San Diego Attractions for Kids

Raising a family can be expensive, and many save up all year for a family vacation. Yet parents often have a difficult time locating destinations that are affordable and thus, often look for locations that have free children's activities. While many desirable cities have children's attractions, few have many free activities that children of various ages will find enjoyable. That's not the case in San Diego. Besides the ideal weather, numerous public beaches, and perfect location which is convenient to other recreational areas, San Diego has a number of free, child focused activities that will delight the whole family. In addition, many San Diego hotels have packages allowing children to stay and eat free and free meals for children can also be found in various venues around the city.

Free Things to Do in San Diego: Children's Activities

Often it's hard to keep children entertained when on vacation especially when traveling on a shoe string budget. San Diego is just the place to visit if looking for enough children's activities and attractions to keep the entire family entertained. Some of the top San Diego Family Attractions are listed below.

• New Children's Museum - Free the second Sunday of every month to all visitors, the museum was designed for children with extended hours and on these days offers special performances and activities in addition to the child friendly exhibits, interactive displays and large play space.

• U.S Olympic Training Center - This 150 acre complex is dedicated to training future Olympians and has successfully sent a number of athletes to the Olympics since it was built in 1995. Free tours of the facility which include the opportunity for children (and adults) to talk to some of the trainers/coaches and athletes are offered Tuesday - Saturday (call for times) and self guided tours are allowed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 7 days a week.

• Old Town State Park - Free educational tours are provided of this large park which is the location of the original foundations of the city. Several buildings of interest remain within this area, but by far the favorite of children of all ages is the Whaley House, alleged to be the most haunted house in America.

• San Diego Public Libraries - San Diego city and county libraries offer a variety of activities for children and is a perfect option for days when you may feel a bit burnt out on non-stop excitement. There are numerous branches one of which is bound to be close to wherever you are staying and each offers a number of different options including arts and crafts, story time, children's cartoons and movies, creative writing, among others. Let the children enjoy themselves in a safe environment while you check out the latest bestseller of just relax with an old favorite. Most branches also offer refreshments for the children.

• Sea World Fire Works - The great thing about fireworks is they don't put on a show until way up high. This means you can see them for free if you can find a good viewing area. And Mission Bay is just such a viewing area from which to get a perfect view of the spectacular display put on by Sea World from April through September.

• Stargazing at the Rueben H. Fleet Science Center - On the first Wednesday of each month giant telescopes are set up on the grounds of the Fleet Science Center at dusk, so little astronomers can see the stars as they first begin to show then pick out stars and planets as a narrator leads them through the visible star formations. Children are encouraged to ask questions and the program is intended to be interactive to maintain children's interest throughout. All ages from young to adult are welcome to take part for free year round.

Things to Do in San Diego Under $10

1. Day at Cabrillo Monument
One of the best tourist destinations in San Diego is atop Point Loma at the Cabrillo Monument. This Historical Monument is hundreds of feet above the pacific and offers some of the most extravagant views of the City. For just $5 a vehicle you and your family can watch aircraft carriers come in from sea, walk one of the nature trails, and go down to the surf to play in the tide pools.

2. Picnic at Balboa Park 
In the center of the city nestled between the freeways and skyscrapers, lies a little eden called Balboa Park. There are many events, museums and things to do for both fee and free in Balboa. One of favorite dates is a simple picnic in the park and then a stroll around the beautiful architecture of the Park. Bonus Hint: Tuesdays are Resident days and offer free admission on select events and museums for Residents, military and their dependents.

3. Watch Seaworld Fireworks
Probably the best free thing to do in San Diego is watch the SeaWorld fireworks. When the warm summer nights welcome in the annual display of fireworks, make your way over to one of Mission Bay's bonfire pits and nestle up close to someone special. The fireworks start at either 8:50pm or 9:50pm depending on day.

4. Coronado Ferry Ride
Leaving from Seaport village, you begin your day in one the cities waterfront gems. The ferry travels back and forth to Coronado all day. Bring your bike and bike around Coronado Island, or just lounge at one of the little beaches near the ferry landing. For just $4.25 each way, there is not a more affordable way to get out on the water in San Diego bay than to take the coronado ferry.

5. Play in the Surf 
It goes without saying that San Diego has some of the best beaches in the world. Whether you came to surf, tan, snorkel or swim, there is something for everyone at the beach. If you are on Spring Break and looking for a younger crowd, you will find it at Pacific Beach. For a great family beach, try mission beach or La Jolla Shores.

6. Get a California Burrito
You may wonder how this got on the list? Yes. It is that Good. Original to San Diego, everyone should try one of these delicious treats. What is it? A california burrito is a carne asada burrito with cheese, guacamole, and french fries wrapped up in a huge tortilla. Try it and you will not be disappointed.

7. Watch the sun set and stars rise 
At the top of Mt. Soledad you will get a 360 view of America's finest city from it's highest point. Drive right up to the top and park it like your Will Ferrell in "Anchor Man" and enjoy the greatest free lookout point in San Diego. Sunset, Sunrise, or the middle of the night, every time is a good time to visit Mt. Soledad.

8. See a Padres Game 
Yeah you heard me right. You can see a Padres game for under $10. Get a seat in the Lawn, Bleachers, or find better seats on promotion and go enjoy a game. 20 games a year offer certain seats free dinner with your seat (as long as your happy with a hot dog and a coke).

9. Climb Cowles Mountain
A perfect mile and a half hike, Cowles Mountain is a great way to get outside. Stay fit and have fun while climbing to the top for a rewarding view. Just make sure you either go in the morning or evening if its a hot day, this is a medium to difficult workout.

San Diego's Quiet Zone Impact on Condo Values

A little history, in years past as all trains approached a rail road crossing they were required to sound their horns 3 times before entering the crossing (going over the street). As you may know a lot of these crossings very close to each other resulting in the train horns being sounded repeatedly as they went though the neighborhoods of Little Italy, Columbia, Marina and the Gaslamp Quarter all of which have lots of condo building adjacent to the train tracks.

After a 10 year process of getting the Quiet Zone approved, it's finally here, a year past the deadline, but finally in effect. This Quiet Zone project cost about $20 million dollars and to the casual observer not much has changed to the intersections. Most of the changes to what cars can and can not do at these crossings, such as no more right turns on red, those kind of things. To the pedestrian, they made it a little harder to jay-walk around the intersections with new railings etc and most noticeably on Broadway they have an arm that comes down when the train is approaching preventing you from walking over the tracks.

The train horns are very loud and can be heard all the way up in Balboa Park and across the bay on Coronado. If one could narrow the train noise complaint down to one item, it is the sound of the horn from the freight train that comes through at 3:00 am everyday. Some condo owners in the Marina and Columbia neighborhoods have moved out because they could not tolerate the train horns in the middle of the night. For many the train noise was just something you get used to and hope the Quiet Zone got approved soon. Some condo shoppers passed up some of the best condo buildings in downtown because they were too close to the train tracks. Now that the train noise is no longer an issue will more buyers buy in condo buildings along the tracks and will more owners stay put?

Here are my predictions for the condo building in downtown San Diego that will see the biggest boost in values from the elimination of the train horns. Bayside condos, Grande Condos, Electra Condos, Park Place condos, Watermark condos, Cityfront Terrace condos, Harbor Club condos and the Pinnacle condos. These are the closest condos to the train tracks which also happens to be the closest condos to the San Diego bay & waterfront, which is where most condos buyers want to be.