Although there are numerous activities for adults to enjoy in San Diego, there are also many activities for children to engage in. San Diego is tailor-made for families, with abundant public parks, pleasant weather all year, many museums, and many activities for kids of all ages. What to do in San Diego with kids? Let’s find out!
San Diego for kids: San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park
There’s the well-known San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for animal-loving kids. The zoo is in Balboa Park, near the city’s northwestern outskirts. If you have the time, give your children a whole day to visit the park and the zoo. If your children dislike going to the zoo, the park is a fantastic option.
One of the best things to do in San Diego with kids is to visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Over 3700 rare and endangered animals live there, along with over 700,000 exotic plants on its 100 acres.
The San Diego Zoo is part of San Diego Zoo Global, an organization that works to protect wildlife throughout the world. During your visit, you’ll learn more about their animal care and conservation efforts, which are supported by all your purchases. Additionally, you have to know that this was the first zoo to introduce the concept of natural habitats and open-air exhibits. Animals and education go hand in hand – the perfect combination for kids.
The Children’s Zoo offers play areas for kids and a petting zoo where they can experience goats, sheep, and other friendly creatures.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park will throw you and the kids into the adventure’s world. You’ll find lions, tigers, and bears, but you can also see giraffes, koalas, komodo dragons, and kangaroos here, with more than 2500 animals included.
Safaris can be arranged on your own or as part of a tour. The free Africa Tram tour around the park and the Caravan Safari on the Asian Savannah and African Plains are two of the most popular safaris. Skyline Safari offers ziplining over some of the animal enclosures as well.
Do you want to escape the city? Here you have the best day trips from San Diego.
San Diego for kids: SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld has been a popular attraction for children for many years, allowing them to see aquatic life as they’ve never seen it before.
There are a variety of shows at SeaWorld San Diego featuring dolphins and sea lions. A walk-through shark tank is among the many aquariums filled with sea life here. Additionally, Sesame Street Bay of Play offers three fun rides for young children, and adventurers can also enjoy rides like Manta and Shipwreck Rapids. If you want an extra special treat, book a Premier Experience such as a meal with Shamu, the killer whale, or a Penguin Encounter tour.
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Whale watching in San Diego
Whale watching is a fairly popular activity during the winter months. You may either view them from the shore or go on a cruise. The gray whale is a lot of fun for kids to watch, and it opens their eyes to new possibilities.
San Diego has some of the best marine wildlife viewing spots in the world. More than 20,000 gray whales migrate along the coast from mid-December to mid-April during whale watching season. During a trip with one of San Diego’s most experienced whale watching companies, you can cruise alongside these magnificent whales in their natural habitat.
If you enjoy whale watching, here are the best 5 whale watching tours in San Diego in 2024.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park, the site of the first-ever World’s Fair, which includes a lot more than the San Diego Zoo, is also a wonderful site to visit. The children’s museum, the Fleet Science Center, and the Natural History Museum are all great places for kids to explore.
A carousel and a train are among its attractions for children, along with 17 museums and five playgrounds. A stroll through one of the many gardens is the perfect way to spend a leisurely afternoon.
Families will enjoy the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, which houses one of the biggest indoor trains in the world.
And if you want to find out more about the city, roam along these 13 cool neighborhoods in San Diego.
Legoland California
Legoland California, located north of San Diego, is another popular theme park for children. It is 35 minutes from San Diego and features amazing Lego installations and entertaining shows. Lego bricks are used to create impressively realistic creations. The Block of Fame region in Miniland USA features scaled-down reconstructions of San Francisco, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and New York City.
There are many rides in Legoland as well. The Fairy-Tale Brook boat ride along a stream is a favorite of little kids. Pirates Shores water rides and the Lost Kingdom Adventure adventure in the Land of Adventure are popular attractions for older kids.
Overall, this is one of the best and most “quiet” solutions for smaller children.
Beach activities in San Diego
San Diego has 70 miles of coastline and miles of picturesque beaches to explore. San Diego has a wide variety of beaches to please every taste. Whether you prefer rocky shores where the waves crash against the cliffs, white sand beaches, or something in between, you’re sure to find it here.
Going to the beach is also a good option for the kids, as San Diego boasts a variety of beaches suitable for children of all ages. Youngsters can make sandcastles on the beaches, rent boogie boards, or simply enjoy the swimming that San Diego is known for.
Older children will love the traditional San Diego recreation form of roller skating and rollerblading. There are beautiful sites around Mission Bay and playgrounds and parks. You may also fly kites here, which is a refreshing change of pace.
The best kid-friendly beaches in San Diego are Cardiff State Beach, Moonlight Beach, Mission Beach, Coronado Beach, and Del Mar City Beach.
Belmont Park
In San Diego, amusement parks are a major attraction, with Belmont Park being one of the most famous. It’s no wonder that the charmingly old-school Belmont Park has thrived on San Diego’s Mission Beach since the 1920s: it combines classic roller coaster and bumper-car fun with a timeless view of the beach.
There are numerous rides here that will keep children entertained for hours. The Giant Dipper and the Plunge are two of the best for younger or older children.
It’s the teens who’ll flock to rides with names like Control Freak and Vertical Plunge, while the little ones may enjoy riding the Liberty Carousel, especially at night when it’s lit up. Also available is a mini-golf area, climbing wall, go-karts, and an arcade where you can test your skills for a hole-in-one.
Museum of Making Music
Children and adults interested in music or the history of music will enjoy the Museum of Making Music in San Diego. Most kids don’t know what instrument they want to play when they start, and for school classes, they need to choose an instrument. However, parents often encourage them to learn an instrument so that they can expand their horizons.
The Instrument Room at the Museum of Making Music is a highlight where you can try out hundreds of instruments from around the world. It gives kids a chance to experience what it would be like to play an electric guitar, trumpet, or flute.
Seaport Village
A popular place to visit in San Diego is Seaport Village, which has over 50 shops and entertainment options for the whole family. Experience face painting, balloon art, and a ride on the historic carousel. On a sunny day, you can fly a kite or indulge in some ice cream. You can find all the latest updates on the Seaport Village events calendar.
If a family vacation to San Diego is on your agenda, you can rest assured that your children will have plenty to do throughout their visit. They’ll feel right at home with all the things to do, while you and your friend will be kept busy with lots of things to do as well.
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