You’re spoiled for alternative in terms of nice household metropolis breaks in California, however because the state’s second largest metropolis, it’s no shock that there’s loads to tempt you to San Diego with children.
incorporates affiliate hyperlinks*
Together with nice family-friendly museums and a world-famous zoo, there’s historical past, nice seashores and loads of probabilities to get open air too, to not point out some main household sights a brief drive from the town itself.
So whether or not you’re stopping as a part of a street journey in California or are spending your complete break in southern California, right here’s my decide of the most effective issues to do in San Diego with children.
MONEY SAVING TIP! Go to San Diego throughout October and you may usually get free admission for youths to a few of the metropolis’s greatest sights as a part of the Children Free San Diego promotion
San Diego Zoo
Need your child to expertise an African rainforest and the Arctic taiga with out having to depart the US? Take them to one of many world’s finest zoos – the San Diego Zoo, which is unfold throughout 100 acres of Balboa Park.
There’s an enormous 3,500 animals to find, together with pandas, polar bears, elephants, meerkats, and flamingos, plus the prospect to see them in a recreated model of their pure habitat – good for kindling your baby’s curiosity.
If the strolling will get an excessive amount of for the youthful ones in your troop, the zoo has you lined with its on-site bus tour that covers round 75% of the location.
Or for one thing a bit extra adventurous, climb aboard the Skyfari Aerial Tram, the zoo’s overhead gondola raise. You’ll be in for a deal with with some superb aerial views, ok for kings and queens of the jungle.
Get a reduction on tickets in the event you guide through Tiqets utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6, or you can even guide a 1-day Any Day Go if you wish to maintain your schedule versatile.
Don’t get this confused with San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which is round half-hour outdoors the town – though as one of many largest artifical safari parks on the earth, it’s a implausible day trip close to San Diego for households too. You may also get joint tickets to each the Zoo and the Safari park in the event you’re visiting San Diego with children who love animals
Balboa Park
A mixture of tradition, science, and nature, Balboa Park is dwelling to over 1,200 acres of parkland with a complete array of museums, theatres, gardens, trails, and different leisure areas to find – there’s even a scavenger hunt that can assist you discover all of it.
Begin with a go to to the WorldBeat Cultural Middle’s EthnoBotany Kids’s Peace Backyard, which supplies children the chance to study in regards to the meals they eat daily and the position of crops in society.
Try the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater too, the longest continuous-running puppet theatre in the US – children (and oldsters) will love the reveals, or on the San Diego Mannequin Railroad Museum, the biggest such indoor exhibit in North America.
For some extra downtime between sightseeing in Balboa Park, take your children to the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater for academic reveals on the Fleet Science Middle. They’ll get to see reveals comparable to Serengeti, Turtle Odyssey, Historic Caves, and Deep Sky, whisking them from beneath the waves as much as the celebrities, through a few of earth’s most fascinating landscapes.
Toddlers will love their time on the centre’s Child Metropolis, with its interactive play areas, though with eight galleries and over 100 interactive science reveals to discover, together with a digital actuality journey simulator and flight simulators, there’s assured to be one thing to maintain your complete household entertained.
The New Kids’s Museum
The place are you able to go in case your children aren’t feeling outdoorsy? The New Kids’s Museum in downtown San Diego is jam-packed with actions, good for a wet day in San Diego with children.
On the latest addition, No Guidelines….Besides, guests of all ages get to take pleasure in leaping and crawling on greater than 150 mattresses and pillow tyres.
Different reveals embody Sketch Aquarium, the place children get to scan their sea life drawings right into a digital life-size aquarium, and a complete string of others with engaging names like Wobbleland, The Surprise Sound, Wammock! and lots of extra.
The main target is on immersing children in artwork and inspiring creativity in all, so it’s a implausible inclusive house too.
San Diego Pure Historical past Museum
Your children will love the tons of of quirky reveals on the San Diego Pure Historical past Museum, together with the fascinating assortment of dinosaur skeletons on show.
In all, the museum homes a powerful 7.5 million specimens, together with rocks, minerals, fossils, taxidermied animals, and mammals – in addition to interactive reveals unfold throughout 5 flooring, so that you’ll have loads to see and do at this kid-friendly San Diego attraction.
One of many museum’s greatest highlights is the Big Display Theatre, with each 2D and 3D movies to show all in regards to the pure world.
Try the San Diego Go Metropolis Go which supplies you entry to as much as 7 sights, together with the Pure Historical past Museum, or the San Diego Go Metropolis All-Inclusive Go with entry to as much as 50 sights and excursions
San Diego Air and Area Museum
In case your children have an curiosity within the universe and every part past our planet, the San Diego Air and Area Museum will take you on a journey by means of house, from the planets and stars all the best way out to the sting of the identified universe.
You possibly can find out about every part from historical astronomy to fashionable house exploration, and there’s even a bit devoted to UFOs!
Whether or not you’re a seasoned house buff or simply beginning your journey of cosmic discovery, put in your rocket scientist hat and prepare for an out-of-this-world expertise!
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Dwelling to the USS Halfway Museum, the biggest naval vessel on the earth open to the general public, the Maritime Museum of San Diego showcases maritime historical past and tradition in its fleet of eight vessels.
In addition to providing an enchanting glimpse into life on a US plane provider, there’s loads extra to maintain children entertained, from interactive reveals to plane simulators.
For teenagers (and oldsters), there’s an opportunity to find extra from the educated guides too, who present historic and army commentary.
You may also tour the Star of India, the oldest lively crusing ship, and even keep aboard throughout particular household in a single day adventures in the summertime. Purchase tickets with free cancellation.
Coronado Central Seashore
Set simply over the bridge from San Diego, Coronado’s seven miles of shoreline is dotted with 5 primary seashores so it’s supreme in the event you’re searching for a household day by the coast.
The preferred alternative for households on Coronado Island is Central Seashore – though the entire seashores other than South Seashore have lifeguards and restrooms – proper within the coronary heart of city, and only a brief approach away from eating places and different sights.
For a change from museums and sightseeing, it couldn’t be simpler to search out someplace to construct sandcastles and splash within the calm waters in the event you’re searching for an opportunity to chill out and revel in San Diego seashores.
In case you’re searching for extra stunning seashores in San Diego, there’s loads of alternative, together with Mission Seashore, and the Ocean Seashore and Pacific Seashore areas – some are extra family-friendly than others, relying in the event you’re visiting with teenagers or toddlers although
Outdated City Trolley Excursions
In case your baby loves historical past and listening to tales, then the Outdated City Trolley Excursions is the proper strategy to uncover extra in regards to the metropolis, whereas getting an opportunity to see the sights too.
Whereas the drivers share thrilling info in regards to the metropolis’s historical past and structure, in addition they continuously work together with children and maintain them engaged so it’s additionally a terrific strategy to see a few of the hottest San Diego sights in a single go.
They’re hop on hop off excursions as effectively, so it’s a enjoyable strategy to get from A to B, in addition to having the prospect to stretch your legs in case your children want a break.
Discover Outdated City San Diego
The situation of the primary European settlement in California, it’s the oldest neighborhood in San Diego and an amazing place to wander round.
There’s an opportunity to find extra in regards to the origins of California right here on the Junipero Serra Museum, though you may consider the entire district as a form of residing museum as you wander previous the colorful boutiques between the historic buildings – be careful for the haunted Whaley Home Museum!
In case you love Mexican meals, you will discover a few of the metropolis’s finest right here as effectively – don’t be stunned to return throughout stay mariachi performers as you stroll.
And whereas it’s somewhat approach from most of San Diego’s different vacationer attraction, the trolley excursions cease right here so it’s straightforward to hop off and discover.
Bike Excursions of San Diego with children
If you wish to see as a lot as potential and time is brief, it’s laborious to beat a motorbike tour – and an e-bike tour are nice if not everybody needs to place in quite a lot of effort!
Rent your individual and discover at your individual tempo, with each bikes and ebikes to lease, plus children’ bikes, toddler trailers and tagalongs
Or for households with teenagers, hop on an e-bike to find the most effective of San Diego in a 2 1/2 hour tour of the town.
This two-hour electrical bike tour of La Jolla is appropriate for youths aged 12+, visiting La Jolla Cove and the coast, recognizing seals and fancy mansions alongside the best way.
Go Whale Watching
San Diego is a superb place to look at whales and dolphins as they swim off the California coast, so that you’ll discover a alternative of whale-watching boat excursions to select from for households.
In summer season, you might be fortunate sufficient to identify Blue Whales feeding offshore, whereas from winter to spring, Grey Whales migrate from Alaskan waters to their calving lagoons in Baja California.
Metropolis Cruises runs a four-hour whale watching tour, with an opportunity to identify dolphins, seals and sea lions alongside the best way, or Flagship Cruises have skilled guides offering commentary as you sail.
Each depart from San Diego harbor, not removed from Broadway Pier and Navy Pier, to take you out into San Diego Bay.
San Diego SEAL Metropolis tour
For a ship tour with a distinction, climb aboard the San Diego SEAL Metropolis tour to discover the town by land and sea.
Beginning with a drive by means of the San Diego streets, you’ll cross a string of landmarks together with the Embarcadero, in addition to the USS Halfway, in addition to studying extra in regards to the significance of the army within the metropolis.
Then the hybrid bus-boat heads straight into Massive Bay the place you may cruise previous extra ships, in addition to passing Shelter Island to listen to tales of early sailors and spot the seals hanging out. Simply one of the enjoyable issues to do in San Diego with children.
Kayak within the La Jolla Caves
Lower than a 20-minute drive from San Diego itself, it’s straightforward to get out an discover the California coast, together with the prospect for older children to discover the ocean cliffs and La Jolla Caves by kayak.
You possibly can lease kayaks and embark by yourself adventures as a household or spot sealife on a two-hour cave tour led by an expert information. With double kayaks, it’s appropriate for youths aged 5+.
And when you’ve had your journey out on the waves, save a while to chill out on the sandy La Jolla Shores seashore as effectively – additionally an amazing choice for youthful children to play whereas any older ones head out to sea.
Birch Aquarium At Scripps
Whereas in La Jolla, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps is one other nice choice for a household day trip. Greatest identified for its sea dragons (correctly often known as weedy seagragons!), there are additionally penguins, turtles, sharks, octopus and a complete shoal of various fish.
The Corridor of Fishes options greater than 60 habitats that span from the Pacific Northwest to the tropical oceans, whereas you can even rise up shut and private with sea stars, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, lobsters, and different sea creatures on the Tide Pool Plaza.
A part of the Scripps Establishment of Oceanography, entry is included within the San Diego Metropolis Go, which additionally means you may go to with out prebooking.
In case you’re studying this listing and assume I’ve forgotten all about Seaworld San Diego in Mission Bay, it’s a deliberate alternative on my half – whereas it’s a serious household attraction, I select to not suggest wherever which retains orcas in captivity
Belmont Park
In case you’re searching for theme parks, the closest factor on the listing is Belmont Park – this amusement park is a historic gem with loads of rides and video games to maintain children entertained.
With 22 enjoyable rides and sights to take pleasure in along with carnival-style video games, you may take pleasure in all of it whereas being surrounded by stunning views and superb oceanfront surroundings.
In case you’re searching for thrills, journey the Big Dipper (a classic wood curler coaster initially inbuilt 1925) at speeds over 45 mph, whereas little ones can benefit from the carousel and rides like Tilt-A-Whirl and Dip & Dive.
Try the San Diego Go Metropolis Go which supplies you entry to as much as 7 sights, together with a Belmont Park Trip and Play Go, or the San Diego Go Metropolis All-Inclusive Go with entry to as much as 50 sights and excursions
Waterfront park
Not removed from the Maritime Museum, Waterfront Park is a superb place for youths to let off some steam, with loads of play gear in addition to spray fountains to splash in on a sunny day.
There are sometimes particular occasions going down right here, together with farmers markets (so you can decide up one thing scrumptious to eat on the park’s picnic tables) in addition to household pleasant festivals.
You’ll discover a bike path by means of the park as effectively in the event you’ve employed your individual bike for the day, and also you’re not removed from Little Italy the place you may decide up some nice ice cream earlier than you hit the park.
Eat at Corvette Diner
You received’t be in need of nice locations to eat in San Diego with children, however Corvette Diner is a kid-friendly house with a distinction.
This traditional diner has 50s-styled employees ready tables and singing, whereas the menu has shakes and burgers, amongst different traditional diner dishes plus a soda fountain. The Dante’s Inferno cheeseburger has an added kick, or with bacon and peanut butter, the Rory would get Elvis’s seal of approval.
With an arcade, a magician on the desk and vibrant decor, this 50s-themed household pleasant attraction in San Diego could be kitsch however in terms of kid-friendly eating places, that is undoubtedly one to recollect.
Legoland California
Embark on a memorable journey with your loved ones at Legoland California, the place creativeness involves life for youths of all ages – round a 30-minute drive from San Diego, it’s one to not miss whilst you’re visiting the town.
With over 60 rides, reveals, and sights the place children can take the lead, this San Diego household theme park is geared to children aged between 2 and 12. The Heartlake Metropolis part options an interactive construct space, Citadel Hill is a medieval journey with knights and dragons, and the Creativeness Zone is a must-visit for artistic little ones.
Don’t miss a visit to Legoland’s Sea Life Aquarium whilst you’re there, to move your children into the depths of the ocean. Kids will get to see marine life galore together with sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, sea stars, sea horses, jellies, and hundreds of colourful fish within the 20,000-square-foot indoor aquarium!
Subsequent to the aquarium is the Legoland Water Park, one other cool spot to spend a few hours with the youngsters. There are slides, rides and wave pool for the entire household, such because the Duplo Splash Safari space and Craggers Swamp space. Ebook tickets for Legoland California right here.
Carlsbad Flower Fields
A bouquet’s throw from Legoland California, The Carlsbad Flower Fields are one of the uncommon issues to see with children in San Diego County.
The fields come alive each spring like a trapped rainbow as 50 acres of flowers bloom in each conceivable shade, in addition to some enjoyable household actions.
Tiptoe by means of the maze of candy peas, fill out passport papers at stamp stations, and admire the Big Tecolote Ranunculus, in addition to studying about recycling and composting.
One of the best time to see the fields is usually mid-March by means of early Might, however test the web site for up to date data on blooming occasions.
Seashore Hike At Torrey Pines Pure Reserve
Not removed from La Jolla, Torrey Pines State Pure Reserve is among the finest household sights in San Diego. With over eight stunning trails to discover, that is the proper place to expertise a few of California’s pure magnificence.
An effective way to absorb the view from above is to comply with the Man Fleming Path, a principally flat 0.8-mile loop good for little ft. As you and your little explorers traverse the well-maintained path, you’ll be rewarded with fabulous views of the dramatic cliffs and the Pacific Ocean.
And once you want a break, there are benches the place you may sit again and take within the coastal surroundings.
Mission Trails Regional Park
Mission Trails Regional Park is one other good spot for households searching for some outside journey, with an opportunity to having fun with picture-perfect views of San Diego’s cityscape within the background.
With greater than 65 miles of trails and eight,000 acres of hills and canyons to discover, together with different outside actions, there’s one thing for everybody at this city park.
Mountain climbing and biking trails wind by means of the park’s pure areas, whereas playgrounds, grassy areas with picnic tables, and fishing spots are good for a day within the nice open air.
And probably the greatest issues about Mission Trails is that it’s solely a brief drive from downtown San Diego – so it’s straightforward to get to!
Cabrillo Nationwide Monument
A go to to the Cabrillo Nationwide Monument brings historical past to life, with loads of actions for youths on this enjoyable household day trip.
On this website again in 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and stepped into historical past as the primary European to set foot on what’s now the West Coast of the US.
In addition to uncover extra about sixteenth century exploration, you may go to Outdated Level Loma Lighthouse, been refurbished to showcase life within the 1800s with interval furnishings in addition to exploring the park itself.
Observe the Bayside Path for a spectacular panoramic view of the ocean and the town beneath. Mid-January is peak time for recognizing whales right here, however you may typically see them in migration season from mid to late December by means of March. Ensure you cease by the tide swimming pools too whilst you’re there too, to see what’s revealed at low tide.
San Diego Botanic Backyard
For a enjoyable and attention-grabbing day journey with your loved ones, the San Diego Botanic Backyard is unquestionably value contemplating – regardless of the identify it’s not within the metropolis itself, however it’s straightforward to succeed in by automotive.
With greater than 37 acres of gardens, crops, and nature trails to discover, there’s one thing for everybody to take pleasure in too. Themed gardens embody a Japanese backyard, rose backyard, succulent backyard, and a number of other gardens made particularly for youngsters.
The Seeds of Surprise Kids’s Backyard is designed for households to attach with nature and is ideal for preschool-age children. It incorporates a dinosaur-themed backyard, playhouse, topiary, and miniature railroad. Throughout most months, it additionally hosts weekly actions in partnership with SAPLinGS – Science Artwork & Play In Floor Area Saves (a program that promotes artistic studying).
The most important kids’s backyard on the West Coast, the Hamilton Kids’s Backyard offers a wealth of studying alternatives for youths. Right here, kids could have enjoyable exploring the Unimaginable Edibles part, enjoying large tic-tac-toe, drawing on a large chalkboard, studying about sundials, or climbing an elaborate treehouse.
The San Diego Botanic Backyard can be dwelling to quite a lot of attention-grabbing crops and animals, so you’ll want to maintain your eyes peeled!
For concepts of extra issues to do on the California coast, take a look at our 10-day Pacific Coast Freeway Itinerary, in addition to concepts for San Francisco with children and visiting Northern California with children
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
