As a San Diego Family Photographer, I commonly get asked about fun things to do with kids while visiting San Diego. San Diego is like one big playground, there’s always something to do here! San Diego is amazing for a lot of reasons, but one of the best ones is because it is so kid friendly! Everyone knows that there’s never a shortage of things to do here, and so much of it is great for kids! Here’s some of my family’s personal favorite places to go for a super fun-filled day!
Coronado Island
You could spend an entire day on Coronado Island and still want to stay for more! The beaches in front of the historic and iconic Hotel Del Coronado are some of the best in San Diego. With their calm waves perfect for kids and white sands, you’ll never want to leave! I recommend renting a bike or surrey to explore the beautiful neighborhoods and coast the boardwalk checking out the views. Walking around the Hotel Del is also such an adventure!
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
Everyone’s top choice when visiting San Diego is going to the world renowned San Diego Zoo, or the Safari Park! The San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the world, located in San Diego, California. The zoo is home to over 3,500 animals representing many of which are rare and endangered. The San Diego Zoo is known for its excellent animal care and conservation efforts, with many of its exhibits designed to mimic the animals’ natural habitats. It’s really impressive to see. The San Diego Zoo is also home to the San Diego Safari Park located in North County San Diego. It is a separate facility located about 30 miles north of the zoo. It features a large number of African animals. You can’t go wrong with either location! Pro tip: bring plenty of snacks and wear your walking shoes. You will be walking all day long here!
Legoland California
LEGOLAND California is a theme park located in Carlsbad, California, near San Diego. The park is impressively designed for families with children ages 2 to 12 and features more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions, all built with LEGOs. The park also has several areas that are specifically designed for younger children, such as Duplo Valley and Lego Friends Heartlake City. LEGOLAND California also features a variety of live shows and entertainment. There is also a Lego-themed water park and several on-site restaurants and shops. While there are still plenty to do for younger toddlers, this theme park is best for older kids due to height and age restrictions on the bigger rides.
Balboa Park Museums
Balboa Park is a wonderful and kid friendly stop perfect for your trip to San Diego. You’ll love the beautiful historic buildings and the vast list of incredibly interesting museums. My favorites for kids are the Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. Every first Tuesday of the month one of the museums is free for local San Diego residents, hopefully it works out on a rainy day!
Seaworld
My families personal favorite, we’re here all the time! SeaWorld San Diego is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and animal theme park located in San Diego, California. The park features live shows, exhibits, and attractions that focus on marine animals and their habitats. Some popular attractions include the whale and dolphin shows. The park also features rides, such as the Electric Eel and the Journey to Atlantis, and exhibits like the Shark and Penguin Encounter. SeaWorld San Diego also includes a variety of educational experiences and programs, such as animal interactions and behind-the-scenes tours. The park is known for their animal rescue and rehabilitation program that helps injured marine animals. I think this is an amazing place to take even the youngest kids, with several small rides even for the youngest in your family. Don’t miss out on riding the sky tram that takes you over mission bay for some amazing views!
La Jolla Cove
I love to take all my out of town guests to La Jolla Cove. I love walking along the sidewalk overlooking the cliffs against the ocean. You’ll see some seriously beautiful views. Perfect place for watching the sunset! The best part about this location is there is almost always incredible seal watching opportunities. If you come at the right time of year, you’ll even be able to see baby seals hanging out on the sand!
I hope you have a blast during your time in San Diego!
