San Diego family guide
Things to Do in San Diego with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
San Diego on the map
📍 Where San Diego is
San Diego sits in San Diego, Southern California. Nearest major airport: San Diego Intl (~2 mi / 3 km). It's roughly 111 mi (179 km) from Downtown LA — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in San Diego
San Diego Zoo
World-famous zoo in Balboa Park with lush habitats, a Skyfari aerial tram, and a kids' petting area.
~$72 adult / ~$62 child
Balboa Park
Sprawling 1,200-acre cultural park with gardens, fountains, Spanish-Revival architecture, and 17 museums.
Free to enter; museums ticketed
Fleet Science Center
Hands-on science museum in Balboa Park with interactive exhibits and a giant-dome IMAX theater.
~$25 adult / ~$22 child (incl. IMAX)
San Diego Natural History Museum
"The Nat" features dinosaur fossils, a giant-screen theater, and kid-friendly nature exhibits.
~$22 adult / ~$14 child
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Iconic round Balboa Park museum packed with real aircraft, spacecraft, and a flight simulator.
~$24 adult / ~$15 child
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Largest indoor model railroad museum in North America, with elaborate miniature SoCal landscapes.
~$15 adult / kids free
San Diego Museum of Art
Balboa Park's premier art museum with family art-making activities and a sculpture garden.
~$20 adult / under 17 free
Japanese Friendship Garden
Serene Balboa Park garden with koi ponds, bonsai, a waterfall, and seasonal cherry blossoms.
~$16 adult / ~$8 child
USS Midway Museum
Tour a real retired aircraft carrier on the Embarcadero with flight-deck jets and a flight simulator.
~$34 adult / ~$24 child
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Historic ships including the 1863 Star of India tall ship and a Soviet-era submarine to climb through.
~$24 adult / ~$14 child
The New Children's Museum
Downtown interactive art museum built for kids, with climbing installations and hands-on art studios.
~$15 per person
Seaport Village
Waterfront shopping and dining village on the Embarcadero with a vintage carousel and bayfront strolls.
Free to stroll
Waterfront Park
Downtown bayfront park with a huge interactive fountain kids splash in and big lawns for play.
Free
Cabrillo National Monument
Point Loma landmark with sweeping bay views, a historic lighthouse, and tide pools at low tide.
~$20 per vehicle (7-day)
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Dramatic Point Loma sea cliffs famous for tide pools, sunset views, and coastal walking paths.
Free
Ocean Beach Pier & Beach
Laid-back beach with a wide sandy stretch and a long fishing pier (pier periodically closed for repairs).
Free
Belmont Park
Mission Beach boardwalk amusement park with the historic Giant Dipper wooden coaster and arcade games.
Free entry; rides ~$6 each
Mission Beach Boardwalk
Lively oceanfront boardwalk for biking, skating, and swimming along miles of sandy beach.
Free
Pacific Beach
Popular family beach with gentle surf, Crystal Pier, and a walkable boardwalk full of eateries.
Free
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Living-history park recreating 1800s San Diego with restored buildings, museums, and Mexican restaurants.
Free entry; some attractions paid
Liberty Station / Liberty Public Market
Former naval base turned arts district with a food hall, waterfront promenade, and open lawns.
Free entry; food/shops vary
Spanish Village Art Center
Colorful Balboa Park courtyard of working artist studios where kids can watch artists create.
Free to browse
Mission Trails Regional Park
One of the largest urban parks in the U.S. with kid-friendly trails, a visitor center, and Lake Murray.
Free
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Coastal bluff reserve with rare pines and easy trails leading to ocean overlooks and the beach below.
Free walk-in; parking ~$15-25
Lake Miramar Reservoir
Flat 5-mile paved loop around a reservoir, ideal for stroller walks, biking, and shoreline fishing.
Free; boat rentals extraFree days in San Diego
Free or free-on-certain-days admission. Rules change and some are residents-only — confirm with the venue before you go.
Timken Museum of Art
Always free
Balboa Park's 'jewel box' of European Old Masters (Rembrandt, Bruegel) and American art; always free for everyone, with free docent tours. A quick, manageable stop with kids.
Fleet Science Center
Free first Tuesday monthly for SD residents & military (ID; films excluded)
A hands-on science center in Balboa Park — very kid-friendly. Free general admission the first Tuesday monthly for San Diego residents and military with ID. Confirm the rotating schedule.
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
Free first Tuesday monthly for SD residents & military (ID; films excluded)
A regional natural history museum in Balboa Park with dinosaurs and a giant-screen theater. Free the first Tuesday monthly for San Diego residents and military with ID. Confirm first.
Mingei International Museum
Free third Tuesday monthly for everyone (Commons always free)
A Balboa Park museum of folk art, craft and design from around the world; free for everyone the third Tuesday monthly, and the ground-floor Commons is always free.
San Diego Museum of Art
Free third Tuesday monthly for SD residents & military (ID; specials excluded)
Balboa Park's flagship fine-art museum (European Old Masters, Asian and American art). Free the third Tuesday monthly for San Diego residents and military with ID. Confirm the schedule.
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Free second Tuesday monthly for SD residents & military (ID; not Dec)
An aviation and spaceflight museum in Balboa Park with real aircraft and a kid-pleasing hands-on focus. Free the second Tuesday monthly for SD residents/military with ID (excludes December).
Museum of Us
Free fourth Tuesday monthly for SD residents & military (ID; not Dec)
An anthropology museum in Balboa Park's iconic California Tower, with cultural exhibits kids enjoy. Free the fourth Tuesday monthly for SD residents/military with ID (tower climb extra).
Farmers markets in San Diego
North Park Thursday Market
Lively evening market behind the North Park Theatre with local produce, artisan goods, hot food, and a walkable vibe.
Ocean Beach Farmers Market
Festive beach-town street market on Newport Ave with live music, street performers, hot food, and a kid-friendly atmosphere.
Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers' Market
Year-round Bayard St market with fresh produce, hot prepared foods, and crafts in a laid-back beach setting.
City Heights Farmers' Market
Diverse, community-focused market that accepts WIC and EBT/CalFresh (matches up to $15) with produce and prepared foods.
Rancho Bernardo Farmers Market at Bernardo Winery
Scenic Friday-morning market in the historic Bernardo Winery courtyard with produce, artisan goods, and food vendors.
Linda Vista Farmers' Market
Community market with fresh produce, eggs, hot food, and handmade crafts; accepts EBT.
Mira Mesa Farmers Market
Market at Mira Mesa High School with produce, specialty foods, farm eggs, baked goods, and arts & crafts.
Scripps Ranch Farmers Market
Relaxed evening market at Newtopia Cyder with produce, food vendors, and a community feel.
Mission Valley (Civita) Farmers Market
Saturday market at Civita Park with fresh produce, prepared foods, and a playground/park setting ideal for families.
Little Italy Mercato
San Diego County's largest farmers market sprawls across six blocks with produce, food trucks, and live music kids love.
Hillcrest Farmers Market
A lively Sunday market with global street food, fresh flowers, and live music in walkable Hillcrest.
Point Loma Farmers Market
A relaxed Saturday market in Liberty Station's arts district with farm produce and artisan goods.
Pacific Beach Saturday Farmers Market
A beachside morning market steps from the boardwalk, great to pair with a PB beach day.
Festivals & annual events in San Diego
What San Diego is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Adams Avenue Street Fair
San Diego's largest free music street fair — ~75 acts, carnival rides, circus, and 300 vendors in Normal Heights.
Free
San Diego Bayfair
An end-of-summer Mission Bay celebration with roaring hydroplane boat races, a vendor village, and waterfront family viewing.
~$25 day pass
Pacific BeachFest
A one-day oceanfront festival on the Pacific Beach boardwalk with food and craft vendors, live music and beach contests.
See site for admission
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
A two-day outdoor art festival on Girard Avenue in La Jolla with more than 170 artists, live entertainment and a pet adoption area. Proceeds fund La Jolla public school programs.
See site; wine and beer garden separately ticketed
Galbani Bella Vita Fest
An Italian street festival in Little Italy with chalk-art murals, music, food, and a lively piazza the whole family can wander.
Free
Linda Vista Multicultural Fair & Parade
A free community fair and parade celebrating San Diego's diverse cultures with food and performances.
Free
December Nights
A two-evening holiday festival across Balboa Park where museums extend hours and most offer free evening admission, alongside international food and performances along El Prado.
Free
Gator by the Bay
A Louisiana-themed music and food festival at Spanish Landing Park with about 100 performances across seven stages and a large crawfish boil.
See site for admission
La Jolla Concours d'Elegance
A classic car weekend at La Jolla Cove — a free Saturday street showcase on Prospect Street and a ticketed Sunday exhibition of 150-plus vehicles. 2026 was the 20th annual.
2026 edition (Apr 24-26) has passed; organizer has not announced 2027
Mission Fed ArtWalk
A two-day outdoor art festival filling the streets of Little Italy with over 250 artists from the US and Mexico, live music and hands-on art activities. 42 years in 2026.
2026 edition (Apr 25-26) has passed; 2027 dates not yet posted
Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off
A one-day street fair along Newport Avenue with an oceanfront chili cook-off, two music stages, artist alley and three children's fun zones. The 2026 edition was the 46th annual.
2026 event has passed (Jun 27); 2027 date not yet published
San Diego Scottish Highland Games
A two-day Scottish heritage gathering with clan tents, highland dancing, piping and heavy athletics. The organizing society dates to 1974.
2026 event has passed; organizer has not posted 2027
San Diego Pride Festival & Parade
One of the nation's largest Prides, with a huge Hillcrest parade plus a two-day festival at Balboa Park.
San Diego Comic-Con International
The world's biggest pop-culture expo. Badges sell out by lottery, but families can enjoy free costumed crowds and outdoor activations downtown.
Local restaurants in San Diego
Phil's BBQ
San Diego's legendary mesquite BBQ ribs — casual, fast, and a local family favorite (come early).
Old Town Mexican Cafe
Bustling Old Town landmark with handmade tortillas — festive and great for a big family outing.
Corvette Diner
An over-the-top 1950s diner at Liberty Station with a DJ, games, and theatrics — built for kids and birthdays.
Buona Forchetta
Award-winning Neapolitan wood-fired pizza — the Liberty Station spot has play areas (and a vintage Fiat table) so kids can roam.
Hodad's
Iconic Ocean Beach burger joint with giant shakes, a VW-bus booth, and a fun surf vibe the kids love.
Lucha Libre Taco Shop
A wildly fun, gold-boothed taco shop themed around Mexican wrestling — kids love the masks and luchador decor.
Tajima Ramen
The Convoy-district shop that introduced San Diego to authentic tonkotsu in 2001 — slurpable noodles and small plates to share.
Mr. Frostie
A nostalgic walk-up soft-serve stand serving dipped cones and shakes since 1949 — a Pacific Beach tradition after the sand.
Tribute Pizza
Award-winning wood-fired pies in a converted old post office with a family vibe.
Mona Lisa Italian Foods
Old-school Little Italy deli and restaurant serving hearty pastas since 1956.
La Fachada
Beloved taqueria and roving truck known for adobada and birria tacos.
El Indio
Family-run Mexican kitchen famous for taquitos, serving San Diego since 1940.
Fonda del Barrio
Hacienda-style sit-down spot with ancestral Mexican dishes, patio, and live music.
Phuong Trang
Family-friendly Vietnamese giant with nearly 250 dishes including pho and clay pots.
Jasmine Seafood Restaurant
Hong Kong-style dim sum with steam pushcarts, a go-to for big family weekends.
Eastern Dynasty
Cantonese spot prized for roast meats and a huge menu of comforting classics.
Shabu Shabu House
Intimate hot-pot spot where kids cook their own beef in bubbling broth.
Friend's House
Homestyle Korean cooking that feels like grandma's kitchen, with banchan kids explore.
Hob Nob Hill
Old-fashioned diner serving comfort breakfasts and bakery muffins for 80+ years.
Station Tavern & Burgers
Burgers and beer in an old trolley station with a sandy play area built for kids.
Crazee Burger
Quirky North Park burger joint with exotic and classic patties plus a kids menu.
Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream
Super-premium small-batch ice cream with inventive flavors.
Mutual Friend Ice Cream
Independent scoop shop with creative seasonal flavors.
Secret Sister
Neighborhood bakery using a 150-year-old sourdough starter for breads and donuts.
Filippi's Pizza Grotto
Family-owned Little Italy institution since the 1950s with red-checkered tablecloths and classic Italian comfort food kids love.
Pappalecco
Bright, casual Little Italy cafe with paninis, gelato and espresso, easy for a quick family stop.
Carnitas' Snack Shack
Beloved local pork-centric spot with a fun outdoor patio and crowd-pleasing sandwiches.
El Carrito
Tiny Barrio Logan spot in a vintage cable car serving big Mexican breakfasts and antojitos near Chicano Park.
Hodad's
Iconic Ocean Beach burger joint since 1969 with surf-shack vibes and massive, messy cheeseburgers.
South Beach Bar & Grille
Ocean Beach mainstay famous for world-renowned mahi-mahi fish tacos steps from the pier.
Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill
Casual fresh-fish counter with grilled-to-order fish tacos and a friendly, no-fuss vibe.
Mitch's Seafood
Waterfront Point Loma sportfishing-dock spot serving sustainably caught local fish tacos with harbor views.
Phil's BBQ
Wildly popular local BBQ joint near Point Loma known for sticky-sweet ribs and pulled-pork sandwiches.
Harbor Greek Cafe
Friendly Liberty Station counter spot with generous gyro and kabob platters at bargain prices.
Caffe Calabria
North Park roastery and Neapolitan pizzeria with wood-fired pies and a warm neighborhood feel.
Crest Cafe
Longtime Hillcrest legacy diner serving hearty breakfasts, burgers and the famous 'butter burger.'
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop
Wildly fun pink luchador-themed taco shop with inventive burritos, a hit with kids and families.
Bread & Cie
Beloved Hillcrest artisan bakery and cafe with rustic breads, pastries and excellent sandwiches.
Old Town Mexican Cafe
Festive Old Town favorite since 1977 where you can watch handmade tortillas being pressed by hand.
Cafe Coyote
Lively Old Town institution with mariachi music, a big patio and crowd-pleasing Mexican classics.
Tajima Ramen
Convoy-district flagship that introduced San Diego to authentic scratch-made Japanese ramen in 2001.
Pho Convoy Noodle House
Family-run homestyle Vietnamese spot prized for fresh, made-to-order pho and rice plates.
Local shops in San Diego
Verbatim Books
San Diego's largest independent bookstore, 50,000+ secondhand and antiquarian books.
Bluestocking Books
Heart-of-Hillcrest new and used shop with a trade-in program and strong local-author focus.
Joy Ride Bookstore
Independent bookshop tucked into Liberty Station's arts district.
Pigment
Husband-and-wife-owned plant, gift, and home boutique that began as a 2007 local-artist gallery.
Artelexia
Latina-owned Mexican gift shop full of textiles and goods by Hispanic and LatinX artists.
Casa Artelexia
The original 2010 Little Italy location for Mexican artisan home decor and gifts.
Day to Day Vintage
Hand-curated North Park vintage spanning the 1940s-2000s, from Americana to Y2K.
Bad Madge & Co.
South Park vintage and mid-century shop ranked Yelp's #1 vintage/consignment in the U.S. in 2022.
Hunt & Gather
Eclectic mix of vintage and new clothing plus handmade jewelry, art, and vinyl.
Art FORM Creative Reuse Store
San Diego's first creative-reuse store for affordable, eco-friendly art and craft supplies.
Simply Local
Marketplace dedicated to local San Diego artists and makers — jewelry, housewares, and gifts.
Red Brontosaurus Records
North Park record shop specializing in new punk, pop-punk, hardcore, and indie vinyl.
The Gold Dust Collective
Collective of local SD makers selling handmade hats, boots, jewelry, and leather goods.
La Loupe Vintage
Curated vintage clothing, jewelry, and accessories boutique in North Park.
Full Contact Rock N Roll
North Park shop specializing in hip-hop vinyl and cassettes plus vintage finds and decor.
Gold Leaf
Curated South Park shop selling home decor, candles, soaps, jewelry, and paper goods.
Thread + Seed
Mindfully curated South Park boutique focused on fashion, clean beauty, and gift boxes.
Moon & Sun
South Park children's boutique blending baby goods, books, plush toys, and handmade items.
Trash Lamb Gallery
Independent South Park gallery and shop championing offbeat local and emerging artists.
Footnote Books
Packed floor-to-ceiling used bookstore in Hillcrest beloved for staff recommendations.
Gioia's Room
Fifth Avenue women's boutique of vintage styles reworked for today plus local jewelry.
Hood Mod Shop
University Avenue shop of home decor with retro flair and unique flourishes.
Oates General
Hillcrest storefront of quality vintage finds and playful, humor-driven gifts.
Vitreum
Distinctive Fir Street gift shop of fashionable home goods, vases, tea sets, and candles.
Love & Aesthetics
India Street shop of home decor, jewelry, fragrances, candles, and gifts.
Klassik
High-end Little Italy consignment store with furniture, jewelry, and contemporary art.
Stefanie Bales Fine Art
Little Italy studio-gallery of nature-inspired paintings plus small gift items.
India Street Antiques
Longtime Little Italy antiques shop on India Street.
Sea Hive Station Vintage & Makers Market
Indoor/outdoor lifestyle shop of artisan and vintage finds from 150+ SD makers.
Apricot Yarn
San Diego's only local yarn and sewing shop, in the Liberty Station Arts District.
Ocean Beach Antique Mall
The oldest and most respected antique and collectibles mall in OB.
Newport Avenue Antique Center
18,000 sq ft Newport Ave mall housing over 100 individual antique vendors.
Vignettes Antiques & Collectibles
French-inspired antique and garden-decor shop at 4828 Newport, 30+ years.
Mallory's Furniture
Newport Ave furniture-salvage shop now spanning antiques, sterling jewelry, and gems.
Vintage Revivals
OB antique shop where the owner reworks antique pieces and furniture for modern homes.
Sweet Paper
Boutique La Jolla stationery shop known for custom invitations and paper gifts.
Totem Boutique
Girard Ave shop of sustainable apparel, handmade gifts, and crystals from 35+ SD makers.
Simon Limon
Colorful Logan Ave boutique specializing in handmade goods by local independent artists.
Luna Bloom Shop
Barrio Logan shop of handmade brass jewelry plus tinctures, teas, and candles.
Arts-Rec
Logan Ave skate shop and boutique carrying top streetwear brands, rooted in the Barrio.
Kite Flite
Family-owned Seaport Village shop of single-line and stunt kites plus flying toys.
The Book Catapult
Warm South Park indie bookshop with one of the city's best kids' sections plus stationery and puzzles.
San Diego Potters' Guild
Cooperative gallery-shop of 40+ local potters in Balboa Park's historic Spanish Village Art Center.
Seasonal & outdoors near San Diego
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from San Diego.
More San Diego family guides
San Diego family FAQ
What are the best things to do in San Diego with kids?
Family favorites in and around San Diego include San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Fleet Science Center and San Diego Natural History Museum, and more. Our guide lists 25 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in San Diego?
Yes — free family spots near San Diego include Balboa Park, Seaport Village, Waterfront Park and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in San Diego?
Local, family-friendly spots in San Diego include Phil's BBQ, Old Town Mexican Cafe, Corvette Diner and Buona Forchetta, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal San Diego guide cover?
Our San Diego family guide includes 25 things to do, 47 local eats, 43 local shops and 13 farmers markets — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Book San Diego tours & tickets
Bookable via Viator · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)Bookable experiences, skip-the-line tickets, and tours in San Diego — reserved through Viator.
Free cancellationSan Diego Harbor Cruise
Free cancellationSan Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour
Free cancellationSan Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise
Free cancellationSan Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise
Free cancellationSan Diego: 3 Hour Whale Watch Cruise with Legacy Whale Watch
Free cancellationSan Diego Seal Tour
More experiences via GetYourGuide · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)
Where to stay in San Diego
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near San Diego on one map — then book on your favorite site.