San Diego is a city that is very near and dear to our hearts! When I was young, my family moved to the county and I went to 5th-12th grade in nearby Chula Vista. Aside from the beautiful weather, there are a lot of fantastic activities for the whole family enjoy. Here are a few things to do in San Diego with kids!
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre cultural park in San Diego, California. It is home to over 17 museums, theaters, gardens, and other attractions. There is something for everyone to enjoy at Balboa Park, including kids of all ages. It’ll probably take multiple days to get the most out of a visit to Balboa Park, so definitely look into all the different options and make a plan for where to visit! We rented a 4-person bike cart to get around, and it was a nice way stroll along the different attractions there.
Here are a few things that kids can do in Balboa Park:
- Explore the Air and Space Museum: The San Diego Air and Space Museum is a great place for kids to learn about aviation and space exploration. There are interactive exhibits, simulators, and even a real space shuttle.
- Play in the Children’s Museum: The Children’s Museum of San Diego is a great place for kids to let their imaginations run wild. There are interactive exhibits, a water play area, and even a construction zone.
- See a show at the Old Globe Theatre: The Old Globe Theatre is one of the most respected theaters in the country. It produces a variety of plays, musicals, and other performances throughout the year.
- Take a walk through the Botanical Building: The Botanical Building is a beautiful greenhouse that is home to over 1,000 species of plants. Kids will love exploring the different plants and learning about their different habitats.
San Diego Zoo
Speaking of large areas that would take multiple days to fully explore, you can add the San Diego Zoo to that list! The San Diego Zoo is home to over 3,500 animals from all over the globe. The zoo is divided into different areas, each of which is home to a different group of animals. Here is a rundown of some of the different exhibits at the San Diego Zoo:
- African Rocks – This section showcases animals from the African continent, including meerkats, lemurs, and several species of primates.
- Elephant Odyssey – As the name suggests, this exhibit features elephants as well as other animals that once roamed Southern California, such as jaguars and California condors.
- Lost Forest – This exhibit is home to several species of primates, including orangutans, gibbons, and siamangs.
- Northern Frontier – This area showcases animals from the northernmost parts of the world, including polar bears, reindeer, and arctic foxes.
- Panda Canyon – The San Diego Zoo is home to several giant pandas, and the Panda Canyon exhibit is where you can see them up close.
- Urban Jungle – This exhibit features animals that have adapted to live in urban environments, such as flamingos, burrowing owls, and various species of reptiles.
- Outback – This exhibit showcases animals from Australia and nearby islands, including koalas, wallabies, and Tasmanian devils.
- Owl Eyes – This exhibit features several species of owls from around the world, including great horned owls and Eurasian eagle owls.
- Monkey Trails and Forest Tales – This exhibit features several species of monkeys, including the critically endangered golden lion tamarin.
Belmont Park
If you want to add some thrill to a beach day, then Belmont Park is the place to go! Located next to Mission Beach, Belmont Park is a small amusement park that’s a great place to hang out with the whole family. There’s so much to do here that won’t get bored! For starters, you can hit up the amusement park rides like the Giant Dipper roller coaster, bumper cars, and the Tilt-A-Whirl. If you’re feeling competitive, challenge the kids to a round of mini-golf or some arcade games. And if you need a break from the excitement, you can stroll along the boardwalk and take in the beautiful Pacific Ocean views. And once you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s a variety of food options onsite. Cannonball has delicious Asian fusion cuisine with an awesome beachfront rooftop, and Draft has a pub menu to pair with one of its many local draft beers on tap. Unlike a lot of the places on this list, Belmont Park can be done in a few hours and is a great way to spend a nice day by the beach!
Sesame Place
Sesame Place is a Sesame Street-themed amusement and waterpark in Chula Vista, a few minutes south of San Diego. This park is more suites for younger kids, since most of the land rides are small and the majority of the waterslide minimum heights is 42″ (with the exception of Cookie’s Monster Mixer, which is 48″). We loved going back and forth between the land and water rides, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the splash pad and wave pool. We were also treated to a fantastic parade in the middle of the day, and a great show featuring Sesame Street characters like Grover, Elmo, and Cookie Monster. Sesame Place is a great place to visit in the spring and summer to beat the heat and enjoy a day of family fun!
LEGOLAND California
If you’re a fan of LEGO bricks, then LEGOLAND is a must-visit destination in San Diego! Located a few miles north of San Diego in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND has over 60 rides and attractions, like the Dragon Coaster and LEGO Ninjago the Ride. Plus, have you heard of Miniland USA? It’s this amazing miniature replica of famous landmarks in the US, all made out of LEGO bricks. You can see the Golden Gate Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and even the Las Vegas Strip. And if you need to cool off, you can also buy tickets and head over to the Legoland California Water Park for some water slides, lazy river, and wave pool fun.
Don’t forget to check out the Sea Life Aquarium, too! You can see over 5,000 sea creatures, including sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles. And if you’re a fan of the LEGO Movie franchise, then you’ll really enjoy the LEGO Movie World section with rides, shows, and attractions. For those family members that are Ninjago fans, there’s a whole Ninjago World with the main attraction being the Ninjago Ride, where you can use hand gestures to control your ride experience.
If you’re into castles and medieval times, you’ll love Castle Hill. There’s a castle, a medieval-themed play area, and even the Royal Joust ride where you can ride on LEGO horses. And finally, check out the Imagination Zone for some interactive exhibits like the Build & Test station where you can build your own Lego cars and test them on ramps. With so much to do, you’ll definitely have a blast at LEGOLAND!
Fleet Science Center
The Fleet Science Center in San Diego is a fantastic destination for anyone interested in science and technology. The center offers a wide range of activities and exhibits that are both educational and entertaining. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits that cover topics such as electricity, human anatomy, and the universe. These exhibits provide a hands-on approach to learning and are suitable for visitors of all ages. One of the most popular attractions at the Fleet Science Center is the IMAX theater. This state-of-the-art facility boasts a massive screen and a top-of-the-line sound system, making it the perfect place to watch educational and entertaining films on a wide range of topics. Visitors can learn about nature, space exploration, and more while enjoying a truly immersive experience.
The planetarium at the Fleet Science Center is another must-see attraction. This facility features a state-of-the-art projection system that can show visitors the stars and planets in stunning detail. Guests can learn about astronomy and space science in an immersive and engaging environment, making it a great experience for both children and adults.
In addition to the exhibits and attractions, the Fleet Science Center also offers workshops and classes on topics such as robotics, coding, and chemistry. These hands-on experiences allow visitors to dive deeper into the world of science and technology, providing a unique opportunity to learn from experts in the field. Make sure to check their events calendar for the latest workshop schedule! Overall, the Fleet Science Center in San Diego is a great place to learn about science and technology in a fun and engaging way. With a variety of exhibits, attractions, and events, there is always something new and exciting to discover.
Eat at Tacos el Gordo
This is one of the more unique choices on here, but I couldn’t help but mention it because this is my favorite place to eat in the world. Tacos el Gordo is an authentic Mexican taco shop and they have a few locations across San Diego. There is usually a line out the door though, so if you’re going as a family you might be better off going in the off hours for a late lunch or early dinner (3-6pm). Once you’re in, you get in one of several lines to place an order for what type of meat you want. The Adobada (al pastor) tacos are always a hit, and the green sauce that they put on it is simply fantastic. My favorite dish there, though, is the Campechana Fries. This is a plate of french fries topped with adobada and carne asada meats, cheese, sour cream, and salsa. It is absolute heaven and I’m craving it already just by writing about it. Anyway, if you’re looking for a place to eat while in San Diego, you simply can’t go wrong with Tacos el Gordo!
