There are homes that you may visit with your family in which you have to constantly remind your kids, "don't touch" or "eat with your fork, please," or "try not to break anything."
And then there are homes that you visit in which the host says, "come on in, and bring the kids!" Then, the host proceeds to serve kid-friendly foods and beverages, and if your child makes a mess, the host is not phased.
Travel destinations are the same way. Some places, in my humble opinion, are family-friendly only in theory. On the other hand, there are places that welcome families with open arms.
Mission Bay in San Diego is such a place.
With its sparkling waters, soft sand beaches and recreational activities, Mission Bay attracts visitors year round. At 4,600 acres, Mission Bay Aquatic Park is located just minutes from downtown. It's the largest park of its kind in the world, with 27 miles of shoreline. And Mission Bay includes access to family-friendly hotels and attractions, making it a great place to plan a vacation.
Things to Do
For a true sense of a Southern California Beach, complete with boardwalk and recreation, visitors should be sure to stop at San Diego's Mission Beach. With a group of teens tossing a football, plus countless families on bikes, and even more moms, dads, and relatives on the beach, it's evident that Mission Beach is a fab spot for families. And to satisfy inevitable hunger, there is a variety of eateries - from hot dog stands to fine dining.
And parents can rent or purchase just about anything for a day on the boardwalk - bikes, swimwear, beach toys, and more.
Located a short walk from the boardwalk is Belmont Park and on Mission Beach, Belmont Park you'll find San Diego's only beachfront amusement park. The highlight of the park is the Giant Dipper roller coaster, which is a National Historic Landmark and one of only two remaining beachfront wooden roller coasters on the U.S. West Coast. The park also features classic rides like a merry-go-round and Tilt-a-Whirl, as well as modern fun, like a zip line and rock climbing.
For additional amusements, Sea World San Diego is located along the Mission Bay shoreline. Well-known for its shows, Sea World San Diego's Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Program has benefited more than 25,000 stranded, injured and orphaned marine animals over the past 50 years. Of course, boys and girls of all ages will be thrilled with rides and marine-life interactions. There are rides for all, including the Sesame Street Bay of Play for the youngest guests, and the Manta (my personal favorite) and Journey to Atlantis roller coasters for thrill-seekers.
Where to Stay
Upon entering the Catamaran Resort on Mission Bay, there was an immediate sense that children were not only welcome, but free to "be children." From the little hands in the fountain in the lobby, to the patter of sandy feet on the floor, to the interactive tropical bird habitat on the path to my room, the Catamaran emanated with child-friendly energy. The resort is located just minutes away from Mission Bay's attractions. And, because it's located along sandy shores, guests have access to Catamaran's Action Sport Rentals, which offers sailboats, kayaks, paddle boards, and pedal boats for use in Mission Bay. Water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing are also available for the extreme adventurists.
Another family-friendly lodging option is Paradise Point Resort. The bungalow-style accommodations are perfect for families. And many of the bungalows are located along the beach, with access to fire pits - perfect for an evening of s'mores! The resort also boasts a full array of events and activities, including five pools, nightly summer fireworks, bike rentals, camp options, and more! And like the Catamaran Resort, Paradise Point is located within minutes of Mission Bay's attractions.
Where to Eat
Mission Bay has restaurants to please any palate and budget. All of the restaurants I experienced during my trip had excellent cuisine and service. Here are the restaurants I experienced:
Oceana Coastal Kitchen in the Catamaran Resort. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner using fresh, local produce and sustainable ingredients, as well as seafood from the coast of the Baja and the Pacific.
Cannonball. Located in Belmont park, Cannonball Rooftop Sushi Bar boasts the largest oceanfront rooftop bar and restaurant in San Diego. Guests of this casual dining experience can enjoy a to-die-for view of the beach from the rooftop. And the California Cuisine is light and perfect for lunch on the beach.
Tidal. The all-new signature restaurant at Paradise Point Resort features dishes with Italian and French influences.
The Patio on Lamont Street. This cozy, neighborhood restaurant served up big helpings of fresh breakfast and coffee. They also offer lunch, brunch, and dinner, and were recently voted the Best Neighborhood Restaurant by San Diego Magazine.
JRDN Restaurant. JRDN is a contemporary steak and seafood restaurant that is perfect for couples. The California cuisine, described as casually sophisticated, is accented by the restaurant's modern decor and "wave wall."
And finally....
A description of Mission Bay is incomplete without a mention of the mild weather, stunning views and sunsets.
The author received complimentary transportation, accommodations, dining and entertainment for the purpose of facilitating the writing of this article. Any opinion expressed is that of the author.
