🏙️ City

Things to Do with Kids in San Diego, CA

Explore 40 family-friendly activities in San Diego — filtered by age, scheduled around nap time, and ready to drop into your personalized itinerary.

Top Family Activities

40 of 40 selected
🎡

San Diego Zoo

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Rent a stroller at the main entrance for $20/day. Take the guided bus tour first to orient yourselves. Arrive early to c...

🎡

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Africa Tram is a must-do and stroller-friendly. Bring a hat and sunscreen — much of the park is exposed. Stroller rental...

📌

LEGOLAND California

Full DayAges 212+Stroller OK

Best for ages 2-12. Book tickets online for discounts. Arrive 30 mins before opening to hit popular rides first. Strolle...

🎡

SeaWorld San Diego

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Stroller rentals available at the entrance. Sesame Street Bay of Play is perfect for toddlers. Tidal Twister and Manta r...

🏛️

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Entirely stroller-friendly with smooth pathways. The outdoor tide pool plaza is a highlight — kids can touch sea creatur...

🌳

Balboa Park

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Free to enter the park; individual museums charge separately. Stroller-friendly paved paths throughout. The free Tuesday...

🏛️

San Diego Natural History Museum

Half DayAges 212+Stroller OK

Excellent dinosaur exhibits captivate kids of all ages. Fully stroller accessible with elevators between floors. Free on...

🏛️

Fleet Science Center

Half DayAges 212+Stroller OK

Kids' City exhibit is hands-on and perfect for ages 2-8. Fully stroller-friendly. IMAX dome theater shows are thrilling ...

🏛️

San Diego Air and Space Museum

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Real aircraft and flight simulators excite older kids. Stroller accessible throughout. Flight simulators have age/height...

📌

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free to explore the outdoor plaza and most buildings. Stroller-friendly on mostly flat pathways. Kids love the candy sho...

📌

La Jolla Cove

2–4 hoursAges 012+

Free beach access with sea lions and leopard sharks visible year-round. Stroller parking available at the top of the pat...

📌

Mission Beach

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Wide flat beach ideal for toddlers. Boardwalk is fully stroller accessible for a scenic walk. Belmont Park amusement rid...

📌

Coronado Beach

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Consistently ranked one of America's best beaches — wide, clean sand. Stroller accessible along the paved path near Hote...

📌

Pacific Beach (PB)

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Lively beach with a wide paved boardwalk perfect for strollers and bike rentals. Lots of family-friendly restaurants ste...

📌

Belmont Park

2–4 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Pay-per-ride or buy an unlimited wristband for best value. Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster is a classic. Little kids ...

📌

Children's Pool Beach La Jolla

1–2 hoursAges 012+

Famous for harbor seals lounging on the beach — kids are mesmerized. Stay behind the rope line to protect the seals. Tid...

📌

Cabrillo National Monument

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Stunning views of San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean. Rocky intertidal tide pools are best at low tide — check tide charts ...

🏛️

USS Midway Museum

Half DayAges 412+

Kids love climbing on jet aircraft on the flight deck. Many narrow ladders and stairs inside the ship — not suitable for...

🏛️

San Diego Maritime Museum

2–4 hoursAges 312+

Board historic tall ships including the Star of India (world's oldest active sailing ship). Some areas have steep stairs...

📌

Torrey Pines State Beach

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

One of San Diego's most beautiful and uncrowded beaches. Flat sandy beach great for toddlers. Combine with a visit to To...

🥾

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

2–4 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Gorgeous cliff-top trails with ocean views. Guy Fleming Trail (1.3 miles) is the most stroller/toddler-friendly with pav...

🥾

Mission Trails Regional Park

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

San Diego's largest urban park with trails for all levels. Old Mission Dam Trail (flat, paved) is perfect for strollers....

🌳

Kate Sessions Memorial Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free neighborhood park with sweeping views of Mission Bay and downtown. Large grass area great for kids to run. Playgrou...

🌳

Mission Bay Park

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

27 miles of shoreline with calm water perfect for toddlers and young children. Rent bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards from...

📌

Gaslamp Quarter

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Historic 16-block district with restaurants and shops. Flat sidewalks are stroller-friendly. Best visited for dinner bef...

🍕

Little Italy San Diego

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Vibrant neighborhood with excellent family restaurants and cafes. Mercato Farmers Market on Saturdays 8am-2pm is perfect...

🍕

Liberty Station

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Former Naval Training Center converted to arts, dining, and park space. Family-friendly restaurants including Stone Brew...

🍕

North Park Thursday Farmers Market

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Lively outdoor market with prepared foods, produce, and live music. Very stroller-friendly with wide aisles. Kids love s...

📌

Ocean Beach Pier

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Longest concrete pier on the West Coast — free to walk. Stroller-friendly flat concrete surface. Kids love watching fish...

📌

San Diego Botanic Garden

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Children's Discovery Garden has nature play zones and a treehouse kids love. Mostly paved paths suitable for strollers. ...

🏛️

San Diego Model Railroad Museum

1–2 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Kids ages 3-8 are absolutely enchanted by the elaborate model train layouts. Fully stroller accessible. Located in Balbo...

🏛️

Chula Vista Nature Center

2–4 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Hands-on wildlife discovery center with sharks, rays, and native birds in natural wetland habitats. Stroller-friendly th...

📌

Plunge at Mission Beach

2–4 hoursAges 012+

Historic indoor swimming pool adjacent to Belmont Park — heated year-round. Great rainy day option. Family swim sessions...

🌳

Tecolote Shores Playground

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Excellent free playground on the shores of Mission Bay. Large modern play structures for all ages. Plenty of grass, picn...

🏛️

New Children's Museum San Diego

2–4 hoursAges 010+Stroller OK

Interactive contemporary arts space designed for children 0-10. Excellent for rainy days. Stroller accessible throughout...

📌

Point Loma Tide Pools (Cabrillo NM)

1–2 hoursAges 312+

Rocky intertidal zone within Cabrillo National Monument. Check tide charts and visit during low tide (below 0.5 ft). Not...

🎡

San Diego Harbor Cruise (Hornblower)

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

1-hour or 2-hour narrated cruise of San Diego Bay — great for spotting Navy ships, sea lions, and the Coronado Bridge. S...

📌

San Diego Central Library

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Stunning modern building with a wonderful children's library on the first floor. Free to visit. Stroller-friendly with e...

🎡

La Jolla Cave and Shell Shop

under_1hAges 512+

Walk through the only land-accessible sea cave in the continental US. 145 steps down and back up — not suitable for stro...

🌳

NTC Park Playground at Liberty Station

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free large grassy park with excellent playground adjacent to Liberty Station's restaurants and shops. Stroller-friendly ...

This Week's Weather
Loading forecast...
Packing Tips for San Diego
  • Sunscreen & hats for outdoor activities
  • Comfortable walking shoes for the whole family
  • Stroller or baby carrier
  • Snacks & water bottles
  • Rain jacket or poncho (just in case)
  • Small first-aid kit with band-aids
  • Entertainment for transit (books, tablet, coloring)
  • Hiking gear & bug spray
Get a full personalized packing list when you plan your trip.
Sample Family Itinerary
Day 1 — Explore
🏛️
San Diego Air and Space Museum
2–4 hours
🍕
Lunch Break
🏛️
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Half Day
Day 2 — Adventure
🎡
San Diego Zoo
Full Day
Build Your Custom Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in San Diego?

Top family activities include San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, LEGOLAND California, SeaWorld San Diego, Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.

Is San Diego good for toddlers?

Yes! Many activities in San Diego are suitable for toddlers. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time so everyone enjoys the trip.

How do I plan a family trip to San Diego?

Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.

Explore More Destinations

Glacier BayBrooklynChicagoGlacierTampaHonoluluMontereyWest YellowstoneBostonAustinPhoenixLos Angeles