San Diego is an ideal weekend destination that has coastal beaches and is situated close to the mountains. There are plenty of family-friendly things to see and do that children of all ages will enjoy. This includes various theme parks, kid-centered museums and outdoor activities.
Best Times to Visit
Along with low humidity and good air quality, San Diego has lovely weather and relatively constant average temperatures throughout the year. The best times to visit are March through May and then from September through November. The best rates are available from December through February. The city is a popular spring break and summer vacation destination, which results in larger crowds especially on weekends.
Travel Tips
Make an itinerary. San Diego offers a wide range of activities. Determine which ones will interest your family during your weekend getaway. Booking reservations at a hotel within a short commute of these attractions will reduce travel and give you more time to enjoy the activities. Search online for family-friendly restaurants near these attractions.
Travel safety is important. Ensure that the children ride in approved car seats. Prepare for possible emergencies. Verify that you have packed all essential items like medications before leaving home. Make sure that the children are under close supervision at all times.
Keep children busy when traveling. Bring audio books, travel games, art supplies and other interesting activities to occupy their minds while riding or flying.
Best Attractions
San Diego offers activities for children of all ages. When planning your weekend trip, consider these popular choices.
San Diego Zoo is regarded as one of the best attractions of its kind in the world. Along with animal exhibits, the park has an aerial tram for a bird’s-eye-view, a children’s petting zoo and a discovery playground.
Based on the miniature building blocks, LEGOLAND California offers more than 60 rides, shows and attractions. It is an interactive experience for families with children 12 and younger.
SeaWorld is home to thrill rides, aquatic shows and live entertainment. The aquarium is home to a walk-through shark tank.
New Children’s Museum features interactive exhibits that encourage children of all ages to think and play creatively as they discover the world through contemporary art.
Botanic Garden has several themed green spaces geared toward children of different ages. Depending upon their age, children can enjoy making bubbles, excavating plastic dinosaur bones and riding a model train. Older children can climb inside a treehouse and play a giant game of tic-tac-toe.
Birch Aquarium is ideal for families with young children who will enjoy the up-close view of the tanks filled with sharks, jellyfish and other sea creatures. The aquarium also has a touch tank where children can pet sea stars and sea cucumbers.
The Maritime Museum includes several unique ships, including sailing vessels, steam-powered boats and a submarine. Children can take envision themselves sailing the high seas as a pirate or explorer.
Balboa Park is the setting for a carousel, playgrounds and a model train ride. The park also hosts free outdoor concerts.
The beach is always a popular attraction with children. San Diego has more than 70 miles of sand. While Coronado Island offers gentle waves and marvelous views, Pacific Beach is a wonderful place to swim and play in the sand. Crystal Pier is great for exploring. Mission Beach is ideal for surfing, swimming and strolling along the 3.5-mile boardwalk.
Popular Events for Children and the Entire Family
St. Patrick’s Day features a parade with marching bands, floats, dancing groups and antique cars. Balboa Park is the setting for the Irish Festival that celebrates Celtic food, music and culture.
Memorial Day kicks off the summer with parades and craft fairs as well as music and food festivals.
Independence Day celebrations include the Big Bay Boom, the largest fireworks display in the country. The holiday also includes parades, craft fairs and festivals filled with food, music and other entertainment.
The kid-centric attractions held during October are more budget friendly. More than 100 attractions, restaurants and hotels offer free admission or discount deals as part of Kid Free San Diego throughout the month.
Halloween features costume parades, pumpkin patches and haunted houses. A variety of family-friendly events is held in the area.
Christmas offers holiday light displays and outdoor ice-skating rinks along with tree lighting ceremonies and parades.
Best Ways to See the City
San Diego encompasses approximately 372 square miles, which makes it difficult to experience everything the city has to offer without transportation. Although automobiles are the most popular way to get around the city, it often results in long commutes, parking issues and delays because of congestion. The best way to avoid these problems is to take a hop-on/hop-off San Diego tour with Old Town Trolley. A full-day trolley ticket enables you to stop at various historic sites and attractions. Spend whatever time you want at each location before climbing aboard the next passing trolley. You can avoid driving in the city and searching for parking spaces at popular attractions. Using the Old Town Trolley will give you more time to spend doing the things that you want and less time in a car.
For a unique perspective of the city, climb aboard a 90-minute San Diego SEAL Tour. This thrilling excursion starts on land with an exploration of points of interest along the San Diego waterfront. The tour then goes into the water where passengers can observe seals and sea lions. You will have the opportunity for an amazing up-close experience with these playful creatures in their natural habitat.
Traveling with your children is a great opportunity for the entire family to bond while creating memories that will last a lifetime. Including activities that each member of the family will enjoy ensures a more pleasurable travel experience for everyone.
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