kidsgowest's Passport
 | Been to 102 Attractions |
 | 32 Reviews |
 | 6 First to Review |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
I enjoy long walks on the beach, but those haven’t happened as much since my adorable niño became my beach companion. Nowadays, I see a different side of travel.
When I'm not jet-setting, I can be found molding young minds as a public school teacher.
I'm also is a freelance writer, and write about family travel at my blog at Kids Go West.
Our Family's Travel Personality
curious, relaxed, independent, easy_going
We Just Got Back From
Kaui
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Hawaii-any island.
A Place We'd Love To Visit
Italy
Favorite Vacation Memory
snorkeling in Maui
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
anything involving vomit
Websites I Like:
Kid-Friendly Dining in Balboa Park
It’s no secret Balboa Park is a fantastic place to visit with kids: museums, fountains, gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Families can spend entire days strolling one of the country's most beautiful urban parks. But all of that sightseeing is bound to make a kid hungry. Before you fish the granola bars out of your backpack, check out this short list of my favorite places to dine at the park. Mealtimes while on vacation can be enjoyable. I'm here to help.
1450 El Prado
San Diego, California
reviewed on: December 13 2009
"Artsy Lunch Break"
Surrounded by sculptures in a peaceful courtyard, this is a calming place for a lunch break. Order the soup of the day with your rosemary ham panini and sit back to enjoy the warm breezes and views of the Rodin sculptures. They have good choices on the kids’ menu as well, but of course they are still kids’ choices. My son had the fancy, all-natural hot dog with a side of fancy chips. Maybe he didn’t have fine cuisine, but at least he got exposed to fine art. One out of two isn’t all bad.The entrance to the Sculpture Court Cafe is independent of the San Diego Museum of Art, so you can go even if the museum is not part of your day’s outing. You also had the option of ordering and taking it to go.
2920 Zoo Drive
San Diego, California
reviewed on: December 02 2009
"Fine Dining at the San Diego Zoo"
If you are looking for a fancier meal-without giant lion head beverage cups-then head to Albert’s Restaurant. I enjoy splurging on a meal (even while at the zoo), if it means I get to rest my tired footsies and let the waiter do all the work. The food is good, but know you’re mostly paying for the rainforest ambience. There kids menu is standard: fancy macaroni and cheese and pizza. I've loved my entrees when we've gone, but some of my companions were not as thrilled with theirs.
The best seats are out on the deck by the waterfall; call ahead to reserve those tables. They have been offering 10% off coupons with your maps as you enter.
2920 Zoo Drive
San Diego, California
reviewed on: December 13 2009
"Dine Way Up High"
There are fast food eateries all over the San Diego Zoo, but the one with the best view is the Treehouse Cafe. The kids' menu is standard zoo fare and I usually get one of their wraps. It's a cafeteria style lunch, but you can take it outdoors to any of the tables at the multi-leveled decks surrounding the cafe. The zoo can get hot in summer, but you won't feel the heat with the breezes blowing through this area.Hint: I've seen plenty of families combine some of the zoo food, with snacks they brought from home.
1549 El Prado
San Diego, California
reviewed on: December 13 2009
"Culinary Heaven With a Kids' Menu"
If you want to eat at the culinary gem of Balboa Park, then you’ll have to go to The Prado. This is a fancy and expensive restaurant, but it's more affordable at lunch time. We didn’t make reservations for this popular restaurant, so we opted to sit in the bar section. This worked out well since we wanted a light lunch. By light, I mean the best fish tacos I had while in San Diego, and some kickin’ macaroni and cheese for my little guy. The colorful, Spanish-style decor is going to keep the kids busy looking around, at least until the appetizers get there.
El Prado Pedestrian Walkway
San Diego, California
reviewed on: December 13 2009
"Nothing Easier Than a Snack Cart"
If you forgot to pack a snack and you have a kid who is hungry NOW, then Balboa Park has plenty of snack cart options. You will find hot dogs, ice cream, and coffee all along the El Prado pedestrian walkway. There are plenty of benches, plazas and fountains to plop down at with your snacks.
