Things to Do in San Diego With Kids

Planning things to do in San Diego with kids? Good news: San Diego is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the country, with world-famous animal parks, gentle beaches, hands-on museums and plenty of free outdoor fun.

In this guide

1. Top Things to Do in San Diego With Kids
2. Animal Attractions
3. Theme Parks
4. Beaches for Families
5. Tide Pools
6. Museums in Balboa Park
7. USS Midway Museum
8. Free Things to Do With Kids
9. Things to Do by Age
10. Planning Tips for Families
11. Sample Three-Day Family Itinerary
12. Rainy-Day Ideas for Kids
13. Keeping Kids Safe at the Beach
14. Saving Money on Family Attractions
15. Teen-Friendly Ideas
16. Frequently Asked Questions

This guide covers top attractions, free activities, tips by age and how to plan your days. For the complete family planning hub, see our family vacation in San Diego guide.

Top Things to Do in San Diego With Kids

• San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park.
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido.
• Legoland California in Carlsbad.
• Beaches and tide pools.
• Balboa Park museums.
• USS Midway Museum.
• Mission Bay for calm-water play.

Animal Attractions

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is a must for many families. Its habitats are spread over hilly terrain, so bring a stroller or plan to use the bus tour and Skyfari aerial tram. Arrive at opening to see animals at their most active.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The Safari Park in Escondido has large, open habitats with animals from Africa and Asia. It’s about a 45-minute drive from downtown without traffic. Many families find it a full-day outing.

Both parks are run by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, which lists hours and tickets.

SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld on Mission Bay combines marine animal exhibits with rides and shows.

Birch Aquarium

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla is smaller, educational and great for younger kids.

Theme Parks

Legoland California

Legoland in Carlsbad is designed for children roughly ages 2 to 12, with rides, Miniland USA and a water park. It’s about 35 to 45 minutes north of downtown.

Beaches for Families

La Jolla Shores

Wide sand and usually gentle waves make La Jolla Shores a family favorite. There’s a playground nearby and lifeguards on duty.

Coronado Beach

Coronado has a broad, flat beach with soft sand that’s great for building sandcastles.

Mission Bay

Mission Bay’s calm, shallow water is ideal for toddlers, kayaking and paddleboarding.

For more beaches, see the best beaches in San Diego.

Tide Pools

At low tide, kids can explore tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument, La Jolla and Ocean Beach. Teach kids to look but not touch or remove animals. Check tide tables and go during negative low tides for the best viewing.

Museums in Balboa Park

Fleet Science Center

The Fleet has hands-on science exhibits that appeal to curious kids.

San Diego Natural History Museum

The “Nat” has fossils, local wildlife exhibits and a giant-screen theater.

Other Museums

Balboa Park also has a model railroad museum, air and space museum and more. Combine a museum with free time in the gardens.

USS Midway Museum

The USS Midway Museum lets kids climb into cockpits and explore an aircraft carrier. Older kids especially enjoy the flight deck and docent stories.

Free Things to Do With Kids

• Playgrounds and fountains at Waterfront Park downtown.
• Seal and sea lion watching in La Jolla.
• Kite flying in Mission Bay Park.
• Old Town State Historic Park’s exhibits.

See free things to do in San Diego for more.

Things to Do by Age

Toddlers and Preschoolers

Mission Bay beaches, Birch Aquarium, the zoo’s children’s areas, and playgrounds.

School-Age Kids

Legoland, Fleet Science Center, tide pools, the Midway and surf lessons.

Teens

Surfing, kayaking at La Jolla, hiking Torrey Pines, Petco Park and the Gaslamp’s food scene.

Planning Tips for Families

Where to Stay

Mission Bay and Coronado are family favorites. See best hotels in San Diego.

When to Visit

Summer is popular but crowded. Spring and fall often have pleasant weather and shorter lines. See best time to visit San Diego.

Getting Around

A car is useful for reaching Legoland and the Safari Park. Downtown and Balboa Park are reachable by transit. See getting around San Diego.

Budget Tips

Look for multi-park ticket bundles, pack snacks where allowed and mix paid attractions with free beach days.

Sample Three-Day Family Itinerary

• Day 1: San Diego Zoo, then a picnic in Balboa Park.
• Day 2: La Jolla Shores beach and Birch Aquarium.
• Day 3: Legoland or the Safari Park.

Rainy-Day Ideas for Kids

Rain is uncommon, but when it comes, families have good indoor options: Balboa Park’s museums, the USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium and indoor play spaces. Many attractions are busier on rainy days, so arrive early.

Keeping Kids Safe at the Beach

• Choose beaches with lifeguards and swim near the towers.
• Teach kids what a rip current is and how to swim parallel to shore.
• Use sun protection even on cloudy days.
• Agree on a meeting spot near a lifeguard tower in case you get separated.

Saving Money on Family Attractions

Look for combo tickets, check whether your annual pass from another park offers reciprocal discounts and compare prices on official sites before buying from resellers. Plan at least one free day at the beach or Balboa Park between paid attractions to give kids a break.

Teen-Friendly Ideas

Teens often enjoy surfing lessons, kayaking the La Jolla sea caves, a Padres game, the arcade and rides at Belmont Park in Mission Beach and exploring Balboa Park’s museums at their own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age for Legoland?

Legoland is designed primarily for kids ages 2 to 12.

Is the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park better for kids?

Both are great. The zoo is closer and has more species, while the Safari Park has wide-open habitats. Many families with young children start with the zoo.

What are free things to do with kids in San Diego?

Beaches, tide pools, playgrounds and Balboa Park’s gardens are all free.

Which San Diego beach is best for toddlers?

Mission Bay’s calm water and La Jolla Shores’ gentle waves are good choices.

How many days do you need in San Diego with kids?

Three to five days lets you see the major attractions without rushing.

Is San Diego a good place for a family vacation?

Yes. Mild weather, gentle beaches, major animal parks and hands-on museums make San Diego one of the most popular family destinations in the country.

Official resources: Balboa Park (official site) and San Diego Natural History Museum.

Photo credits

Featured image: Jason "Textfiles" Scott / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; San Diego Zoo: Bgag / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Bdonjc / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Birch Aquarium: Coughdrop12 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Coronado Beach: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; Mission Bay: Sebastian Wallroth / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Museums in Balboa Park: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Fleet Science Center: https://www.flickr.com/photos/michael-seljos/ / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; Other Museums: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; SeaWorld San Diego: Noah Wulf / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Legoland California: wiredforlego from Portland, USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; La Jolla Shores: FASTILY / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.