Christmas on the Prado - Dec 4th & 5th

An annual tradition in our house. I've been going for 15 years! There are TONS of people but we love bundling up, soaking in the architecture/music of Balboa Park AND the fun International Cottage celebrations (check out Casa de Espana - yummy paella!)

San Diego's favorite kick-off to the holiday season, will take place for the 32nd consecutive year on Friday, December 4, 5:00-10:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 5, noon-10:00 p.m. In the spirit of the holidays, participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. both evenings. The largest free community festival in San Diego, December Nights is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors over two days.

Entertainment and holiday cheer are all part of this classic San Diego celebration-including food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; international choirs, musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and others.

http://www.balboapark.org/decembernights/

Children's Museum - Escondido

Was it just me or was the Downtown "New Children's Museum" a tad overpriced and overcrowded? It was a great "once/year (if that)" experience and being with our sweet friends (Seatons) was 90% of the fun =)...but I found a great alternative. The Children's Museum of Escondido. It's not free, but only $5/child/adult! They do offer FREE movies in the park in the summertime (see other blog).

http://www.escondidochildrensmuseum.org/

Planes, Trains & Automobiles - Attractions

• Planes: 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant (not free, but a gem in San Diego)
  http://www.94thaerosquadron.signonsandiego.com/
• Planes: Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation & Aviation Musuem (appears to be free but does accept donations).
  https://secure2.comentum.com/flyingle/public_html/index.html
• Planes: Pack a snack lunch and watch planes take/off @ Fallbrook Airport
  http://www.l18airpark.com/
• Gliders: La Jolla Glider: Watch the gliders take off, fly & land - for FREE!
  http://flytorrey.com/cms/
• Parachute Watching (Jamul or Otay): Watch people jump out of planes & land (it's a guy thing)http://www.skydivesandiego.com/ or http://www.skydiveperris.com/
• Hawthorne Company- get a tour of the Diggers, Dumpers and Bulldozers (again, it's a guy thing) FREE (unless you walk out of there with some machinery).
  http://www.hawthornecat.com/
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum (see 'balboa park' blog for free day) http://www.sdmrm.org/

These are not "free" entrances, but GREAT deals!

• Poway Midland Railroad - Kids ride for 50cents! http://www.powaymidlandrr.org/default.htm
• Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum (Vista) http://www.agsem.com/
• Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (in Campo) http://www.psrm.org/
• and of course, kids always love a ride on the "Coaster" along the San Diego coast. http://www.gonctd.com/coaster_schedules.htm
• National City Railroad http://www.sdera.org/

Balboa Park

Every Tuesday a different MUSEUM is FREE! Here is the schedule for which ones are free.
http://www.balboapark.org/calendar/detail.php?EventID=370

Here is the link that describes the variety of museums and other discounts.
http://www.balboapark.org/just-for-kids/

Every Sunday you can visit the International Cottages from 12noon-4:00pm. Expose your children to a different culture. Food is free but a donation is accepted. Each week from March through October they feature a different country - live performances & music. Mark you calendars, Spain is October 11th! and you can bet we'll be there in Flameno and Torrero attire!
http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/detail.php?OrgID=36