When traveling with your kids in San Diego there are a lot of great options. But how do you know which ones to choose? Look at our 6 favorites to help you decide.
San Diego isn’t just beaches and sunshine (though it has plenty of those too!). It’s a vibrant city bursting with activities that will keep kids of all ages entertained. Here are five ideas to make your San Diego adventure with kids unforgettable:
Join Our Family-Oriented Sailing
A sailing tour is definitely one experience you can have in San Diego that your kids will not forget. The experience of seeing the amazing views, the excitement of going on the water and even the possibility of seeing seals or other sea creatures is absolutely an unforgettable experience you wouldn’t want to miss. We built our sailing tour to be family oriented so our captain, Jonathan, knows well how to entertain the kids so the adults can enjoy the calm ocean winds. We have the option of a morning sail where we have the best chance to see the sea animals, daytime sail for people who love feeling the stronger winds and also the sunset sail for everyone who likes the views of the sunset.
Explore Balboa Park
This 1,200-acre park is a wonderland for curious minds. Start your day at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, where you can see giant pandas, majestic tigers, and playful koalas. Next, hop on the Balboa Park Carousel for a whimsical ride on a beautifully hand-carved animal. Afternoon can be spent exploring the Fleet Science Center, where kids can experiment with physics, tinker with robots, and even journey through the human body.
LEGOLAND California
Calling all LEGO enthusiasts! LEGOLAND California is a theme park built entirely out of colorful bricks. Kids can ride coasters built with LEGO bricks, explore Miniland USA (a miniature recreation of iconic American landmarks), and even get their driver’s license at the LEGO City Driving School. If you’re looking for some splashy fun, the LEGOLAND Water Park is right next door, offering water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Dive into the underwater world at Birch Aquarium. Kids will be mesmerized by the colorful coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, playful sea otters, and graceful sharks. Interactive exhibits allow them to touch tide pool creatures, learn about bioluminescence, and even virtually explore the kelp forests off California’s coast.
Hit the Beach and Enjoy California Sunshine
San Diego boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Mission Beach offers classic beach fun with volleyball courts, boardwalk rides, and delicious treats. Coronado Beach is known for its pristine white sand and gentle waves, perfect for building sandcastles and splashing in the surf. La Jolla Shores is a great spot for tidepooling, where kids can discover all sorts of fascinating sea creatures left behind by the receding tide.
Catch a Show or Enjoy a Family-Friendly Performance
San Diego has a thriving theater scene with plenty of options for families. The Old Globe Theatre offers a variety of productions, including musicals and classic plays, geared towards young audiences. If you’re looking for something a little different, check out the La Jolla Playhouse, which stages innovative productions throughout the year. For a truly unique experience, catch a performance at the San Diego Puppet Theater, where colorful characters come to life on stage.
This is just a taste of the many adventures that await you and your family in San Diego. So, pack your sunscreen, grab your sense of adventure, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime!
