With a little research on the Delta Airlines website, we were able to fly my family of four to San Diego, California, for 80,000 miles. Taking a direct flight from Sea-Tac, we landed in San Diego in less than three hours.

Lodging proved a little more challenging. Our goal was to utilize military lodging, which is a great value if you can find space.  The Navy Lodge North Island is located right on the beach with a swimming pool for $85 a night. Unfortunately, it and all the other military lodging options in the area were fully booked.  We opted for the Embassy Suites in downtown San Diego and were able to get a substantial military discount rate for the nights we stayed, which included a full breakfast each morning.

Embassy Suites San Diego Bay Downtown, 601 Pacific Hwy., San Diego, 619.239.2400

A downtown hotel turned out to be the perfect location.  It was nice to be within walking distance of the Midway Museum (free for active-duty military), the Maritime Museum of San Diego (military discount) and the Gaslamp Quarter. We were never more than a 15-minute drive from the major attractions and the airport.

Upon arrival, we drove to Coronado and the North Island Naval Air Station.  The base is easy to access with a Base Exchange and Commissary just past the main gate. The Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) ticket office is located at the Navy Exchange Mall.  They sell tickets to local attractions and offer military discounts - usually a better rate than you can get at the gate.

The best deal for San Diego is the "Go Card San Diego."  It is a discount pass purchased at MWR with a military discount or online at smartdestinations.com. It is good for 40 attractions, and you pay for one, two, three, five or seven days. It includes most of the major attractions in San Diego and is a great value. The website lists what is included. You can go to as many attractions as you can fit into a day, and the pass saves up to 55 percent off the ticket price.  

MWR North Island Ticket Office, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Exchange Ave., Naval Air Station North Island, 619.545.9576

San Diego can be an expensive place to visit, but by using your military discounts, you can stretch your vacation dollars. Here are two free options:

SeaWorld:  SeaWorld offers the Waves of Honor program, which allows active-duty military and veterans and three family members free admission to one of their parks once per year.  Tickets must be obtained by Sept. 30 and can be redeemed for park admission by Dec. 30.  This offer is available online only. Current gate prices are $94.99 for ages 10 and older and $88.99 for ages 3-9, so this is a huge savings. The park is filled with rides, shows and marine life, and we had a blast.  With free admission, the premier experiences, which have an additional charge, are more appealing. There are opportunities for animal interactions with penguins, dolphins or beluga whales. We chose to Dine with Orcas, which allows you to interact with the trainers and observe orca whales while enjoying a buffet lunch. During our experience, we watched six orcas perform tricks within feet of our table. We were also able to speak with the trainers and ask questions. The food was great, locally sourced and sustainable, and our boys loved getting so close to the whales. Insider tip: Reserve your parking online.  For a few extra dollars, you are guaranteed parking in the first six rows.

SeaWorld San Diego, open daily - hours vary, 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, https://seaworldparks.com (scroll to bottom of website for military tickets)

Cabrillo National Monument:  Located on a peninsula, Cabrillo National Monument offers spectacular views of San Diego, Coronado and the Pacific Ocean. It has a little something for everyone. For history buffs, the visitors' center offers a museum and movies on the Spanish discovery of the area. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking the trails.  If you time it for low tide, this is the best location to observe the tidal pools. We missed this the first day, and at the request of our teenage boys, came back at low tide. This was the highlight of the trip for them. Active-duty military can receive a free annual National Parks pass good at all the national parks. Insider tip: The gate to the park closes at 5 p.m. every day, so make sure you allow enough time to visit this site.

Cabrillo National Monument, open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, 619.557.5450, nps.gov/cabr

San Diego Zoo:  Last but not least, you can't visit San Diego without stopping at the world-renowned zoo.  More than 3,500 animals call the zoo home.  Sitting on 100 acres, it is landscaped with more than 700,000 exotic plants. The zoo is so large it actually has a bus tour, and the Skyfari Aerial Tram takes you to the opposite side of the park. Plan to arrive early - just before opening - so you can nab close-up parking.  The animals are generally more active in the morning, which enhances the experience. Insider tips: The giant pandas nap each day roughly between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., so plan to make this one of your first stops in the morning. Active-duty military receive free admission, but make sure to purchase family tickets at MWR since the discount is greater than what is available at the gate. The zoo is an included attraction with the "Go Card San Diego."

San Diego Zoo, open daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but closing hours vary with season, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, 619.231.1515, zoo.sandiegozoo.org

San Diego is a convenient option for a getaway.  A nonstop flight from Sea-Tac airport on an early flight gives you almost another full day of vacation. Nicknamed "Sun Diego," it is a nice foil to our Pacific Northwest climate and a wonderful destination with plenty to see and do.