Fun at SeaWorld San Diego: What You Don't Want to Miss

SeaWorld was indisputably the highlight of our San Diego family vacation last summer. And we're not alone. SeaWorld Adventure Park in San Diego is one of the most popular attractions in Southern California, and it has a little something for everyone.

The Shamu show is not to be missed. It is something you and the kids won't soon forget, as the trainers and whales are in perfect sync. Plan to get to this show a little early to get a good seat. Even if you show up as the show is starting, there might be some seating right up front in what is called the "splash zone." This is no joke. If you sit there, it's fairly likely you will be not just splashed but drenched. My recommendation would be to see the show first up high so you can make sure to see all the action, then if you see the show again, sit down low for the fun. The Dolphin Discovery show is also something every SeaWorld visitor must see.

If you visit in the summer, you don't want to miss Cirque de la Mer, especially if you are a fan of Cirque de Soleil shows. These amazing athletes and acrobats put on quite a show over the water, but this show runs only from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The shows at Sea World are always changing. In Spring of 2008, Sea World will debut a new Sesame Street show, called the Sesame Street Bay of Play. The shows change as time goes on, but they are, across the board, very well done and just long enough for a child's attention span. They are also well timed so that you can see quite a few shows in a single day at the park.

Seaworld offers special premium programs and tours that allow you to study different animals more in depth, whether it's dolphins, sharks, penguins, or sea turtles. We took a single full day, with just general admission (my kids were 4, 6, and 8 at the time) and had a fantastic time, but if we were to go a second day, we would opt for some of these special programs.

My kids loved the California Tide Pool exhibit, where they were able to reach their hands into the water and touch a Sea Star and a Sea Urchin. A knowledgeable and approachable guide was on hand to tell us about the creatures and answer the kids' questions.

In the shark exhibit, you can actually walk through a tunnel so that you are standing underneath the sharks. If you're a thrill seeker, the park's roller coaster (Journey to Atlantis) features two good drops as well as a splash or two. This was my 4-year-old's first roller coaster ride and I'm sure he'll never forget it.

You can also take the Skyride, which takes just six minutes round trip, and allows you to see Mission Bay Park. The Skytower will take you up 265 feet for a panoramic view of this beautiful area. The rafting ride, called Shipwreck Rapids, is a good time but it will probably soak you to your skin, so do this in the heat of the day. We saved it until the end of our day at SeaWorld, and the air got cold as the sun started to set, even in mid-July. Our teeth were chattering all the way back to the car, where we blasted the heat to defrost and dry out.

Another thing to know before you go: it's easy to find good discounts on your SeaWorld tickets. Check the SeaWorld website before you go to see if you can get a good deal. We got a discount through our AAA card that saved us a significant percentage of the ticket price for single day admission.

Our kids learned so much about aquatic life during our day at SeaWorld San Diego. They had so much fun, they didn't realize how much they were learning. Sea World is certainly an attraction my family will visit again and again. With parks in San Antonio and Orlando, all kinds of new adventures await.

About The Author-- Susie Cortright is the founder of Susies-Travel-Coupons.com where you can find San Diego Travel Discounts and Coupons.

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