12 Things To Do In San Diego With Kids

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San Diego is an awesome place for an exciting vacation.

It’s consistently rated as one of the top family destinations in America.

It’s got excellent year-round weather, with an average temperature of 70 degrees and very little rain.

There are beautiful beaches and tons of activities to keep everyone happy.

San Diego is also one of the safest cities of its size in the United States.

It’s no wonder since they have both a Navy and Marine base in the city.

The town is known for being clean and having friendly people.

Visitors can take their pick of parks, beaches, museums, and other unique attractions.

Take a walk to Little Italy for some authentic Italian food, or have some fresher-than-fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants along the coast.

With an array of accommodations, there’s something for every budget, from 5-star hotels and Airbnb to small inns and cottages.

If you’re traveling with children, San Diego has attractions for even the most finicky of kiddos (and their parents).

Read on for the best things to do with kids in San Diego.

Things To Do In San Diego With Kids

1. San Diego Zoo San Diego, California

Located inside historic Balboa Park, The San Diego Zoo is a great day trip for kids of all ages.

Opened in 1923, the zoo houses over 13,000 animals on its 100 acres of space.

You can visit koalas, polar bears, Komodo dragons, baboons, big cats, and many more rare species.

The zoo also houses over 700,000 exotic plants.

Every dollar spent at the zoo goes towards the care and conservation of the animals.

Kids can take part in activities and youth programs designed to educate them about endangered species and the environment.

2. Legoland – San Diego, California

It’s more than just colorful blocks at Legoland.

This theme park has over 60 rides and attractions that kids of all ages will enjoy.

There’s also a water park with over 10 million gallons of H20 and a sandy beach.

Everyone will enjoy the Sea Life aquarium and the lazy Lego river too.

When you’re done enjoying the water activities, go and enjoy one of the many shows, like Go Extreme or Once Upon A Brick.

There are plenty of places to eat and pick up souvenirs.

You’re sure to build memories at this exciting spot.

3. Birch Aquarium – San Diego, California

You will need reservations, but it’s well worth it.

The Birch Aquarium at The Scripps Institution of Oceanography is one of the best in the country.

Over 60 exhibits, including the world’s small penguins and a giant kelp forest, are sure to keep the kids engaged all day long.

Visitors can also take part in a behind-the-scenes tour, a tide-pooling adventure, and several educational activities.

The aquarium is wheelchair accessible, and an open-air cafe offers a variety of food options.

4. Sesame Place – San Diego, California

You may think this place is just for toddlers, but we assure you, Sesame Place will give all ages a great time.

Even the most moody of teenagers will warm up to this magical theme park.

Check out The Count’s Splash Castle, full of water fun, dine with Elmo, visit the neighborhood, go on rides, watch a show, or take part in the daily parades.

There are many places to eat and grab souvenirs.

This Sesame Place is also a certified autism center, so children with sensory issues can enjoy the day as well.

5. Belmont Park – San Diego, California

If you’re looking for good old-fashioned boardwalk fun, right on the beach, Belmont Park is a must.

Located on Mission Beach, this park opened in 1925 with the exciting Big Dipper rollercoaster and the world’s first saltwater pool as its anchor attractions.

Today, those historic attractions remain along with an array of other rides and attractions like arcades, laser tag, zip lining, rock climbing, games of chance, and so much more.

There’s live entertainment and plenty of places to eat.

Admission is free, you just pay for what you want to do.

When you need to cook off, the refreshing waters of the ocean are just steps away.

Kids will beg to come back.

6. Balboa Park – San Diego, California

Created in 1868, Balboa Park has grown into 1200 acres of natural wonder and man-made fun.

With multiple trails and gardens that feature flora such as cactus, palms, and roses, the park is a must-see for plant lovers.

There are also museums, musical performances, and Shakespeare in the Park.

Kids will get a kick out of the Comic-Con and North Star Science museums.

Everyone will love the peace and tranquility of the Japanese Friendship Garden.

Families can also use the recreation facilities for golf, tennis, lawn bowling, and more.

There are multiple playgrounds and food courts sprinkled throughout this iconic park.

7. Midway Museum – San Diego, California

This World War II aircraft carrier turned museum is the perfect way for kids to learn about history and our military in a fun way.

Located at the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, the carrier has over 60 exhibits, including 29 restored aircraft.

Visitors can explore the hangar deck, flight deck, below deck, and the engine room.

The junior pilot program is one of the fun activities where kids can answer questions and earn a set of wings.

Visit the jet shop for a souvenir.

8. La Jolla Cove – San Diego, California

Just a short drive from the center of downtown San Diego, La Jolla Cove is a gorgeous, secluded beach, hidden by rocky cliffs.

This makes it easy to keep an eye on the kids as they frolic in the surf and play in the sand.

A unique treat for everyone is the resident sea lions that have lived there for decades.

Visitors can snorkel, kayak, explore the tide pools, or fish biff the pier.

Take a break and go for lunch in La Jolla Village or visit Scripps Park which is right next door.

9. Maritime Museum – San Diego, California

For children that are into boats and ships, there’s no better place to visit than The Maritime Museum in San Diego.

The museum has one of the best collections of historic shops in the world.

It’s consistently named in the top three best museums of its kind on the planet.

In addition to being able to tour the ships (guided or independently), visitors can view artifacts and items from oceanliners and other vessels, stroll through the model ship gallery, or even take a cruise around the bay in one of the ships.

There are also special events like fireworks, concerts, and storytelling.

The museum offers a special admission price of $3 or less for low-income families, as it believes everyone has a right to enjoy quality educational experiences.

10. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve – San Diego, California

Open every day from 9:30 am until dusk, this tranquil island is home to the nation’s rarest pine tree (the Torrey pine), as well as the last sand marsh and waterfowl refuge in Southern California.

Go for a family hike (guides are available), or picnic on the beach.

This 1500-acre island has remained unchanged, so kids can get an idea of what life was like for early settlers.

There’s a lot to explore and learn from this conservation area, from endangered plants to ancient geological formations.

The water and sand are also pristine and great for family fun.

11. Mt. Soledad Veteran’s Memorial – San Diego, California

Built-in 1954, this all-war veterans memorial is well worth a stop in your travels around San Diego.

Said to be one of the most stunning memorials in the nation, it’s a great way to teach kids about the sacrifices of our military.

In one of the most peaceful spots in San Diego, you can stroll around the monument and read about the veterans whose photos are inlaid on the black marble walls.

A bonus is the 320-degree views of the city and La Jolla Beach.

The sunsets from this spot are also spectacular.

12. Petco Park – San Diego, California

Take yourself and the kids out to the ball game at this state-of-the-art arena.

The stadium’s architecture and views of the city are equally stunning.

Enjoy some top-notch ballpark food, enjoy the excitement of the crowd, and a professional baseball game.

You’ll have such a great time, you won’t even care if the Padres win.

San Diego Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: San Diego Safety Review

Safety Index:

67

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW