San Diego family guide

Things to Do in Santee with Kids

Santee, in San Diego's East County, is built around Santee Lakes — seven stocked lakes with paddle boats, floating cabins and a summer sprayground that's the local kid magnet. Add the forest-themed climbing playground at Mast Park, Town Center's splash pad, and the trails and Old Mission Dam of neighboring Mission Trails, and it's a genuinely outdoorsy town.

Curated by Punita Patel

Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.

💡 Local tip: At Santee Lakes you can walk in through the gates to skip the parking fee, and the sprayground fills fast on hot weekends — go early. The splash pads only run in the warm months, so bring towels and a change of clothes.

Things to do in Santee

Parks & Hiking

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

Santee's crown jewel: seven stocked fishing lakes with paddle boats, a lakeside campground with floating cabins, and a summer sprayground where little kids cool off. Park on the street and walk in through one of the three gates to skip the parking fee. Come early on hot weekends since the sprayground fills up fast.

Parking $4 weekdays / $7 weekends; sprayground wristband $2–$3

Parks & Hiking

Mast Park

Recently made over with a forest-themed playground built around real tree trunks and boulders — a favorite for families with young climbers. There's a disc golf course, fitness equipment, three dog parks and a shaded loop trail down to the San Diego River. Grab one of the three picnic shelters for a party, or bring a scooter for the paved path.

Free

Parks & Hiking

Big Rock Park

A low-key neighborhood park on Arlette Street with a big grassy field, playground, picnic shelters with BBQ grills, and courts for basketball, tennis and pickleball. Dogs are allowed off-leash from dawn until 9am, so early risers with pups love this one. A relaxed spot to burn energy without the crowds of the bigger parks.

Free

Parks & Hiking

Town Center Community Park

The east side on Park Center Drive has a splash pad that's a lifesaver on hot summer afternoons, plus playgrounds and wide-open lawns for picnics and kite-flying. Bring towels and water shoes since the splash pad surface heats up midday. It's central and easy to pair with a stop at nearby Santee Trolley Square for lunch.

Free

Parks & Hiking

Santee Skate Park (Woodglen Vista Park)

Tucked inside Woodglen Vista Park, this free public skate park draws skaters, BMXers and scooter kids of all skill levels. Helmets and pads are strongly encouraged, and mornings tend to be mellower for beginners. The surrounding park has a playground and grass, so non-skating siblings have somewhere to hang out too.

Free

Parks & Hiking

Mission Trails Regional Park

Just west of Santee, this is one of the largest urban parks in the country, with miles of family-friendly trails, the Old Mission Dam and Lake Murray. Start at the free Visitor and Interpretive Center, where kid-friendly exhibits and a theater help little ones get oriented. The paved Father Junípero Serra Trail is stroller- and bike-friendly.

Free