I’ve traveled to the larger San Diego a number of instances for work occasions and conferences however hadn’t been there with my household. I knew they’d find it irresistible – the laid-back ambiance, the sandy, and salty air, the near-perfect temperatures, and the enjoyable kid-friendly actions.
After experiencing an extended winter in Boston, we had been desperate to board our cross-country flight to stunning and sunny San Diego. Our 5-night go to felt a bit too brief – subsequent time we’ll positively keep no less than 7 nights so we will take pleasure in much more trip time and delightful climate. Listed here are among the greatest issues to do in San Diego with children.
Disclosure: A few of this San Diego trip with children was both comped or offered at a media fee. This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. A purchase order and/or click on via these hyperlinks (together with on the map) might end in a fee paid to us. All opinions are our personal.
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Issues to do in San Diego With Children
When you plan to go to a number of actions in San Diego, chances are you’ll discover that you simply’ll lower your expenses with a CityPASS. With the San Diego CityPASS, you’ll be capable of select to go to LEGOLAND California and/or SeaWorld San Diego. Then, you may add three extra sights from this listing:
- San Diego Zoo or the Safari Park
- USS Halfway Museum
- Metropolis Cruises
- Previous City Trolley Excursions
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
Whereas you’ll need to select from LEGOLAND and SeaWorld (or purchase a cross that features each), you received’t have to select from the opposite sights once you buy the ticket.
San Diego Zoo (and different museums in Balboa Park)
The world-famous San Diego Zoo is situated in Balboa Park. It was a couple of 15-minute drive from our lodge (the Bahia Resort Lodge) and gives free parking. We arrived proper at opening, and I’d positively advocate that particularly if visiting over a weekend or busy time.
Our go to to the zoo was fabulous. We began in the back of the zoo and moved ahead to restrict crowds. As you’d anticipate, the Panda exhibit is extraordinarily in style, and a queue begins early. Head to that exhibit towards the start of your go to to keep away from an extended wait.
My children particularly beloved the koala exhibit (Koalafornia), the turtles and tortoises, the newborn gorilla, the giraffes, the polar bears, and the pandas, though there was actually a lot to see. I’d advocate utilizing the Skyfari to go from one facet of the park to the opposite – it’s positively an extended stroll.
The zoo additionally gives a guided double-decker bus tour, and numerous behind-the-scenes excursions (for an additional price). There are quite a few desk and counter-service meals areas all through the zoo. Parking is free, and also you’ll want a minimal of a half day to see a lot of the zoo.
You’ll be able to e-book your San Diego Zoo tickets/trip right here.
Harbor cruise with Hornblower Cruises
With San Diego’s location proper on the Pacific Ocean, a harbor cruise is a should. Hornblower Cruises gives a number of completely different choices. There’s a 3 1/2-hour whale-watching tour, a 1-hour harbor tour, and a 2-hour harbor tour. The whale-watching tour features a assure – if you happen to don’t see whales throughout your journey, you’ll obtain a voucher to return.
Paid parking is on the market adjoining to the harbor, in addition to different non-public tons. The lot we parked in appeared to refill, so positively maintain that in thoughts once you go to. The 1-hour and 2-hour harbor excursions overlap – so the ship leaves in a single path for an hour, after which returns. The primary group of 1-hour passengers disembark and the 2-hour passengers keep onboard. Then, the 1-hour passengers with tickets for the wrong way board the ship.
We had been most impressed with the standard and situation of the ship. It was fully spotless and in nearly new situation. The crew was pleasant and offered narration all through the tour. There’s seating accessible in a wide range of spots all through the ship – I’d advocate asking a crew member which facet to sit down on if you wish to be nearer to the vast majority of websites. There are gentle snacks and drinks (together with alcohol) accessible for buy on the ship.
LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND California is situated about 45 minutes away from San Diego within the stunning neighborhood of Carlsbad. A current addition to the park is the adjoining LEGOLAND Lodge. My children actually needed to see the lodge, so we determined to pop in for a fast breakfast earlier than the park opened. It’s a child’s dream come true – with LEGO toys, shows, and inspiration all through the widespread areas of the lodge (we didn’t see the rooms or the pool).
LEGOLAND itself consists of that common theme park, two separate water parks, and a SEALIFE Aquarium. Within the offseason, the water parks are closed, so we weren’t capable of go to them. I’d positively advocate checking the working hours of the park prior to creating plans – on the day we visited, it was open 10-5 pm.
My son has been desirous to go to LEGOLAND for years, so we let him put collectively our plan for experiencing all the rides. He completely beloved LEGOLAND and is already asking to return. After we had been accomplished visiting the park, each children had enjoyable spending their allowances within the reward store.
E book your LEGOLAND trip right here.
Petco Park, the USS Halfway, and Seaport Village
The waterfront and downtown areas of San Diego are additionally value a go to. Adjoining to the Hornblower Cruises boarding location is the USS Halfway, an plane service, and a brief stroll away is Seaport Village, a waterfront village with retailers and eating places.
Stroll in the direction of the San Diego conference heart, cross the road, and also you’ll discover Petco Park (dwelling of the San Diego Padres). Excursions of the sector can be found. We didn’t have the possibility to go to the USS Halfway as a result of we ran out of trip days, however it was one thing we want we had accomplished.
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a enjoyable amusement park situated on Mission Bay. We had been capable of stroll proper from our lodge, however ample free parking can also be accessible. Admission into the park is free, and you should buy tickets or an infinite experience wristband.
The spotlight of Belmont Park is the Large Dipper Curler Coaster, an old school picket curler coaster that was inbuilt 1925. My complete household rode it, and we beloved it.
There are additionally different amusement-style rides, together with bumper vehicles and a Tilt-a-Whirl, in addition to different sights, like mini-golf, a ropes course, a zip-line (weight restrictions apply, so my children weren’t capable of do it), and a rock wall. Belmont Park additionally options retailers, snack stands, and eating places.
Go to the Seashore
You’ll be able to’t depart San Diego with out dipping your toes into the Pacific no less than as soon as. There are numerous seashores situated all through the huge metropolis, however we spent a lot of our time at Mission Seashore, adjoining to Belmont Park. It’s a enjoyable, energetic seashore with a restroom and BBQ services.
The Corvette Diner
The Corvette Diner was really helpful to us, and we’re so glad we visited there. This family-friendly scorching spot is situated in Level Loma proper in San Diego and has free parking accessible. Reservations are solely accessible for big events, so arrive early for a shorter wait, particularly throughout busy instances.
While you’re ready on your desk, you may go to their full arcade which options trendy and traditional video games – my children particularly loved taking part in Ms. Pacman whereas we waited. I additionally had the possibility to show my son pinball (after all he was amazed that mommy really knew the best way to play). Most of the video games give digital tickets that may be exchanged for prizes.
The Corvette Diner options a number of distinct rooms – the primary room (pictured above), a slim “box-car” room the place every desk has a video display screen, the 60s room with day-glow partitions and heat-sensitive tables, and a operate room. A dwell DJ emcees, and performs 50s and 60s tunes. It’s positively an incredible contact.
The wait workers, who all appear to like their jobs, add to the enjoyable. Every waiter or waitress does enjoyable straw hairstyles for the feminine children in your social gathering – my daughter couldn’t anticipate our server to come back over and do her hair. There’s additionally a balloon artist that rotates across the eating rooms, creating balloon animals and different creations in change for suggestions.
Meals is customary diner fare, with plenty of choices for teenagers. My husband and I every ordered a salad, and each had been nice. The diner additionally gives a full bar. Though my children beloved all elements of the Corvette Diner, the big cotton sweet dessert was positively my son’s favourite.
Different Issues to Do in San Diego With Children
There are such a lot of different improbable issues to do in San Diego with children. These embrace the next:
The place to Keep in San Diego
There are numerous family-friendly resorts and resorts situated all through the San Diego space, however we completely beloved our keep on the Bahia Resort Lodge. Situated on Mission Seashore, the Bahia Resort Lodge incorporates a non-public seashore and heated swimming pool, making it an incredible “dwelling base” for your loved ones trip.
It’s also possible to discover some lodging choices on the map beneath:
No matter what you see and do throughout your San Diego household trip, you’ll nearly definitely take pleasure in some improbable climate. Get pleasure from!
E book your Southern California trip right here.
Incessantly Requested Questions
San Diego has near-perfect climate year-round. Faculty holidays are more likely to be the busiest, so keep away from these if doable. We loved touring throughout our Massachusetts college trip in February.
Essentially the most handy airport is the San Diego Worldwide Airport (SAN). The LA airports are additionally an possibility, however you’ll have an extended drive into San Diego.
You positively want a automobile to get round San Diego. You’ll be able to examine rental costs right here.
We spent 5 days on our San Diego household trip, however I’d positively advocate an extended go to (about 7 days).
Disneyland is about 90 minutes from San Diego (longer with visitors). There’s a lot to do in San Diego itself, however you may positively additionally go to Disneyland if you happen to’d prefer to.
