If you have youngsters and are looking for an animal theme park, then your best bet is probably to head over to San Diego Zoo. The Wild Animal Park was amazing, but animals are in an expansive habitat, and commonly hiding in the shade or in nooks and crannies, so our young son could not spot the animals he was so excited to see.

But, they have a couple of great splash pads, so bring bathing suits and a towel for little ones. And, if yours dozes off on a hot day, head to the gift shop to escape the heat while your kiddo catches his or her zzzz's :-)

Our son was 4 at the time we visited this Lego-heaven and hasn't stopped talking about going back since. I don't think the cost of admission is worth it, but if you can find a discount coupon, your Lego-aged kids (maybe 4-8?) will definitely have a good time.

The rides are all lego-themed, and geared towards younger riders. Our son loved watching the bigger coaster, but wasn't ready to ride. In the longer lines, they had lego tables, so kiddos could keep busy as parents stood in line and watched their kids play.

Our son LOVES this theme park. And, with the "buy a day, get another return visit free" coupon, we did half the park the first trip, and returned for the second half. Both times, he loved the kids' area, and the light rain on the first trip didn't slow us down!

Don't miss the Shamoo show "Believe," the touching tribute to the troops will bring a tear to your eye!

If your little ones can stand the VERY strong winds, this quick stop is a very neat experience. Just watch for the bees; too bad the wind isn't strong enough where they're buzzing around to blow them out of the way! :-) Take the warnings to hold on to your kiddos seriously...the winds are so strong that I can see how a child can be knocked off his or her feet.

My husband and I did this hike to the top in just 45 minutes (without kids), but I would agree with other reviewers that younger kids may have trouble. If you are determined to get your family to the top, take your time and put little ones in a backpack carrier if possible. The view at the top is definitely worth it!