Consistently rated one of the top family destinations in North America, San Diego is a year-round vacation spot for families with children of all ages. The region offers a variety of family friendly activities and world-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California Resort.

Following is a highlight of the newest offerings at San Diego's major attractions, including the world's first LEGOLAND Hotel and a brand-new waterpark by SeaWorld San Diego, that are scheduled to open this spring and summer.

SAN DIEGO ZOO

Opening May 2013, the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback exhibit showcases some of the wonders from the Land Down Under. Visitors can venture through a eucalyptus grove and discover species from wombats to wallabies and kookaburras to cockatoos. The Australian Outback exhibit culminates at a Queenslander house-style care center that overlooks a forest for the Zoo's Queensland koala colony - the largest koala colony outside of Australia. For more information, visit www.sandiegozoo.org/koalafornia/exhibit/index.html.

This spring and summer, guests can also see the adorable new Chinese Giant Panda cub Xiao Liwu (translates to "Little Gift") at the San Diego Zoo. Born July 29, 2012, the cub is the sixth Giant Panda born at the San Diego Zoo and is on display weather permitting from 9 a.m. to noon daily. Only 1,600 Giant Pandas are believed to exist in the wild and the San Diego Zoo is home to four of these endangered species. For more information, visit www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam.

LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA RESORT

On April 5, 2013, LEGOLAND California Resort will open the world's first LEGOLAND Hotel in Carlsbad in San Diego's North County region. The new hotel, adjacent to the famous theme park, will feature 250 LEGO-themed guest rooms, with a choice of floors dedicated to three popular LEGO lines: Pirate, Kingdom or Adventure. Rooms include two separate sleeping areas, with a queen-size bed for grown-ups, and a separate area for up to three children, complete with a bunk bed, pull-out trundle bed and separate TV. The hotel also includes themed elevators and play areas, a buffet restaurant and heated swimming pool, all located at the main entrance of the LEGOLAND California theme park. LEGOLAND Hotel guests also receive entry to select LEGOLAND rides and attractions before the park officially opens. For more information, visit http://california.legoland.com/en/LEGOLAND-Hotel/.

Opening March 8, 2013, LEGOLAND's newest attraction is the 4-D movie LEGO Legend of Chima. Showing throughout the day at the LEGO Show Place Theater, guests will participate in a wild chase through the imaginary land of Chima with young animal characters based on the LEGO World of Chima products, including a battle between Laval the Lion Prince and Cragger the Crocodile Prince. For more information, visit http://california.legoland.com.

SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO

Opening June 2013, guests can celebrate at SeaWorld San Diego with the newest attraction: Madagascar Live: Operation Vacation, an original live musical show. The 20-minute musical features the characters from the Madagascar movie franchise, including Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, King Julien, Mort and the Penguins as they embark on a fun-filled vacation adventure. The show features rock/pop music performed by a live band and includes both classic and original songs. The characters will also conduct meet and greets with park guests. For more information, visit http://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-sandiego/Attractions/Shows/Madagascar-Live.

On February 14, 2013, SeaWorld San Diego celebrated the birth of a baby killer whale, the sixth successful killer whale birth in the park's 49-year history. The new male calf was born to killer whale Kasatka, estimated to be 37 years old, at Shamu Stadium under the watchful eyes of SeaWorld's zoological team members. The newborn can be seen on occasion frolicking with its mother in the killer whale tanks during its early rearing period. For more information, visit http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sandiego/.

AQUATICA SAN DIEGO

Opening June 1, 2013 in Chula Vista in San Diego's South Bay, Aquatica San Diego™ is a new SeaWorld waterpark that features exciting waterslide attractions in addition to guest experiences with a variety of exotic animals. Aquatica San Diego blends up-close animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high-speed thrills and a sandy beach for guests of all ages to enjoy. For more information, visit http://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-sandiego/Aquatica-California.

Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212.

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