even expected them to. My husband and I really enjoyed seeing the amazing Lego displays and enjoyed the rides we did go on; however, long lines were a bit of an issue. But what do you expect when you go to a popular theme park in the summertime?! They had several Lego stores throughout the theme park, as you would imagine, and they had quite the assortment of not just Legos but apparel and small trinkets as well. Prices were as expected, maybe a little higher than you see for a Lego set on Amazon, but they did have some Legoland exclusives. Food was quite pricey there as well, especially if you plan on feeding your family of four. We stayed there for about 4-5 hours, but I could see how a family with younger kids could spend an entire day there. I would likely go back there if we visit the San Diego area again. Note: There was a Legoland hotel adjacent to the park, but we did not stay there. We did go in and walk around the lobby and main floor, but I left there less than impressed.
USS Midway
Next up: USS Midway Museum. The USS Midway was the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Decommissioned in San Diego on April 11, 1992, it remained inactive in Bremerton, Washington. It opened as the USS Midway Museum in June 2004. My husband and I are absolutely captivated by American history, which made our visit to this museum a very cool experience! While our kids had varied opinions, they still very much enjoyed the museum. But for us adults, the real highlight was undoubtedly the breathtaking array of planes on display and the fascinating stories woven into the history of each aircraft. As for the kids, they were thrilled by the exhilarating flight simulator ($10 per person per ride – double occupancy), the incredible gift shop, and the chance to sit in select aircraft cockpits. We may have only spent a few hours there, but you could easily lose yourself for an entire day—especially if you’re a die-hard history enthusiast!
San Diego Zoo
Our next destination was the San Diego Zoo, a location I had long aspired to visit due to its esteemed reputation, and it certainly met my expectations. The zoo features a diverse array of animals, including giant pandas, koalas, and polar bears. Although the pandas are a big highlight for many visitors, they were keeping to themselves during our visit, so we didn’t really get to see them. That said, there was still plenty to enjoy, as the zoo offers several immersive exhibits along with unique experiences like the Skyfari aerial tram. Although it occupies only 100 acres, the space feels extensive, characterized by numerous hills and winding paths. Some exhibits are situated a considerable distance apart, so make sure to wear your walking shoes! We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would absolutely recommend making this a top priority during your time in San Diego.
Seaworld
Our next stop on our family vacation was SeaWorld, and it was one I had been especially looking forward to. I’ve visited SeaWorld Orlando in the past and absolutely loved the shows—so I had high expectations, and once again, I wasn’t disappointed. The shows were fantastic! We arrived early to beat the crowds, and despite the chilly morning, the park was still fairly quiet, which made for a great start to the day. While SeaWorld does offer several rides, quite a few were closed during our visit, and others didn’t really interest us since they were geared toward younger kids or were roller coasters (which we usually skip). But let’s be honest—the real stars of SeaWorld are the animals. The animal exhibits and presentations were truly amazing and easily the highlight of the park. There are also optional add-on experiences available, but we chose to skip those due to the added cost. Overall, SeaWorld is a park that’s fun for all ages, with something for everyone to enjoy.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Next up was the San Diego Safari Park, and I was really looking forward to it, but honestly, I left feeling a bit let down. We got there early to board the popular Africa Tram and dodge the crowds, and that part was definitely the best part of our trip. Unfortunately, most of the safari experiences aren’t included in the ticket price and the cost can really add up, so we decided against upgrading our experience. In addition, the exhibits were spaced so far apart that we ended up skipping a few just to avoid trekking all the way back across the park. It felt like we spent more time walking than actually checking out the animals! If you grab the GO CITY pass, this place is part of the deal, so I wouldn’t totally skip it. Just be ready to do some serious walking!
Coronado Beach
One of the last stops we made in San Diego was Coronado Beach, and honestly, you can’t visit California without checking out the beach! It’s super popular and a gorgeous spot to wander around or just chill by the water. I wouldn’t suggest reserving accommodations in this area unless you’re fine with shelling out some cash—it can get pretty pricey! The local shops tend to be a bit expensive as well. We had a hard time finding any free parking, so I would advise that if you don’t get there super early, just bite the bullet and pay for parking so you have more time to enjoy the amazing scenery. All in all, I’d say it’s definitely worth spending a few hours here soaking up the sun and checking out this gorgeous coastal community!
Well, that’s a wrap for San Diego! Overall, we had an amazing time exploring this city, and I can confidently say there’s no shortage of activities for both kids and adults alike. However, be warned: this isn’t a budget-friendly vacation! While we snagged some savings with the GO CITY pass, food prices soared, fuel costs were high, flights weren’t cheap, and renting homes in this sought-after destination comes with a hefty price tag. So, if a getaway beyond just soaking up the sun at the beach is what you seek, San Diego is worth a visit, but make sure to brace yourself for the financial adventure that comes with visiting one of California’s popular destinations!
Be sure to stay tuned for our in depth video of our trip to San Diego in the upcoming weeks on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TheOrdinaryVacationer).
Key Takeaways
- San Diego offers more than just beaches; it’s a great family vacation destination with many attractions.
- Using the GO CITY pass, the family accessed 47 attractions, including Legoland, USS Midway, and SeaWorld, saving money on entry fees.
- Accommodation in San Diego was a well-located rental house with useful amenities, making the stay comfortable.
- While attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park impressed, some had high additional costs and required a lot of walking.
- Overall, the family trip to San Diego was enjoyable but not budget-friendly, so plan for expenses.
Estimated reading time: 16 minutes
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