Kids Rule at Many Sites in San Diego
APA members attending this year's annual meeting in San Diego with children in tow may be overwhelmed by the choices when they go looking for fun and amusements.
With its year-round blue skies, natural beauty, and world-famous zoo and parks, San Diego is arguably the most family friendly of convention sites.
To dispense with the obvious, anyone who hasn't seen the world-renowned San Diego Zoo has an appointment with destiny in May. With more than 4,000 animals and 800 species, it has earned a reputation as one of the most progressive zoos in the world.
It is located on Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, just north of downtown San Diego along Park Boulevard.
As much of a must-see as the zoo is SeaWorld San Diego, home of that famous star of the deep, Shamu the killer whale.
Visitors who have seen the SeaWorld killer whales before will want to watch the new multimedia “Believe” show that opened in Shamu Stadium last year. “Believe” showcases SeaWorld's majestic killer whales with awe-inspiring choreography, thrilling new whale behaviors, an original music score, and panoramic screens that offer multiple views of Shamu.
“'Believe' is definitely the most exciting killer-whale show we have ever undertaken,” said SeaWorld General Manager Andy Fichthorn on the park's Web site. “Shamu Stadium has gone high tech, and for the first time in 15 years, it will have a whole new look that will provide all the thrill and excitement of Shamu with a show that combines visual beauty, stunning behaviors, and state-of-the-art multimedia.”
Four 20-foot-wide video screens can operate independently or in tandem to create a single 80-foot panoramic screen, providing guests with new views of the whales from above- and below-water cameras.
Other additions to Shamu Stadium include two waterfalls that give the whales a more dramatic entrance to the show and an audio system that plays a new soundtrack recorded by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.
Another attraction added last year is “Shamu Rocks,” an evening show with lighting effects and special soundtrack.
APA members who are willing to pay premium price ($160 per person) for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure can take advantage of SeaWorld's Wild Arctic Interaction, which features exclusive, guided encounters with polar bears, walruses, and seals. Guests will suit up to enter 55-degree water for a chance to touch, feed, and interact with SeaWorld's magnificent beluga whales.
Not as well known as SeaWorld and the zoo, but still hugely popular is California Legoland, located just off Interstate 5, in the seaside village of Carlsbad, 30 minutes north of San Diego. Legoland California is an amusement park catering to the under-12 crowd; it has more than 50 rides, shows, and attractions for the whole family.
A somewhat more affordable family outing can be had at the Birch Aquarium, the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. From kayaking and whale watching to monthly oceanographic discovery presentations, Birch Aquarium's public programs offer a range of opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the ocean environment.
The aquarium's newly designed museum features rotating gallery exhibitions based on cutting-edge research by Scripps Institution of Oceanography explorers. Kids and adults can learn the latest in ocean, earth, and climate science through the gallery's interactive displays.
On the third Saturday of each month (which includes May 19, the first day of APA's annual meeting) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the aquarium holds Family Days, which offer arts and crafts, science, special tours, and other activities.
Another choice—and one that may appeal to members who want to avoid the slick new theme parks—is a visit to San Diego's historic Belmont Park on Mission Beach.
The centerpiece of this traditional beach-front amusement park is the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, one of two original ocean-front wooden roller coasters still operating on the West Coast. The Giant Dipper, with its quick drops, steep hills, sharp curves, and high speeds, was built in 1925 and has recently been restored. Younger children can take in more kid-friendly rides too.
Finally, listed below are a few family-friendly events that APA members can take advantage of while in San Diego for the annual meeting:
The 14th Annual Sicilian Festival in San Diego's Little Italy will see the streets come alive with Sicily's music, dance, and cuisine. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 20. | |||||
Beginning May 25, the Lamb's Players Theater will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Andrew Lloyd Webber's popular musical. | |||||
The two-time defending National League West champion San Diego Padres take on the Chicago Cubs for a three-night stand at Petco Park. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the American Psychiatric Foundation. Ticket information appears below. | |||||
FOR MORE INFORMATION
San Diego SeaWorld 500 Seaworld Drive San Diego (800) 25-SHAMU www.seaworld.com
Legoland California 1 Lego Drive Carlsbad (760) 918-5346 www.legoland.com/California
Birch Aquarium 2300 Expedition Way La Jolla (858) 534-FISH http://aquarium.ucsd.edu
Belmont Park (858) 488-1549 www.belmontpark.com
Little Italy India Street, between Date and Ash streets www.sicilianfesta.com
Lamb's Players Theater 142 Orange Avenue Coronado (619) 437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org
Petco Park www.padres.com/groups Username: APA Password: PADRES ▪
