With kid-friendly breweries, the beach in the winter, and plenty of outdoor activities to fill every weekend, San Diego is truly a parent’s paradise. In the spirit of being thankful, we wanted to take a moment and reflect on what makes our city the best place to live for parents and kids.

Photo credit: Surf Diva

1. We get to enjoy the beautiful San Diego beaches and near-perfect weather all year long.

2. Our kids can eat free every day of the week.

3. You can learn about the history of San Diego and eat a delicious Mexican lunch in Old Town.

4. Not only do our local moms know how to cook, but thankfully they know how to blog, too.

5. There’s tons of free (or nearly free) stuff to do any day of the week.

Photo credit: Leah Singer

6. Lions, tigers and bears await at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

7. We’re a hotbed of theater for kids.

8. If you want to visit the mountains, simply drive east to the town of Julian.

9. We have plenty of great independent bookstores where we can get our fix. 

10. San Diego kids perfect their yoga poses.

Photo credit: Leah Singer

11. The Sanford Children’s Library is like nothing you’ve ever seen before!

12. Fly a kite and ride a carousel in Seaport Village.

13. San Diego is the microbrew capitol of the country, and we have kid-friendly breweries, too!

14. Play in the sunshine at these awesome parks for kids.

15. Take flight with exotic birds in North County or goof around with monkeys in East County.

Photo credit: Marissa Mullen

16. Explore San Diego’s secret gardens and hidden caves.

17. In the South Bay community of Chula Vista, visit the Olympic Training Center, tour a nature center, and have a picnic at a local park.

18. There are some pretty amazing hiking trails to tackle with little hikers.

19. With the beaches come surfing! Kids can catch their first wave in surf lessons.

20. The San Diego Padres baseball team may not have made it to the World Series, but baseball season at PETCO Park can’t be beat!

What makes you thankful to be a San Diego parent?

— Leah R. Singer

There are times when we want to take our kids to a water park, zoo or museum for a fun day out. Then there are times when we want to forgo the amusement parks and opt for the shopping malls to take care of much-needed  errands. Fortunately, so many San Diego shopping centers are kid-friendly and have lots of activities to make sure your little rugrats have fun on the shopping trip too. Here’s a look at a few San Diego spots that are both mom- and kid- approved.

Westfield UTC
This La Jolla shopping center has lots of family-friendly nooks and crannies that will make kids excited to go shopping with mom. Kids will have a great time playing on the jungle gym (located just outside Macy’s). There is climbing equipment for toddlers, as well as special equipment for those just a bit too big to mix with the babies. You can watch your kids play and check email (free Wi-Fi throughout the mall) while lounging in a comfortable cabana-style chair. Next to the jungle gym is an in door toddler play space, a nursing station, a mini kitchen, and clean bathrooms with little potties. If the jungle gym isn’t your kid’s thing, head to the choo choo train for a fun ride.

Westfield UTC
4545 La Jolla Village Dr.
San Diego, Ca
Online: westfield.com/utc

Westfield Parkway
The East County Westfield Parkway is one of the kid-friendliest places to hang out. Arriving to the mall is easy with designated up-front family parking spaces for expectant moms and families with kids. The family friendly parking is located in the parking structure between JCPenney and Macy’s, as well as in the parking structure between Walmart and the Food Court. Once you’re settled into the mall, bring the wee ones to the two-level carousel inside the mall. Kids will have fun on this magical ride (only $3 per rider). The mall also has a family lounge where parents can relax and recharge, and a play space (located next to JC Penny’s) where kids can climb and explore the bright, colorful play area with animal characters, large puzzles, and play with other children.

Westfield Parkway
415 Parkway Plaza
El Cajon, Ca
Online: westfield.com/parkway

Westfield North County
What makes this North County inland mall so fun for kids are its free special events. From Aug. 22-25, 2013 Westfield North County will feature Fashion Fun throughout the mall.  Young shoppers can get ready for school by visiting stops throughout the mall such as the Braid Bar, Nail Art, and Meet-the-Stylist. On August 30, 2013 kids can enjoy a life Octonauts performance.  The Octonauts – popularized by the Disney television show – follows an underwater exploring team of eight adventurers who live in an undersea base, the Octopod, from where they go on undersea adventures with the help of a fleet of aquatic vehicles. Of course, Westfield North County also features a family lounge with a nursing station and kitchen, as well as a place space for kids to climb and explore (located next to Sears).

Westfield North County
272 East Via Rancho Parkway
Escondido, Ca
Online: westfield.com/northcounty

Seaport Village
Nobody says shopping has to take place in a mall. Located on the San Diego bayfront, Seaport Village offers parents several different boutiques and shops to visit, while kiddos will have plenty of fun too. Kids love the historic carousel (only $2 to ride) or you can pick up a kite at the Kite Flite shop and see how far it can fly. If you’re into simple and no-cost entertainment, the young ones will keep busy spotting boats, birds and ducks. If you’re into books, be sure to stop by the Upstart Crow Coffeehouse and Bookstore. The independent bookseller offers lots of reading nooks for ground-ups and kiddos.

Seaport Village
849 West Harbor Dr.
San Diego, Ca
Online: seaportvillage.com

What do you think are the best kid-friendly attributes of these shopping centers? Tell us below!

— Leah R. Singer

Photos by Westfield UTC, Leah R. Singer and the Seaport Village Facebook page.