10 Fun family-friendly activities in San Diego

San Diego is a treat for families, satisfying kids of all ages and unlocking childlike wonder in adults, too. The city’s many beaches, museums, and family-friendly parks mean you’re never far from an adventure. From walking tours to exploration games where you can discover San Diego’s hidden gems, the downtown streets are offer a ton of fun things to do.

The city is home to the San Diego Zoo, often names as the best of its kind in the world, and sports fans can live out their baseball dreams with a tour of Petco Park. Sesame Street fans can meet their television heroes on a visit to Sesame Place. And the clear, warm waters of La Jolla and picnic spots on Mission Beach are perfect for beach days. So, get off to the right start planning the perfect family vacation in San Diego with these 10 activities that kids will love.

1. Make a splash at SeaWorld

Seamlessly combining the thrill of a theme park with the fun of a zoo, SeaWorld is a great place for kids of all ages. It was the first SeaWorld location and you can see marine life up close at the Explorer's Reef touch pools and watch waddling penguins having fun at lunchtime. Get your SeaWorld Park entry ticket in advance to save time at the gate.

Best time to go:

If you’ve got antsy teens who can’t wait to experience the hair-raising loops of the Manta rollercoaster, get there for the gates opening in the morning. The lines for rides are always shorter before noon.

Address and opening hours:

500 SeaWorld Dr., CA 92109. Open daily 10:00 AM-9:00 PM.

2. Have a ball at Petco Park

If you’ve got a budding pitcher in the family, treat them to a Petco Park tour. The behind-the-scenes tour of the San Diego Padres’ home turf shows you all the things that players see, and gives you a chance to sit in the dugout like a pro.

Best time to go:

If you'd like to catch some batting practice, visit during a game 90 minutes before its scheduled start. Otherwise, tours take place most days starting at 10:00 AM.

Address and opening hours:

100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101. Tour times and dates vary.

3. Run wild in Balboa Park

San Diego’s beloved Balboa Park is a top destination for families. Packed with museums, gardens, and fun playgrounds, you can spend hours running off steam here. Why not discover the Balboa’s secrets with a Balboa Park scavenger hunt? You’ll get to see the highlights and have plenty of time to visit the park’s delightful family-friendly attractions, like its fabulous mini railway.

Best time to go:

You can avoid the heat of the afternoon and enjoy fewer lines around the park’s attractions by visiting in the morning.

Address and opening hours:

Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92104. Open 24/7. Attraction open times vary.

4. Sit down for story time with Big Bird

Walk along the magical sidewalk of Sesame Street and visit its famous residents with a Sesame Place ticket. This fun amusement park is packed with hands-on rides and experiences, from Elmo's Rockin' Rockets to Grover's Grill. Your kids can then sit down with the world’s best storyteller, Big Bird.

Best time to go:

Sesame Place puts on a show at special times of the year, from a Very Furry Christmas to the Halloween Spooktacular. Take advantage of these events or visit during summer when the splash park is up and running

Address and opening hours:

2052 Entertainment Cir, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Open Monday-Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, and Saturday-Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

5. Hang out with monkeys at San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo is an absolute treat. Widely regarded as the world’s best zoo, its free-roaming, cageless approach is a boon for the guests and residents alike. Families get a thrill from the authentic environments, lumbering Galapagos turtles, and high canopy monkey experiences. You can easily spend a whole day here, you just need a San Diego Zoo day ticket.

Best time to go:

Get there as the zoo is opening as this is when the animals are at their liveliest. This is also when most animals are fed, providing a rich experience for little ones.

Address and opening hours:

2920 Zoo Dr, CA 92101. Open Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM-6.00 PM, and Friday-Sunday 9.00 AM-9.00 PM.

6. Solve puzzles on a city tour

If a sightseeing day sounds boring to your little ones, put a fun twist on it with an urban exploration game. The Urban Adventure Quest is part game, part city tour, and you can all solve puzzles to discover the city’s famous sights and sounds.

Best time to go:

The game is played on a smartphone. While it’s available 24/7, it’s best to start in the morning so that you can pause to go inside some attractions and tuck into a tasty waterfront lunch.

Address and opening hours:

1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101. Smartphone adventure is available all day, every day.

7. Get spooked at the Gaslamp Quarter

Older kids with a taste for the macabre will get a kick out of this evening tour. You’ll explore the buzzing district of the Gaslamp Quarter, once the center of San Diego’s illicit opium dens and gangsters. While the dangers of the 19th century have long since gone, you can still walk among its ghostly history with a Gaslamp Quarter haunted tour.

Best time to go:

The tour starts at 8:00 PM, so the time and subject might not be suitable for small kids. It’s a great experience all year round, but summer will still have the glow of sunset to start you off.

Address and opening hours:

868 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 9210. Tours start at 8:00 PM.

8. Paddle in La Jolla’s magical caves

San Diego’s tranquil La Jolla caves are an absolute delight for families, where children can catch crawling crabs in tide pools or snorkel with sea turtles. Book the kayak and snorkel tour for one of the most thrilling interactions with marine life.

Best time to go:

The best time to access the tide pools is at low tide, which occurs twice a day, so plan to arrive just before its lowest point.

Address and opening hours:

San Diego, CA 92037, United States. Experience times and dates vary.

9. Race around at LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND's thrilling Californian resort transports you to a fantasy world of fairytales, dinosaurs, and pirates. Older kids can test their scientific skills at Mindstorms, where they'll get hands-on with Lego robots. There’s plenty here for tiny legs, too, from gentle rides and building activities to a recreation of the country’s skylines at Miniland USA. Entry is included in the San Diego CityPASS, alongside other top attractions.

Best time to go:

You can avoid the biggest crowds from September to late February, except during the holiday season. If you've got a week in San Diego, consider visiting during quieter hours from Tuesday to Thursday.

Address and opening hours:

One Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Open 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Sunday-Friday and 10:00 AM-9:00 PM on Saturdays.

10. Spend a day chilling at the beach

You don’t have to go far to have fun in San Diego. Its child-friendly beaches are perfect for lazy days paddling and building sand castles. The man-made Mission Bay Park is home to spectacular beaches, from the Pacific-facing Mission Beach to the picnic paradise of Ski Beach.

Best time to go:

The coastal waters are warmest from July to October, making it the perfect time to make a splash. However, these beaches are truly fabulous any time of the year.

Address and opening hours:

Mission Bay, San Diego, CA 92109. Beach attraction times vary. Otherwise, open 24/7.

FAQs

What are some of the top family-friendly attractions in San Diego?

Sesame Place, LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo all elicit the best responses from kids. While Sesame Place is geared more towards toddlers and kids up to 10, there’s really no age limit at the San Diego Zoo, making it a treat for the entire family.

What are the best museums for kids in San Diego?

The USS Midway Museum is perfect for kids with a love for tech and aircraft. The Maritime Museum is also engaging, with both of these museums allowing you on the actual vessels for hands-on experiences with history. For museums designed specifically for children, head to the New Children's Museum or Children's Discovery Museum, both of which introduce art and science to kids in a fun and engaging way.

What are some fun outdoor activities for kids in San Diego?

You can’t go wrong with La Jolla, its beaches, and magical caves. This is an excellent place to spot and interact with wildlife, from Leopard sharks to tiny turtles. There are also plenty of picnic spots and playgrounds at beachfront areas like Mission Bay Park, where your kids can paddle and play over a sunny afternoon.

What are some unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences to have in San Diego with kids?

If you want a more immersive experience than the San Diego Zoo, head to its sister park, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, in San Diego County. This African-style safari gets you close to lounging lions and giraffes, with some unique attractions like Elephant Overlook and Wings of the World Aviary. You’ll get a chance to spot the elusive and rare California condor.