Did you know that the United States has 12,383 miles of coastline? That’s a lot of beaches and a staggering array of choices for family beach vacations. But let’s face it, not all beach towns are created equal. A San Diego family beach vacation has the best there is to offer, even by California standards.
Even though San Diego is a city of 3 million people, San Diego County’s 70 miles of beachfront features numerous smaller cities that all have a small, laid back beach town feel. You can stay in Encinitas, Del Mar, or Carlsbad (in the North County) and still have easy access to all the amenities of a Metropolitan city just a few miles south on Highway 5.
San Diego is a fantastic choice for a surf vacation, especially if you go in the winter months when you’ll find world-class waves. Black’s Beach, Del Mar, Mission Beach and so many others too numerous to name are known for consistent and often epic surf. With Southern California’s famous Mediterranean climate, it’s possible to find warm beach weather even in December or January (although you’ll have to wear a wetsuit, for sure!).
Not interested in surfing? No worries, a family beach vacation in San Diego offers things to do like theme parks (think SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, and Legoland), museums (Museum of Man, California Surf Museum, for starters) and even several resort-style casinos not far outside the city proper you can also try new casinos online. And remember, San Diego borders Mexico so you have the option for an international experience with a day trip south of the border (but you’ll need a passport; the days of driving into Mexico with only a driver’s license are long gone).
Because San Diego is only 90 miles south of Los Angeles, you have easy access to all the standard SoCal options, like Disneyland, Hollywood, Universal Studios and the zillions of other things to do there. You just don’t have to stay there! Do yourself a favor and plan a San Diego family beach vacation. It’s one of SoCal’s best kept secrets.
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