Final Itinerary...Any last second changes we should make?

Question

Family of 4 with a 4 & 3 y/o. We will have a car rental.

Fly in Aug 19, flight lands at 1PM. Staying at Fairmont Grand Del Mart. No plans for this day outside of dinner at the hotel, figure we will just unwind at hotel after the long flight/travel day.

Aug 20-San Diego Zoo in the morning. Planning to get there around park open 9AM to noon. Return to hotel after lunch at or near zoo for a couple of hours. Head back out to La Jolla around 3-4PM. Walk around the cove/village and dinner plans currently at 6PM. Any good way to spend the time besides the cove and a cave tour? Should be easy to change dinner to an earlier time if necessary.

Aug 21-USS Midway museum 10AM-11:30AM. Swing over to Gaslamp and going to Padres game, first pitch 1PM. After game gets out (or kids are over it-they tend to last around 7 innings), explore gaslamp a little (maybe museum of illusions? Children's museum will be closed). Head over to Corvette diner for dinner.

Aug 22-San Diego zoo safari cart tour is only thing booked for the day at 12:15PM. Dinner in Del Mar around 6. Anything else to do that would make sense outside of the zoo safari this day? Looking to keep it more low key after the very active first two days.

We check out the next day on the 23rd. We're heading up to Huntington Beach (and staying on the beach) after so I don't feel the need to visit Coronado while in SD. We're ending the trip at Disneyland so wife and I were both ok with skipping Seaworld and Legoland, we don't want to feel theme parked out.

Very excited for the trip, I have been to San Deigo twice, but each time was around 15-20 years ago.

Answer

Your itinerary for San Diego looks well balanced for a family with young children, with a mix of high-energy and low-key days. Here are some detailed suggestions and tweaks you might consider to make the trip smoother and more enjoyable:

Aug 19 – Arrival

Your plan to just unwind at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is perfect. After a long flight, it’s smart to keep the day relaxed. Consider a short stroll around the hotel grounds if the kids need to stretch, but otherwise, dinner at the hotel is ideal.

Aug 20 – San Diego Zoo & La Jolla

Visiting the zoo early in the morning is great. After lunch and returning to the hotel, you have a few options for extra fun in La Jolla:

Explore the tide pools at La Jolla Shores (depending on tide schedule, can be fun for kids).
Visit Ellen Browning Scripps Park for a short walk and views of the ocean—great for a picnic or letting the kids run around.
Consider a short kayak or stand-up paddleboard rental if your kids are okay with it, or just watch the seals at the cove from the shore.

Adjusting dinner to an earlier time can help if the kids get tired after exploring.

Aug 21 – USS Midway, Gaslamp, Padres Game

Midway Museum in the morning followed by the Padres game is a busy but feasible plan. Since the kids may not last the full game, it’s good to have the Gaslamp options ready:

Museum of Illusions is a fun short stop for kids and adults alike.
Seaport Village is nearby if you want a quick walk and some snacks or ice cream after the game.
The Corvette Diner is a fun, themed dinner for the kids; consider making a reservation to avoid a long wait.

Aug 22 – Zoo Safari Tour & Low-Key Day

Your Safari Cart tour at 12:15PM will be the main activity. Other light activities you could consider:

Spend a little time at Balboa Park nearby—short strolls or the Botanical Building gardens are low-effort and scenic.
Return to the hotel for pool time or a relaxed afternoon on the grounds.
If the kids are up for it, a quick visit to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for an easy walk with ocean views can be a short half-hour excursion.

Aug 23 – Departure

Since you are heading up to Huntington Beach, consider leaving early to maximize your beach time. Your plan to skip Coronado, SeaWorld, and Legoland makes sense given your next stops and the age of your kids.

Overall, your itinerary balances sightseeing with downtime, which is crucial with young children. Minor adjustments like early dinners, quick park strolls, or light beach/tide pool activities can fill in gaps without adding stress.