With its year-round sunshine, 70 miles of stunning beaches, and a plethora of world-famous family attractions, San Diego is a must-visit for families with kids. There’s so much to see and do here that you’ll need to come back for multiple visits to experience it all!
The city is renowned for its internationally acclaimed zoo and safari park, as well as SeaWorld San Diego, LEGOLAND, La Jolla, historic Old Town, Balboa Park, and so much more. You’ll find an array of top-rated dining options, as well as theme parks, museums, and hiking trails. The bottom line is this: whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in sunny San Diego!
There’s more to see and do in San Diego than would ever fit in a single blog post. But, if you’re looking for fun things to do this weekend in San Diego, this article is for you. We’ve taken a good hard look at all our favorite San Diego family attractions, and narrowed it down to our top three picks, which can easily be enjoyed over a weekend visit.
Read until the end of this article to discover our top recommendations for fun things to do in San Diego with kids.
Relax and enjoy the California sunshine at Coronado Central Beach
Voted the #1 beach in America by several publications, Coronado Central Beach is a sight to behold. There’s not a better place to experience the true spirit of Southern California than on this relaxed, sunny, and picturesque beach.
The 1.5-mile-long stretch of white sand boasts incredible views of the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. It is also the widest beach in San Diego County, giving it a spacious feel, with plenty of room for groups to enjoy their privacy. It’s one of the calmest beaches in San Diego, so if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, mark this spot down on your map.
This beach offers a wide range of activity options, with a little something for everyone. Want to spend the day swimming, sunbathing, and building sand castles? This is the perfect place! Are you dreaming about a romantic sunset walk with your significant other? Coronado Central Beach is famed for its dazzling sunsets. Are you looking to spice up your vacation with some action? This is the place for that.
Coronado Central Beach is a very flat beach, making it popular for skim boarding. Surfers are also known to catch waves here at sunrise and sunset. The flat shoreline is great for games and activities such as volleyball, badminton, and soccer.
The waters at Coronado Central Beach are known for their clear, blue color and ideal temperature. It’s a great place to enjoy a family swim and to cool off from the hot California sunshine. Spend the afternoon swimming, reading books on the beach, and sipping on your favorite drinks. Be sure to pack a cooler full of drinks or beverages, as this beach is a prime location for a nice family picnic. Otherwise, there is a nearby hotel with a restaurant, as well as a coffee shop, and an ice cream shop within walking distance.
If you’re looking for the best beach in San Diego for your next family vacation, put Coronado Central Beach at the top of your list! It’s by far one of the most fun things to do in San Diego with kids.
Spend the day at Balboa Park
Have you heard of Balboa Park? The truth is that Balboa Park is more of its own mini world than simply just a park. The sprawling outdoor area boasts a whopping 19 gardens, 17 museums, 5 playgrounds, a carousel, a train for children, and much more!
There’s so much to see and do here that you would need to come back for multiple visits to experience it all. It’s an excellent opportunity to spend some time outdoors surrounding by your friends, family, and loved ones while discovering fun, new activities together.
Want to spend some time in nature and get some fresh air? Balboa Park is a great place for that, with its walking trails and numerous gardens. Outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers can enjoy feeling like you’ve entered a natural oasis without ever having to leave the city. Go for a scenic walk around the Japanese Garden, where you can see authentic Japanese temples, mini waterfalls, stunning bridges, Koi fish swimming around in the ponds, and over 200 cherry trees! Want to learn all about different succulents? Head over to the Desert Garden where you can visit a variety of Dr. Suess-like cacti, succulents, and desert plants. Go for a long walk in the enchanting and colorful Rose Gardens, where you can see thousands of rose blooms. Also, here’s a helpful tip– all the garden areas at Balboa Park also serve as the perfect backdrop for some updated family photos. If you’re a gardener or a green thumb, don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore the wide range of gardens here. There are so many different garden areas to explore, from Spanish gardens, to an Australian garden, to California Native Plant gardens, and so much more.
On a rainy day, Balboa Park also has plenty of options. Want to immerse yourself into an educational world where you can learn all about art, science history, or culture? Go museum hopping! There’s even a Spanish Village where you can learn interesting facts about Spain and Spanish culture. Balboa Park is an interactive, educational mecca with a wide range of hands-on attractions to enjoy.
Regardless of whether your kids are young or all grown up, you’ll be sure to find a variety of fun attractions to explore during your visit here. If you’re looking for fun things to do in San Diego, California, be sure to put a visit to Balboa Park at the top of your list!
This is your ticket to fun: BOOMERS Vista
Want to get straight to the point where we tell you about the number 1 fun attraction for families in San Diego? BOOMERS Vista is a top-rated family entertainment center where families of all ages go to have fun. Whether you’re a family of children, teenagers, adults, or a mix of all ages, you’ll be sure to find plenty of ways to have fun here.
Spend the day exploring the vast number of indoor and outdoor family-friendly attractions here. Play at two different miniature golf courses, race around the Go Kart track, get splashed on the Bumper Boats, practice your aim at the Batting Cages, or earn tickets to win prizes at the Arcade. Whether you’re seeking some indoor or outdoor fun in the San Diego area, you’ll be sure to find it at Boomers Vista! All ages are welcome to join in on the fun as long as guests meet the height requirements.
All the fun and action at BOOMERS Vista is known to work up quite the appetite. While you’re here, you can easily pop over to our on-site restaurant Johnny Rockets to fill up with our satisfying and varied menu. All the food is fresh and never frozen, with natural ingredients and is hand-crafted in our kitchen. Opt for a juicy 100% certified Angus beef burger with all the fixins served on a fresh brioche bun. Or, opt for a meaty sandwich, a vegetarian option, or an all-beef frank loaded with toppings. If you aren’t hungry enough for a full meal, opt for one of our sharable starters & sides, like fries, onion rings, a chili bowl, and more! Will you be dining with children or picky eaters? We’ve got a children’s menu they won’t be able to resist! Wash all that delicious goodness down with a thick milkshake or a fizzy fountain beverage.
The fun at BOOMERS Vista doesn’t end at the many rides and attractions. The family entertainment center is known for its seasonal events too. Visit the park during the spring for Easter Eggstravagtanza, where you can enjoy a wild offering of fun Easter activities, including an epic Easter egg hunt, crafts, and so much more. Or, visit us for festive fall nights at our Happy Hauntings event where you can participate in our costume contest, Halloween games, and trick-or-treating. Before you visit us at BOOMERS Vista, be sure to check out our activity calendar, so you’ll know what’s happening at the park.
What are you waiting for? If you’re looking for the most fun things to do in San Diego, this is it! BOOMERS Vista is the perfect place to create fun and happy memories alongside your loved ones. Check out the ticket and pass options to find the perfect one for your visit. You can choose between an all-day unlimited rides and mini golf pass, a 4-hour unlimited rides & mini golf pass, a 2-hour unlimited rides & mini golf pass, and a single ticket option. Find your ideal ticket option and come to BOOMERS Vista to start making happy family memories today!