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From Sea World to surfing, Family Travel Forum experts tell you where to go when visiting sunny San Diego.

Southern California is a participant in the CityPass Program which includes admission to five popular attractions: the San Diego Zoo, Sea World Adventure Park, Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure and Universal Studio Hollywood for one price, reflecting a substantial savings off individual tickets. In addition to our recommendations, another resource for parents is the directory www.SDKids.com, provided to local parents who want to keep up with this ever growing city. For general information on San Diego, contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 619/232-3101 or www.sandiego.org.

Great Fun for the Kids

(Toddler to Age 8)

The San Diego Model Railroad Museum
1649 El Prado (in Balboa Park)
San Diego, CA 92101
619/696-0199
With one of the largest collections of mini-gauge railroads in the world, some kids find this museum so terrific they never want to leave. Exhibits include the Pacific Desert Lines, with miniature trains 1/160 actual size, and the Toy Train Gallery which includes a 3 Rail and interactive models for children.

Rubin H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center
1875 El Prado (in Balboa Park)
San Diego, CA 92101
619/238-1233
This museum has an the world's first and San Diego's only IMAX Dome theater where they show various educational movies and light shows about the world. Your kids will also find the more than 60 hands-on exhibits delightful, including Origins in Space, Aging for all Ages, Kid City and Gallery of Illusions and Perceptions.

LEGOLAND California
1 LEGOLAND Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760/918-5346 or 877/LEGOLAND
Legoland California is fashioned after its 30-year-old European namesake and the first of its kind in the U.S. The 128-acre complex was built using more than 130 million Lego blocks, and features 50 rides and eight themed areas. In reality, the park activities will interest kids 2-12 years, but visitors of all ages will enjoy the fantastic Lego constructions that adorn the park and the detailed artistry of their builders. In March 2008, Legoland uncovered a forgotten city, Land of Adventures, which features four new attractions and rides. Lost Kingdom Adventure, the park's first dark ride, transports guests back to ancient Egypt on a family journey through ancient temple ruins as they ride in desert jeeps blasting targets with lasers. Beetle Bouncers boosts children nearly 15 feet into the air as they are launched up one of two towers. Pharaoh's Revenge offers a play area filled with catapulting foam balls that the whole family can enjoy, and Cargo Ace stimulates the imagination, as children become airplane pilots, soaring on planes that fly up to six feet.

SeaWorld
500 SeaWorld Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
800/25-SHAMU
Great marine exhibits and Shamu the whale shows make SeaWorld must-see entertainment for everyone. Make sure to reserve tickets for the Shamu Show by calling in advance during high seasons; it is very popular and sells out quickly. "Sesame Street Bay of Play" is a two-acre Sesame Street-themed interactive play area that includes Elmo's Flying Fish, Abby's Sea Star Spin and Oscar's Rocking Eel rides. You can rest your feet in the "Big Bird's Beach Party" show and the movie "Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination in 4-D." Call ahead to book Breakfast with Elmo and Friends.

Children's Museum/Museo de los Ninos
211 Maple Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619/233-8792
This is an ambitious, "please touch" museum where kids and parents alike are invited to create their own art, experience virtual reality simulations and learn with both hands-on and "minds-on" activities. The museum reopened after a major expanded in May, 2008, and features a dramatic three story atrium, a concrete entrance bridge and a glass-enclosed elevator.  The new, environmentally green facility features expanded galleries for hands-on art experimentation, a 250-seat-theater, and an indoor/outdoor café. Museum planners have included more handicapped access, stroller parking and diaper-changing facilties in the design. Parents will appreciate the one-acre Museum Park, located across the street, that boasts three shade-covered play spaces, open days and evenings.

The Old Globe
1363 Old Globe Way (in Balboa Park)
San Diego, CA 92101
619/234-5623
This theater offers both indoor and outdoor performances and stages an outdoor summer Shakespeare festival that's a great opportunity for introducing the kids to the great playwright. Also performed are more contemporary plays which have included Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Damn Yankees, The Full Monty and Into the Woods.