Things to Do in San Diego with Kids

Beth Wood said:  The award-winning San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park and houses 3,700 rare and endangered animals and more than 700,000 plants. The 100-acre zoo offers guided bus tours, an express bus and walkable paths that feature animal exhibits, aviaries and bioclimatic zones in the most natural way possible. Shows, animal presentations, play areas, Skyfari aerial tram, snack and dining options, retail shops and more add fun for all ages to your zoo visit. The zoo recommends a minimum visit time of three to four hours.

Cost: Day pass $44 Youth 3-11, $54 Adult, FREE 2 & Under

Beth Wood said:  Step back in time to the 1950's at the Corvette Diner! This soda shop themed restaurant is a must visit! Waitresses dressed in poodle skirts and bouffant hairdos will serve and entertain you during your visit. Take in the 1950's memorabilia and decor while you dine on soda shop favorites like burgers, fries, shakes, sundaes and more. The on-site Gamer's Arcade Garage features over 64 classic and new arcade favorites including skee ball, air hockey, pinball machines and more. There's also a prize counter where you can cash in your tokens. Click Here for menu. They have gluten-free options too!

Serves lunch and dinner

Beth Wood said:  The New Children's Museum inspires children of all ages to explore and create through active play and interaction with contemporary art featured in a bold and bright space. Visitors will have fun exploring different interactive art installations including the Costume Cave, Wobbleland, Sandbox Gallery, Desert Derby, Sketch Aquarium and more. Museum guests are also encouraged to drop into different art studios and create their own artwork including painting, pottery, gardening and more. The museum's Bean Sprout Cafe offers healthy snacks, lunch items and beverages.

Cost: $14 Youth & Adults, FREE under 1 years old

Beth Wood said:  Legoland is located just North of San Diego in Carlsbad. Featuring three different parks and a resort, you'll find something everyone in the family will enjoy here! Legoland amusement park features rides, coasters, lego displays, characters, shows and more. Legoland Water Park features water slides, rides and pools for loads of water play. Sea Life Aquarium features interactive exhibits, shows and animal experiences. Two LegoLand hotels offer guests accommodations adjacent to the Legoland parks. See website for park tickets & hotel reservations.

Cost: Start at $89 Youth, $95 Adult 13+

Beth Wood said:  The Flower Fields is a 50-acre flower farm located just North of San Diego in Carlsbad. The farm is open to the public while it's crop of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus bloom in bright and bold colors during a six to eight-week window from early March to May each year. Walk along the designated paths or ride on the antique tractor wagon to see the beautiful blooms. Stop by the Armstrong Garden Center Gift Shop to purchase cut flowers, bulbs and other potted plants. Food trucks are on-site on weekends and guests are also encouraged to bring a picnic lunch or snacks.

Cost: $8 Youth, $16 Adult

March - May

Beth Wood said:  The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is located North of San Diego near Escondido. Over 300 different species call the 1,800 acre Safari Park home. Have fun exploring the park and seeing the 2,600 animals. Choose from 8 different Safari experiences for an up-close look at the animals in their natural habitats. Other park experiences include Animal Encounters, Africa Tram, Balloon Safari, Shows, Play Areas and more. Over a dozen dining and snack options are located throughout the park for guests to enjoy.

Cost: 1 Day Park Pass $44 Youth 3-11, $54 Adult 12+, FREE 2 Under

Beth Wood said:  Petco Park is the state of the art baseball park located in downtown San Diego and home to the Major League Baseball team, the San Diego Padres. Have fun taking in a Major League baseball game during baseball season. High-end concessions, dining options, pristine grounds, unparalleled views of downtown, a family-friendly atmosphere and more make game time a one-of-a-kind experience for the whole family. If you can't catch a game but you want to check out all the park has to offer, guided tours of the facility are offered seven days a week year round.

Cost: Game Tickets start at $15

Beth Wood said:  Step back in time and see what life was like in San Diego from 1812 - 1872. The Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a historical cultural site that features guided tours, historic buildings, interpretive exhibits, museums, picnic areas, retail shops, restaurants, hiking trails, family programs and much more. Special events are held throughout the year that are both educational and full of family fun. For parking options, check out the map.

Cost: FREE

Beth Wood said:  The Fleet Science Center is a science museum and planetarium that allows guests to experience the possibilities and power of science as they create, design, build and learn through hands-on activities and exhibits. Kid City, So Watt!, Retro-Active Science, Power Play San Diego, Nano and more exhibits give opportunities to explore, play and learn. The FSC also features IMAX films and digital shows on its 76 foot wraparound screen. Grab a snack or lunch at Craveology and shop for souvenirs at The North Star Science Store during your visit.

Cost: $14.95-$19.95 Youth & Adult, FREE Under 2 Years

Beth Wood said:  Located in downtown San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter is a historic neighborhood with unique architecture and one-of-a-kind buildings. The area is known for its restaurants, bars, theaters, shopping and more. Walking tours, an artisan market, ice cream shops, a grassy area at Horton Plaza Park and an interactive fountain make the Gaslamp Quarter a great place for families to explore. Special events including markets, festivals and other family-friendly activities are held in the Quarter throughout the year.

Beth Wood said:  San Diego Seal Tours offer passengers a 90-minute fully narrated tour on one of their tour bus/boat "Hydra-Terra" amphibious vehicles throughout San Diego. The tour departs from either Seaport Village or the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego and travels through San Diego before cruising the waters of the San Diego Harbor. See the California Sea Lions at play while learning about the history of San Diego on this one-of-a-kind tour. Click Here for Tour Schedule & to Purchase Tickets. You must check in 30 minutes before the tour starts.

Cost: $9 Youth 3 & Under, $22.50 Youth 4-12, $37.80 Adult

Beth Wood said:  Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre "wonderland" located in San Diego that features 19 beautiful gardens and botanical areas, 17 museums, the San Diego Zoo, performing arts and musical theaters, restaurants, shopping, play areas, green spaces, fountains, attractions and more for visitors of all ages. Families will find something that interests everyone and works with every budget as well. Still not sure where to start in the park? Check out the kid's itinerary!

Cost: FREE

Beth Wood said:  The Birch Aquarium is the public outreach center and aquarium for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Guests can wander the museum and aquarium exhibits where they can see over 60 different habitats featuring 5,000 fish, explore interactive activities, learn more about oceans, see a feeding and much more during their visit. Grab a bite to eat at the Splash Cafe and shop for souvenirs at the Gift Shop. Click Here to purchase tickets.

Cost: $14 Youth 3-17, $18.50 Adult, FREE 2 & Under

Beth Wood said:  La Jolla is a quaint oceanside town just North of San Diego that offers visitors breathtaking coastal views year round. La Jolla Cove is famous for the sea lions that call it home. Be sure to catch a close-up glimpse of the animals in their natural habitat. Enjoy outdoor activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding (SUP) and bicycling at the numerous rental spots around the area. Family-friendly activities include visiting the local tide pools, a children's beach, Ellen Scripps park and family-friendly dining throughout the La Jolla area.

Beth Wood said:  Cabrillo National Monument is located in Point Loma and overlooks downtown San Diego and the Bay. Guests get an amazing panoramic view of the San Diego Bay, Coronado Bridge, harbor and shipyards. A Visitors Center, nearby Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Jr. Ranger Program for kids, tide pools that you can explore, hiking trails and more make this a great destination when visiting San Diego.

Cost: $15 per vehicle