creative jewish mom

How To Plan a Family-Friendly Vacation in San Diego

The sunny California coast is truly an amazing destination for a family vacation. With a gorgeous climate, beautiful beaches, exciting, kid-friendly attractions, and a laid-back and relaxed vibe, California really has it all. Whlle I was born and raised in Northern Calfiornia, so I'm admittedly partial to that part of the state, if I had to venture south, San Diego would be one of my top choices.

And of course, for those seeking attractions that are family-friendly, San Diego delivers. The practically perfect weather all year round, combined with tourist experiences, summer events and festivals galore that cater directly to little ones, make it a great choice for a family-friendly vacation.

So if you are planning a cruise from California and want to pack in a few great kid-friendly experiences first, or if you are looking for a destination for your summer vacation with the family, here are some of the best family-friendly options that San Diego has to offer. 

Saying Goodbye To Pacifica, It Was Amazing!

Ahhhhhh, what can I say, while we said goodbye to Pacifica on August 3rd, 2021, I'm just now finishing up my posts on the subject! While our vacation rental did not have a gorgeous ocean view or even amazing amenities, it did meet our needs as a family gathering spot, and it was just a few minute walk from the beach. And friends, what an amazing best kept secret kind of place, that because it is so close to San Francisco folks just tend to drive right on by. And really, just ten minutes from the San Francisco airport, so you could even visit if you are on a layover! If you are seeking sun bathing and hot weather, this is not he kind of place for you. But if you are like us and just want to avoid summer crowds, walk on a gorgeous beach, enjoy cool weather and a rugged coastline, bingo! I would surely visit Pacifica again, and there is one trail that we did not get to, which i greatly regret, so for that alone, it may just happen. Okay, and of course my mother lives in the Bay Area, so it won't exactly be out of the way, can't wait! Check out my many previous posts about Pacifica under the Travel: San Francisco category here, and keep on reading for my last glimpses of this special place!

Hillsides Filled With Echium Pininana In Devil's Slide

As we were about to enter the Devil's Slide trail in Pacifica, CA, which I posted about here, I could not believe my eyes......... hillsides filled with tall cone like plants that truly looked like something only seen in Dr, Suess's imagination, not actually in real life! Wow, wow wow, it truly felt like I'd landed on another planet! Upon closer inspection, I did realize that this plant had quite a few similarities to my beloved Pride of Madeira which is also a coastal plant that does equally well in Northern Israel. Pride of Madeira is called Echium Candicans, namely in the Echium family, and when I got home and researched this plant, voila, Echium Pininana, so they are cousins. What can I say, hoping to capture this amazing plant dotting the hillsides in a painting or illustration and maybe I'll find some to enjoy in Israel sometime! Enjoy this little introduction to Echium Pininana!

Devil's Slide Trail In Pacifica, California

On our week long stay in Pacifica, California at the end of July there were so many unique coastal experiences and stunning vistas, and one of those was a walk on Devil's Slide, the walking/biking/multi-use trail that actually used to be a section of Highway 1! The thing is, a highway should never have been built in that spot as the hillsides are too unstable, and consequently the highway was closed too frequently leaving many folks without a way in or out. Eventually after many many years and lots of community and political discussion, Highway 1 was rerouted via a tunnel, and the old portion of road was turned into a multi-use 1.3 mile trail, just 7 years ago, with access from both the beginning and the end. And friends, this is a wonderful spot to visit, with stunning views, though try to go during the week so you can park in the parking lot (or so the website advises) and have the place virtually all to yourself, as we did! Ready, lets take a walk on Devil's Slide!

An Amazing Succulent: Rock Purslane

I love gardens and all things botanical and I am always on the lookout for interesting plants and great garden design, where ever our travels take us! The love for all things drought tolerant is particularly strong in California, by necessity, but also because so many of the drought tolerant species are just downright wonderful. I thought I was somewhat well versed regarding succulents, but apparently not, as an amazing succulent called Rock Purslane, somehow flew under my radar, has now come to my attention and wow, wow, wow! Look at those amazing vibrant pink flowers on tall stalks! I'm sold, of course we are now in the shemittah year here in Israel, meaning no new additions to my garden anytime soon, but I can dream! The really really amazing thing is that the leaves of the Rock Purslane look almost identical to the leaves of the Oribe Gorge succulent that is a part of my container garden, check it out here.

The Pacifica Pier At Sunset

Our week in Pacifica, California this past summer was truly a delight, and I still can't believe I was never there! We simply passed it by so so many times on our way to somewhere further away!

I have shared with you the Mori Point Hike, The Sharp Park Beach, and the the Sharp Park Beach birds, and now drum roll, the Pacifica pier! While there are two sides of Pacifica, the decidedly less fancy and more layed back side is the side where the pier is located, and we were just a 5 or so minute walk from it. The pier was mostly packed with folks fishing for sea life of some kind, and the views of Pacifica from the pier, especially at sunset, were really stunning! Come lets take a little walk down the pier, shall we?

The Birds Of Sharp Park Beach, Pacifica

Sharp Park Beach in Pacifica, California, that I wrote about here, had so many delights and I felt so blessed to have it just a five minute walk from our vacation rental. To enjoy this huge flock of birds, who by the way are not your average sea gull, you have to walk down to the southern end of the beach, prepare your camera, and then approach the flock resting on the beach. Hey, birds need to get up once in a while also, right? Plus the thrill of so many birds flying overhead is not to be missed! This is such a stunning beach that is so accessible and quite close to San Francisco. Not a beach for swimming or sun bathing, but rather for enjoying the dramatic surf and the sand under your feet! And if you are lucky, you'll get some sun, not a guarantee by any means even in July or August! Okay, lets take a little walk down the beach to check out those birds!

The Mori Point Trail, Pacifica

I grew up in the San Franciso Bay Area, and even lived in San Francisco for a few years, but somehow never made it to Pacifica! Maybe it was just too close to home? And oh my, were we ever missing out on stunning Northern California coastline, and sandy beaches just 25 minutes or so from San Francisco and only 15 minutes from the airport! Pacifica is highly under rated, and I would surely visit again to spend more time exploring the trails and just simply walking on the beach. While it was late July, there was not a sunbather to be found, because the coastline here is cold and often foggy, and even surfers wear wet suits. The Mori Point trail, just a five minute walk from our rental was truly a delight, including a stunning cliff top view that varied depending on the day and the ever present fog! Come along, lets explore Mori Point!  (We started to trail next to the parking lot on Beach Blvd. where Beach Blvd. meets Clarendon. Beach Blvd is one way so you have to go around to get to the parking lot.)

 

Sharp Park Beach Pacifica

When I was planning our two week family get together in the SF Bay Area, I was looking for a coastal location with the kind of rugged and stunning beaches I remember from my childhood. And guess what, a mere 25 minutes drive from San Francisco, and only a 10 minute drive from the airport, I found just that, in the town of Pacifica! Pacifica is a gem that somehow does not get the attention it deserves, but maybe that is good for us, as one can still enjoy empty beaches and quiet in a location that is so very close to San Francisco! Honestly, I was so very very surprised by this location, and would gladly return! While our rental was not on the water, nor did it have much of a view, it was just a 5 minute walk from the beach, and some wonderful and doable hikes that are truly stunning. Okay, lets first take a look at that beach I mentioned, Sharp Park Beach, shall we?