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Sun-sational San Diego
Family Fun on the Run
By Kendeyl Johansen
My mom always woke me by caressing my cheek for our yearly San Diego trip. She always wanted a pre-dawn start for our 12-hour drive, and I'd snap awake, butterflies tickling my stomach, breathless with excitement. 
The San Diego Zoo's exotic tigers were waiting, and Sea World and Mission Beach, a sandy wonderland of freedom where I crafted endless sand castles and later walked hand-in-hand with my new husband.
Later, when my husband and I had children, we continued the San Diego tradition. And this year my three boys – 2 1/2-year-old twins and a 5-year-old – verified the city gets better with age. San Diego offers the perfect combo of sun and family fun.
San Diego's many attractions make choosing itineraries difficult. My husband and I finally decided our boys couldn't miss my time-tried favorites: SeaWorld, The San Diego Zoo, Mission Beach and one relatively new theme park my friends raved about – Legoland.
To save on hassles with fidgety toddlers, we bought pre-paid attraction tickets online at www.sandiego.org. The Web site also offers a variety of coupons to popular attractions and a list of hotel packages and deals.
Face-to-face shark encounters, touching a California bat ray, a thorough drenching by Shamu. My budding-scientist of a 5-year-old swears SeaWorld is the best. Period. This 189.5-acre marine playground will wow fans of all ages. 
My twins squealed in delight at the whimsical Tools With Fools show, and our food at the Shipwreck Caf矷as delicious, the best we've had at an amusement park. My older son and I emerged from the Shipwreck Rapids ride with big grins, but we were drenched. Also, my boys got soaked in Shamu's Happy Harbor, where they ran, bounced and played until they were ready to drop. Consider bringing a change of clothes to keep everyone happy. SeaWorld is located at 50 Sea World Drive, San Diego. Contact them at 619-226-3901 or www.seaworld.com. 