Flying to San Diego tomorrow..help Me Not Forget Something...

Don't freak out when you get on the plane and then realize something you forgot, most likely you'll be able to replace it at Riteaid :) Have fun, the weather is awesome in San Diego right now.

Mini first-aid kit (band-aids, antibacterial ointment, pain reliever, etc)
Snacks for the flight (if kids are picky)
Kiddo's favorite blanket or stuffed animal (to ease any anxiety)

Sippy cups
Snacks
Stuff to keep the kids entertained.
Deodorant
Does anyone in the family take prescription medication or wear contacts?

You mention swimwear so do you need any beach type bags, bug spray, sunglasses, sun hats/visors, aloe vera (if someone sunburns easily), or flip flops? Lotion (body and/or face)? Lip balm or chapstick? Diaper rash cream? Camera charger/battery/extra memory stick? Plane entertainment (books, toys, etc.)?

I always take extra, empty Target bags for packing dirty clothes on the return leg. I bag all of the extra shoes in Target bags so they won’t get the clothes dirty. I toss in a couple extra sandwich and gallon ziplocks just because they make useful storage for miscellaneous things.

Personally I suggest making a list (literal or mental) based on areas - the bathroom, the closet, outdoors/outings, babies, kids... Then pile things in each area in separate groups and take a peek over them to make sure you didn't forget anything. I pile the bathroom things on the bathroom counter, the baby things on the changing table and the closet things on the bed for instance. Next double check each pile to make sure you didn't forget anything. For instance, when I look through the bathroom pile, I mentally walk through the morning, evening and shower routines. Brush teeth (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash), brush/fix hair (brush, comb, hair ties, flat iron/curling iron/etc., gel/styling cream/etc., etc.), shower (soap, shampoo, razor, face soap, deodorant, body lotion, etc.), evening face wash (contact solution, contact case, glasses/glasses case, make up remover, face soap, moisturizer, jewelry bag, extra jewelry, etc.). If you are like me, you're packing for everyone so you may have to go through the pile for yourself, then your husband and finally the kids. If you sort the clothes, then that also helps with easier packing into suitcases – underwear pile, sock pile, short/skirt/Capri pile, jeans/trousers pile, tops/shirt pile, pajama pile, weather in case pile (check the weather forecast so this could include rain jackets, windbreakers, jackets/sweaters, etc.). Once your piles are right, then I put the bathroom items in toiletries bags or gallon ziplocks (typically soaps/lotions/other leaky items in ziplocks) and then everything goes in suitcases. While I am packing, I triple check the items against the routine. Good luck and happy traveling.

I just got back from San Diego and it was COLD. JACKETS are important!!

The high's were not above 70 when I was there for 4 days. We saw the sun only 2 of the days while there.

One of the BEST meals we have ever had was in LaJolla Crab Catcher. OMG was it the best.

I did the behind the scenes tour at the zoo which was great.

I also did a group trolley tour from our hotel in Mission Bay to Hotel Del Coronado and the stop by stop tour to Old Town, Little Italy, GasLamp district, etc. Fun (but chilly)

Oh when you are flying in, it will probably be foggy but try to watch the coastline going in and out... at Coronado, they designed some sand dunes that spell out Coronado, it was pretty cool to get the pic from the air!

It was a great trip but I was glad to get back to my 80+ temps with sunshine.

I hope you have a great trip!!

I used to stress about the same question, so one time I made a list when I was UNpacking, so that I was sure I would never have to stress again. I typed it up and saved it so I can just print it out before a trip. Much less stressful. (For this trip, you can google a packing list and start from there.) Also, before I pack up from the hotel to fly back home, I write down the stuff from my travel toiletries I'll need to refill before my next trip, e.g. shampoo, hair spray whatever, and leave that note for myself in my toiletries bag. So when I pull out my travel stuff to pack for my next trip, I don't have to look through everything--in 2 seconds I know exactly what needs to be topped off and the rest can just stay in there as is. Good luck, Mama! Have a great trip!

Sunglasses, butt cream, jewelry, socks (I ALWAYS forget socks!), anti-bacterial wipes (porta-potty heroes!), mini trash bags (vs. throwing trash in the diaper bag).

Don't stress....whatever you forget (and you will forget something), they sell it over there.