I love San Diego. I was born and raised here, and after moving around a bit earlier in our marriage due to careers, my husband (who was also born and raised here) are back to raise our kids here. It's one of my top recommendations to families for an easy, family-friendly trip. There's so much to do here, and you can pack in the days full of activities, or take it slow at the beach. There's something for everyone.
It's impossible to cover everything there is to do in San Diego in one post, but I'll start off with some of my favorite places to take people when they visit.
Let's get started! Here's the top places that I love to take people when they visit San Diego with kids.
San Diego Zoo
Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is renowned for its expansive, cage-free exhibits and diverse animal species. We have one of the best zoos in the world, and they do a ton to help animal conservation as well. Families can explore themed areas like Panda Canyon, Lost Forest, and Africa Rocks, providing immersive experiences for all ages. Be prepared to bring a stroller here though- you'll be doing LOTS of hills. I recommend doing the bus tour around the park- it'll save you lots of hill walking and you can hop on and off.
Another spot not to miss here- the splash pad! This is fairly new, they built it a few years ago, and it's a really fun spot to let kids cool off and play. It's great for older kids AND younger ones with small splash pads and bigger climbing structures.
LEGOLAND California Resort
Situated in Carlsbad, just north of San Diego, LEGOLAND offers a world of imagination with its interactive rides, themed lands, and water park. It's a paradise for children, featuring attractions like the LEGO Kingdoms and the Dragon Coaster. I wrote an entire blog post just about LEGOLAND and our takeaways after our first time visit (and I've updated it with lots of tips and things we have learned since then.) If you're looking for discounted LEGOLAND tickets, you can find all their current deals here.
Balboa Park
This cultural hub houses 17 museums, gardens, and the famous San Diego Zoo. Families can visit the Fleet Science Center, explore the Botanical Building, or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park's lush landscapes. This place is a treasure trove of museums, many of which are super family-friendly. Here’s a list of the best ones for families, along with why each one is worth visiting:
Why it's great for families:
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It’s interactive heaven for kids and curious adults.
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Hands-on exhibits about physics, engineering, space, and biology.
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Features a Kid City area especially for kids 5 and under.
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The IMAX Dome Theater shows educational films on a massive screen.
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Bonus: Tons of buttons to push, levers to pull, and games to play while learning. It's like sneaky science education.
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
Why it's great for families:
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Dinosaur fossils, a giant whale skull, and interactive exhibits galore.
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“Fossil Mysteries” lets kids dig, touch, and learn about prehistoric creatures.
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Live animals and insects on display.
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Short nature films and a kid-friendly vibe throughout.
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Bonus: The exhibits balance fun and science beautifully, so it works for toddlers through teens.
Why it's great for families:
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Real planes to see (and some to sit in!)—from early flyers to space capsules.
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Flight simulators for older kids and teens.
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Educational and exciting if your kids are into rockets, aviation, or anything that zooms.
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Bonus: The museum has a bit of a theme park vibe—lots of movement and excitement.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Why it's great for families:
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It’s the largest indoor model railroad museum in North America.
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Tiny towns, trains zipping by, bridges, tunnels—so much to explore.
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Kids can press buttons to control parts of the exhibits.
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A Toy Train Gallery built just for children.
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Bonus: It captivates both little train lovers and adults who appreciate detail.
Another spot that is a must to visit here (and bonus- it's free!) is the Botanical Building and Lily Pond. It's a peaceful spot filled with exotic plants and flowers. The pond out front is full of koi fish and turtles that kids love to watch.
If you have scooters, this is a really great place to bring them and scooter around in between visiting the museums.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Located in Escondido, this expansive wildlife sanctuary offers safari tours where families can observe animals in naturalistic habitats. Highlights include the African Tram Safari and the Cheetah Run, providing thrilling experiences for all ages.
SeaWorld San Diego
A blend of marine life exhibits, thrilling rides, and captivating shows, SeaWorld offers families a chance to learn about ocean conservation while enjoying attractions like the Manta roller coaster and the Acrtic Center.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Perched above La Jolla Shores, this aquarium showcases marine life native to the Pacific Ocean. Families can explore interactive exhibits, touch tide pool creatures, and enjoy panoramic ocean views. Combine this with the next spot:
La Jolla Shores beach
I love to take the kids to the aquarium and then head down to La Jolla Shores beach for the day. It's a great, kid-friendly beach with much smaller waves than other beaches, so if you have kids nervous about the water, this is the place to go.
Coronado Island
Accessible via a short ferry ride or the iconic Coronado Bridge, this island offers pristine beaches, the historic Hotel del Coronado, and family-friendly dining options. It's an ideal spot for a relaxing day by the sea.
Be sure to check out Coronado Central Beach. This iconic beach is perfect for families. There's fun sand dunes for the kids to play on, the sand is ultra soft, the waves aren't too big, and there's lifeguards on duty.
Another must-do in Coronado is visiting the Hotel del Coronado. Even if you're not staying overnight, the historic Hotel del Coronado offers family-friendly activities. During the holidays, enjoy outdoor ice skating by the sea.
We also love to bike around Coronado and look at all of the cute houses. This is a fun way for families to see the sights together. Many rental shops offer equipment suitable for all ages. One of our favorite rental shops is SUP and Saddle.
As you ride, you'll ride by Spreckels Park. This park features a playground, open green spaces, and hosts concerts in the summer, making it a great spot for a family picnic.
There's also lots of restaurants along the main street in Coronado, making it easy to stay for a full day exploring the Island.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Step back in time to the 1800s in this preserved historic district. Families can explore adobe buildings, watch blacksmith demonstrations, and enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine at local eateries. There's so many fun little shops to check out here, and kids will be sue to find a souvenir here.
You can also take an Old Town Trolley Tour. Find tickets here.
Another fun recommendation in this area is the Mormon Battalion Center. You get to take a (free!) guided tour through what it was like to cross the plains as the pioneers did. There's tons of interactive things to do during the tour, and you can even pan for gold at the end of the tour. It's a really great activity for families. This is open 7 days a week.
Del Mar Beach
This is the beach my kids and I usually choose over any others in the summer. It's street parking, so it can be a little tricky, but get here when the surfers leave about 9am or when the first wave of people leave the beach around 3pm and you'll find a spot. There's lots of lifeguards, and the sand and waves are usually really kid friendly. You can also walk into town and grab sandwiches at Board N' Brew.
I like to pair this day with a hike in Annie's Canyon (a really fun slot canyon hike that is pretty kid-friendly as long as they can climb a ladder). It's a nice, short hike for kids. Then head over to One Paseo and grab dinner at one of the many restaurants there and then end the night with ice cream at Salt and Straw.
La Jolla Cove
Famous for its stunning coastal views and resident sea lions, La Jolla Cove offers families opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, and picnicking by the sea. It's a perfect blend of nature and recreation.
You can rent a kayak and take a tour of the caves. You'll likely see tons of sea lions and garibaldi fish in the water here too.
We also love walking along Coast Blvd and seeing all of the gorgeous oceanfront views. I recommend heading over to Children's Pool to see all of the sea lions hanging out over there. There's also some fantastic tide pools just south of this. Just be sure to check the tides before you go- the best time to see things is at low tide.
Be sure to grab tacos at The Taco Stand. The carne asada fries are a favorite, as well as the al pastor tacos. That's a local favorite. We also love Balboa Candy or Sugar and Scribe for some sweet treats.
Oceanside Beach and Pier
The whole waterfront of Oceanside is such a fun vacation spot. Oceanside beach has lots of lifeguards in the summer, and the waves and. beach is nice and long. You can watch the surfers surf by the pier, take your kids to the playground, and walk up right next to the pier to grab pies at the Top Gun House in a restaurant called High Pie. We also love Knockout Pizza here and Sanchos Tacos. Another fun treat place is Parlor Donuts (they have really fancy cronuts here. My kids are obsessed).
Best Time to Visit San Diego
We have pretty mild, pleasant weather year-round, making it an excellent destination for family vacations. While our weather is pretty great year-round, the sunniest time to visit is July-October. If you're planning a summer trip in May or June, you'll likely get mostly cloudy days.
Something to Consider
If your trip here involves a lot of popular attractions like the San Diego Zoo and museums in Balboa, it might be worth looking into getting the Go City Pass. It has lots of discounted rates and options for doing multiple things in San Diego.
Where to Stay
Here's a few of my favorite family-friendly hotels in the area:
Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Carmel Valley)
Why it's great for families:
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Explorer’s Club: A supervised kids’ club for ages 5–12, featuring video games, arts and crafts, and more.
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Family Pools: Multiple pools, including a children's pool with a wading area and sand play zone.
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Outdoor Activities: Horseback riding lessons, archery, junior golf, and dive-in movie nights.
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Dining: Children’s menus available at various on-site restaurants.
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Convenience: Central location with easy access to major attractions like LEGOLAND and the San Diego Zoo.
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Beach Village at The Del (Coronado) (pricey but makes a great spot to split with a family)
Why it's great for families:
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Exclusive Accommodations: Luxurious beachfront cottages and villas with kitchens, ideal for families.
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Private Amenities: Access to exclusive pools and a quieter beach area.
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Kids’ Activities: Access to the Ocean Explorers Club at the adjacent Hotel del Coronado.
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Proximity: Steps away from Coronado Beach and local shops and restaurants.
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Paradise Point Resort & Spa (Mission Bay)
Why it's great for families:
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Expansive Grounds: Located on a private 44-acre island with lush gardens and lagoons.
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Recreational Activities: Five swimming pools, mini-golf, bike rentals, and a full-service marina.
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Accommodations: Bungalow-style rooms with easy beach and bay access.
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Water Sports: Opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and other water activities.
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Hilton San Diego Bayfront (Downtown)
Why it's great for families:
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Location: Situated on the bay, directly across from PETCO Park and near a trolley station.
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Family Amenities: On-site pool with a Splash Zone featuring fountains, toys, and a water slide.
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Seasonal Activities: Summertime children's programs, including games and dive-in movie nights.
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Dining: Signature restaurant offering bay views and California coastal cuisine, with kids eating free.
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The Seabird Resort (Oceanside)
Why it's great for families:
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Little Seabirds Program: Offers daily activities tailored for children, such as sand art, tie-dye t-shirts, scavenger hunts, and a "Build Your Own Stuffed Animal" workshop.
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Beachfront Access: Situated directly across from Oceanside Beach, families can easily enjoy the sand and surf. The resort's "Beach Rambler" provides complimentary chairs and umbrellas, ensuring a comfortable beach day.
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Heated Outdoor Pool: Features ocean views, a hot tub, and poolside service from The Shelter Club
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Family-Friendly Dining: Multiple on-site restaurants, including Piper and The Shore Room, offer menus that cater to both adults and children.
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This is just scratching the surface of everything there is to do here in San Diego for families. I'm currently working on an even bigger guide for San Diego which will be coming soon. When people come visit though, we usually do 5-6 things from this list- it's filled with so many of our favorite places in San Diego as locals.
If you want more San Diego recommendations, follow me on Instagram. I'm always on the go with my kids in San Diego sharing all our favorite spots, restaurants, and new places we discover that are fun and kid-friendly things to do in San Diego.