Stay & Play or Getaway
Ideas for summer vacations and staycations.
By Gretchen Pahia
Whether you are looking for a vacation or staycation this summer––here are some great ideas, especially if your visit includes a stop in San Diego, California.
Where to Stay
Paradise Point Resort: A private 44-acre island on Mission Bay, just minutes from downtown and adjacent to SeaWorld San Diego. There’s a world-class spa, fitness center, and more than 450 guest rooms on site. They also offer an array of family friendly activities like cooking s’mores on the beach! paradisepoint.com
Mission Bay Resort: This beautiful property offers several options for the family from on-site pools, sports activities, and a spa & fitness center. There’s also a Kids Kamp, beach games, bike rentals, and more for the family. missionbayresort.com
If you’d like to check out other properties in the area, a great resource is Discover Mission Bay. For more information, visit discovermissionbay.org
Where to Play
Petco Park: Home to the San Diego Padres, Petco Park is a one-of-a-kind experience for everyone in the family. mlb.com/padres/ballpark
SeaWorld San Diego: An animal lovers delight! SeaWorld is home to dozens of animal species, animal performances, and shows, as well as cool thrill rides. seaworld.com
Where to Eat
Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar: Known locally as Puesto, the family owned restaurant has nine locations and is a must-eat spot. Menu items include chicken taquitos, a variety of burritos, tacos, plates, and more. eatpuesto.com
White Rice: No trip to San Diego is complete without visiting White Rice. This rice bowl food stall is located in the historic Liberty Public Market food hall, and the menu features a diverse array of rice bowls. ricebowlsforall.com
Barbusa: Located in Little Italy, this spot is known for its delicious menu. Options include pastas, pizza, and a variety of specialty main dishes. Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time as they fill up quickly. barbusa.com
Staying closer to home? Here are a few staycation ideas:
Where to Stay
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: Enjoy a summer getaway, without leaving the Valley. The Fairmont Princess is offering a wide array of kid friendly activities all summer. fairmont.com/scottsdale
Arizona Grand Resort: A super family friendly resort and staycation option, the major perk of staying on property is the Oasis Water Park, which offers slides, a giant wave pool, Wild Cat Springs for the younger kids, an active river, and more. arizonagrandresort.com
Where to Play
Chase Field: Home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chase Field offers a family friendly day at the ballpark. Fireworks are scheduled certain nights and there are many delicious food options. mlb.com/dbacks/ballpark/information
Children’s Museum of Phoenix: Voted one of the top children’s museums in the nation, the museum is a great place to stay cool and have fun all summer long. childrensmuseumofphoenix.org.
