When visiting Southern California, my family likes to take a few days to stay in San Diego. The city has some beautiful beaches, and is home to theme parks like SeaWorld and Legoland.
Earlier this year, SeaWorld opened a new coaster named Manta and a 100,000 gallon aquarium. The Manta coaster takes you on a ride in a vehicle shaped like a giant manta ray and includes a 54-foot drop and 1/2 mile of track. It is enough to give a big thrill but still keeps it within the family friendly coaster territory (I’m getting a little too old for those big coasters). The ride has a 48-inch height requirement.
The 100,000 gallon aquarium includes an area where you can reach into the water and touch the California bat rays. My son loves these types of hands on experiences with animals. I was really glad to see this was part of the experience.
The aquarium is filled with three species of rays (California bat rays, diamond stingrays and shovelnose guitarfish) and hundreds of fishes native to the California coast. The reef-themed aquarium includes eight acrylic viewing windows where you can see marine life above and beneath the water.
SeaWorld San Diego is open year-round, including holidays. Park admission is $73 for ages 10 and older; $65 for ages 3–9.
Photo via SeaWorld
