trip with teenage daughter in April

Question

Hi there.

My daughter and I will be travelling to San Diego to spend a week with my husband who works there. He will travel back and forth to Chula Vista and need a parking spot.

My daughter and I will be on our own during the day so need an area that is safe. We would like a pool, preferably heated. Room needs to have two double beds.

Location wise I am open to anywhere. We won't have a car so will need to walk/uber. She wants to shop and have a buffet breakfast. I want to sunbathe - fingers crossed!

Our budget is $2.5k for the week.

My husband has 3 dasy off whilst we are there. Which of the theme parks would you recommend for a 13 year old who likes rides and animals? I am not sure how I feel about Seaworld.. We live near Legoland UK, is the Sand Diego one different?

Any help gratefully received. I have spent a long time searching and seem to be going round in circles.

Answer

For a week in San Diego with your teenage daughter, focusing on safety, convenience, and activities you both enjoy, here’s a detailed plan and recommendations:

Where to stay:

Since you won’t have a car, staying in a walkable area with easy Uber access is key. Consider these neighborhoods:

Mission Valley: Centrally located, many hotels with pools (some heated), easy Uber access to beaches, shopping, and theme parks. Hotels here usually offer rooms with two double beds and buffet breakfasts.
Pacific Beach / Mission Beach: Great for sunbathing and beach walks, lots of restaurants and shops nearby. Hotels are mostly boutique or mid-range; check that pools are heated as some are seasonal.
Downtown / Gaslamp Quarter: Ideal for shopping, dining, and walking. Less convenient for beaches but good for urban exploration. Pool availability varies; many hotels have rooftop pools.

Some hotel options to consider (mid-range, with pools and breakfast):

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay – Mission Valley (includes buffet breakfast, pool, and rooms with two double beds)
Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina (on Shelter Island – pool, scenic location, short Uber to beaches)
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Diego Mission Valley (pool, rooms with two doubles, budget-friendly)

Activities and shopping:

For shopping and strolling with your daughter, the following are convenient via Uber from the above areas:

Fashion Valley Mall (Mission Valley) – large indoor mall with all major brands
Seaport Village – for casual shopping and waterfront views
La Jolla Village shops – boutique stores and nice cafes

Theme parks for a 13-year-old:

Since you already have Legoland UK experience, note that Legoland California is similar but includes some US-exclusive rides and a larger water park. For variety, here are options considering rides and animals:

San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Amazing animal experiences, open safari rides, less traditional thrill rides but highly engaging.
San Diego Zoo: World-renowned zoo with extensive exhibits; ideal for a more relaxed day.
SeaWorld San Diego: Marine shows, rides, and animal encounters. If you’re uncomfortable with marine animal captivity, you may choose to skip it.
Legoland California: Theme park rides suitable for teens, plus water park sections; different enough from UK park to be fun.

Suggested approach for theme parks:

Plan two days for theme parks: one at Legoland California for rides and water attractions, and one at the Safari Park or San Diego Zoo for animals and walking exploration.
Use Uber or rideshare for direct park access; parking won’t be needed for you.

Budget considerations:

With $2.5k for the week, you can comfortably cover mid-range hotel, Uber rides, and park tickets. Buffet breakfast inclusion will help save on food costs. Aim to split activities evenly between active park days and beach/shopping days for balance.

Additional tips:

April weather is usually pleasant: sunny, warm days with cooler evenings. Pools may still require heating.
Bring sunscreen and hats for daytime outings; walking around the Zoo or Safari Park can be sun-intensive.
Plan parks early in the day to avoid crowds and maximize time.

Following this plan, you and your daughter can enjoy safe, walkable areas, a mix of beach relaxation, shopping, and memorable theme park experiences without overextending yourselves.

trip with teenage daughter in April

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