Arrive mid-morning and stretch your legs with a relaxed stroll along Waterfront Park, where the kids can splash in the fountains and the puppy can sniff around on-leash; there are shaded benches and open lawns perfect for a quick picnic. Afterward, head to Seaport Village for casual waterfront views, a carousel ride for the kids, and affordable counter-service lunch options-plenty of outdoor seating makes it easy to rotate a parent back to the hotel to let the puppy rest in its crate before the evening meet.
Settle into the hotel and give everyone - including the puppy - a low-key break before the evening. Take a short, stroller-friendly outing to Embarcadero Marina Park South for harbor views and wide lawns where the kids can play and you can rotate a parent back to crate the puppy; then wander a few blocks to The Headquarters at Seaport courtyard for casual shopping and outdoor seating where one adult can enjoy a coffee while another checks on the puppy at the hotel. If energy allows, grab an early, budget-friendly dinner to-go from Lucha Libre Taco Shop (walkable or quick drive) and enjoy it picnic-style at the hotel so the gymnast can relax and nap before the 6pm meet.
Before the 6pm meet, grab a relaxed pre-show dinner at The Fish Market on the waterfront-kid-friendly bowls and grilled options make it easy to fuel up quickly while one adult can pop back to the hotel to check on the puppy. After dinner, take a short, stroller-friendly walk along Broadway Pier for harbor lights and people-watching, then head to the San Diego Convention Center early to collect tickets and settle the gymnast so everyone has time to relax before the competition.
Start the day with a relaxed visit to Balboa Park's Botanical Building and Lily Pond, where the kids can marvel at exotic plants and the puppy can join on-leash for a gentle stroll around the grounds; grab coffee and pastries from the nearby Tea Pavilion patio and let the children feed ducks (supervised) at the pond. From there, wander over to [Spanish Village Art Center](https://spanishvillageart.com/) to watch local artists work, try a quick kid-friendly art activity, and enjoy a picnic on the shady lawn - plenty of bench seating makes it easy for one adult to return to the hotel to check the puppy's crate while the rest of the family keeps the morning slow and playful.
After a gentle morning in Balboa Park, head to Morley Field for an easy family bike or scooter ride on paved paths and a visit to the shady playground-there's plenty of space for the kids to burn off energy while one adult can rotate back to the hotel to check the puppy's crate. Next, stroll or drive to [Sunset Cliffs Natural Park](https://www.google.com/search?q=Sunset+Cliffs+Natural+Park+planning+a+weekend+trip+to+san+diego+with+a+family+of+5+plus+5+month+old+puppy+30+pounds.+will+stay+in+hotel+through+sunday.+gymnastic+meet+on+friday+night+at+6pm+and+sunday+morning+at+8+am+and+130+pm+at+convention+center.+Dog+can+crate+up+to+5.5+hours+during+the+day.+if+we+leave+friday+morning+help+plan+the+trip+for+fun+for+all+some+dog+free+stuff+where+dog+is+crated+at+hotel.+don%27t+over+schedule.+include+some+place+dog+can+go+for+meals+but+not+all+have+to+include+the+dog.+kids+ages+7-12.+keep+it+economical+but+fun.+family+enjoys+nature+and+site+seeing+plus+dinning+etc.+basically+making+the+gymnastics+weekend+fun+but+low+key+on+Saturday+so+they+gymnast+are+ready+to+go+sunday+morning+%0A%0A+official+site) for a short, scenic walk where the family can hunt tidepool life from above and snap golden-hour photos; finish with a relaxed, budget-friendly outdoor dinner at Point Loma Seafoods where you can order to-go and picnic nearby so the gymnast can rest early for Sunday's meets.
Wind down with a relaxed sunset visit to [Coronado Ferry Landing](https://www.google.com/search?q=Coronado+Ferry+Landing+planning+a+weekend+trip+to+san+diego+with+a+family+of+5+plus+5+month+old+puppy+30+pounds.+will+stay+in+hotel+through+sunday.+gymnastic+meet+on+friday+night+at+6pm+and+sunday+morning+at+8+am+and+130+pm+at+convention+center.+Dog+can+crate+up+to+5.5+hours+during+the+day.+if+we+leave+friday+morning+help+plan+the+trip+for+fun+for+all+some+dog+free+stuff+where+dog+is+crated+at+hotel.+don%27t+over+schedule.+include+some+place+dog+can+go+for+meals+but+not+all+have+to+include+the+dog.+kids+ages+7-12.+keep+it+economical+but+fun.+family+enjoys+nature+and+site+seeing+plus+dinning+etc.+basically+making+the+gymnastics+weekend+fun+but+low+key+on+Saturday+so+they+gymnast+are+ready+to+go+sunday+morning+%0A%0A+official+site) - let the kids run along the bayfront promenade, browse the small shops for a simple treat, and enjoy views of the skyline while one adult rotates back to check the puppy at the hotel. For dinner, grab affordable to-go family plates from Burger Bench or picnic sandwiches from Olive & Thyme and eat at the shady picnic tables in Ruocco Park, where kids can play and the gymnast can rest early in preparation for Sunday's meets.
Rise early and keep the morning calm: grab quick coffee and breakfast burritos to-go from The Mission Café near the hotel, then head to the San Diego Convention Center so the gymnast can be warmed up and settled for the 8:00 AM meet; parents can take turns walking the puppy for a short leash-friendly break around nearby Pantoja Park between sessions. After the first session, refuel with a relaxed post-meet brunch at Basic Bar & Pizza (casual, kid-friendly) or pick up sandwiches from Berkshire Café to eat in the hotel lobby while one adult crates the puppy for the remaining 5.5-hour window before departure.
After the final 1:30 PM session, keep things easy with a short, scenic stroll and picnic near Seaport Village Green, where kids can ride the nearby Seaport Village Carousel while the family soaks up harbor views; pick up sandwiches to-go from Cups & Crepes so the gymnast can relax and refuel. If time allows before hitting the road, swing by Ruocco Park Pier for a last bit of shoreline play and a quick photo op with the skyline, then rotate one adult to retrieve luggage and the puppy from the hotel while the rest of the family finishes a calm snack and packs up.
After the final session and before hitting the road, enjoy a relaxed early-evening stroll and light dinner at [Liberty Station NTC Park](https://libertystation.com/), where wide lawns let the kids stretch their legs and the puppy can sniff on-leash while the gymnast unwinds. Pick up simple, budget-friendly plates from Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens (order at the counter and dine on the outdoor patio) or grab hand-held pizza from Napizza in the courtyard, then finish with a quick playground stop at Children's Park inside Liberty Station so everyone leaves San Diego refreshed and ready for the drive home.