The Top 7 Kid-Friendly Spots in San Diego

It’s always sunny in San Diego, or so it seems, with an average temperature of 75 degrees. Maybe it’s the abundant sunshine, but San Diego seems to bring out the best in families and family activities. Book a Travelocity San Diego hotel and pack your bags for family fun!

San Diego Zoo

Check out the wild, wild life at San Diego Zoo, whose incredible conservation program includes caring for rare giant pandas and massive swimming polar bears. The exemplary natural settings include an incredible walk-through, multi-level monkey habitat.

Safari Park

Traveling with kids 6 and up? Then you’ll also want to make time to visit San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park, about a half-hour away. Here you can take a safari car trip through a jungle setting, feed giraffes and rhinos, and for the adventurous, zipline over the animals and through the park (10 and up).

La Jolla

For animals of a different sort, head to the waterfront enclave of La Jolla, where a large colony of sea lions and seals lounge in a protected beach known as Children’s Cove. After watching the cavorting marine mammals, catch a kid-friendly bite at casual California pizza spot Sammie’s or on the rooftop at George’s on the Cove.

LegoLand

Ready for some hands-on fun? Just north of town is LegoLand, where kids can drive their own car around miniature Lego cities, take a spin on Lego-themed rides, and build to their heart’s content with millions of Duplos and Lego blocks. Don’t miss special attractions such as StarWars land (sure to be a hit with mini-Luke Skywalkers everywhere), a water park, and a Sea Life Aquarium.

Coronado

To enjoy California beach culture, try Coronado, an island enclave in San Diego Bay, which has some of the best beachfront in California and is a natural draw for families. The Victorian Hotel Del Coronado here (known to locals as the Del) has hosted family vacations since the 1800s; even if you’re not staying here, you can rent bikes, indulge at the ice cream or candy shops, enjoy an oceanside meal, or stroll the beach at this historic landmark.

Old Town

For more history, plan a stop in Old Town, a bit of Southern California’s Mexican heritage complete with re-created buildings from the early 19th century, mariachis, and tours led by costumed docents. Old Town is also a perfect dining spot for families, with plenty of chances to sample authentic South of the Border culinary treats.

Balboa Park

Last, but certainly not least, set aside some time for one of the museums in Balboa Park, the largest cultural park in the country. Great museum choices for families here include the Science Center, Aerospace Museum, and Model Railroad Museum. Or just enjoy the sunshine while taking in a kid-friendly show at the outdoor amphitheater – because chances are, if you’re in San Diego, the sun will be shining.

Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.