Hey There~
Ever notice how the words “luxury resort” and “traveling with children” don’t always play nicely together? We’ve certainly experienced that as a family who likes to travel together and it can be a drag. BUT don’t get discouraged! It IS possible to combine the two! Visiting the Seabird Resort with kids in Oceanside might just be that unicorn.
Last week, our family of four (plus the dog) spent a long weekend at this Hyatt property. My expectations were… cautiously optimistic. After all, I’ve been burned before by hotels claiming to be family-friendly while silently judging every Cheerio that hits their pristine lobby floor.
But I underestimated just how well The Seabird would balance upscale amenities with genuine kid-friendliness. From the moment we arrived, our 2 kids (who are 4 and 5) were treated like valued guests, rather than tiny tornados of chaos.
What Is The Seabird?
The Seabird Resort is part of Hyatt’s Destination Hotels collection and opened 4 years ago alongside its sister property, Mission Pacific, directly across the street. It’s located about 40 miles north of San Diego and has gotten a bit of buzz because it was featured last year (2024) by Travel & Leisure Magazine as one of the best resorts in California. Naturally, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
So what makes this place so special?
For starters, it’s right across from the beach that has possibly the softest sand I’ve felt in Southern California to date. It’s got great food, decent drinks, surf boards and beach amenities, a great pool set-up, a game room and a lovely spa.
Even Better… The Seabird Resort DOES live up to the hype when you’re traveling with the kids! They’ve got a legitimate kids’ program called “Little Seabirds” that actually entertains your children with ocean-themed activities rather than just parking them in front of a TV. It’s not a kids club – we’re not talking free childcare here, but rather a slew of activities that are designed with little travelers in mind.
From the pool, to the beach toys they let you rent for free, to the very cool movie night (they played “Encanto” and treated everyone to movie-theater popped corn) there wasn’t a day at The Seabird Resort with our kids where they weren’t excited about something.
Even better – – the dog was treated like royalty as well. We’re talking doggie treat bag upon check-in, LOADS of attention from staff and guests alike, and the best day ever playing on the beach (which we were later told by a lifeguard she wasn’t supposed to be on… oops)! If I’m being honest… sorry, not sorry. This dog is almost 12 years old and she was frolicking on the beach like a wee pup. Totally made my day.
But here’s the deal: at $320-700+ per night during peak season, this place isn’t cheap. That’s why you’re better off using points – and I’ll show you exactly how you can stay four nights without decimating your savings account.
How We Booked It: The Points Strategy
This is a category 6 Hyatt property, which means you can’t use one of your category 1-4 free night certificates for holding this personal card. However, if you hit it on an off-peak time, you can snag a standard room for just 21,000 points/night.
Since we live nearby and were just visiting for a weekend getaway, we used 21,000 points to book a 1 night stay. With my globalist benefits, they upgraded us to an ocean-front room for free. You can see the cash price for this room would have been $324 – – so it’s not terrible, but FREE is better, don’t you think?
(Screengrabs from the hyatt website)
If you wanted to stay for say, 4 nights at The Seabird Resort with your kids – – you could book a standard room for 84,000 points. That’s not bad for a family of 4 who want to explore everything nearby San Diego has to offer!
Best Credit Cards
To Open If You Want To Book This Hotel With Points
Want to stay at The Seabird like we did? Here are the exact cards that can get you there:
1. World of Hyatt Credit Card – Currently offering 60,000 bonus points: 30,000 after spending $3,000 in the first three months, plus an additional 30,000 points by earning 2 bonus points per $1 spent on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 in the first 6 months. When you combine the SUB with points you’ll earn from card spend, that’s enough for THREE free nights at The Seabird just for signing up for this one card. The card also gives you automatic Discoverist status and one free night certificate (for a category 1-4 property) annually.
I’ve had this card for years and I’m a big fan of it. I’d suggest opening this after you open the CSP (shown below).
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – Offering 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. These points transfer 1:1 to World of Hyatt, giving you three free nights at The Seabird. With a manageable $95 annual fee, this is my top recommendation for families just starting with travel rewards. Why? Because you need this card to transfer your points into this bank’s travel partners, which is how you can maximize the value of your points.
(Note: this is not an affiliate link, but it is a referral link. If you use my link to open this cc, I’ll receive points – I’d be so grateful if you did use my link. It’s free for you, and helps my family travel more!)
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve – With a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $5,000 in the first three months, plus premium travel benefits like Priority Pass lounge access and $550 annual travel credit, this card is perfect for frequent travelers who want to maximize their experience in luxury.
4. Chase Ink Business Preferred – Small business owners, listen up! This card offers 90,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first three months – that’s enough for FOUR nights at The Seabird. Not too bad for just opening one card (if your businesses expenses can achieve the sign-up bonus).
(Note: this is not an affiliate link, but it is a referral link. If you use my link to open this cc, I’ll receive points – I’d be so grateful if you did use my link. It’s free for you, and helps my family travel more!)
Pro Tip: Remember that Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer instantly to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, giving you incredible flexibility. That’s why I always recommend having at least one Chase card in your points strategy. And if you’re only opting for one card, make sure it’s one of the 3 cards that will transfer points to travel partners (cards 2-4).
Getting There: Best Flight Options With Points
Let’s talk about getting to paradise. The closest major airport is San Diego International (SAN), about 40 minutes south of Oceanside. Since we live in L.A. we didn’t have to deal with flights, but here’s how to fly there on points from 3 major U.S. hubs:
New York (JFK/EWR) to San Diego:
- JetBlue: 15,000-20,000 TrueBlue points one-way (earn with the JetBlue Plus Card)
- United: 12,500-20,000 MileagePlus miles one-way (transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards)
- American: 12,500-20,000 AAdvantage miles one-way (earn with Citi AAdvantage cards)
Chicago (ORD) to San Diego:
- United: 12,500-17,500 MileagePlus miles one-way
- American: 12,500-17,500 AAdvantage miles one-way
- Southwest: 10,000-15,000 Rapid Rewards points one-way (earn with Southwest credit cards)
Atlanta (ATL) to San Diego:
- Delta: 15,000-20,000 SkyMiles one-way (earn with American Express Delta cards)
- Southwest: 8,000-15,000 Rapid Rewards points one-way
- American: 12,500-25,000 AAdvantage miles one-way
(Note: These point fares are based on today’s point prices and are subject to change daily. Use them as a general guide).
PRO TIP:
Even though Southwest Airlines is making a lot of not so great changes to the way they operate right now… If you fly Southwest using the Companion Pass, you can get one passenger there for free (plus taxes). This is hands-down the best family travel trick for domestic flights – effectively cutting your flight costs by 25% for a family of four. Even better – the companion pass can be used for an unlimited amount of flights for the duration of the pass! If you want more information about how great the Southwest Companion Pass is and how you can expedite your way to one of these, check out this post.
Once you land with the kids in San Diego, you’ll need to get to The Seabird Resort, which is Oceanside. Your options include:
- Rental car (recommended): About $50-80/day, but gives you freedom to explore
- Uber/Lyft: $70-90 each way
- COASTER train: $15/person from downtown San Diego to Oceanside Transit Center, then a short walk to the hotel.
The Seabird Resort: A Deep Dive Review
The Rooms
We stayed in a standard Ocean View room with a 2 queen beds. At ~ 400 square feet, it wasn’t massive, but the thoughtful layout made it work well for our family. The bathroom featured a large shower (no tub in our room type, which could be an issue for families with babies).
The star of the show? The balcony with those sweeping Pacific Ocean views. There’s something magical about drinking your morning coffee while watching dolphins play in the distance – and yes, we actually saw dolphins both mornings!
The Pool
If you’ve got kids, you know the pool can make or break a resort stay. The Seabird Resort’s pool area is great for both adults and kids. Picture a large main pool with plenty of seating, fire pits for evening s’mores, and attentive service bringing drinks and snacks from the adjacent Shore Room restaurant.
But word to the wise – – if you’re there during peak season (or even off-peak but during while there’s a heat wave) get there early. If you show up at 10 AM on a Saturday expecting to easily find chairs, you’ll be out of luck. Seriously, by mid-morning, it was chair-hunger-games status! We were SO glad we got there by 8 AM for our pick of seating.
The lack of a dedicated kids’ pool or splash pad was slightly disappointing, but my kids were perfectly happy in the main pool, which features a gradual entry area perfect for younger swimmers.
Dining Options
Now let’s talk about food, because I don’t know about you, but my kids eat like fully grown line-backers when we’re on vacation and the Seabird Resort didn’t disappoint.
Piper Restaurant serves California coastal cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. Prices are what you’d expect at a luxury resort ($18-25 for breakfast, $25-40 for dinner entrees), but the quality was consistently excellent.
For more casual meals, The Shore Room offers a lovely bar area.
If you’re poolside check out The Shelter Club. Their guacamole is delicious, but the drinks (cocktails and wine list) were lacking (in my bougie but humble opinion).
And if you’re into pie you’ll definitely want to check out the Top Gun House, which is the house that Tom Cruise goes into for… the bedroom scene…in the original movie. Now it’s a pie shop with some delicious sweet options + yummy coffee as well. Check out their menu to see for yourself.
Money-saving tip:
Walk across the street to Mission Pacific’s High/Low restaurant for slightly more affordable breakfast options, or venture a few blocks into downtown Oceanside for local cafes. But be warned – – Oceanside has an old school beach town vibe. What do I mean by that? It’s not as trendy or clean as what you’ll get by staying on site at The Seabird for your meals.
Kid-Friendly Features
I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about what makes The Seabird Resort so outstanding when it comes to how they cater to kids. The “Little Seabirds” program deserves a more in-depth review. For a resort of this caliber to put genuine thought into children’s programming is refreshing. Activities included:
- Tide pool exploration walks
- Seashell crafts
- Sandcastle building competitions
- Ocean-themed story time
- Kid-friendly movie night
- S’mores by the fire pits
My kids thoroughly enjoyed this property. So much so that we skipped venturing into San Diego in lieu of lounging by the beach.
The Seabird also offers beach equipment (chairs, umbrellas, toys) for guests, eliminating the need to pack or purchase these items.
Best Things To Do In Oceanside With Kids
Once you’ve exhausted the resort’s amenities (which could honestly take days), here’s what to explore in the surrounding area:
Oceanside Pier
The iconic 1,954-foot wooden pier is perfect for morning walks, fishing, or watching surfers.
LEGOLAND California
Just 15 minutes south in Carlsbad, this theme park is perfect for kids 2-12. Use the Hyatt concierge to get discounted tickets or check out Undercover Tourist for discounted tix.
San Diego Safari Park
About 30 minutes east in Escondido, this immersive zoo experience lets you see animals in spacious, natural-looking habitats. I suggest you take a safari ride & book it in advance! What a fun experience for the whole family… littles, adults and grandparents alike!
Oceanside Harbor
Rent kayaks, take a harbor cruise, or just enjoy fresh seafood at the Harbor Village.
Beach Activities
Boogie boarding, sandcastle building, or surfing lessons (the resort can arrange these for all skill levels).
Thursday Sunset Market
If you’re visiting Thursday evening, don’t miss this vibrant street fair with food vendors, live music, and local crafts.
Is The Seabird Worth It?
So, the big question: Is The Seabird Resort worth the splurge (or the points)?
For families looking for a luxury beach experience without sacrificing kid-friendliness, it’s a definite YES – especially when booked with points.
At 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night when cash rates often exceed $400, this is one of the best points redemptions in Southern California. The combination of prime beachfront location, thoughtful amenities, and exceptional service makes it a standout option.
That said, it’s not perfect. The pool area gets crowded during peak times, on-property dining is expensive (though excellent), and you’ll definitely want a car to explore beyond the immediate area.
But when I asked my kids what they thought about The Seabird, they were BEYOND enthusiastic. And that’s why we travel with them, isn’t it? To create those core memories that they’ll carry with them long after they’ve forgotten about the work emails we answer after school pick-up.
Want to learn how to book amazing family vacations like this using points and miles? Join my free newsletter, where I share step-by-step strategies for earning and maximizing travel rewards. Because luxury family travel shouldn’t be reserved only for those with unlimited budgets.
I’m curious – what’s your favorite family-friendly resort? Drop me a comment on Instagram @momsgonewandering or join our Facebook community to share!
Until the next adventure,
P.S. Want to master the art of traveling the world with your family for nearly free? Check out Travel Points Academy, where I’ll show you exactly how to earn and redeem points for maximum value. Because if I can do it while juggling two kids and a full-time job, you absolutely can too!
