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Episode 8: San Diego, California: Sunshine, Sensory-Friendly Fun & Family Flexibility- Travel in 3-2-1
49 Plays7 days ago
“A good family vacation is not about checking every attraction off a list. It is about creating enough space for connection, rest, movement, and the little moments your kids will actually remember.”
In this episode, let’s head to San Diego and explore the kind of travel that feels flexible, realistic, and supportive for families raising children with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or sensory needs. I talk about how a thoughtful balance of activity and downtime can make a trip feel less overwhelming.
You’ll also hear practical tips for avoiding overscheduling, creating calmer transitions, and leaving room to pivot when needed. Because sometimes the most meaningful parts of a trip are the simplest ones: a beach picnic, a quiet walk on a trail, or observing animals at the zoo.
Topics Covered:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction
- 00:00:24 – Welcome to Family Travel that Supports ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety
- 00:01:28 – Why San Diego works for low-stress family travel
- 00:02:13 – The importance of slowing down and doing less
- 00:03:38 – Stop #1: Coronado Island beaches
- 00:05:29 – Stop #2: San Diego Zoo
- 00:06:36 – Managing overstimulation at big attractions
- 00:08:45 – Stop #3: Cabrillo National Monument
- 00:10:52 – Food Stop #1: Clayton’s Coffee Shop
- 00:11:17 – Food Stop #2: The Taco Stand
- 00:12:16 – Travel tip: Build buffer time into your days
- 00:13:23 – Meeting your kids where they are while traveling
About Your Host:
Dr. Josette Bianchi is a board-certified pediatrician, mom of three, and a travel lover who believes families should feel confident exploring the world together. Through Family Travel that Supports ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety, she shares practical tips, real-life experiences, and encouragement for families raising children with big feelings, sensory needs, or behavioral differences.
Combining her medical background with her perspective as a parent, Dr. Bianchi helps families plan flexible, sensory-friendly trips. Each episode offers simple ideas, honest stories, and helpful tools to make travel more manageable and more meaningful for neurodiverse families.
Connect with Dr. Josette Bianchi:
- Email: familytravelsupport@gmail.com; josettemarie@gmail.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josette-bianchi-40902943/
- Instagram: @familytravelthatsupports
- Linktree (click here to access our Family Travel Resource Library): https://linktr.ee/familytravelsupport
Resources:
- Beach accessibility:https://www.sandiego.org/article/san-diego-beach-wheelchairs
- San Diego Zoo:https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/
- Cabrillo Monument:https://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
- Crown City Inn:https://www.crowncityinn.com/
- Accessible attractions (including zoo, Cabrillo):https://www.sandiego.org/plan-your-trip/visitors-centers-information/disabled-visitor-resources-for-san-diego-attractions
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Transcript
Podcast Relocation to San Diego
00:00:00
Speaker
Okay everyone, you spoke and we listened. We are finally headed to the west coast after a pretty east coast heavy start to the podcast. The votes from our Instagram poll show that you want to check out a California destination with beautiful weather, wide open spaces, and activities that can work for a range of ages and needs.
Introduction to the Podcast for Special Needs Families
00:00:19
Speaker
So today we're headed to San Diego, California together.
00:00:26
Speaker
Welcome to Family Travel that supports ADHD, autism, and anxiety, the podcast for families who love to travel and have children with big feelings, challenging moments. I'm Joseph Bianchi, a mom to three children, board-certified pediatrician, and a travel lover. If you're raising children with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or other behavioral differences, and the idea of travel feels both exciting and overwhelming, this podcast is for you.
The 3-2-1 Plan for Limitless Family Travel
00:00:52
Speaker
Each week, using an easy-to-follow 3-2-1 plan, we'll talk about real-life experiences of traveling with kids who don't fit the typical mold. Most episodes will follow this format, but we'll also sprinkle in some listener stories, deeper dives, and interviews.
00:01:06
Speaker
Whether you're planning your first road trip or you're already seasoned family travelers, family travel that supports ADHD, autism, and anxiety will help you feel seen, supported, and maybe even inspired to book that next adventure.
00:01:20
Speaker
Because around here, we believe in wandering without limits. So grab your crew, your luggage, and your love of adventure, and let's hit the road together.
Why San Diego is Ideal for Families
00:01:29
Speaker
OK, so today we're headed to San Diego, California.
00:01:33
Speaker
This is one of those great destinations that can work really well for families, especially if your kids like outdoor space, some movement, and a bit of flexibility in the schedule.
00:01:44
Speaker
What I love about San Diego is that it's easy for traveling, especially with kids. It's great for planning, packing. You're not packing snow boots, winter coats, but also swimsuits and rain jackets for the same trip, sometimes like we do on the East Coast.
00:01:58
Speaker
It works during most parts of the year and you don't need a ton of layers. There's a nice mix of activities for everybody's interest in your group. You got beaches, you got some animals, parks, so you can kind of adjust your day level of stimulation depending on how everyone in the group is doing.
Choosing Focused Activities Over Quantity
00:02:14
Speaker
Like we always say here at the show, meet your kids where they are. I've been to San Diego and loved it. It's been a minute. I went with my oldest, and one of the things I really appreciated when we were there together is that you just don't have to do everything to have a great trip. You can really focus on a few things, and it's still awesome.
00:02:31
Speaker
In fact, I would encourage everyone not to try and do everything because I think you'll have a better trip if you pare it down and just kind of focus on a few things. Pick a few anchor activities, build in downtime for swimming, the beach, just walking around, and leave some space to pivot if needed.
00:02:49
Speaker
I'll be super transparent from the start here, guys. It was challenging to pick three places for this episode, so I didn't include some of the typical favorites like Balboa Park,
00:03:00
Speaker
the day trip to Legoland that a lot of people like to build in. And this was somewhat intentional because I really wanted to focus a bit on some calmer reset options to offset the stimulation of the San Diego Zoo, which is coincidentally located adjacent to Balboa Park. But there are definitely flex choices to consider if you're interested, like some of the ones I mentioned. And if you're staying for more than a few days, you could so much build in those flex choices. You could really do it. But this is just the three things that I think will make for a nice few days so it can be low key and you can appreciate what you're doing in the moment.
Family-Friendly Coronado Island
00:03:35
Speaker
OK, so let's get into our 3-2-1 plan so you can listen to what I did select. Number one in our 3-2-1 plan is Coronado Island beaches. I really want to start here because these are some of my favorite spots in the San Diego area. I also start here because when I went with my daughter, this is where we stayed. We stayed at the Crown City Inn and Bistro on Coronado Island and honestly loved it.
00:03:58
Speaker
It wasn't super fancy or over-the-top luxury, but it was great for kids. It was super warm, friendly, cute pool where my daughter made lots of little buddies while we were traveling. And it's very convenient to a lot of the places on Coronado Island.
00:04:12
Speaker
The Coronado beaches are a great option for families. They're nice and wide open. They feel a little calmer than some of the other beaches. We in particularly, we like Coronado Central Beach, which is right in front of the Hotel Del Coronado.
00:04:26
Speaker
And we like Gloriana Bay Park Beach. That's another favorite. The one right in front of the Hotel Del Coronado, the Central Beach, it's great for running, sandcastles, some nice pictures, tide pools at low tide. The sand is nice and soft. There's plenty of space to spread out. It's a good environment for kids who need to move, run, just not feel super overcrowded. And you can really keep these beach days super simple.
00:04:50
Speaker
We would just bring a few beach toys, a ball, some snacks and water, And you can just let the kids explore at their own pace and build castles. There's also some nice paths for walking or biking in this area. And there's easy to navigate bathrooms and places to grab food. So it's really easy to do and definitely makes for great beach day. Also, just a quick note to put in the show here that San Diego has really worked hard to become more inclusive in recent years in their tourism and what they offer.
00:05:20
Speaker
They offer free manual or power beach wheelchairs at nine popular beaches in the San Diego area. And this includes some of the beaches on Coronado Island. We'll put a link in the show notes so you can check that
Navigating the San Diego Zoo
00:05:31
Speaker
out. Number two in our places to check out is the San Diego Zoo.
00:05:36
Speaker
And yes, it absolutely lives up to the hype. It's iconic. It's located next to Balboa Park at 920 Zoo Drive in San Diego, California. There is free parking available and two and under are free to get in the park.
00:05:51
Speaker
They've really done a lot to make this zoo more inclusive. They are now a certified sensory inclusive site certified by Culture City, a nonprofit that advocates for people with sensory needs. so they offer some sensory bags that are available with fidget toys noise canceling headphones they have designated quiet zones they also offer something that's really nice if a person with a disability requires an attendant they will give you a complimentary pass for that person and you can obtain that at the ticket windows or near health services over by the reptile house So I think that's something nice to offer if you need that extra person to be with you for the day. This zoo is obviously a big one. It's an amazing experience, but can also be a lot.
00:06:37
Speaker
So when you're going and you're looking for that balancing of stimulation and calm, this definitely falls in the stimulation category. The biggest thing here is you do not need to see everything. Definitely stick with our don't leave fun for fun saying and don't try and see everything. We've talked about this in previous episodes, like in our Philly one when we talk about the zoo there and the Mystic Connecticut one with the aquarium located there. It's the same here. Definitely focus on some must-see areas and only add if things are going great for your family and it feels right for the kids. I recommend picking two to three animal areas to focus on that your child is most excited about and build around that.
00:07:18
Speaker
You also do have some options within the zoo for transportation, especially if things that you're choosing are not really adjacent to each other. There's a bus tour and there's also the Sky Far Aerial Tram. So that can give you a break from walking and help you get around, especially if things are more spread out. My daughter loved the aerial tram. She had a great time riding it.
00:07:39
Speaker
And then really just pacing your day around those anchor things that you're choosing with snacks, breaks, and finding quieter areas when you need them. For kids who love animals like my kids, this can be really engaging, but you just want to have a good plan to keep it manageable because it is such a big zoo. I also just wanted to mention briefly, just to prevent any confusion, that the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is actually a separate park. with a separate admission fee and it's located about 30 to 45 minutes away from the zoo proper. I would probably focus just on one and my pick is the zoo especially if the panda's on your list of animals to see and there was no way I was getting out of the pandas with my daughter. We were in for the pandas. That was the primary thing. but You could tackle both if you have an extended stay and you feel that two days of animal-based activities would be engaging enough for your kids to keep them busy, but it might be a lot. So I definitely would look at both in advance, see which animals look like a better fit for your group, but my pick is the San Diego Zoo.
00:08:45
Speaker
Okay, number three on our list is the Cabrillo National Monument.
Explore Cabrillo National Monument
00:08:50
Speaker
This is something that's a little quieter, a bit more low-key. It's a really nice option.
00:08:55
Speaker
I super struggled with the number three spot here. As I said earlier, it was really tough to leave off Balboa Park or even La Jolla Cove or Legoland Day Trip. But I think this monument is really special and can work really well for a lot of our families that listen to the show. So I definitely wanted to include it. It ended up being one of those places that I often talk about on the show that surprised me. was like something we just kind of stumbled on and it ended up being one of my favorite things. And I like to include those things because it's a little off the beaten path. It's not something you might think about doing, but it really is a nice addition and it's very affordable as well.
00:09:35
Speaker
You get incredible ocean views and the beautiful scenery that San Diego is known for, but it's a nice calm pace than some of the bigger attractions. They have a historic lighthouse, and they have these great tide pools that the kids love to explore, and they have a visitor center with some exhibits. It's a very peaceful spot where kids can learn a little bit of history while also enjoying the outdoors. And I always think something like that is kind of nice. My daughter loved the tide pools. I think she would have stayed there for six straight hours searching for a little sea creatures if we let her.
00:10:07
Speaker
But you just want to make sure you check the timing of the tides before you go to make sure that you're going to get that tide pool experience. Cabrillo does have a fee, but it's very small. It's a federal site, so you pay per vehicle or per person if you happen to be walking or biking in. The nice part is if you happen to have an America the Beautiful Pass or there's a fourth grader in your family that has a free federal lands pass, you will get in for free.
00:10:32
Speaker
But regardless, even if you have to pay, the views and the memories are definitely worth the small price. It's not overly crowded and you can move at your own pace. This is a great reset day if you've done something more stimulating earlier in the week like the zoo.
Casual Dining in San Diego for Families
00:10:48
Speaker
OK, now that we've covered our three places to check out in the San Diego area, let's talk food Number one is Clayton's Coffee Shop. This is located on Coronado Island. It's a simple, family-friendly option that I wanted to include, especially for those people that are going to check out those Coronado Island beaches.
00:11:06
Speaker
It has a classic diner feel. The menu's really straightforward, and it's pretty easy to find something for everyone. It's casual. It's great for like breakfast or lunch if you're going before or after the beach. Number two on our list is the taco stand. There are locations in La Jolla or downtown. It's a chain, but it was started in the San Diego area, and it has some convenient locations, which I thought was a good reason to include it.
00:11:32
Speaker
It's casual, quick. It's a hit with kids. Everyone loves tacos and quesadillas, things that feel familiar. It may not be a San Diego foodie destination, but it definitely has that San Diego vibe. And it's a good for a low-pressure meal when everyone's hungry. You need something quick.
00:11:50
Speaker
And again, you really can't go wrong with a quesadilla with most kids. Other flexible options for eating to keep in mind, San Diego is filled with lots of great casual outdoor dining, patios, quick service, grab and go setup. Sometimes just taking something quick to the beach and making a little picnic is really nice. We did that a few times and those were some of our best like dining memories when we were in San Diego.
00:12:14
Speaker
For our number one travel tip for families in San Diego, it is to build in buffer time between your anchor activities so you don't overpack that schedule.
Importance of Buffer Time in Itinerary
00:12:24
Speaker
It's really easy to do the zoo, the beach, multiple attractions all in one or two days, and that can make things get overwhelming pretty quickly. There's also some traffic, parking, transitions between locations because things tend to be a little bit spread out.
00:12:39
Speaker
So I would recommend just choosing like one main activity per day, having a flex second option if things are going really well with the kids and you want something else. Otherwise, i just use those breaks or buffer time.
00:12:51
Speaker
for a good park, a trail, hanging out at the beach, a little picnic action. i think it works way better for kids who need that predictability, need that downtime to reset, and need a little bit of calm in the day.
00:13:05
Speaker
Thank you so much everybody for all the votes for this location. It brought back some really great memories of a trip I once took to San Diego and Coronado Island with
Valuing Simple Travel Moments
00:13:14
Speaker
my oldest. It was nice to think about it and have those memories. It was also nice to think about it through a different lens for kids with neurodivergence and a mom of multiple kids with different needs.
00:13:24
Speaker
San Diego can be a great option for families, especially if your kids like outdoor space, they like to move, and they also need some flexibility built into their day. You don't need to hit every major attraction in San Diego to have a meaningful trip. Sometimes the best moments come from the simpler parts. Time at the beach, making some sandcastles, a picnic lunch, watching the animals, or just walking on a trail overlooking the ocean.
00:13:52
Speaker
Travel doesn't have to look like anyone else's version to be meaningful. Meet your kids where they are, adjust when needed, and keep wandering without limits. You've got this.
Engage with the Podcast Community
00:14:01
Speaker
If this show resonated with you, please follow or subscribe to the show and share it with another parent who might benefit.
00:14:07
Speaker
We'd also love to hear from you. Feedback, questions, places you'd like us to cover on the show. Email me a show suggestion or reach out if you're planning a trip and would like some support. You can also find us on Instagram at Family Travel That Supports.
00:14:21
Speaker
We share tips, info on upcoming episodes, and ask for listener input on upcoming episodes. And lastly, disclaimer, this podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not to be considered medical advice for any patient.
00:14:36
Speaker
Thanks for tuning in, and we'll see you next time.