Senior Trip - help with details

Question

We are planning a trip in June for my sons graduation vacation. Cant wait to see your beautiful area -We are a family of 3. Staying 2-3 days before heading to LA for 2-3 days. Need advice on a couple things. keep in mind my son is very laid back and definitely prefers some down time which is HARD for me cause my agendas are go til you drop every day because you HAVE TO SEE IT ALL- but this is his trip so I am trying to reel myself back a step - so let me know if I am "doing too much" His main attraction is the food - and by food I mean all the places we dont have on the East Coast, the in and outs, the Roscoes, the Whattaburgers etc etc

Activities: Zoo for sure (he said so LOL). potentially the Seal Tour, and either Cave Kayaking tour or Jet Sking. we have never done either - leaning toward Jet Ski - what do you think? and which area/company do you recommend to use.

I cannot settle on a hotel at all. I go back and forth on where to stay. I would kinda like to stay on the beach though not a must. Coronado is probably out of the budget (Like to keep nightly budget under $500) Couple options I saw are Hilton Terrey Pines or the new Gaylord. but not married to either of those. Based on activities where would you stay?

Little Italy - would love a great Restuarant recommendation - never had a pasta dish in the cheese wheel - (sheltered life LOL) is that yummy? Olive garden is about as "Italian" as we have. What about Gas Lamp Quarter - worth going there for dinner?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Answer

For a laid-back yet food-focused San Diego trip in June, your plan is actually very reasonable for 2-3 days. Since your son enjoys downtime, spacing activities out and prioritizing “must-dos” like the Zoo will help balance sightseeing with relaxation.

Activities: The San Diego Zoo is a must and can easily take half a day or more. For the Seal Tour, this is a short, scenic boat ride—fun and low-effort, perfect for downtime. Regarding Cave Kayaking vs Jet Skiing, if you’re looking for excitement and speed, Jet Skiing is the better option. La Jolla Cove and Mission Bay are popular Jet Ski spots. Recommended companies for Jet Ski rentals include:

Mission Bay Jet Ski Rentals – safe, family-friendly, convenient location near hotels
La Jolla Kayak & Snorkel – they also do Jet Ski rentals and tours

Kayaking caves is more relaxing but involves paddling; for a first-timer it’s scenic and calm but slower-paced. If your son enjoys adrenaline and speed, go with Jet Ski.

Where to stay: Since you like the idea of being near the beach but want to stay within budget, consider these options:

Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines – near beaches, more resort-style, around $400–500/night; good for easy access to Torrey Pines and northern beaches.
Gaylord Palms (assuming you mean Gaylord Pacific Beach?) – newer property, near Pacific Beach, family-friendly, pool access, still within your budget range.
Mission Bay area hotels – more moderate pricing, near water activities and Jet Ski rentals, central for Little Italy and Zoo.

Coronado can be pricey, so skipping it is fine. Staying near Pacific Beach or Mission Bay gives you easy beach access and minimizes driving time to your planned activities.

Food: For your son’s “must-try” food experiences, definitely explore Little Italy and Gaslamp Quarter. Yes, the pasta prepared in a cheese wheel is worth trying—rich, flavorful, and a fun experience for first-timers. Recommended restaurants:

Little Italy: Bencotto Italian Kitchen – modern Italian dishes with fresh pasta; pasta in the cheese wheel is available.
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto – classic Italian, casual and very San Diego.
Gaslamp Quarter: Osteria Panevino or Searsucker – great for trendy dining and lively atmosphere.
Local favorites for casual “in & out” style: Hodad’s in Ocean Beach for burgers, Lucha Libre Taco Shop for tacos, Phil’s BBQ for smoked ribs.

Suggested pacing:

Day 1: Arrival, settle in hotel, light beach walk or pool time, dinner in Little Italy.
Day 2: San Diego Zoo in the morning, lunch nearby, Jet Ski in afternoon or optional Seal Tour, dinner in Gaslamp Quarter.
Day 3: Morning at beach or optional light sightseeing, brunch at a local cafe, head out to LA.

This itinerary balances your desire to see a lot with your son’s preference for downtime, while giving you the top food experiences San Diego offers.