As we exited Legoland, Bambino made this wise observation. Our group had decided to check out Legoland California (particularly because there were now some older children in tow). I knew Legoland was an amusement park, but I honestly didn’t do any other research. In my mind, there would be a lot of opportunities for creative play.

Bambino rode roughly four rides in four hours and played on a ropes course/playground.  While he claims to have loved Legoland, he was a grumpy and overstimulated mess while there. Here are some of the happier moments:

Thankfully, Bambino has sworn off theme parks until he’s “at least seven-and-a-half.” (Do you think I can hold him to that??)

After an exhausting afternoon, we said goodbye to our wonderful friends (as they headed north to visit family). After a well-deserved nap, we enjoyed jerk chicken and grouper at Miss B’s Coconut Club in Mission Beach. I also had a mojito or two (Legoland apparently results in the need for rum).

It’s amazing what a satisfying meal (and a few cocktails) can do for your spirits. After dinner, we walked down to the ocean. Bambino threw off his shoes and ran along the shore as the waves rolled in. We said our goodbyes to Mission Beach.

Next stop, Gaslamp.

On our second day in San Diego, we decided to visit the renowned San Diego Zoo. I have mixed feelings about zoos. The not-so-good ones are heartbreaking. (I struggle seeing animals in tiny enclosures.) But, the good ones are a vital part of retaining our planet’s (diminishing) biodiversity.

San Diego’s zoo is one of the goodies (at least in my opinion). It is home to over 650 species of animals, many of them endangered. The importance of conservation and biodiversity was emphasized throughout the Zoo. And, with 100 acres of land, the enclosures seemed more spacious and thoughtfully-prepared than many zoos we’ve visited.

We spent hours hiking the zoo’s beautifully landscaped hills and marveling in its animal habitats. Bambino was particularly fascinated by the maned wolves, elephants, okapis, and lions.

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With three little ones, we also had plenty of breaks for sugary snacks and playground romps. (The parents may have also stopped for the occasional “Koala Kölsch.”)

After a warm, activity-filled day, our kiddos were happy, but exhausted. Our zoo day wasn’t the kind of adventure I can rhapsodize about. We didn’t have any big revelatory moments about San Diego’s culture or identity. But, Bambino loved a day at the zoo (and frankly, so did I).

After a quick nap, we headed to the pool to regroup and make evening plans. Our group was about to grow to eleven people (six adults and five children). Thankfully, we were able to make a last-minute reservation at Pueblo in Pacific Beach.

The restaurant (which offers local seafood and made-to-order tortillas) provided us with a lovely private dining space. The adults enjoyed fish tacos, carne asada, and tequila while the kids had the space and privacy to run and play. I wrapped up the evening with good friends, a baby in my arms, and a little bit of sunburn. It was a good day.