The Bahia Resort in San Diego has all the advantages of its mid-century vintage -– a pick-of-the-litter location on Mission Bay, its own private beach, and lush, mature tropical landscaping that gives it a secluded, Hawaiian island atmosphere. Since it’s been continually renovated and upgraded since it was built in the 1950s, its accommodations and amenities are fresh and modern. Families will find it an excellent place to headquarter to visit this sunny, attraction-packed town.
The Lay of the Land
Commanding a 13-acre peninsula on Mission Bay, the Bahia’s guest rooms flank both sides of the long narrow spit of land. In the middle are gardens, lawns, a gazebo, tennis courts, a swimming pool complex, shuffle board courts and a sweet little meandering pool that has resident ducks paddling about.
The Bahia shares the peninsula with a small state park on one side that offers good fishing and fire rings that can be great fun for a beachfront BBQ. On the other side of the peninsula, the beach is for Bahia guests only, with shady cabanas and a watersports desk that can set up all kinds of activities, such as stand-up paddle boarding, sailboat and motor boat rentals, kayaking and more. Bikes and skates can be rented on the property as well.
The swimming pool has a Moorish palace feel with its wide white stucco arches, tall, shady palm trees, tropical flowers and an amply sized wading area for toddlers. The whirlpool spa can accommodate up to 30 people and there is a café/grill open in season and a video game room with all vintages of games – from old fashioned and traditional to modern.
The Bahia Belle Paddle Steamer
Special family-oriented rides on an old fashioned turn-of-the-century Mississippi-style sternwheeler are scheduled every night of the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall. The resort shares the boat with its sister resort, The Catamaran, and the boat connects the two via a 30-minute ride across the bay. The Bahia’s dock is just steps from the restaurant and gift shop. Special family hours from 6:30-9:30pm are free for guests. In the summer, nearby Seaworld has a fireworks show that you can watch from the boat.
The Bahia’s Permanent Residents
Gracie and Billy, the resort’s two blind harbor seals, were rescued by SeaWorld, and the Bahia now permanently houses them in space and comfort in their own private pools. A marine veterinarian takes expert care of them, and guests can watch them eat twice a day — at 9:00am and 2:00pm — but you can wander along the boardwalks surrounding their pools to watch them swim (and nap!) anytime you want.
Value Added Features at Bahia Resort
The tennis courts and tennis equipment are free of charge, as is the shuffle board and fitness room. Children’s activities, such as crafts and games, take place in-season in a big tent next to the pool compound and are free to guests. An excellent restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and kids under 5 eat free from the buffet with a paying adult. There’s also an attractive cocktail lounge.
Most importantly, the resort fee covers parking, the shady cabanas on the private beach -– it’s first-come first-served and much more. Wi-fi is complimentary.
Bahia Resort Guest Rooms
All rooms have a patio or balcony and mini fridge, but some studios and suites have full kitchenettes offering a bit more space and the ability to cook. Many other rooms have a wet bar with a sink, microwave and mini frig. Rollaway beds can be added depending on availability, and suites have fold-out couches in the living room and either a king or two queen beds in the bedroom.
A Short Walk Away
Mission Beach on the Pacific Ocean is a five-minute walk away and is flanked by a 3-mile-long boardwalk that is great for a stroll or a bike ride. Belmont Park is also a five-minute walk away, and it features old-fashioned amusement park fun with an historic wooden roller coaster, wave machines, all kinds of other rides, carnival games and cotton candy snacks. You’ll also find plenty of low-cost family friendly eateries, like pizza parlors, taquerias, casual cafes, Chinese restaurants, bakeries, and ice cream parlors in the nearby neighborhood.
Trip Planning Details for a Bahia Resort Family Beach Vacation near San Diego
The Bahia Resort Hotel (858/488-0551) is located at 998 West Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109. Summer is the high season here, with discounts available in spring and late August (after local school start). Family packages that include local attractions are available. Room rates vary considerably throughout the rest of the year; standard hotel rooms range from $149-$279; studios (rooms with kitchens) are $199-$400; one-bedroom suites without kitchens are $299-$500; one-bedroom suites with kitchens are $315-$650.
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Are you ready for a Road Trip? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.!
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I love spending time in London. I think if you want to spend time out of the city, Brighton is also a great place to visit, especially as it’s close by. There are a number of family-friendly hotels, too, like The Brighton Hotel:
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It’s a steam excursion train, shorter ride, probably many kids on board. This would be better suited to younger children. Much better choice for the under-12 set.
Ralph
Originally created as a recreation area for employees of the Hershey Chocolate factory, today Hershey Park boasts plenty of chocolate paraphernalia, as well as roller coasters and a water park. Tickets include admission to the nearby ZOOAMERICA. Originally owned by the Knott’s jam producers, Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park is one of the older parks in the US, Knott’s Berry Farm is a classic for those looking for thrill rides, water rides and family fun.
Hi Ralph, thank you for your reply. I haven’t booked it yet as I had similar reservations that since it’s an 8-hr journey, it will not be wise to take the kids at this age but would love to take them on a shorter train tour, I’m currently looking at the Jacobite express (here in the UK).
Hello Zeb,
For children under 10, It would simply be too long a day in too confined a space for them, might get a little boring for them after the first 20 minutes; it’s an eight-hour journey.
If they are active, there isn’t a lot of room to run around on the train, which is smaller than the ones we are used to here in the U.S.
If you have already booked a space, and will have toddlers or young children, suggest you bring lots of things to keep the little ones entertained.
Ralph
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Have been to Switzerland but missed the Glacier Express, I’ve heard it really one of the best train journeys in the World with amazing mountain/alps view. Is it good to travel with kids 7 and 4 years old) too, since it’s 8 hours long?
Sunlight, particularly in late summer and fall, sets off the production of anthocyanin. Cloudy weather dampens production and leads to less colorful displays. Many scientists argue that warming temperatures do not have much to do with the intensity of color, only with its timing: when it appears and how long it lasts. But Howard Neufeld, a professor of biology at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, said climate change could eventually affect the complex processes in leaf senescence and lower anthocyanin production, dulling the autumn reds.
Gladiator School – My new favorite thing to do in Rome. We did this on our last trip to Rome and both kids and adults absolutely loved it. Instructors are great. Highly recommended. Book far in advance. (Pictured above.) Walking Tour: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill – Excellent guided tour of Ancient Rome. Skip the line to enter all three sites. Very kid-friendly.
Deer Valley caters to families with kid-friendly skiing, child care programs and a limited child-to-instructor ratio. Because Deer Valley sells a limited number of daily lift tickets, tiny tots and pint-sized groms have plenty of room to work on their pizza wedge and French fries. Other amenities include a Children s Center, Adventure Camp and furry mascots on the Adventure Trails. I grew up skiing here and learned to love the mountains and snow at this resort. The amenities are top notch and the food is amazing. As a young kid, when the skiing got tough, I would always head inside and get delicious food and hot cocoa. See more Deer Valley reviews here .
Fall is very busy in the mountainous regions with the influx of leaf peepers from the New England area, around the United States and the world. In these extremely popular areas, you ll want to make lodging reservations at least several weeks ahead, especially on weekends. Columbus Day weekend (Oct 7-9, 2017) is another time in which advanced booking is advised throughout the region.
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Traveling to other cities with your kiddos? Don’t miss Curbed’s maps of the best family activities
Good to know : West Valley is open daily from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Apples are $0.85 a pound. Follow their Facebook page for updates on U-pick apples. And be sure to bring containers for their popular juice pressed right on site!
Minneapolis, Minnesota is a great pick for outdoor-loving families thanks to kid-friendly (and free) favorites like the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to more than 40 outdoor works of art
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The K Bar S Lodge, built in 2006, is located a short distance from Mount Rushmore. It is quietly secluded on 31 forested acres and away from busy streets. Battle Creek winds its way throughout the property and the large meadow in front of the Lodge is often a playground for deer and turkeys. As a single traveler it was so fun to be with this group. It s much nicer to be with others when you share a great experience or see something wonderful. And, it s safer than traveling alone. I m hooked on Road Scholar.
Rockefeller State Park offers seasonal activities including hiking, running, bird-watching, fishing ( New York state fishing license required), picnicking, horseback-riding, carriage-driving, photography, painting, and geocaching (park permit required). Sleepy Hollow and neighboring Tarrytown have a deep immigrant history resulting in a rich mix of cuisines: Italian, Greek, Mexican, Indian, French, Portuguese, Irish, Japanese, Dominican, Chinese, Ecuadorian, Thai, Moroccan, and Chilean. Foodies should not miss the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow farmers market at Patriots Park where you ll find fresh Hudson Valley produce, meat, bread, and wine.
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Jimmy Buffet s restaurant is a short walk from the Comfort Suites Paradise Island Hotel and Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. What could be better than eating a literal Cheeseburger in Paradise? Pairing it with a yummy margarita, of course.
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Have you ever dreamed of creating your own ice sculpture? The Quebec Winter Carnival has just what you’re looking for! Bring your group to our Ice Sculpture Workshops under the guidance of a team led by none other than Marc Lepire, chief sculptor of Bonhomme’s Ice Palace! During this one-hour event, you will learn the workflow of master sculptors and enjoy the unique experience of carving your own solid ice block with your group of 2 to 4 people. Free all-you-can-drink hot chocolate will keep you warm throughout the frosty fun.
When you’re travelling with your kids, indoor-fun options are a must no matter what the season. Montreal saves the day with all kinds of activities, from adventurous physical feats to skill-testing games and educational entertainment.
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We have traveled through several airports in Germany but never Munich. We will keep Munich on our list for the next trip through Europe since it sounds like the best place to have a stop over with kids. Thanks for the review and the information for kids to do in Munich Airport.
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