15 Fun Things to Do in San Diego With Kids
Sun, surf, and a wild mix of family-friendly attractions make this California city a playground for all ages.
These 15 fun things to do in San Diego with kids will show you why it’s a top family getaway.
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1. San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park lets families get a taste of the wild with animals roaming in wide-open spaces, like giraffes, rhinos, and zebras.
Unlike your average zoo, the park offers guided safari tours that bring you right up close to the action. Kids can burn off energy in special play zones between animal sightings.
2. LEGOLAND California Resort
LEGOLAND California Resort is a dream come true for families with younger kids. The rides, water park, and aquarium are all sized just right for the under-12 crowd.
There are over 60 attractions, so boredom is off the table. Cool off at the water park or check out SEA LIFE Aquarium when you need a break from building.
It’s one of the most family-friendly activities in San Diego; kids are in their element, and adults get a nostalgia kick too.
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3. Belmont Park
Belmont Park brings a big dose of old-school fun right to Mission Beach’s sandy edge. This historic beachfront amusement park has been putting smiles on faces since 1925.
Kids can dart between carnival rides, arcade games, and mini-golf, all with the soundtrack of rolling waves in the background.
The restored Plunge swimming pool is a standout, with its retractable roof and glass walls framing the Pacific.
Entry to the beachside park won’t cost you a dime. You just pay for whatever rides or games catch your eye—no pressure to do it all.
4. USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum is where history feels hands-on. Kids can wander the flight deck, climb into cockpits, and check out more than 30 restored helicopters and planes.
Peek into pilot quarters, squeeze through engine rooms, and mess with flight simulators. The audio tour features stories from real Midway veterans.
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5. SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego is a mashup of theme park thrills and marine animal encounters. Touch pools let the little ones feel rays and sharks safely.
Dolphins, sea lions, and whales take center stage in splashy shows, while roller coasters add a jolt for older kids and brave parents.
6. La Jolla Tide Pools
When the tide goes out, pools form along the rocky shore, revealing sea anemones, hermit crabs, and the occasional starfish.
Tide pool exploration is one of San Diego’s best free outdoor adventures. Go at low tide for the most action—the ocean brings in new critters with every cycle.
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7. Fleet Science Center
The Fleet Science Center turns science into a playground, with hands-on exhibits that somehow manage to grab kids’ attention for ages.
Kid City is tailored for the five-and-under crowd, with things like the Ball Wall, Air Blower, and Little Learners Lab.
It’s all about letting kids tinker, touch, and learn while they play (and maybe burn off some of that endless energy).
8. New Children’s Museum
The New Children’s Museum downtown is a blast of color and creativity for kids up to age 13. Art workshops and hands-on installations encourage little ones to get messy and imaginative.
Exhibits rotate often, so repeat visits never feel stale. Interactive and immersive exhibits make this a solid pick for rainy days or when you just need a break from the sun.
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9. Birch Aquarium At Scripps
The Birch Aquarium at Scripps brings the ocean indoors, with more than 60 habitats showing off everything from glowing jellyfish to playful seahorses.
Kids can get eye-level with tide pool critters and check out hands-on science exhibits. It’s a compact spot, but there’s a lot packed in. Plus, the ocean views from the outdoor decks are worth a pause.
10. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Exploring California’s birthplace with kids is a trip back in time at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
Original buildings and museums paint a picture of life in the 1800s, and you might even catch a blacksmith at work or spot a friendly burro wandering the grounds.
The historic plaza hosts lively gatherings that bring the Mexican and early American periods to life.
The museums are free, so you can wander through history without worrying about your wallet.
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11. San Diego Model Railroad Museum
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is a must for anyone who gets a kick out of miniature worlds. Five massive layouts sprawl across the space, packed with tiny details and moving trains.
Kids can take the controls in the Toy Train Gallery’s interactive Lionel layout. Even if you’re not a train buff, it’s hard not to get drawn in by the intricate cityscapes and endless motion.
12. San Diego Natural History Museum
The San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park makes nature feel like an adventure.
Fossils, dinosaurs, and hands-on activities keep kids busy while they learn about Southern California and Baja’s wild side.
Interactive displays and fossil digs are a hit with younger visitors. Local families recommend this spot for its mix of education and fun.
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13. California Surf Museum
Up in Oceanside, the California Surf Museum celebrates the ups and downs of surf culture.
Vintage boards, wetsuits, and memorabilia from legendary surfers line the walls, and interactive displays break down wave science and ocean safety for curious kids.
Exhibits change throughout the year, often highlighting local surf history or big competitions.
14. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a breath of fresh air, literally. Nestled between La Jolla and Del Mar, it offers clifftop trails with sweeping ocean views and rare Torrey pine trees.
Easy trails make it a doable hike for families, and if you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins or whales offshore.
Down below, tide pools are waiting for curious explorers. Crabs, sea anemones, and the occasional colorful fish all make appearances when the tide is right.
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15. San Diego Botanic Garden
The San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas sprawls across 37 acres, showing off plants from just about every corner of the globe.
Kids get a kick out of the three children’s areas, each packed with hands-on activities and surprises.
At the Hamilton Children’s Garden, you’ll catch hands-on projects and science experiments happening Wednesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to noon.
The Junior Quail Trail is an outdoor obstacle course built from natural materials. Kids can balance, climb, and jump their way through, and plenty of adults end up joining the action too.
