16 Thrilling Issues to do in San Diego With Children (That is Me livin…
San Diego.
A California seaside city the place fish tacos reign supreme and sunsets set the tone of the night with a vibrant show of eclectic personalities.
Surfers race with boards underneath arm to catch the breaks their pals are already chopping unfastened on.
Muscle males cruise by holding onto handlebars 5 ft excessive with stereo audio system and a beer shoved into their stubby holders.
A person in his mid-sixties skates by on curler blades misplaced within the tune of his personal drum.
Younger dread-locked girlfriends argue over the location of the volleyball and fall over one another guffawing, then stroll in the direction of the San Diego sundown with arms draped over one another.
And as you’ll learn beneath, there are a ton of cool issues to do in San Diego with youngsters!
San Diego is the definition of cool
As Prince mentioned,
“Cool means with the ability to dangle with your self. All it’s important to ask your self is ‘Is there anyone I’m afraid of? Is there anyone who if I walked right into a room and noticed, I’d get nervous?’ If not, you then’re cool.”
In San Diego, you will have the liberty to rock on up and be your good self.
It’s not a “take a look at me” scene however extra ‘That is Me”.
It’s eclectic retro soul doesn’t cease with the individuals.
The boardwalk stretching from Pacific Seaside to Mission Seaside is a mix of brightly painted two story properties, smaller seaside shacks, and white Adobe buildings with cactus gardens of all styles and sizes.
Combined in between are bars and taco corners.
The spirit of its seaside neighborhood origin is alive and mirrored within the laughter and play of everybody on its shores. There’s not a lot else required of you in San Diego.
San Diego’s shut proximity to Mexico provides you a colourful and distinctive taste. You possibly can assure the fish tacos will likely be filled with cilantro and the native beer mild and citrusy
San Diego – a Kidifornia journey for your loved ones recollections
We visited San Diego, California on a paid marketing campaign with Go to California to share the wonderful Kidifornia adventures on supply on this Golden State.
We flew into San Diego from Raleigh, NC, jumped in a rental automobile and began our 10-day Southern California highway journey in San Diego, the state’s second largest metropolis.
You realize a household trip in San Diego is value sharing if you see your kids shortly slip right into a relaxed and joyful state.
Each our women stored saying how a lot they cherished San Diego (and the opposite locations we visited in Southern California: Orange County and Ventura County (keep tuned for future posts).
Visiting San Diego reminded Kalyra a lot of our former Australian seaside house, Burleigh Heads. She couldn’t cease sharing her recollections and began to really feel homesick.
She actually cherished the San Diego sights we skilled and immersing herself in that seaside life-style and power.
They are going to be speaking about our San Diego trip for a very long time!
Moreover simply absorbing the seaside life-style, beneath are all our advised enjoyable issues to do in San Diego with youngsters.
Issues to do in San Diego with Children
1. Bike the Seaside and Bay
We arrived in San Diego after a protracted flight day after our preliminary flight leaving Raleigh was delayed (it occurs).
After checking into the Bahia Resort Resort in Mission Bay, first on our record of family actions in San Diego was leaping on a few bike leases from the Lively Rental retailer at Bahia, and hitting the bike path.
The stress launched slightly extra with every new peddle and breath of contemporary salty air.
That is ME!
It’s wonderful how a lot nature and getting lively with it may possibly change your psyche.
And it’s why we accomplish that a lot out of doors actions with our children and can select it first over any museum or attraction.
We wish them to study that nature is their buddy, their place to root and floor and depend on when life feels overwhelming and exhausting.
We adopted the bike path round Mission Bay, which is the quieter space for water actions, boating, kayaking and supping.
The bike path wasn’t as busy and stuffed with joggers and walkers just like the seaside path.
On the high of the bay we minimize west to hit the bike path and into the San Diego energetic vibe for our first style of the San Diego seashores, Pacific Seaside and Mission Seaside.
This journey ended up being one in every of our most fun issues to do in San Diego with youngsters. We loved bike dodging between all of the characters sharing the trail with us.
It additionally turned my morning operating path – nice strategy to begin the San Diego day!
We cycled previous Lahaina Seaside Home in Pacific Seaside, which purchased again recollections of our first time in San Diego in 2006 earlier than youngsters having beers on the deck watching the unbelievable San Diego sunsets.
It’s not a spot I’d suggest you cease in San Diego together with your youngsters, however when you maintain biking slightly additional, you’ll come to South Draft Mission on the seaside entrance at Mission Seaside.
2. Gasoline Up with Nachos and Craft Brew at South Draft Mission
San Diego is thought to have one of many high craft brew scenes within the nation.
Being gluten free we are able to’t discover it an excessive amount of, however we did discover a gluten free beer on the menu at Draft!
Seize a seat on the entrance porch at South Draft Mission, and a pleasant chilly beer (they do loads of native brews) and a plate of ginormous shredded beef nachos to share.
The nachos listed below are one to recollect – filled with taste with out being too heavy.
As for beer, we had the Coconut Contender from the native Duck Foot Brewery – the founder has celiac illness, so all beers are gluten free.
We love you!!
When John Morrison began belting out Love Avenue as I took my first sip I couldn’t have been happier. It was my excellent California second.
For the children, get them organized a Mexican soda which is the fashion in San Diego. Its soda constructed from pure cane sugar and nicer tasting than that different stuff.
We tried Squirt, the grapefruit taste, which turned Kalyra’s favourite California second.
Three. Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Kayaking on Mission Bay
You realize by now that one in every of our favourite issues to do as a household is get up paddle boarding.
I really like the stillness and serenity of simply me being on the market on the water with the salty breeze on my again. I slip into true Tao spirit on a SUP.
I’m balanced, robust and centered, but humble, relaxed and in move.
I like to paddle with Kalyra and watch her carry out handstands, jumps and cartwheels.
I used to be immensely pleased with her as we have been paddling round Mission Bay. She stopped and fell behind me and once I turned to see what she was doing, I noticed her maneuvering her board and paddle, so she may choose up a plastic water bottle she handed floating within the water.
My coronary heart swelled.
These are the moments that make all of the challenges and sacrifices of this full-time household journey life worthwhile.
Savannah is water cautious, so she doesn’t typically embrace supping. Nonetheless, she loves kayaking, so we jumped within the tandem kayak collectively to discover the bay.
You possibly can rent paddle boards and kayak leases from Lively Sport Leases close to The Bahia Resort . Additionally they produce other places within the Mission Bay space.
Get up paddle boarding and kayaking is unquestionably one of many cool issues to do in San Diego with youngsters!
four. Get Retro and Funky on the Corvette Diner
The Corvette Diner is like nothing I’ve ever seen earlier than.
It’s a diner that pays homage to each period time has passed by since diners have been a factor.
From a brightly coloured 50s retro diner with a milk bar and classic care behind the hostess, to the prepare room with a black and white movie exhibiting above every sales space, to a contemporary purple room devoted to corvette automobile lovers.
A radio DJ sales space pumps out Frank Sinatra, New York, New York and different traditional tunes like Wild Factor, which matches the 70s groove room we dined in.
The black partitions are painted with Fluro indicators reminding us to Make Love Not Struggle; admire Peace, Love and Music; and embrace Woodstock as our remedy.
Lookup and also you’ll proceed the messaging with psychedelic posters on the celling. How did they know this was my vibe?
Waitstaff put on rainbow coloured scrunchies and black attire with Fluro trim.
Loretta, our energetic waitress stops to embellish the ladies’ hair with multi coloured popsicle sticks and offers the ladies flashlights to attract on the desk with.
They quickly break right into a Mashed Potato pom pom dance and collect round these having a birthday to sing to them.
The Corvette Diner is just like the nightclub for households. I promise you earlier than the night time is thru, you’ll be singing on the high of your lungs with the DJ – “Let’s hear it for the boys!”
When the children are carried out with their hair, a little bit of desk artwork and their dinner, they’ll head out to the arcade out again for some good old school video games.
Be sure you excessive 5 a couple of of the greats alongside the wall if you do.
Hey Elvis, you effective factor you!
Among the best household issues to do in San Diego.
Learn extra opinions of Corvette Diner right here.
5. Watch Sundown at Pacific Seaside Pier
Sundown in San Diego can’t be missed! And it’s among the best issues to do in California that doesn’t should price a cent!
You possibly can benefit from the sundown from any of the seashores in San Diego, and it’s one of many best free issues to do in San Diego with youngsters!
Irrespective of the place you stand you’ll see an enormous orange orb dip beneath the ocean’s horizon. And since summer season not often sees rain in California, you’ve bought nice odds for a terrific nightly present.
Our women have been completely happy cartwheeling and taking part in on the sand on Pacific Seaside subsequent to the pier whereas we watched the solar go down.
The sunsets are some of the stunning issues to see in San Diego, and tright here’s just one factor to do after such a fairly shut out to the day…
Have fun with ice cream!
6. Seize an Ice cream from Hammond’s Gourmand Ice Cream
Craving ice cream in San Diego? Head to Garnet Highway, the principle avenue resulting in the pier at Pacific Seaside.
Tucked in between a variety of nice eating places and informal cafes is native ice cream favourite, Hammond’s Gourmand ice cream.
Undecided which taste to purchase? You possibly can style check. Or attempt one in every of their waffle cone flights.
Ice cream is all the time a spotlight for our women!
They’d a mint choc chip and Craig had his regular favourite, butter pecan.
While we didn’t get it wherever else, it will be laborious to beat because the best ice cream in San Diego.
7. Expertise Tradition at Balboa Park
On the lookout for extra issues to do in San Diego for households? Welcome to the cultural playground for kids and adults.
Balboa Park, San Diego is called among the best issues to do in San Diego with youngsters and has all the things to swimsuit all ages and your loved ones’s preferences:
- artwork galleries
- museums
- science facilities
- performing arts facilities
- gardens
- and even one in every of America’s greatest zoos, the San Diego Zoo!
Even simply wandering round and appreciating the beautiful Spanish Renaissance and Southwest structure and delightful gardens is pleasurable.
Balboa Park is America’s largest city cultural park, is ranked as among the best parks on the planet, and is likely one of the greatest things to do in Southern California.
We solely managed to spend a couple of hours at Balboa Park, and out of the 17 Balboa Park museums and limitless lush and landscaped gardens, here’s what we skilled.
Reuben H. Fleet Science Middle
The Science Middle is an interactive academic playground for the children. These are the sort of locations we search for to verify off a couple of of our homeschooling packing containers!
The women realized extra in regards to the water cycle, power and movement, and completely different knots.
We had a blast within the particular exhibit (further payment), Mythbusters. We didn’t even comprehend it was a TV present till going contained in the Science Middle.
We had enjoyable attempting out the completely different fable busting experiments like getting turned into a superhero costume in a telephone sales space as quick as you possibly can and testing how moist we’d get strolling after which operating underneath a rain bathe!
There are over 100 fingers on reveals within the Fleet Science Middle at Balboa Park.
Admission additionally contains an IMAX movie. Sadly, we simply missed the Panda movie and didn’t have time to remain for the following exhibiting.
Japanese Friendship Backyard
There’s an additional payment to enter the Japanese Friendship Backyard, which is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister metropolis, Yokohama.
There’s an higher and decrease strolling path the place you possibly can see koi pond, landscaped gardens and a Zen backyard viewing deck.
It’s a really tranquil area. There’s additionally a tea pavilion overlooking the gardens.
Spanish Village Artwork Middle
Pop into the Spanish Village Artwork Middle so your youngsters can get a take a look at a working artist’s studio in a captivating Spanish city sq..
Small adobe studios painted with blue partitions and yellow trims host a wide range of artists and even supply artwork courses, glass blowing classes and much more to discover your artistic aspect.
From the studios to the flowers, this place bursts with coloration and reflective power. Children will love hopscotching and cart wheeling over the rainbow chalky coloured stone tiles.
The Botanical Constructing
The Botanical Constructing homes greater than 2,00zero tropical crops. Capturing the wooden construction with the lily pond in entrance is likely one of the most photographed sections of Balboa Park.
Another museums and Balboa Park sights that got here extremely beneficial have been:
- the Pure Historical past Museum Middle
- San Diego Air and House museum
- San Diego Zoo
- and The San Diego Museum of Artwork
This park is likely one of the greatest all-round locations to go to in San Diego, with one thing for everybody!
eight. Discover Outdated City San Diego State Historic Park
On the lookout for historic places to go to in Southern California?
San Diego County is not only in regards to the wonderful seashores and scrumptious meals. There’s deep historical past right here to expertise.
Among the best locations to try this is exploring Outdated City, San Diego which was the cities first downtown and represents San Diego’s Hispanic heritage from 1821 to 1872.
There are many stunning previous buildings to take a look at such because the one-room Mason Avenue Faculty, the San Diego Courthouse, and the Colorado Resort which options the unique stagecoach.
There are many museums you possibly can take a look at to assist inform the story.
Many different buildings encompass the La Plaza de Las Armas which was the place of spiritual procession, political actions, horse races and bull fights.
You can too work together with interpretive retailers who gown in period-attire and chat in regards to the actions within the pueblo.
The park is free, though a number of the museums might have a small entry payment.
After all, we needed to cease into go to probably the most haunted house in America, or so they are saying.
Whaley Home Museum, whose haunted popularity dates again to the 1850s, is likely one of the high things to do in San Diego Outdated City and was constructed on the land the place Yankee Jim, a ship thief was hanged!
Savannah clung to my left leg the whole time, which made it laborious for me to run from any ghostly figures.
Sadly, they didn’t wish to come out to greet us.
I did take pleasure in wanting on the theater upstairs and imagining how 150 individuals as soon as match within the small room for village leisure.
We loved strolling across the market space of Festa de Reyes. There are eating places right here in addition to wine and chocolate tasting rooms.
It infected our children curiosity for Mexico and now want to go to. I really like how locations like this will broaden their horizons. I hope they take me with them.
In the event you’re in search of a spot to eat in Outdated City, Casa Guadalajara in Outdated City has award profitable Mexican meals.
9. Don’t Miss Ocean Seaside, San Diego
Come as you’re and do your factor in Ocean Seaside, or OB.
All are welcome on this seaside city simply over the San Diego river estuary from Mission Seaside.
Ocean Seaside jogs my memory a lot of Byron Bay in Australia earlier than it turned yuppified.
There are a couple of tidy waves out entrance to the appropriate of the Ocean Seaside Pier after which additional round are seaside volleyball courts.
After we stayed in Ocean Seaside in 2004, we cherished spending our days taking part in seaside volleyball and having fun with relaxed seaside dwelling.
There’s a grassy strip out the entrance which is stuffed with adults who haven’t misplaced the enjoyment of unencumbered play with pals and strangers.
Teams of women and men assist one another’s AcroYoga poses, one other group encourages steadiness mastery on the slack traces, hula hoop wanabees wiggle these hips (my women included) and others let their spirits free in drumming circles with bongo drums, acoustic guitars and voices.
It’s an expertise.
Let your youngsters take part. Be sure you throw a few within the tip bucket for the usage of the hoops.
OB fashion is pure grit. You realize what they are saying, we should always all eat slightly extra dust!
Undoubtedly one of many cool locations to go to in California!
10. Eat Lunch with Superb Views at Wonderland Ocean Pub
Poke, surfer bowls, contemporary spring rolls and tacos, take your choose. Wonderland Ocean Pub in Ocean Seaside is kid-friendly and the most effective spot to eat for ocean views and attractive meals.
Seize a excessive desk or window bench seat and revel in watching the surfers and the carnival environment of the grassy strip beneath.
I grabbed a guacamole for lunch, and it was scrumptious.
It’s not your regular guacamole, this has the California twist to it. It’s topped with sun-dried tomatoes, jalapeno relish, crushed macadamia nuts, cilantro and cotija cheese.
And naturally we loved fish tacos!
Learn extra opinions of Wonderland Ocean Pub right here.
11. Go to Ocean Seaside Farmers Market
We love visiting a superb native farmers market with our children and the Ocean Seaside Farmers Market didn’t disappoint.
How may you not be proud of dwell music, contemporary produce, scrumptious native meals, various shops and garments and jewellery.
They shut off the principle avenue on Wednesdays between four and 8pm for it.
We wandered up one aspect, then stopped into Belching Beaver Brewery for a fast native craft IPA brew, and the children loved a recreation of jenga, earlier than wandering down the opposite aspect.
That was the aspect the place we found a complete stall dedicated to gluten free, dairy free desserts. After all, we grabbed a number of issues to attempt – we not often get spoiled like that.
We additionally discovered Mystech the place we spent a while studying in regards to the pure therapeutic power of seven.83HZ and mom nature (duh) and purchased a bracelet for all of us to counteract all the pc time we’ve got and publicity to dangerous EMFs.
We then listened to a number of the dwell music, which had the road jammed and pumping after which grabbed a wholesome quinoa bowl from Contemporary of the Bowls Avenue Meals for dinner.
We took dinner with us to Sundown Cliffs for an additional a kind of unbelievable Southern California sunsets.
12. Sundown at Sundown Cliffs Pure Park
Many individuals beneficial we soak up one of many well-known San Diego sunsets from Sundown Cliffs, which is simply a few miles south of the Ocean Seaside pier.
Sundown Cliffs Pure Park is a 68-acre Metropolis of San Diego regional park which extends 1½ miles alongside the Level Loma peninsula’s western shoreline.
You get expansive ocean views, dramatic cliff formations and caves, an intertidal space, and in some areas loads of area and rocks for the children to run over means again from the sting.
Look out for the mermaid atop Ross Rock that juts out from the cliff face.
We parked on Sundown Cliffs Blvd, then walked a bit to the big open nature cliffs space.
Watch your kids strolling alongside Sundown Cliffs Blvd to get to the character cliffs space. There are steep drop offs from the cliff.
There are pathways to get all the way down to the seashores beneath for the adventurous and well-liked for surfers and people of their twenties.
Though we had a cloudy sundown, we nonetheless loved the expertise.
Head north to La Jolla, San Diego
Simply up from the principle Pacific Seaside space of San Diego, is the small beachside neighborhood of La Jolla.
You’ll want at the least half a day to discover right here.
After we visited in 2006 we spent the day bumming on the seaside whereas our new mate went browsing. La Jolla shortly turned one in every of our favourite locations to go to in San Diego County.
We didn’t have as a lot time in La Jolla with the children this time round (and you understand seaside bumming is a factor of the previous when you grow to be a dad or mum).
Right here’s what we managed to expertise.
13. Take a Coastal Hike at Torrey Pines State Pure Reserve
One among my favourite issues to do in San Diego with youngsters was to go climbing within the Torrey Pines State Nationwide Reserve.
It’s a few miles north of La Jolla and is 2,00zero acres of coastal state park.
It has a group of coastal climbing trails with ocean vistas and native vegetation, together with the uncommon Torrey Pine, which is just present in Torrey Pines State Reserve and Santa Rosa Island.
The Torrey Pines climbing trails are of assorted ranges for all ages and run alongside the cliff faces or change again all the way down to the shores beneath.
We hiked the Man Fleming path, which is a straightforward 2/Three-mile loop stroll and some of the well-liked Torrey Pines hikes.
It provides slightly variety by shady pines, rugged orange cliffs, purple and white wildflowers and cactus with broad spiky leaves.
Observing the Torrey Pines close to the cliff face and additional again gave the ladies an amazing lesson on erosion.
Thanks, life studying!
I wrote on this submit how the stroll shortly turned my women from whining to guffawing and feeling relaxed and grounded. Nature is aware of greatest.
I want we had extra time to do the Razor Level Path as you cross by stunning purple sandstone cliffs and get to climb the Pink Butte which we gazed at from afar.
Mountaineering in Torrey Pines State Park is likely one of the greatest San Diego actions for getting out in nature. We will likely be again !
Admission Charge:
There’s a $15 entry payment to drive as much as the parking tons on the bluff.
Though many individuals could be seen strolling up the highway to the cliffs from the free parking down beneath exterior the reserve!
14. Play with Seals at La Jolla Cove
The Cove is a tiny seaside tucked between sandstone cliffs and one in every of La Jolla’s best-known spots.
La Jolla Cove is outwardly a great place for diving and snorkeling when surf circumstances are calm.
Comply with the odor to achieve the resident seals taking part in and sleeping on the rocks.
There have been loads of pups round once we visited. We had an amazing giggle on the child seal that appeared like a lamb as he waddled over to get some milk from Mum.
He might be a contender for the America’s Acquired Expertise crown.
There are extra seals close to the Youngsters’s Pool at Casa Seaside, and seeing the seals is likely one of the greatest issues to do in La Jolla with youngsters.
Round from the Cove are the La Jolla Caves.
You possibly can pay to go down into one of many caves or simply stand on the purpose to admire the views, together with the various kayakers in entrance of you wanting again to the cave ridden shoreline.
La Jolla’s Shores is a mile-long seaside and nice for households.
The area can also be well-known for its seal life within the tide swimming pools throughout low tide and the city is nice for consuming and purchasing.
15. Seize a Espresso from Hen Rock Espresso Roasters
Hen Rock is a cute small city within the LA Jolla space as you head again to Pacific Seaside.
Hen Rock Espresso Roasters supply sustainable beans, pay truthful wages, and roast the espresso that they brew for you! It’s a preferred local people minded cafe that has gained awards for his or her espresso.
To maintain our children completely happy, we grabbed them one of many yummy cinnamon rolls!
On the lookout for Good espresso in San Diego? Go right here! And next time I wish to go to their location in Del Mar, the views look extraordinary.
Learn opinions right here from different espresso lovers.
16. Eat Fish Tacos at a Native Fave!
We requested our waiter at South Draft in Mission Seaside, the place is the greatest Mexican meals in San Diego?
He instantly beneficial Oscars Mexican Seafood as an amazing native, gap within the wall place to seize fish tacos in San Diego.
He warned us there could also be traces, and we prevented them by visiting the shack close to La Jolla at lunch time.
I can’t determine whether or not I preferred the smoked fish taco or spicy grilled shrimp tacos higher. Get one in every of each and let me know!
Seize a squirt and an area on the stool in entrance of the graffiti wall and dig in. Not solely tasty, however one of many low-cost locations to eat in San Diego.
Different Issues to do in San Diego with Children
We had the next locations and sights beneficial as issues to do in San Diego with youngsters.
We ran out of time for them:
The place to Keep in San Diego – The Bahia Resort Resort, Mission Bay
Bahia Resort Resort is a family-friendly resort set again from the seaside on Mission Bay.
It positive is difficult to beat seaside views from a resort, however I preferred how Bahia was a few blocks again.
The boardwalk operating alongside Mission Seaside to Pacific Seaside can get very full of life. It won’t be the perfect place to remain in San Diego, particularly with youthful youngsters.
In actual fact, you gained’t discover a variety of resorts in San Diego alongside the boardwalk; it’s largely seaside leases, and the odd backpacker or resort thrown in between.
With the Bahia Resort, you’re a Three-minute stroll to the seaside however have full serenity.
And also you get views anyway – Mission Bay views from your individual non-public seaside!
I cherished strolling out my cabin door straight onto the sand to take a seat on the seaside chair and meditate of a morning … and having fun with it with a glass of chardonnay of a night.
Yep. That is Me.
The women cherished the bushes exterior our cabin, which have been spectacular and nice for climbing.
While you first arrive on the Bahia, you’ll assume it doesn’t look very like a resort, but when you discover San Diego, you notice it’s fully consistent with the San Diego fashion.
We cherished it’s laid again look and having a cabin proper on the beachfront was superior.
The resort has completely different occasions like film nights for households, and provides bike rental, in addition to kayaks and paddle boards.
There’s a pool and tennis courts and a health heart.
The meals was additionally terrific.
We don’t normally like resort buffet breakfasts, however this one was one to rave about. Espresso coffees have been included (with almond milk) and the meals selections have been contemporary, various and attractive.
In the event you’re in search of Mission Bay San Diego resorts, think about staying at Bahia.
Café Bahia
We additionally had dinner one night time at Café Bahia, the Bahia resorts signature restaurant, which was one in every of our favourite meals of the journey.
You would not have to be staying on the resort to eat right here.
I extremely suggest you add it into your San Diego itinerary.
The tequila lime shrimp had a scrumptious sauce which was an thrilling mix of kiwi salsa and mango puree.
We have been fortunate sufficient to attempt the ocean scallop’s specialty that was solely popping out on the menu the week after we left.
It was sea scallops with grilled corn diced chorizo and chili oil abed of herb ricotta.
How do individuals even know find out how to put these flavors collectively? It was really progressive and scrumptious.
And the children have been stored full and proud of objects like burgers and hen tenders!
The service right here can also be pleasant and distinctive.
Learn extra opinions of Cafe Bahia right here.
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Are you planning to go to California? Tell us if in case you have any questions? And if in case you have any recommendations on issues to do in San Diego, California, we’d love to listen to about them within the feedback too!
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