LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, and the zoos are the most spectacular family-oriented attractions in San Diego. However, plenty of other area attractions may interest your family. Downtown San Diego offers many things to see and do, all within walking distance of each other:

Gaslamp Quarter

410 Island Avenue, San Diego

(619) 233-5227

www.gaslamp.org

The historic downtown district features restaurants, galleries, shops, and jazz bars. This is a wonderful place to walk around in the evening before catching a bite to eat. However, most of the restaurants are expensive, and the quality of food and service sometimes doesn't measure up to the price.

Petco Park and the San Diego Padres

100 Park Blvd., San Diego

(619) 795-5000

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com

The local major league baseball team plays in a beautiful, new downtown ballpark, and when there's no game on, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour.

San Diego Maritime Museum

1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego

(619) 234-9153

www.sdmaritime.org

The outdoor museum includes a fine collection of ships, including the Star of India, the world's oldest active ship.

Seaport Village

840 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego

(619) 235-4014

www.seaportvillage.com

At Seaport Village, you can dine at one of four sit-down restaurants or select something from one of thirteen sidewalk eateries. You can also ride an antique carousel, walk along the waterfront, or browse through the one-of-a-kind shops.

USS Midway

910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego

(619) 544-9600

www.midway.org

A former aircraft carrier, the Midway offers a lot to see, and many of its docents are former crewmen who can tell you what it was like to serve on the ship. People are often surprised by how much they like the Midway, so don't dismiss it just because you weren't in the military or think you don't like boats.

Around town, you'll find plenty more to do, including:

Balboa Park

Headquarters: 1549 El Prado, San Diego

(619) 239-0512

www.balboapark.org

The cultural heart of San Diego is set on 1,200 acres of land, located just north of downtown. In a short walk through the park, you'll find fifteen museums, several theaters including the Tony Award-winning Old Globe, gardens, a carousel, and the famous San Diego Zoo. On summer nights, everyone likes the outdoor concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. The Prado restaurant here is considered one of San Diego's best.

Admission to the Balboa Park grounds is free, but most museums charge an entrance fee. If you plan to spend a lot of time in Balboa Park, visiting a half dozen or more museums, you may save money by getting a Passport to Balboa Park. The passport costs $35 for adults and $19 for children aged three through twelve; it is valid for seven days.

You can buy a passport at the visitor center or at the box office of any participating museum. For more information, call (619) 255-0217.

Centro Cultural de la Raza

2125 Park Blvd. San Diego

(619) 235-6135

www.centroraza.com

Dedicated to Mexican, Indigenous, Chicano, and Latino art and culture, the museum holds special exhibits and dance programs featuring their resident company, Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan. Open Tuesday through Sunday, noon through 4 P.M.

Japanese Friendship Garden

Near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park

(619) 232-2721

www.niwa.org

Balboa Park's lovely tea garden started out as a small teahouse during the 1915–1916 Panama-California Exposition. Today, it spreads over nine acres and includes both traditional and modern teahouses, a cherry tree grove, and an outdoor theater.

It is open Labor Day to Memorial Day, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. In summer, the garden is open until 5 P.M. on weekdays. Entrance is $3 for adults, $2.50 for seniors over fifty-five years old, $2 for students and military with ID, and free for children age six and under.

Marston House

3525 Seventh Ave.

(619) 298-3142

www.sandiegohistory.org

The classic 1905 Arts and Crafts-style home built for local merchant George W. Marston sits amidst English and California-style gardens. Inside, it's furnished with original furniture and a collection of pottery and Native American baskets. It's open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for guided tours at 10 A.M., 11 A.M., 1 P.M., 2 P.M., and 4 P.M., except Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for ages six to seventeen, and $4 for students, seniors, and military.

Mingei International Museum

1439 El Prado

(619) 239-0003

www.mingei.org

The word mingei means “arts of the people,” and the Mingei Museum is dedicated to promoting and understanding world folk art and mounting displays of traditional and modern creations. It is open from 10 A.M. through 4 P.M. Tuesday through Sunday, except on national holidays. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages six through seventeen and students with ID.

Museum of Photographic Arts

1649 El Prado

(619) 238-7559

www.mopa.org

An unusual institution devoted to the photographic arts, the museum holds a collection of more than 4,000 works focusing on modern and contemporary works. Hours are 10 A.M. through 5 P.M. Monday through Sunday, and Thursdays until 9 P.M., except Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1, and July 4. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for students, seniors, and military, and free for anyone under twelve years old. Everyone gets in free on the second Tuesday of the month.

Museum of San Diego History

1649 El Prado

(619) 232-6203

www.sandiegohistory.org

The place to go to learn about San Diego history, this museum holds a large collection of artifacts, costumes, and artworks, along with a notable collection of historic photographs. It is open every day 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. except Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors over age sixty-five, military, and AAA members, $2 for children ages six to seventeen, and free for kids under age five.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

1875 El Prado

(619) 238-1233

www.rhfleet.org

San Diego's science museum features more than 100 interactive exhibits and the city's only IMAX Dome Theater. The center is open daily from 9:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. Gallery admission is $7 for adults, and $6.25 for kids ages three through twelve and seniors over sixty-five. You'll pay extra to see an IMAX film.

San Diego Air & Space Museum

2001 Pan American Plaza

(619) 234-8291

www.aerospacemuseum.org

The Air & Space Museum chronicles aviation history with a collection of more than sixty aircraft and space vehicles. One of their most important holdings is the only Apollo space capsule actually flown in space and exhibited west of the Rockies. Open daily 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. and to 5 P.M. Memorial Day through Labor Day, the museum is closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Admission is $10 for adults over eighteen years old and $5 for youth ages six to seventeen, and $8 for seniors over sixty-five and students with valid ID. Active military gets in free with ID. Everyone gets in free on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

San Diego Art Institute (SDAI): Museum of the Living Artist

1439 El Prado

(619) 236-0011

www.sandiego-art.org

The institute features works by San Diego artists, with a new show opening every four to six weeks. Open 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Tuesday through Saturday, and 12 to 4 P.M. on Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors, military, and students with ID.

San Diego Automotive Museum

2080 Pan American Plaza

(619) 231-2886

www.sdautomuseum.org

The Automotive Museum holds a collection of more than ninety classic automobiles, including Frank Sinatra's 1967 Austin Petrol Hire Car and Russell Crowe's Harley-Davidson. Open daily 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., the museum is closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1; it closes at 2 P.M. the day before each of these holidays. Admission is $8 for adults ages sixteen through sixty-four, $6 for seniors sixty-five and over and military with ID, $5 for students with ID, $4 for youth ages six through fifteen, and free for children under six.

San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum

2131 Pan American Plaza

(619) 234-2544

www.sdhoc.com

The multisport museum features memorabilia and exhibits celebrating sports from surfing and skateboarding to basketball and football. It is open daily 10 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and military, $3 for children seven to seventeen years old, and free for children six and under.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum

1649 El Prado

(619) 696-0199

www.sdmrm.org

The world's largest operating model railroad museum features four enormous scale-model layouts of Southwestern U. S. railroads in O (1/48th actual size), HO (1/87th actual size), and N (1/160th actual size) scales. Kids will enjoy the interactive Lionel train gallery. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday 11 A.M. to 4 P.M., and Saturday and Sunday 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. On Tuesday and Friday nights, visitors can watch the local model railroad clubs work on the exhibit. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors sixty-five and older, $3 for students with ID, and $2.50 for active military with ID. Children under fifteen get in free when accompanied by an adult.

San Diego Museum of Art

1450 El Prado

(619) 232-7931

www.sdmart.org

The San Diego region's oldest and largest art museum holds a fine selection of European old masters, nineteenth and twentieth century American art, and large Asian and Latin American art collections. The museum is open 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Tuesday through Sunday and 10 A.M. to 9 P.M. on Thursdays. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors over sixty-five and military, $7 for students with ID, and $4 for youths ages six to seventeen. Children less than five years old get in free.

San Diego Museum of Man

1350 El Prado

(619) 239-2001

www.museumofman.org

Housed in Balboa Park's most recognizable building, the San Diego Museum of Man is devoted to anthropology. Their collections include Maya monuments, rare Egyptian tomb artifacts, and Peruvian mummies. The museum is open daily 10 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. except Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors over sixty-five years old and active military with ID, and $4 for ages six through seventeen. Children less than six years old get in free.

San Diego Natural History Museum

1788 El Prado

(619) 232-3821

www.sdnhm.org

The Natural History Museum focuses on Southern California and Baja California. Exhibits may include topics such as fossils, dinosaurs, or animals, and the museum also shows films in a 300-seat, giant screen theater. The museum is open daily 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. except Thanksgiving and December 25. Admission is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors over age sixty-two, $7 for active military, youth ages thirteen through seventeen, and students with ID. You'll pay $6 for children aged three through twelve. Kids under age two get in free.

Timken Museum of Art

1500 El Prado

(619) 239-5548

www.timkenmuseum.org

The Timken Museum is home to the Putnam Foundation Collection of European Old Master paintings, American paintings, and Russian icons. Their holdings include works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Fragonard, Bierstadt, and Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The Timken is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Sunday from 1:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. except major holidays, and the month of September. Admission is free.

Veterans Museum & Memorial Center

2115 Park Boulevard

(619) 239-2300

www.veteranmuseum.org

Located in the historic Naval Hospital Chapel on Inspiration Point, the Veterans Museum honors the men and women of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Wartime Merchant Marine. Exhibits include artifacts, documents, photographs, memorabilia, and artwork from the Civil War to the present. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 A.M. to 3 P.M.

WorldBeat Center

2100 Park Boulevard

(619) 230-1190

www.worldbeatcenter.org

The WorldBeat Center focuses on the cultures of indigenous Americans, African-Americans, and the African Diasporas. They teach a variety of classes, sponsor exhibitions, and host concerts. Hours and admission vary.

There's enough to do in Balboa Park to keep you busy for a long time, but there are also a lot of fun things to do in the rest of the city.

Belmont Park

3146 Mission Boulevard, #F, San Diego

(858) 228-9283

www.belmontpark.com

This classic seaside amusement park includes a selection of shops, restaurants, a wooden roller coaster, and the Plunge swimming pool.

Cabrillo National Monument

1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego

(619) 557-5450

www.nps.gov/cabr

The location overlooking San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean is an excellent place for whale watching from land. You'll also find not one but two lighthouses, tide pools, and a monument honoring Juan Cabrillo's landing in San Diego back in 1542.

Hotel del Coronado

1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado

(619) 435-6611

www.hoteldel.com

Even if you can't afford to stay in San Diego's best-known hotel, you can enjoy visiting. The internationally renowned resort hotel has hosted twelve U.S. presidents, countless celebrities, and one resident ghost. In addition to sightseeing and shopping, a self-guided tour is available.

Mission San Diego de Alcala

10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego

(619) 281-8449

www.missionsandiego.com

The first Spanish mission in California was founded in 1769 near today's Old Town, but a few years later, it moved to the current location, where you'll find the rebuilt mission church, a museum, a working archaeological site, and landscaped gardens that are all open to the general public.

Mission Bay

In addition to providing a home to SeaWorld, this 4,600-acre park offers beautiful picnic areas, seventeen miles of oceanfront beaches and trails, plus areas for boating and swimming.

Old Town State Historical Park

San Diego Avenue at Twiggs Street, San Diego

(619) 220-5422

www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=663

A favorite of tourists and locals alike, Old Town commemorates the area's earliest European settlement. Five original adobes reflect ordinary life in San Diego from 1821 to 1872. Old Town is the site of the Whaley House, one of the best-known haunted houses in America. It's also home to a number of specialty boutiques offering unique international collectibles, and several international restaurants.

Not in San Diego proper, but an easy drive nearby, these spots may tickle your fancy, tweak your curiosity, or even float your boat.

ARCO Olympic Training Center

2800 Olympic Parkway, Chula Vista

(619) 656-1500

www.usoc.org

Thousands of Olympic hopefuls train here every year, and guided tours are offered daily.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla

(858) 534-3474

www.aquarium.ucsd.edu

A jewel of a small aquarium, Birch features beautiful, intimate displays and great ocean views. Admission is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors over sixty, $8 for college students, and $7.50 for ages three to seventeen.

Carlsbad Flower Fields

5704 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad

(760) 431-0352

www.theflowerfields.com

Fifty acres of colorful, rose-shaped ranunculus flowers draw thousands of visitors every March and April.

Del Mar Fairgrounds

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar

(858) 793-5555

www.dmtc.com

The thoroughbred horseracing season runs through the summer, and the San Diego County Fair is held in June, usually closing on July 4.

Palomar Observatory

Highway of Stars, Palomar Mountain

(760) 742-2119

www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar

For astronomy buffs, the observatory houses the continental United States' largest telescope. Free tours are offered daily.

Quail Botanical Gardens

230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas

(760) 436-3036

www.qbgardens.org

Stroll through the lush gardens and view exotic plants from all over the world.