Fun in the Sun...and Rain

James had a conference to attend in San Diego last week, so we drove from Morro Bay to San Diego on Sunday.

 When Brielle found out we were going to San Diego she requested that we go to the Mormon Battalion Center every night we were there.  We have been there twice this year and she loves it.  We did not go every night as she requested, but we did make it there Sunday night.

While James was busy attending conference sessions, the kids and I toured the town.  Monday we headed over to Coronado Island.  The Hotel del Coronado was opened in 1888 and is the largest all wood building in California. 

There is a Dr. Seuss exhibit at the hotel that I wanted to check out.  They had a few statues there, and I was told they have more during the holidays. 

 

We then spent the rest of the morning on the beach.  Clearly, the kids were happy about that.

Tuesday was a bit cold and rainy, but a perfect day for the zoo.  I have never been to the San Diego Zoo before.  We went from 9am-5pm (the whole time it was open that day) and had to rush a bit to see everything. 

There was a petting area that Ethan loved. 

The trainer was having the Zebra do all sorts of tricks which Ellie found fascinating.

and the Skyfari (the arial tram) was a big hit.  It goes over the whole zoo, so you can see the animals from above.  We ended up going on that 4 times. :)

on Wednesday we headed over the Mission Trails Regional Park for some hiking.  There was a Visitor's Center with hands on activities for the kids which we enjoyed.  

We got a recommendation for a short, flat hike that the kids could handle.  This one was just over a mile, short enough for the kids to handle on their own.

We then had to find a park with a playground.  The kids didn't comprehend that you could have a 6000 acre park, but no playground. 

Thursday morning we walked around Seaport Village.  Our hotel was right across the street from this USS Midway.  Ethan loved staring out the window at the boats coming and going.  James was able to go on the Midway for a work party Tuesday night.  He loved the flight simulator.