an Diego Theme Parks

It's family vacation time! If they haven't started already, your kids will soon be begging you to take them to a theme park or some other major kid-oriented attraction.

Why not bring them here for a stay at Grand Pacific Palisades Resort & Hotel and a visit to one of San Diego County's "big-four" theme parks: LEGOLAND California Resort, SeaWorld San Diego, the World-Famous San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park. All four are a lot of fun for kids and they are educational as well.

You'll be happy to know that you can visit our V.I.P. Concierge in the lobby for discounted tickets to any of these parks. No waiting in long lines AND you'll save money! This month's newsletter will give some helpful general information on each park and tips for visiting the parks with kids.

LEGOLAND California Resort

There are only four LEGOLAND parks in the world: one in Denmark, Britain, Germany, and one just across the street from our very own Grand Pacific Palisades in Carlsbad. The theme of this park is, of course, LEGO bricks, which are used throughout the park to create over 5,000 LEGO-sculptures and figures (many of which are animated), including "Miniland," an area of the park featuring very detailed, 1:20 scale representations of American cityscapes.

The entire park is designed for kids between the ages of 2 and 12 but we have personally witnessed "kids" of every age having an exciting time. There are three "soft" roller coasters in the park, as well as many other rides, but much of the park focuses on interactivity and creativity, including several playgrounds (such as kid-favorites;"The Hideaways" and "Water Works") and places for kids to make their own LEGO-creations.

The most popular attractions are the Driving School, which allows kids to earn a driver's license and drive a kid-sized electric car around track-less streets while obeying real road rules, The Dragon, a dragon-themed roller coaster, Technic Coaster, a faster roller coaster that adults will enjoy, and Miniland.

During the summer and on weekends, LEGOLAND California Resort can attract large crowds, creating long lines for some of the more popular attractions, so our advice is to get to the park early and head straight to the back of the park to either The Dragon or the Driving School.

You'll avoid the long mid-day lines for these attractions, and get the day started on a good note. Hit the high-energy rides and attractions early in the day, and later on, when the kids are tiring, visit some of the more low-key interactive attractions and shows. A couple of the attractions can get your kids wet, so pack extra clothes on cool days. One-day admission is $41.95 for adults and $34.95 for children and seniors. You can visit our V.I.P. Concierge desk to purchase tickets at a discount.

Kids love animals. Just seeing a squirrel scamper up a tree is enough to thrill a young child. That's why each of San Diego County's three other major theme parks make such great family vacation destinations; all three feature live animals as their main attractions. But on top of showcasing their large collections of rare and exotic animals, these parks have added live shows, children's petting zoos and even rides.

SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld is, at its heart, a zoo for a wide array of marine animals such as dolphins, sharks, manatees, eels, penguins and whales, including Shamu, the famous killer whale. But SeaWorld is more than an aquarium; the park features two rides, Shipwreck Rapids and Wild Arctic, and several live shows, which are a central part of the SeaWorld experience. The most famous show is The Shamu Adventure (tip: if you sit in the "soak zone," you will get soaked), and kids love the Pets Rule! show. If you want to avoid the long lines for the two rides, wait until a nearby show is playing – the lines will be much shorter. Another attraction that kids will love is the Rocky Point Preserve where visitors can feed and touch dolphins. One-day passes are $44.95 for adults and $34.95 for children. The park is located in the city of San Diego off the SeaWorld Drive exit from I-5.

World-Famous San Diego Zoo

San Diego is the home of one of the finest and most famous zoos in the world. The San Diego Zoo features over 4,000 animals representing 800 species, including lions, tigers, bears, elephants, giraffes, orangutans, zebras and gorillas. The Zoo's most famous exhibit is the Panda exhibit featuring giant Pandas on loan from China for research. Another popular attraction is the Koala exhibit which is the largest colony of Koalas outside of Australia. Kids will enjoy seeing the baby animals throughout the park, as well as the Children's Zoo. There are two live shows in the park: "Wild Ones" in the Hunte Amphitheater and the Wegeforth Bowl show starring sea lions. General admission tickets are $19.50 for adults and $11.75 for kids. The Zoo is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. Take the Pershing Drive exit off I-5 when traveling southbound.

San Diego Wild Animal Park

The San Diego Wild Animal Park is a most unique zoo in that its animals roam mostly cageless throughout the park's 2,200 acres. Areas of the park simulate the animals' natural habitats in Asia and Africa, and the Wgasa Bush Line Railway takes you on an hour-long safari adventure through the habitats. Kids will love Lorikeet Landing, where they can feed Lorikeet birds that land right on your arms and hands, Mombasa Lagoon, a children's play area, and the Petting Kraal, where kids can pet exotic baby animals such as black buc, impalas, and sika deer. The park also features a live bird show and elephant show. General admission is $26.50 for adults and $19.50 for children. The park is located in the city of Escondido, east of Carlsbad.