San Diego fun

Best Things Nearby:
San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, and the desert.

Best Things About the Resort:
Clean, a block away from the beach. Not many things for kids to do--just a small room with some old paperbacks, and maybe a video game or two, but it was a nice resort. The furniture was light and airy, and the rooms spacious.

Resort Experience:
It didn't have a fireplace, Jacuzzi, or daily maid service (without an extra fee), so I was a little disappointed. But the condo was comfortable, and few people were around. The grocery store nearby was pricey, made for starlets and stars, but we got a few things and had some nice meals on a budget.

Avocado and taco stands, along with coffee shops, were everywhere. I liked the fun, eclectic atmosphere--typical Southern California, with people everywhere doing healthy things like biking, jogging, or swimming in wet suits (I thought at first they were sharks or dolphins).

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

OK, I can't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was one of the first ones as you leave Solano Beach on the coastal highway and head north. It was oceanfront and advertised early bird specials. What a fantastic deal! We saved money by eating in our condo for a lovely dinner right smack dab on the ocean. The waves were probably less than 100 feet from the restaurant's back dining area.

The clam chowder was served in a sourdough bread bowl and wasn't that expensive. The salad was enormous, filled with organic, fresh greens and nicely sliced fresh vegetables. It was adorned with a purple edible orchid. The whole experience was memorable, so much so that we went back the very next night to the same place. Surprisingly, the meals didn't cost that much, even with the million-dollar view.

The best zoo I've ever visited. Beats the D.C. Zoo, which has been in the news for animals dying and charges of neglect. Those cages are cramped, and there are no natural settings for animals from hot climates. However, the San Diego Zoo was the exact opposite. It was such a complete surprise. Children who visited both didn't like the first zoo, and didn't want to see the San Diego one at first for the same reason. But once they go there they were enthralled. They fell in love with San Diego and the zoo at that point.

Plenty to do nearby with Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm amusement park. December is a great time of year to go. We walked right on the rides. It's not nearly as big as Disney World in Orlando, but I liked the simplicity of it, and the nostalgia factor.