39 Fun Things to Do with Kids in San Diego (2023)

San Diego always tops the lists of family-friendly destinations in the USA, so it was high time I took my kids for a visit!

After spending 4 days in the San Diego area I can see why this is an appealing spot for a family vacation. The city has access to beaches, amusement parks, and mountains. There are endless museums, kid-friendly attractions, and cultural experiences.

Whether you like outdoor activities, riding roller coasters, lying on the beach, or top-notch cuisine, San Diego has something to offer.

We got the idea for our trip when my 6-year-old requested a trip to LEGOLAND for his birthday, Since I had already taken my older son to LEGOLAND Florida, I decided to check out LEGOLAND California for research purposes.

I arranged our itinerary around spending my son's birthday at LEGOLAND and added in some of the top attractions for families in the San Diego area.

We also spent 2 days in Palm Springs at the tail end of our trip, which means we weren't able to get to everything there is to do in San Diego. That just gives us a good reason to go back and see more someday!

Here’s our entire Southern California Road Trip Itinerary!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Best Time to Visit San Diego

The best time to visit San Diego really depends on what you hope to get out of your trip.

If you're looking for sunshine, beach days, and swimming, July, August, and September will be the best months to visit.

Late spring is a great time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and see the flowers in bloom. Keep in mind the weather was still pretty chilly on our visit, but when the sun finally came out the weather was very pleasant. Pack layers if you visit in April or May like we did!

Though it may be chilly and rainy, I think San Diego is a perfect spring break destination for families!

All in all, I don't think there's a bad time of year to visit San Diego but keep in mind that during the winter months / rainy season (November to March), it's not going to be the hot beach vacation you were dreaming of.

Trust me, we made this mistake on our trip and ended up wearing the same sweatshirts over and over because we didn't bring enough warm clothes!

Where to Stay in San Diego

There are truly endless hotel options in San Diego. We transferred some Chase Ultimate Reward points to Hyatt and booked the Hyatt Regency La Jolla for only 12,000 points per night. We loved the location, the pool was perfect for families, and the kids enjoyed roasting marshmallows with the s'mores kit.

We also spent 2 nights at the Castle Hotel in LEGOLAND California which was truly a dream come true for my 6-year-old. There are LEGO toys to play with everywhere, playgrounds, an outdoor movie theater, a pool, a scavenger hunt, and a free buffet breakfast.

Best Things to Do in San Diego with Kids

There are almost too many options to choose from when planning your San Diego itinerary! We used the Go San Diego card to save money on multiple attractions, so checking out what's included with the card might be a good place to start.

In this section I'm going to share only the attractions we personally visited, and in the next section I'll share more things to do in San Diego that we didn't have time to visit, but that you might want to do on your trip.

1. Balboa Park

One of the best places to visit with kids in San Diego is Balboa Park. With over 15 museums, numerous gardens, and walking trails, several restaurants, and plenty of open space to hang out and people-watch, you'll definitely find something to enjoy for the whole family.

I was excited to see the beautiful architecture at Balboa Park, so we stopped there after the zoo since they were next to each other.

The biggest issue I ran into was finding parking. We got to the zoo early so we had a prime parking spot there, and I wish we would have known to just walk over to Balboa Park from there. Instead, I ended up driving around for upwards of an hour just trying to find an open spot. This was on a Saturday at noon, so probably one of the most popular times to be there.

I didn't write it down, but I believe we ended up parking at the San Diego Veterans Museum, and there was lots of parking available there. It was a bit of a walk away, so be sure to bring your stroller with you if you have small children. I love our Zoe Tour+ (get $15 off your purchase with that link!) since it has a huge sunshade, a tray for snacks, and is really lightweight and easy to steer.

We grabbed lunch at one of the museum restaurants and enjoyed some performers while we sat on some benches and ate our sandwiches. We didn't stop at any museums this time around, but you could easily spend an entire day at Balboa Park walking around the gardens (the Japanese Friendship Garden was especially beautiful) and popping into museums.

My favorite area was the Spanish Village Art Center. The colorful ground was fun for the kids as they tried to only step on a single designated color, and I really enjoyed the artwork done by local artists.

Some other museums to visit that we thought looked really cool included the San Diego Natural History Museum, Fleet Science Center, and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. You can use your Go San Diego card which can help you save money if you're visiting multiple attractions on your visit to San Diego.

2. San Diego Zoo

I personally am not a huge fan of zoos because I feel like if you've seen one you've seen them all. Even I will admit that the world-famous San Diego Zoo was absolutely outstanding! (And gigantic!)

My best tip is to take a free guided bus tour first thing in the morning! We arrived right at opening time and headed straight for the bus tours, so we didn't end up waiting in line at all! We got a seat on top of the double-decker bus which was such a unique viewpoint to see the animals. The tour is 35 minutes long and you get to hear fun facts about the animals.

Since it was still pretty early, many of the animals were still active, and some of the big cats were resting in tree branches, so they were almost at eye level with us!

Another benefit of taking the bus tour is that it helps you get the layout of the zoo. You can scout out the exhibits you want to return to! (Just a word of warning - you'll have to leave your stroller at the stroller parking area before boarding the bus. Make sure to take all of your belongings with you!)

The kids had a blast, especially watching the very active orangutans and the gorillas.

Something else that's unique about this zoo is the Skyfari Aerial Tram to get from one end of the zoo to the other and enjoy incredible views along the way! You can take folded-up strollers onto the tram if they're smaller than 23 inches.

All in all, I thought the zoo was very enjoyable, and had enough features to distinguish itself from other zoos around the country. It's included on the Go San Diego card which can help you save money if you're visiting multiple attractions on your visit to San Diego.

3. USS Midway Museum

The USS Midway Museum is located on a real U.S. Naval Aircraft Carrier and exceeded my expectations in so many ways. I wasn't sure it would be kid-friendly, but this might have been one of our favorite stops in San Diego as a family. You can pick up a free self-guided audio tour when you enter the museum, so you can really take it at your own pace (which was nice since we were visiting with a toddler!)

There were several spots with hands-on technology so we, of course, had to stop and play in those areas for a while. We also thought the bunk beds were really cool, and we couldn't believe that people actually sleep in such small spaces! The kids tested the bunks out and thought they were the perfect size.

If you climb to the top of the ship you'll get a chance to see (and climb inside) several different types of aircraft. Naturally, the kids didn't want to leave because what kid doesn't love pretending to pilot a plane?

I could have spent hours listening to the stories of people who served on the USS Midway. It was tough to focus on all of the exhibits and signs since I was still chasing down a toddler, but I was thankful that there were still so many hands-on exhibits for the kids to enjoy. This is a great way to spend a few hours for the entire family!

The USS Midway Museum is also included on the Go San Diego card which can help you save money if you're visiting multiple attractions on your visit to San Diego.

4. La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove is an inlet along the Pacific Ocean surrounded by scenic bluffs, and it's the perfect place to take kids to see sea lions in their natural habitat! We loved walking along the boardwalk on the bluffs above the sea and observing the sea lions, and we were even able to walk down to the beach area to get a closer look!

We were there in late spring, but if you visit during winter you'll be able to check out the tide pools at low tide to see plenty of marine life. I'd love to go back and do that someday since I think it would be really fun and educational for kids of all ages!

We didn't arrive early enough to take advantage of the free street parking, so we ended up having to pay $40 to park in one of the parking garages, then took the staircase next to the Valencia Hotel to get to the cove.

A few things to note before visiting La Jolla Cove:

The sea lions are smelly! You'll get used to it pretty quickly, though.
Bring a camera! In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful spots we visited in Southern California, and I took some of my favorite pictures from our family vacation here.
I regret not stopping at one of the restaurants or coffee shops across from La Jolla Cove. I think it would have been a great way to enjoy the view. Unfortunately, we were heading to Palm Springs that day, so we were on a tighter timeline.

5. Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Birch Aquarium is part of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego, which means education is its strength!

Our family has visited plenty of aquariums around the country, including the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. I'll be honest and say that this wasn't our favorite aquarium, but there were a few exhibits that really caught our eye!

The Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins exhibit has the world's smallest species of penguins, and it's the only place you can see them on the west coast!

The Kelp Forest Tank is enormous and captured our attention for quite a while. It's also a great place to capture an iconic aquarium photo of your child taking in the wonders of the underwater world!

Finally, the South Plaza with sharks and sting rays was a hit with my 6-year-old son. It's right by the Tide Pool Plaza which we ended up skipping since it was an extremely windy and chilly day!

Birch Aquarium is included on the Go San Diego card which can help you save money if you're visiting multiple attractions on your visit to San Diego.

6. LEGOLAND California

LEGOLAND California was the highlight and our trip, and the attraction that sparked the idea for our trip in the first place!

I've been taking my kids on individual birthday trips every other year, and this past year they each chose a theme park for their trip. My 6-year-old was the last to choose his trip, and since his older brother had chosen LEGOLAND Florida for his trip, he decided to try LEGOLAND California. It was really fun for me to compare and contrast the two theme parks on opposite coasts!

We stayed at the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel which is steps away from the theme park. The theming is fantastic, and each room includes bunk beds in a separate area for kids, LEGO toys to play with, and a scavenger hunt around the hotel that leads to a prize in the hotel safe!

The park itself has rides and family fun for every age, including gift shops, shows and entertainment, and even character interactions. It's geared toward kids ages 2-12, so my 3- and 6-year-olds were in heaven!

My toddler rode Beatle Bounce over and over again, while my 6-year-old's favorite ride was the Driving School. Neither of my kids was old enough to want to try the Coastersaurus roller coaster, but that's one of the more thrilling rides that older kids might enjoy.

My mom and I could have spent hours looking at the city replicas in Miniland USA which has so many details and small moving parts to enjoy.

We booked with a Kids Go Free coupon code which means my mom and I paid full price for our tickets but got free admission for each child with the purchase of our tickets.

7. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

On our drive from Carlsbad to our hotel in La Jolla we decided to stop for a short hike at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. We hiked the Guy Fleming trail which many online touted as toddler-friendly.

The walk itself was easy enough, but there were parts of the hike with a steep cliff on one side and only a rope between you and the edge.

Thankfully my toddler is a pretty good listener at this age, but if you have runners or toddlers that are especially wiggly, you may want to consider a toddler carrier or baby carrier for this particular hike.

The views of the dramatic cliffs towering over the Pacific Ocean are spectacular, so I would still recommend this hike for families that want to enjoy the beauty of the west coast.

Another thing we figured out the hard way is that there is a small parking lot right by the trailhead, so once you pay to enter the reserve, you can plus the trailhead into your map app on your phone and drive to it. We parked in the main parking lot and had about a half-mile uphill walk to get to the trailhead. The kids were already tired and crabby by the time we started the hike!
Finally, wear close-toed shoes since there are rattlesnakes in this area. We even saw one as we were walking to the trailhead! Thankfully a park ranger already had the area blocked off waiting for animal control.

8. Coronado Island

We actually didn't originally have Coronado Island on our itinerary, but ended up driving there because of a crazy turn of events!

As we were leaving the Hyatt Regency La Jolla my cross-body bag fell out of the car without me noticing. It contained my wallet and, oddly enough, a few of my business cards with my social media handles and email address.

A young couple found the bag in the parking lot and managed to get a hold of me using my business card. While we were at La Jolla Shores I realized I didn't have my wallet when I went to pay for parking, and right then I got an email from this couple.

They were heading out to Coronado Island for the day to hang out at the Hotel Del Coronado. Since we were supposed to be heading out to Palm Springs that afternoon, I offered to meet them there instead of waiting for them to come back to the Hyatt in La Jolla.

We obviously didn't stay long, but there's plenty to do on Coronado. Check out one of the beautiful beaches like Coronado Central Beach, walk through downtown Coronado, or go for a bike ride.

9. Carlsbad Flower Field

Depending on the time of year you visit San Diego, the Carlsbad Flower Field might be the perfect addition to our itinerary. We visited at the end of April, and though the weather was still pretty chilly and overcast, it was the best time of year to see the flowers in bloom!

Carlsbad Flower Field has endless stretches of colorful Giant Tecolote Ranunculus planted in eye-catching designs and patterns. There's even a United States Flag field!

We enjoyed wandering through the flower fields with young kids, but their favorite thing to do was fill out the scavenger hunt! Each child got their scavenger hunt at the entrance, and there were numbered stations all throughout the fields where kids could stamp the correct box. It kept them super engaged throughout our whole visit!

In addition to the scavenger hunts and flower fields, there are several other things to do for families including a playground, a maze, an illusion garden, and a tractor ride. I was afraid my kids would be bored, but instead, I had trouble getting them to leave!

If you plan to be in San Diego in the springtime, be sure to check out the Carlsbad Flower Fields. it's a great spot for families to spend a few hours!

Side note: This is right down the road from LEGOLAND, so consider combining these two activities into a 1 or 2-day side trip.

10. Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park

Another Carlsbad-area activity for families is Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. It's free to visit, and perfect for any time of the year!

Leo Carrillo was a Hollywood movie and TV star in the 1950s. He created this California-style ranch as a getaway for his family and often invited friends and coworkers to come visit.

We spent about an hour wandering the property, starting at the Visitor Center, and then making our way to the hacienda, caretaker cottage, main house, and pool house. Everything you do on the property will be self-guided, but there are plenty of volunteers and workers around the property who are willing to answer questions and share their knowledge.

My kids loved the free-roaming peacocks wandering around and calling to either other from the rooftops. There are plenty of great photo spots, and the whole place is incredibly charming and unique.

We did bring our stroller but realized that most of the property has uneven ground, so there were a few places we had to stop to fold it up and carry it. If you have babies or very young toddlers this might be a great spot to use the baby carrier.

Finally, wear close-toed shoes, and just know that whatever footwear you have on will get dusty.

11. Swim at the Hotel Pool

One of the draws of San Diego is the year-round nice weather. While we happened to visit on a gloomy week, you can usually find a warm, sunny day during your trip to relax and enjoy the hotel pool.

As I mentioned, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla which had an epic hotel pool! We promised the kids they could swim, so even though it was a little chilly we made our way to the pool to enjoy the water and play some of the family-friendly lawn games they had out by the pool like ping pong, giant Jenga, and bags.

Our hotel also had s'mores kits to use afterward so we could warm up by the fire! They had a patio full of fire tables and relaxing chairs where guests could come and enjoy the nice weather.

There are tons of hotels around San Diego with awesome kid-friendly pools like San Diego Mission Bay Resort and the Residence Inn San Diego which has a rooftop pool with a view of downtown San Diego.

Top Things to Do in San Diego (that we didn't get to on our trip)

12. Seaport Village

A friend who is local to San Diego recommended we visit Seaport Village after the USS Midway Museum.

By the time we got done with the museum, however, the kids were tired and hungry so we decided it would be best to head back to the hotel. This waterfront complex included restaurants, shopping, and entertainment including live music and even a carousel.

It looks like a really fun place to walk around and spend a few hours as a family, so if you have a free afternoon or evening this might be a fun place to spend it!

13. SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego is included on the Go San Diego card as part of the All-Inclusive Pass. SeaWorld is an all-in-one aquarium, zoo, and theme park where you can ride some fun rides and roller coasters, watch animal performances, or sign up for experiences like the dolphin encounter, sloth encounter, killer whale encounter, and more!

If you have a child who loves marine life, this might be the perfect addition to your itinerary.

14. San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Safari Park in Escondido is located about 45 minutes away from the San Diego Zoo at Balboa Park, so be sure not to confuse the two!

You can take a free Africa Tram tour or pay extra for a guided safari throughout the safari park. There is a huge variety of animals to see and animal encounters to experience!

15. Sesame Place San Diego

Sesame Place San Diego is a theme park geared toward young families with toddlers and preschoolers. There are plenty of rides, shows, character meet and greets, and dining.

This was not at the top of our list with all of the other incredible theme parks in the area, but if you have a big Sesame Street fan in your house this might be a great option for your family.

16. Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument is the only national park in the San Diego area, and another recommendation from our local friend that we didn't get to (thanks in large part to the fiasco with me losing my wallet).

Stop at the Visitor Center, see the Cabrillo Statue, check out the panoramic views of San Diego, do some hiking, or see the tide pools if you're visiting during the winter months.

17. Old Town San Diego

Visit the first European settlement on the West Coast and get a taste of how this area became the birthplace of California. Visit historic buildings, museums, and shops. The Whaley House is one of the most famous haunted houses in the US, there are some great Mexican restaurants to enjoy, and you'll find lots of fun little shops for souvenirs.

18. Maritime Museum of San Diego

Love sailing? Check out the Maritime Museum of San Diego located in the San Diego Bay where you'll find historic preserved vessels. History buffs will love learning about the Age of Exploration while military enthusiasts will be drawn to the history of the San Diego Navy. This is included on the Go San Diego card.

19. San Diego Botanic Garden

Escape the noise of the city and enjoy the quiet of nature at the San Diego Botanic Garden with 37 acres of plants and 4 miles of trails. Themed gardens like the Desert Gardens, Herb Gardens, and Mexican Gardens will keep little ones engaged and offer plenty of aesthetic photo spots. On Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 to noon there are scheduled hands-on children's activities, too!

20. Belmont Park

Belmont Park is a beachfront amusement park in Mission Beach with free parking and free admission. Just pay for rides and activities as you go! You can buy all-inclusive passes ahead of time, too, if you don't want to deal with paying for individual rides and arcade games. Looks like a fun place with that iconic boardwalk feel.

21. The New Children's Museum

The New Children's Museum is the perfect place to go on a rainy day to keep toddlers, preschoolers, and young kids engaged with plenty of hands-on interactive exhibits. There are tons of beautiful art installments for kids to enjoy, too!

22. LEGOLAND Water Park

If you visit during the summer months, you might want to add an extra day to your LEGOLAND trip to splash and play at LEGOLAND Water Park. There's a wave pool, water slides, a lazy river, and a place to build your own boat out of LEGO. It was a bit too chilly during our visit to swim, so we skipped the water park.

23. Petco Park

Sports fans would love a day at Petco Park to watch a San Diego Padres game or to get a behind-the-scenes look with a Petco Park Stadium Tour!

24. Little Italy

Little Italy is a lively neighborhood in downtown San Diego where you can grab a gelato, stroll Waterfront Park, people watch in a piazza, or shop at the farmer's market.

We went to Italy for a family vacation only a month after our trip to San Diego, and now I wish we had taken the opportunity to visit this area of the city!

25. Sea Life Carlsbad Aquarium

Sea Life Carlsbad Aquarium is also part of the LEGOLAND resort, but we skipped it since we knew we would be visiting Birch Aquarium at Scripps.

One can only do so many aquariums in one trip. There are lots of hands-on experiences here, so if you're spending a few days at LEGOLAND or in Carlsbad this would be a great alternative to the Birch Aquarium.

26. Museum of Making Music

The Museum of Making Music is another highly recommended stop in Carlsbad for kids. You can examine and test out a variety of instruments, so if you have a musical member of your family or just a child who loves to make noise, this would be a perfect stop!

27. Fleet Science Center

Fleet Science Center is located at Balboa Park and is a great place for hands-on STEM activities for kids. Design a video game, explore static electricity, learn about the solar system, or explore with VR. Fleet Science Center with IMAX is included on the Go San Diego card.

28. San Diego Air and Space Museum

What kid doesn't love transportation? The San Diego Air and Space Museum takes you through the history of flight, showcases tons of military aircraft and jets, offers a 4D movie experience, and there's even a model hot air balloon! This is another option included on the Go San Diego card. The newest Above and Beyond exhibit even takes you on a journey exploring the future of flight.

29. San Diego Natural History Museum

Another great use of the Go San Diego card would be the San Diego Natural History Museum. There are 4 floors full of exhibits including fossils, a nature garden, Expedition Baja - a look at the Baja California peninsula's nature, gems and minerals, a megalodon replica, and even a backyard play area for little kids.

You could easily spend hours roaming the endless exhibits and learning in an engaging way! There's also a giant screen theater, a museum store, and even a rooftop terrace for views of the San Diego Skyline.

30. Museum of Us

The Museum of Us is another Balboa Park museum located in one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings at the park! You can see why it would be so easy to spend an entire day at Balboa Park exploring and museum hopping!

This museum focuses on anthropology and tells the story of why humans are the way we are. Explore exhibits on the Maya People, Ancient Egypt, Living with Animals, and Beerology, among many more.

You can even climb the California Tower for an additional $10!

31. Japanese Friendship Garden

The last Balboa Park stop I'll add to this list is the Japanese Friendship Garden. We actually ate our lunch on a bench right outside of the Japanese Friendship Garden, and for some reason, I didn't even think to get my camera out to take a picture!

The garden honors San Diego's sister city, Yokohama, and features a koi pond, water features, a bonsai garden, and more. It's incredibly serene and would make the perfect spot for a quiet walk if your child needs a stroller nap.

This is another option included on the Go San Diego card.

32. Knott's Berry Farm

Knotts Berry Farm is yet another theme park located in Buena Park, California. There are lots of roller coasters and thrill rides, but also tons of family-friendly rides and experiences for those with young children.

This is a true California experience since it's a local theme park, and apparently, Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant is a can't-miss dining experience. You'll also find this on the Go San Diego card.

33. Whale Watching Tour

Did you know that between December and April, around 20,000 grey whales migrate along the coast of San Diego? Taking the kids on a whale-watching tour would be an epic experience!

Expert guides will take you on a 2-story whale watching yacht on a 3-and-a-half-hour tour to see the grey whales in their natural habitat. Since the tour is so long, this might be more enjoyable for families with older children than for families of babies and toddlers, though some might enjoy it! We've done boat tours with our young children before and survived. Just be prepared with snacks and things for them to do!

Since this is an experience unique to San Diego, I would definitely look into working this tour into your itinerary if you're visiting during the winter months and early springtime.

34. Coronado Ferry

If you want to visit Coronado but don't feel like fighting the traffic, consider taking the $8 ferry from the Broadway Pier or Convention Center to the Coronado Ferry Landing. Kids 4 and under are free, so this could be a really fun family activity! You'll also get great views of the city from the water especially if you take the ferry around sunset.

35. Beach Day

San Diego has miles of coastline to choose from, so if you're visiting in the summer months one of the most fun things you can do in San Diego is head to the beach!

Best family beaches in San Diego include Silver Strand State Beach, Moonlight Beach, La Jolla Shores Beach, and Mission Beach.

Of course, there are many more to choose from, but pack your swimsuit, sunscreen, and flip-flops and make your way over to the coast!

36. San Diego SEAL Tour

A San Diego SEAL Tour is a fully narrated tour that takes you from land to sea and back to land again in an amphibious bus. (It really reminds me of the duck boat tours in the Wisconsin Dells!)

This allows you to learn all about San Diego while getting some incredible views of the city from the open air vehicle.

37. Waterfront Park

This is a more low key activity you might be craving if you're traveling with young kids. There are playgrounds, grassy areas, picnic tables, and a cool water feature. If your kids just need to stretch their legs and get some energy out this is the place to do it.

38. Old Town Trolley

We are big fans of the Old Town Trolley tours, and have taken them in Santa Barbara, Savannah, Key West, and St. Augustine. The tours are hop-on, hop-off so you can use them as both a tour to get acquainted with the city, and as transportation to some of the top attractions in San Diego.

39. Kayak or Bike in La Jolla

If your kids are elementary age or older, you might enjoy kayaking in La Jolla or renting bikes for the day! Families that are a little more adventurous and outdoorsy might want to skp the theme parks and get some physical activity. Both kayak and bike rentals are included on the on the Go San Diego card.