I take it you're in one of my sister states (I'm aborn and raised socal) but that's an amazing idea. Growing up I loved going to the San Diego zoo, wild animal park in Escondido and SeaWorld. If you're able to Legoland is also really cool. Save that money and hopefully you can take him to Seattle. I lived in NE Tacoma for a couple years and frequented Seattle so I know that feeling as I'd love to take my own 3 kids one day too.