San Diego is one of the most family-friendly cities in the country, with a whole range of activities available for kids of all ages. Things to do in San Diego with kids include finding ways to both educate and entertain everyone in your San Diego family.
Let’s take a look at the best San Diego activities for kids, and how to make the most of this fantastic city.
Find Your Favorite San Diego Beach
This city is spoiled when it comes to San Diego beaches.
Try Mission Bay if you want to bring a picnic or La Jolla Shores beach if you’re traveling with water babies interested in boogie-boarding. If you want to extend your day, Mission Beach offers proximity to Belmont Park, San Diego’s historic amusement park.
For an added dose of scenery, make the trip to Coronado. The amenities around the Hotel del Coronado could come in handy when everyone is done building sandcastles. Older San Diego kids may prefer the hiking options at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Meet the Local Wildlife
The San Diego Zoo is likely already on your radar if you’re in San Diego with kids. Frequent visitors may want to consider a membership pass to save money in the long run, or combination tickets if you want to visit other San Diego parks. 
The Go San Diego Pass, for example, includes admission to the zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, LEGOLAND California, and SeaWorld San Diego. It’s an impressive array of San Diego attractions perfect for a special occasion.
For children who want to see animals in their natural habitat, La Jolla Cove is home to a population of sea lions year-round. Harbor seals frequent the Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Both are free to visit!
Cabrillo National Monument is another place families shouldn’t miss during whale watching season, as it’s the best way to spot spouts without going on a boat cruise. Learn more about San Diego’s aquatic animals at the Birch Aquarium.
Explore Balboa Park Museums
San Diego for kids should always include Balboa Park, the perfect place for curious kids. The park includes a museum for anything your children are interested in.
The San Diego Natural History Museum is one of the ideal San Diego kids activities for families who love dinosaurs. The Fleet Science Center is a hands-on adventure through space and virtual reality. On a nice day, just walking the surrounding paths around Balboa Park can be enough to entertain active kids.
If museums are what you’re after, the USS Midway Museum tops many San Diego travel itineraries for visitors to San Diego. It’s also a place many San Diego families return to for its sizable collection of aircraft on the top deck. It’s also on the San Diego harbor, a part of town full of things to do for families, including shopping and eateries.
Get to Know San Diego
Families new to the city seeking fun things to do with kids in San Diego may want to consider sightseeing tours that offer quite a bit of bang for your buck and a good time to boot.
The Old Town Trolley Tours give riders an overview of the best of the city in a family-friendly way, including the spooky Whaley House in Old Town San Diego.
It’s also fun to just explore the city and San Diego County-based on your own family’s interests. No one says San Diego kid attractions have to mean one thing over another. Finding your personal favorite spots is part of the fun of living in a vibrant place like San Diego.