Planning a trip to San Diego soon?
Or maybe you're a local just trying to find something fun to do with the kids this weekend?
Either way, you're in the right place.
These are the spots I always recommend whether you're visiting or you live here.
Keep reading to see what made the list.
10 things to do with kids in San Diego, CA:
One of my favorite things about San Diego is the zoo. It's huge, like 100 acres huge, and has over 3,700 animals, a lot of them rare or endangered. They also have 700,000 exotic plants which is kind of wild when you think about it. The best part is that everything you spend there goes directly to conservation and animal care, so you're having a great day with your family and actually helping the animals at the same time. Worth every penny.
2. Legoland
If you have younger kids, Legoland is a no-brainer. It's in Carlsbad, just north of San Diego, and it's built for the under-12 crowd in the best way. Rides, building stations, life-size Lego sculptures, themed lands, kids can easily spend a full day here without running out of things to do. It's not trying to be a thrill park and that's exactly why it works so well for little ones.
3. seaworld san diego
SeaWorld San Diego is one of those places that delivers every time. Pack a bag, clear your schedule, and plan to spend the whole day. You can get up close with sea animals, catch interactive shows, go on rides, and let the kids burn every last bit of energy they have. It's one of San Diego's most popular spots for a reason and if you haven't been yet, it's worth adding to the list.
4. san diego air and space museum
Looking for something educational that kids will actually enjoy? The San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park is genuinely great. Side note: Balboa Park is one of my favorite shoot locations in the city. The museum has hands-on activities, aerospace exhibits, and shows that keep kids engaged without feeling like a school field trip. Block out a few hours and grab your tickets before you go.
5. family photoshoot at the beach
Okay, I may be a little biased here, but hear me out. A beach session is one of the most fun things you can do with kids in San Diego, and it doubles as something you'll actually want to look back on. Instead of the usual posed shots, we make it real. Let the kids run, splash, do what they do. You end up with photos that feel like your trip actually felt, not a version of it where everyone is holding still and smiling at a camera. If you're visiting or just overdue for updated family photos, I'd love to make it happen.
6. birch aquarium
If you're in La Jolla, the Birch Aquarium is a must. It sits right on the cliffs overlooking the ocean so the views alone are worth the visit. Inside there are tide pools, jellyfish, seahorses, and interactive exhibits that are genuinely fun for kids. It's smaller than some aquariums which is honestly perfect for younger kids who wear out fast. Way less crowded than the bigger San Diego attractions too.
7. museum of illusions
The Museum of Illusions in the Gaslamp Quarter is a great pick if you have older kids or tweens. Everything is interactive — perspective-bending photos, tilted rooms, optical illusions that take a minute to figure out. You can get through it in an hour or two which makes it a good option if you're fitting multiple stops into one day. The photo ops alone make it worth it.
8. ruben h. fleet science center
Another Balboa Park gem. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is a hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits that actually keep kids entertained while they learn. Physics, biology, an IMAX theater with rotating films, it covers a lot of ground and does it well. Perfect for curious kids who want to touch and explore everything. Plan for a few hours and you won't run out of things to do.
9. little italy FArMER'S market
This one is a little different but stay with me. The Little Italy Farmers Market runs every Saturday and it's genuinely fun with kids. It's free, there's food to sample everywhere, and kids love walking through all the fresh fruit, flowers, and local treats. It's a low-key way to spend a Saturday morning when you need a break from the bigger attractions. Little Italy itself has great streets and good photo spots too. Supporting local San Diego vendors while you're at it is a bonus.
10. uss midway museum
Science museums are great but they can start to feel the same after a while. The USS Midway Museum feels different because it's specific to San Diego in a way most attractions aren't. San Diego has deep naval history and was home to the Navy's TOPGUN school for decades, so stepping onto an actual aircraft carrier just makes sense here. Kids can go below deck to see how sailors lived, head up to the flight deck, and climb into the cockpit of real planes. They have interactive programs too so it's not just walking around reading plaques. One of the more memorable things to do with kids in San Diego if you ask me.
