With miles of golden sand, endless sunny skies and an array of world-class resorts and attractions, San Diego is an ideal spring break destination for families. Top off your trip with activities like poolside sunning, action-packed beach days, hiking excursions and outings to thrilling amusement parks and you’ve got a vacation to remember. Sound like a lot to squeeze into just one week? Here are some San Diego resorts that make it all possible:
Located on a 15-acre peninsula in the scenic seaside community of Coronado, Loews Coronado Bay is a quiet family spot away from the college-age spring break partiers in Pacific Beach. With a top-notch spa, kid-friendly pools, close proximity to the San Diego Zoo and programs for tykes and teens, this hotel will keep the whole clan busy.
Children ages 4 to 12 will be entertained by the Kids Club’s long list of supervised activities, such as GPS-led scavenger hunts, sandcastle construction and magic trick demonstrations. Adolescents can chill out in the stylish Teen Lounge that comes with cool Pottery Barn furnishings and teched-out features like, PS3 gaming systems, DVD players and cushy chairs outfitted with iPod outlets.
Meanwhile, parents can partake in spa treatments like the signature Voga Voyage, a couples massage enjoyed in tandem aboard an authentic Venetian gondola as it cruises Coronado Cay’s romantic waterways. After the massage, you’ll have champagne with chocolate-covered strawberries.
With 44 acres of lush tropical gardens, cabana-style accommodations, five swimming pools, an onsite marina and SeaWorld so close you can get there via the resort’s private speedboat shuttle, Paradise Point on Mission Bay is heaven for families.
Kids of all ages will love roaming the landscaped grounds, which include gushing waterfalls, meandering lagoons and koi- and duck-filled ponds. Get active on the 18-hole putting green, basketball and tennis courts, 27 miles of waterfront bike and walking paths, or take it all in from the property’s soaring observation tower.
A mile of protected shoreline offers a playground for sandier pursuits. Families can spend a day playing beach volleyball, horseshoes or just sunning and swimming in the serene marine environment. More adventurous members can hit the water on a Jet Ski, sailboat or stand-up paddleboard then meet back on the sand for a marshmallow roast at one of 14 fire pits.
Perched on a sun-soaked ridge overlooking Batiquitos Lagoon and the sparkling Pacific, Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad is one of North County’s premier resorts. The property’s beach-close location, long list of onsite activities (from aromatherapy massages to air hockey) and proximity to attractions such as The Flower Fields and Legoland make it an attractive destination for families.
Young guests will appreciate Camp Hyatt’s four-acre recreation lawn. The grassy turf hosts activity areas designed for more than six types of sports, such as soccer, croquet and badminton. Groups can also spend time around the 3,200-square-foot outdoor family pool or take advantage of the resort’s beach butler service for a day at Moonlight Beach.
Leisure activities tailored just for mom and dad include side-by-side treatments in an exclusive couples suite at Bespoke Spa. These sumptuous rooms have indoor fireplaces and an outdoor heated pool, and you’ll have an extra hour post-treatment to enjoy the facilities. The tranquility pool is another adults-only indulgence. With private cabanas, rejuvenating whirlpools and a multi-level sundeck overlooking the lagoon and sea, it’s a great place for the grown-ups to unwind.
Situated between magnificent beaches and the pristine beauty of the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, The Grand Del Mar delivers loads of alfresco fun for families. The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel offers an abundance of activities for exploring the great outdoors. Go on a guided canyon hike through four miles of blooming flora, gurgling creeks and a waterfall or saddle up for more leisurely views of the reserve via horseback.
Dig your toes into San Diego’s sun-drenched sand with the hotel’s long list of beach-bound excursions. Paddle a kayak through amazing caves and see the marine life at nearby La Jolla’s Ecological Reserve. Or learn how to hang-ten with a private surfing lesson for the whole kit and caboodle. Relax afterward with a sunset sailing trip and enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages as you take in views of the city skyline.
Back at the resort, families can splash around at the children’s pool, which features safe-wading zones, light refreshments and white-sand seating areas. They may also enjoy a day of playtime on the courts with family tennis lessons followed by a gourmet picnic from the resort’s café, Cent’ Anni. While children join in Explorer’s Club activities like painting watercolors outside, mom and dad can sneak off to the Five-Star spa for the Couple’s Classic, which includes a bath, hydrating wrap and customized 60-minute massage. After all, you need a break, too.
Photos Courtesy of VFM Leonardo Inc, Loews Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Grand Del Mar, San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld and LegoLand
