Things to do with kids in San Diego

42 family-friendly places in San Diego: zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and more.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 42.

SeeOld Town-Mission Valley
Altamirano-Pedrorena House
Built in 1869, as a family residence, but is now the site of a rock, gem, and jewelry shop.
SeeLa Jolla
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The public center for the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography (of University of California, San Diego), this aquarium has many fantastic exhibits, with oceanic species from all over the Pacific Ocean displayed, as well as sharks, a tide pool, a large kelp tank, and a coral reef (with actual living coral). The museum also has some spectacular views of the ocean and La Jolla as well as some nifty tide pools where you can touch tide-pool animals.
Daily 9AM-5PM$17 adults, $14 teens, $13 seniors, $12.50 children, $12 students, free for children age 2 and under
DoDowntown
Children's Park
An unusual park with lots of grassy hills, shade trees, and a large water feature. Unfortunately, this park is usually occupied by homeless, so it wouldn't be a safe destination for children.
SeeLa Jolla
Children's Pool Beach
This beach is a favorite breeding spot for harbor seals. The beach is closed Dec 15-May 15 during breeding season, but you can still observe the seals from a safe distance. This beach used to be the children's beach, and there is an ongoing dispute between animal rights supporters and others who disagree about who should own the beach. Depending on the current turn of events, swimming may or may not be permitted. Occasionally, the seals vanish, but move a few hundred feet to the right, close to the cove itself.
BuyOld Town-Mission Valley
Fiesta de Reyes
A group of shops and restaurants operated by Delaware North, which runs concessions in other National Parks. Strolling musicians and beautiful flowers greet guests and there are often special (free) activities for children.
SeeDowntown
Gaslamp Museum at the Davis Horton House
Previously called the William Heath Davis House, this museum is the headquarters of the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation. The visitor center here offers information for self-guided tours of the district as well as a guided walking tour of the district that leaves every Saturday at 11AM, and Thursday at 1PM. Hosts a festival every St. Patrick's Day.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4:30PM, Sun noon-3:30PMMuseum $5/adult, children free; $8 combo ticket with San Diego Chinese History Museum; Walking tours $20/adult, $15/senior/military, $10/student, children free
SeePoint Loma-Ocean Beach
MCRD San Diego
It is a military base located north of the airport, about 3 mi north of downtown San Diego and 2.5 mi around the runways from the airport terminals. Recruits from west of the Mississippi River are trained here while others from east of the Mississippi River are trained in Parris Island. Recruits graduate every Friday, and there is a Family Day, when the recruits' families can spend time with them on Thursday. This is also where Marines train to become recruiters and drill instructors. Travelers reporting to recruit training and arriving at the airport will proceed to and wait at the USO to be picked up.
DoBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
A popular venue for renowned puppeteers, with an indoor theater holding many performances during the year. A favorite for children.
SeeDowntown
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Home to a number of historic sea vessels, including the Star of India, the world's oldest active sailing ship, the Berkeley, an 1898 steam ferryboat, the Californian, a replica sailing ship, the Medea, a 1904 steam yacht, the HMS Surprise, another replica sailing ship, and a B-39 Soviet Attack Submarine.
Daily 9AM-8PM (open until 9PM in the summer)$16 adults, $13 seniors/military/students, $8 children, free for children under 4 (packages which include sailing excursions are available)
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Marston House
Operated by the San Diego Historical Society, this historic residence is open for guided tours.
Tours every half hour Fri-Mon 10AM-4PM$15 adults, $12 seniors/students, $7 children, free for children under 6
DrinkMission Beach-Pacific Beach
Mavericks Beach Club
Two-story bar and restaurant with lots of TVs and an open-air area. Open for brunch on weekends with family-friendly menu. Converts to a popular club at night.
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Mingei International Museum
A large folk art museum which is instantly recognizable from the outside by the large colorful mosaic sculptures out front, which are a delight for kids to climb on.
Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM$10 adults, $7 seniors/youth ages 6-17/students/military, free for children under 6
DoMission Beach-Pacific Beach
Mission Bay Playground
There are many playgrounds in the city, but this one is easily one of the best. For starters, it's a huge playground, with several elaborate play structures (one is built to resemble a pirate ship) and lots of elements for kids to explore. It's on the edge of Mission Bay and surrounded by expansive lawns perfect for kite-flying and playing sports.
SeeOld Town-Mission Valley
Mission San Diego de Alcalá
The first of the Spanish California missions, founded in 1769 by Junipero Serra for the purposes of converting the native peoples who lived in the area at the time. In its long history, the mission has been the site of the first Christian burial and the first execution in California, saw bloodshed between the Spanish settlers and native peoples, and served as an armory in the years following U.S. annexation of California before being restored to an active church in 1941. Today, Mission San Diego is an active Catholic parish and a museum dedicated to the history of the mission. Tour the site, with its gardens, museum, and the original chapel.
Daily 9AM-4:30PM$3 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children
EatDowntown
Mona Lisa Restaurant & Deli
Enjoy Sicilian style favorites and some of the best pizza in town at this family-oriented restaurant. Deli has large selection of Italian imports and is a great place to grab a sandwich.
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Museum of Photographic Arts
Dedicated to the art and history of photographic arts, with works from famous photographers such as Ansel Adams. The museum also holds changing exhibitions and a theater that plays art and cult films.
Tue-Sun 10AM–5PM (open Thursdays until 9PM)$8 adults, $7 seniors/veterans, $6 students, free for children under 12/active military (theater admission separate)
EatPoint Loma-Ocean Beach
Old Townhouse Restaurant
Family owned and operated for over 35 years; a local favorite for breakfast. They will also serve you bottomless cups of coffee.
Daily 6AM-3PM
DoDowntown
Park at the Park
For the 81 Padres home game days, this grassy berm overlooking Petco Park is closed to the general public, open as a place to view the game for the price of a ticket. But for the other 284 days of the year, the park is open to the public. The park has a small baseball diamond, a playground, and there are various monuments to the achievements of the Padres, such as a statue of star player Tony Gwynn nearby.
BuyOld Town-Mission Valley
Racine and Laramie
Gorgeous reconstruction of San Diego's first tobacco store. Offers a variety of historically related gifts, gentlemen's accessories, marbles and harmonicas for children, historic photos, knives, and of course tobacco, pipes, and cigars.
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
This popular science museum is filled with dozens of interactive exhibits of interest to children, young adults and grown-ups too. There's also an IMAX theater in the building, one of the world's first.
Mon-Thu 10AM-5PM, Fri-Sun 10AM-6PM$20 adults, $18 seniors, $17 children, free for children under 3 (theater admission separate)
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Air and Space Museum
You may notice the museum as you fly into San Diego - the circular building is centered around a navy PBY flying boat and features exhibits detailing the history of manned flight, from the first planes to space travel, with lots of full-scale models of aerodynamic craft. Among the highlights is an exhibit on San Diego native Charles Lindberg, whose famous flight on his Spirit of St. Louis began in San Diego.
Daily 10AM-4PM (open until 5PM in the summer)$18 adults, $15 seniors/students/veterans, $9 children, free for children 2 and under/active military
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Art Institute
A large gallery with changing exhibitions of San Diego artists.
Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-4PM$5 adults, $3 seniors/military/students, free for children under 12
SeeDowntown
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
A museum dedicated to Chinese history, culture and art. Includes exhibits on the Chinese experience in America.
Tue-Sat 10:30AM-4PM, Sun noon-4PM$5/adult, children free, $8 combo ticket with Gaslamp Museum
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
This massive museum covers all sport-related things in the city, with large exhibits on the history of baseball and football in San Diego and special exhibits for the local athletic heroes.
Daily 10AM-4:30PM$8 adults, $5 ages 3-17, free for children under 3
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
If you have kids or know a train buff, a visit to this fantastic museum should be high on your list. Just like the name suggests, this institution is dedicated to model railroading, with some of the largest model railroad layouts in the world. There are also some interactive exhibits and displays on the history of railroads in San Diego.
Tue-Fri 11AM-4PM, Sat Sun 11AM-5PM$10 adults, $7 seniors (65+), $5 military, $4.50 students, $2 children (6-14) free for ages 5 and under
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Museum of Art
The largest art museum in the region, with European, contemporary, and Latin American art, 19th and 20th century American art, and an Asian collection. There are also changing exhibitions, featuring show major art shows.
Thu-Sat, Mon-Tue 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM (closed Wednesdays)$12 adults, $9 seniors/military, $8 students, $4.50 children, free for children 6 and under
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Museum of US
It's beneath the majestic California Tower near the Cabrillo Bridge. The Museum of Man is an institution devoted entirely to anthropology. The museum's permanent collection includes exhibits on the Mayan, ancient Egypt, the Kumeyaay Indians of San Diego County, Human Evolution, and the Human Life Cycle, with some incredible displays such as mummies, ancient artifacts from prehistoric cultures, and replicas of ancient monuments.
Sun-Wed 10AM-5PM, Thu-Sat 10AM-8:30PM$12.50 adults, $10 seniors/military, $8 students, $6 children, free for children under 3
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Natural History Museum
Like any natural history museum, this one has a lot of big dinosaur skeletons. Exhibits on the local ecology and geology are also prevalent throughout the museum, as well as a massive Foucault pendulum in the entrance hall. There are also many changing exhibitions and a giant-screen theater.
Daily 10AM-5PM$19 adults, $17 seniors/students/military, $14 youth 7-17, $11 children 3-6, free for children 2 and under
DoDowntown
San Diego Padres
See the Major League Baseball Padres play at Petco Park. The stadium, modeled after other "retro" ballparks, has many unique elements, such as the Western Metal Supply Co. building, a historic warehouse which is incorporated into the left-field seats. Price range for tickets varies widely, from $15-20 for a spot on the grassy lawn beyond the outfield wall (the "Park at the Park") to over $50 for a seat behind home plate. Ballpark tours are available off-season daily at 10:30AM and 12:30PM, with an extra 3PM tour on Saturdays; tours are also available during the season, but times vary depending on whether there's a game that day or not.
Tickets $15-$120, depending on section and date of game; ballpark tours $12 adults, $10 military, $9 seniors, $8 children
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
San Diego Zoo
An absolutely enormous and world-renowned zoological institution, the San Diego Zoo showcases more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals, including many exotic animals from all over the world, such as apes, hippos, polar bears, tigers, bears, lions, elephants, koalas, kangaroos, zebras, reptiles, hundreds of species of birds, and a whole lot of species of animals that are less well-known.
9AM–5PM (extended hours in the summer)$71/adult, $61/child, free for children under 3 (includes Guided Bus Tour and Bus/Aerial Tram rides; multi-park passes including admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Sea World are also available)
SeeNorth
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
formerly the San Diego Wild Animal Park
Sister park to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, the Safari Park is a massive (1,800 acres) zoo with large, naturalistic free-range enclosures containing animals from all over the world. Highlights include the huge Africa area, the California Condor exhibit, and a tram ride which takes you past some of the large free-range areas (extra admission required).
Winter: 9AM-5PM, Summer: 9AM-8PM$58 adults, $48 children, free for children under 3 (Parking is $15/vehicle, $20/RV)
SeeMission Beach-Pacific Beach
SeaWorld San Diego
Hours vary by season and day of week; typically 10AM-5PM in winter, 9AM-11PM in summer. A massive (200 acres) marine animal theme park with rides, lots of sea animals (dolphins, sea otters, arctic creatures, sharks, penguins, rays, manatees, etc.) and of course, shows of killer whales like Shamu.
$89 adults, $83 children ages 3-9, free for children under age 3 (parking $16 for cars, $21 for RVs and campers, and $11 for motorcycles)
SeeLa Jolla
The Cave Store
Built on top of a sea cave, this gift shop offers tours of a small cavern open to the ocean.
$5 adults, $3 children 16 and under
EatBalboa Park-Hillcrest
The Prado
Just about the only full-service restaurant in Balboa Park (save for a couple of places in the zoo), The Prado has a diverse menu with appetizers, salads, soups, seafood, pastas, and sandwiches.
Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30AM-3PM, Sat Sun 11AM-3PM. Dinner Tue-Sun from 5PM onward$11-40
SeeDowntown
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
Take a self-guided tour of the USS Midway (CV-41), a former aircraft carrier of the US Navy. The Midway is home to a collection of former naval aircraft housed on her expansive flight deck. Guided tours and displays offer a unique look into the life aboard and of a powerful old warhorse.
Daily 10AM-5PM$34 adults, $34 seniors, $34 students, $24 retired military/youth, children under 5 and active military free (discount if purchased online)
BuyMid-City
Verbatim Books
Beautiful used bookstore with a great selection. Highlights include many vintage series and magazines, ornamental books, political zines, a large collection of classic children's chapter books and YA novels, and a large and eclectic foreign-language section.
Sun Mon Wed Thu 10AM-6PM, Tue 12-6PM, Fri Sat 10AM-7PMOn the expensive side for a used bookstore - many books are $6-20; more for rare or high-end books
SeeBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Veterans Museum & Memorial Center
Situated in the Old Navy Chapel, this museum contains artifacts and memorabilia honoring the men and women of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Wartime Merchant Marine.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4PM$5 adults, $4 veterans/seniors, $2 students, free for active military/children 12 and under
SeeOld Town-Mission Valley
Whaley House
The oldest brick building and most famous haunted house in San Diego. Built in 1856, the north room of the museum served as the County Courthouse in 1869. The structure includes period furnishings and other antique displays. Come during the Halloween season for special night tours.
Winter: Sun-Tue 10AM-4:30PM, Thu-Sat 10AM-9:30PM. Summer: Daily 10AM-9:00PMDaytime admission $13.30 adults, $9.50 seniors/children, free for children 5 and under. Nighttime admission more
See Not mapped
Go San Diego Card
Covers admission and express entry to over 40 attractions, including Sea World San Diego, Legoland California, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium, and all Balboa Park museums.
See Not mapped
Southern California CityPass
Gives you one day each at SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California, and a 3-day park hopper ticket for Disneyland, as well as one-day admission to either the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for an additional fee if purchased online.

Browse all 238 places in San Diego

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to San Diego (CC BY-SA 4.0).