39 Finest Things to Do in San Diego with Kids

Located on the San Diego Bay, the Maritime Museum of San Diego is known for restoring, maintaining and operating historic ships. The most famous ship at the museum is the Star of India, which is the world's oldest active sailing ship. In addition to the tall ships, visitors can enjoy walking through several exhibits inside the museum to learn about the history of sailing in San Diego.

The USS Midway Museum in San Diego offers visitors a chance to explore a real aircraft carrier, the longest-serving of the 20th century. It features a vast collection of restored aircraft, interactive exhibits, and provides a glimpse into the daily life of sailors aboard the ship.

The resort town of Coronado is located just across the San Diego Bay from downtown San Diego. Drive over or hop on the ferry and spend the day exploring its pristine beaches, historic downtown area and the beautiful Hotel Del Coronado, which is the inspiration for the Wizard of Oz's Emerald City.

The Mormon Battalion Historic Site in San Diego offers an engaging glimpse into the journey of a group of Mormons in the Mexican-American War. It's a particularly fun (and free!) San Diego activity for kids, featuring interactive exhibits like gold panning and a covered wagon, along with costumed guides that bring history to life.

Old Town Trolley's Hop On Hop Off Tour offers passengers a narrated trolley tour that travels along a 25-mile loop with 11 destination stops throughout San Diego. Passengers can hop on and off at their leisure throughout the day at designated stops to explore over 100 points of interest including museums, parks, the zoo, dining and shopping areas and more. It's a great way to tour San Diego with kids for locals and visitors alike.

Beth Wood said:  Old Town San Diego is a historically and culturally rich area within San Diego that offers dining, eclectic shopping, historical buildings and sites, state parks, picnic areas, sprawling greens and more. It's a great area to walk around and explore. Top recommended spots include the Visitor's Center, The Whaley Museum, Casa Guadalajara, State Historic Park, Presidio Park, Mormon Battalion Historic Site, Cygnet Theatre and more. Special events and festivals occur throughout the year around Old Town to add to your visit. Click Here for a map of Old Town with list of attractions.

Corvette Diner is a classic 1950s diner located in Liberty Station, and one of the most iconic things to do in San Diego with kids. It's known for its American fare, dancing, soda fountain, and arcade, creating a fun and casual atmosphere for a family meal. You can expect a Rock n' Roll vibe with burgers, shakes, and sassy waitresses in poodle skirts and bouffant hairdos.

Katie G. said:  My kids love this place! The milkshakes are delicious and the arcade is awesome if you have a wait, which there usually is.

Liberty Public Market, located in Point Loma's Liberty Station, is a vibrant marketplace offering a diverse range of local food vendors and artisan shops. It's the perfect San Diego spot to eat with kids, as everyone can sample various cuisines.

Located at the Del Mar Golf Center, Pelly's Mini Golf has two 18-hole courses with nautical sculptures and water features.

Kelly R said:  I wish there were more mini golf places in San Diego, because the weather is so nice year-round, but this one is very good! Nicely maintained, fun theming, and not overly difficult for the kids (or adults). The two courses are different, so if your family is up for it, you can play both. There's also plenty of other stuff to do nearby if you want to spend a day in Del Mar.

Even if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, the Torrey Pines Gliderport is still a great San Diego spot for kids. From the clifftop vantage point (complete with a cafe if anyone is hungry), you've got a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and can watch all of the paragliders launching.

SeaWorld San Diego is a marine theme park in Mission Bay, offering a blend of animal exhibits, thrilling rides and educational shows. It serves as an oceanarium, public aquarium, and marine animal rescue and rehabilitation center, providing visitors with both entertainment and opportunities to learn about marine life and conservation.

Alexandra F. said:  I visited SeaWorld recently for the first time in years and our whole family had so much fun! It was honestly way better than I remembered from when I was a kid. They had just enough thrill rides to keep my teens happy, and so many fun animal exhibits and incredible shows. My 5- and 3-year-olds could have spent the entire day playing at the incredible playground, and my husband and I thought the whole day felt a lot more manageable than most other large theme parks. We'll definitely be going back! An online search turned up quite a few deals, too, so it was way more affordable than a day at Disney. Beware the food lines are crazy long for much of the day, though they were pretty fast when the park first opened. You can also order ahead on the app, and while it still takes a while, it does save some time.

Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is a public aquarium that serves as the outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It offers visitors a chance to explore diverse marine ecosystems, featuring exhibits like a kelp forest tank, seadragons and seahorses, and the Little Blue Penguins habitat, while also providing stunning Pacific Ocean views. The aquarium focuses on educating the public about ocean conservation and the research conducted at Scripps.

Exploring Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of the best family activities in San Diego, with breathtaking coastal views, miles of hiking trails, lagoons, beach areas and numerous wildlife viewing opportunities. The visitor center and museum shop feature educational nature exhibits and souvenirs for all ages. Free guided walks are offered at the visitor center. Parking is available at the North Beach and South Beach entrances and top of the Mesa.

The San Diego Botanic Garden, located in Encinitas, is an urban oasis showcasing a diverse collection of thousands of plant species and varieties. Themed gardens represent various regions of the world, including the largest public bamboo collection in North America. There are three children's areas, including the largest children’s garden on the west coast where kids can explore a treehouse in a jungle canopy, play in a stream, make music and more.

One of the best playgrounds in San Diego for kids who love to climb, this recently-renovated spot in Bonita Cove Park has an enormous rope climbing structure inspired by the coaster at nearby Belmont Park.