37 Finest Things to Do in San Diego with Kids

The California Wolf Center is a conservation, education, and research center dedicated to the recovery of wild wolves, particularly the endangered Mexican gray wolf. You'll need to book a guided tour to visit the Julian conservation facility and see the resident wolves. It's a unique experience that’s fun for all ages.

If you're exploring the Julian area with kids, set aside a few hours for Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures. This family-run farm offers kid-friendly tours that include farm animals, a reptile show, archery, tomahawk throwing, paint ball slingshot and more.

Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine is a fully-accredited rescue and sanctuary dedicated to providing a safe haven for abused and abandoned exotic animals, particularly big cats and bears.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an expansive wildlife sanctuary located in the San Pasqual Valley, near Escondido, California. It distinguishes itself from the San Diego Zoo by offering vast, open habitats where animals roam relatively freely, providing visitors with a more immersive "safari" experience. This 1,800-acre park focuses on conservation and education, showcasing diverse wildlife and botanical collections from around the globe.

Kelly R said:  We love the Safari Park! The focus on conservation and large, natural habitats means there is a LOT of walking, so be prepared for that. We generally avoid coming during the summer months because it is located inland and gets very hot. Don't miss the guided open-air tram ride through the large African savannah (included in the price of admission), and plan to hit that early because the line gets long.

Volunteer-run Poway-Midland Railroad is a heritage railroad located within Old Poway Park, offering visitors rides through the park on vintage and antique railroad equipment.

Queen Califia's Magical Circle, located in Escondido's Kit Carson Park, is a vibrant and unique sculpture garden created by Niki de Saint Phalle. It features large-scale, mosaic-covered sculptures, all enclosed by a winding "snake wall" and entered through a mirrored tile maze, reflecting the artist's distinctive and colorful style. Hours are very limited, so be sure to check the website before you try to visit.

The Moonlight is a casual, beautiful outdoor amphitheatre perfect for families to take in a live performance under the stars. Choose between lawn seats (pack a picnic!) or more traditional reserved seating.

Kelly R said:  I took my tween and teen to see a Moonlight youth theatre production (which was fantastic) at their outdoor amphitheatre, and cannot say enough good things. I can't wait to go back to see one of their summer musicals. The food and drink sold on site were great. We went with the traditional reserved seats, though the picnic seating looked fun and I'd consider that next time.

The Fleet Science Center is a science museum and planetarium that allows guests to experience the possibilities and power of science as they create, design, build and learn through hands-on activities and exhibits. While visiting the museum, be sure to visit Kid City indoor play space, where little ones will love to jump, run and play. Features include a ball wall, little learner's lab with age-appropriate computer games, fire truck to climb and pretend, grocery store with a working conveyor belt, block corner to build and knock down blocks, magnetic wall to play with magnets, factory to climb and infant area for young crawlers.

The San Diego Zoo is a world-renowned 100-acre wildlife park located in Balboa Park, San Diego. It's home to a vast collection of rare and endangered animals, representing hundreds of species, and it also boasts an impressive botanical collection. The zoo is a leader in conservation efforts, dedicated to protecting wildlife and their habitats.

Kelly R said:  I think this is the best zoo in the US. One of the things that strikes me about it is how beautiful all of the surroundings and plant life are, even as you're just walking around between exhibits. There is definitely a lot of uphill walking that can tire us out pretty quickly, but the benefit of that is many of the exhibits can be viewed from different high and low vantage points. The new children's area is pretty amazing and has so much to do (including water features, so plan for that if your kids can't resist getting wet).

Balboa Park in San Diego is a sprawling urban park renowned for its rich cultural offerings and stunning Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. It houses numerous museums, beautiful gardens, restaurants, kids play areas and the world-famous San Diego Zoo, so you can plan your day in countless different ways to suit your family.

Katie G. said:  There are so many museums in Balboa Park, you can literally spend two days there. Great little area to walk around too.

Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, is known for its modern design and stunning views of the San Diego skyline. Designed with families in mind, there's plenty to do with kids beyond watching the game. The kid-friendly Gallagher Square area has a large baseball-themed playground, a kids play ball field and more. A recent renovation has now made this area accessible to the public on non-event days.

Katie G. said:  This is one of the finest ballparks in the MLB. All the seats are angled towards home plate making it easy to see the game. If the kids get bored you can walk over to the "Park in the Park" behind the outfield fence. This is a mini-size baseball field where kids can play wiffle ball and run the bases. Love and miss this place!

The New Children's Museum in San Diego offers interactive and innovative exhibits designed to inspire creativity and curiosity in children. With a focus on hands-on learning and artistic expression, the museum features a variety of installations, workshops, and events that engage young minds and encourage imaginative play.

Katie G. said:  Head downtown to The New Children's Museum and let your kids jump and play in the "No Rules...Except" exhibit. This popular exhibit returns to the museum and is filled with over 40 mattresses and over 160 pillow tires for kids to climb, crawl and bounce in. You may have to tell the kids not to jump on the beds or throw pillows at home, but there are no rules at this fun exhibit.

Age: All

Cost: $14/Adults & Kids (1+)

Seaport Village is a waterfront complex in downtown San Diego, offering a variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment. It provides a casual, family-friendly atmosphere with picturesque views of the harbor, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

Katie G. said:  If you're visiting San Diego with the family, you won't want to miss Seaport Village. Located next to downtown on the San Diego Bay, Seaport Village has over 50 shops, waterfront dining restaurants and outdoor entertainment. Kids will love to take a ride on the carousel, have a cartoon character balloon or a caricature drawing to remember the day. During the summer months (busy season), enjoy outdoor concerts at the gazebo.

Katie G. said:  Experience the beautiful sights of San Diego atop the Hornblower Cruise. These sight seeing tours offer you two tours in one, sightseeing and wildlife watching. View several attractions throughout the San Diego Harbor, including the Star of India, Midway and Cabrillo National Monument. While on the ship, learn about the history of San Diego and search for marine animals and sea birds. Cruises are offered in one or two hour tours. In the summer and winter, check out the whale and dolphin watching tours.

Cost: $27 - $32/person

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.