hrmm...I was thinking of it as a "screw this cold weather, let's go somewhere warm" type of vacation, but if everyone is saying it's better in July (or perhaps August, at which point around here it's "screw this humidity, let's go ANYWHERE else") then a change in plans wouldn't be too bad.

Is it consensus opinion around here that it's better to go in July/August than April?

Thanks everyone for all of your comments, btw!

ROFL

Don't go to Buck's house

http://internetscelebrities.com/wp-c...ce_willis1.jpg

I went there last year, but without kids, and went to a bar near the ocean and drank, and then to the Gaslight District and drank and slept in the airport. I think the baseball stadium is basically in the Gaslight District. I think that would be a cool family thing- go to a Padres game if you can schedule it, and walk around the Gaslight and get some food.
I took the bus and train system around town without too much trouble.
When we travel we normally stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton when we can. They serve good breakfast for a hotel and dinner M-Thursday. The dinner is nothing gourmet, but some locations have decent food and usually free beer and wine. That way if you happen to be at the hotel and want a quick bite you can eat there.

If your going to Lego land, stay at the Sheraton in Carlsbad. It's close, clean and relatively new, it's min. 30 minutes from Carlsbad to the zoo. The zoo is must see deal.
La Jolla, get the kids some ice cream cones and walk around the cove, seals kelp bed etc... March (spring break) is our so-called rainy season. The weather has been so jacked up lately I'm not making any predictions.

Amno, I've been there at all times of the year and had a great experience. But for my money, July/August is where it's at. Mission Beach/Pacific Beach are just insane fun. The water's kinda chilly, but you get used to that.

My first trip there with kids, they were three years older than your kids 13-10, I couldn't drag them away from the beach. Also, history buff that you are you may be interested in Mt Soledad Memorial. It's a tribute to WWII, Korea and Nam veterans in the area. It's uncanny in it's stately beauty. I wanted to stay there all day.

On Mission Beach (756 Ventura Pl.) there is a little taco shop called Maria's. She makes the best breakfast burrito on the beach. For $5 it feeds two adults. She makes the best dinner burritos too. I always eat cheap out there cause I'd rather spend money on good accommodations.

Dude, it's all relative. I went in February and it was fricken' BEAUTIFUL compared to the crap back in New England. Personally I don't really like the heat--anything above 80 to me sucks--so I'd rather go to CA or FL in February, when it's 15 back at home and 60-70 there...

The wife and I go to southern California once a year, typically, and we tend to go in either February or October. The weather is always nice, though in February it's a little coolish to swim most times. We pick our dates because the timeshare we have is less busy and has fewer kids running around, and in February it's nice to have a little break from the cold weather. In your case, though, perhaps you want more kids running around, so it doesn't make a difference in that regard.

Bottom line: the weather is nice year round, though the swimming is probably better if you go from April or May through August.

The Weather here is always cloudy and cool from mid May thru mid June. They call it May Gray and June Gloom. The ocean is always cold year round. If you come in April and your kids want to swim in the ocean you may want to rent some wetsuits.

I will yield to the Senator from sd on this issue. My swimming is limited to the pool at the resort and consists mostly of splashing around.

The water is COLD in June. But since us outsiders are acclimated to a different climate I've never had much of an issue with the water temp. Although this year, the water was 8/12* colder in August than last year. It was noticeable.

I have a great view of the sunsetting behind the SD Skyline that I get to enjoy right from my deck. It's freakin' awesome.

It's cold right now. At least for our standards. Im my freezing my balls off as i type this. But then again, Im wearing shorts and a Tee.

Shaddup!

Don't know how much time you have but Catalina Island is a great place to be. Avalon is a great get away for the whole family. You can take the fast boat (Catalina Express) from Dana Point, have a nice ocean sail (about an hour and a half or so) and be away from it all. Killer golf course if you are into that sort of frustration.