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A family vacation in San Diego is going to keep you busy. Between the trips to Sea World and the hours spent on the beach, you’re going to have to stop frequently for food to fuel the family’s flagging energy. In order to accommodate this need, numerous family-friendly restaurants offer deals designed to lure you in and keep you coming back. From the most affordable to the most fun, here are some of the best places to go eat with your family on a trip to San Diego.

• 94th Aero Squadron. When you’re spending your vacation in San Diego, it can seem annoying to have to take time out of all of the sightseeing just to eat a meal. Restaurants like this one allow you to avoid that problem because the restaurant itself is a historic attraction. The restaurant is located within a replica of an old World War I farmhouse from France. It overlooks land that includes a military airport field which holds memorabilia from the war along with historic airplanes and other aviation relics. There is also antique farm equipment on the grounds so it’s definitely a place where you can get an education in history.

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• Anthony’s Fish Grotto. Anthony’s has several different seafood restaurants which have served the San Diego area for over 60 years. The Grotto is the one that’s the most family-friendly. It’s the ideal place for a meal enjoyed on a day that you’ve spent at the beach. The seafood is fresh, the restaurant is practically a tourist attraction, and there are even events that are held at this San Diego hot spot to keep things even more interesting.
• Devine Pastabilities. This is a terrifically fun restaurant that takes traditional Italian foods and turns them on their sides. Many of the creations that they come up with are loved by kids who like to eat foods they know in a fun new way. For example, one of the most popular items on the menu is the spaghetti sandwich. The food is unique but it all tastes like stuff that you’ve had before (in a good way) and the prices are so affordable that you’ll probably be surprised. This is a fairly new San Diego restaurant that people are rapidly citing as a favorite.
• Hamburger Family Factory Restaurant. This is one of those family restaurants that is both affordable and fun for all ages. It’s based on a western motif theme and offers activities and exhibits which keep you entertained while waiting for your meal. Train rides and a historical museum devoted to providing information about the Old West are just a few of the things that you can enjoy at this restaurant. For families that want every part of their trip to be filled with education and adventure, it’s a great choice. Of course, there’s also good food here. They’ve got a barbecue menu that can’t be beat along with what many say is San Diego’s best hamburger. The menu itself is even a little bit fun; order the “world’s tiniest sundae” and other little treats. Located in old Poway Park, just outside of San Diego, it’s a destination all its own.

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• India Palace. If you happen to have a family that likes to eat Indian food, then this is going to be the San Diego restaurant that you want to find. That’s because there are a lot of Indian restaurants in the area that are fancy and / or expensive. This one is casual and it has an all-you-can-eat menu that makes it affordable for families of all sizes. The food is good and the service is outstanding. It’s a place where you’ll feel treated like royalty without paying royalty prices or having to struggle to shush the kids.
• Java Mama. If you’re just trying to grab a quick bite then you might want to think about making a stop at Java Mama. This is a great place because it’s your familiar little coffee shop that exists on the corner of any town. However, it’s particularly focused on creating a kid-friendly atmosphere. Since most coffee shops aren’t particularly geared towards children, this makes it a unique place that’s worth checking out. For the mom who needs a coffee boost to keep the vacation moving along, it’s an excellent choice.
• Juanitas Taco Shop. It’s almost mandatory to make sure that you get inexpensive Mexican seafood on the beach in San Diego. Grab a couple of fish tacos with the kids during a break from building sandcastles. Order horchata, the cinnamon rice drink that kids will all love. It’s a little bit chaotic with all of the beachgoers going in and out but it’s definitely a fun, affordable place to get a quick meal.
• Pat & Oscar’s Restaurant. This is a chain restaurant with multiple locations in San Diego. The great thing about this place is that the food doesn’t taste like it’s made at a chain restaurant. It has that great home cooked quality about it that would be more likely to draw you in to a smaller restaurant. However, it’s offered at an affordable price with familiar restaurant features that kids tend to like because they are comfortable with them. That familiarity is something that can be really important on a family vacation in a new location so many travelers like this San Diego restaurant. It’s the best of chain and local dining. It’s possible to order “meals for one”, “meals for two” and “meals for four” so it’s definitely great for families and other groups.

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• Sammy’s Pizza. One of the things that families always want to try in San Diego is the pizza. It’s your basic favorite food but it’s got a California twist to it that makes you feel like you’re getting something a little bit exotic. The best place to get that type of family meal in San Diego is to go to Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza. The pizzas are the best but if someone in the group isn’t a pizza fan, you can also get pastas, tapas and other tasty treats. There are also salads sized to serve the whole table so you can get the kids to eat healthy before the pizza gets there.

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• The Venetian Point Loma. For traditional family-style Italian food in a fun atmosphere, head to this San Diego restaurant. It’s particularly loved by local families but you’ll find that there’s an eclectic selection of guests ranging from top level chefs who want a good meal to young couples out on the town. Everyone seems to get along; it’s just the kind of restaurant that promotes great camaraderie because of the ambience of the place. Some would say it’s noisy but most would just say that it’s full of life and activity! Meals are considered affordable for families on vacation in San Diego.

San Diego is a fairly laidback city. Unless you’re looking at five-star restaurants, you should find that everywhere you go will be welcoming to your kids. However, families on a budget who want to find meals that are going to be enjoyed by everyone should be sure to keep their eyes peeled for spots like these which really cater to the tastes of the San Diego family.

Tags: California | Food | North America | San Diego | United States