My family went on vacation to San Diego, and I recommend it to anyone. Check out mission beach, it’s a great place for easy shopping access, as well as an excellent beach strip! We went over Thanksgiving, and I would say go a couple weeks or months sooner than this, but if you go after the main beach season, you will have more room to wander and spend some wonderful quality family time together, no matter what beach you go to. There are travel companies that will give you cheaper tickets to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo, as well as four and five star hotels, for your family trip, so be sure to look around!