When it’s time for a family vacation, how can parents avoid the same old song and dance? The answer lies nestled along 70 miles of sunny Southern California coastline. San Diego is the ideal destination for children of all ages offering family-friendly activities, world-class attractions and incredible special events.
Start your family holiday off with a dose of vitamin sea! This long-time family favourite is an animal theme park, oceanarium, outside aquarium, and marine mammal park all rolled into one.
Hop on a raft and join other castaways as you ride down a winding river, splashing through rapids and whitewater on Shipwreck Rapids, venture to the “lost city” on the Journey to Atlantis attraction, or get the ultimate adrenaline fix on the amazing and immersive Manta coaster.
You can also pet dolphins, touch and feed rays and take in a panoramic view of San Diego from SeaWorld Sky Tower.
San Diego Zoo is a world famous 40 hectare tropical garden that houses 4000 animals of 800 rare and exotic species. In 2016 it commemorated 100 years of being one of the world’s best animal presentation complexes.
Guests can visit endangered species in specially designed bioclimatic exhibits, including a family of giant pandas. There’s also a three-mile guided bus tour, a sky tram, a children’s petting zoo and a baby animal nursery.
Located 50 kilometres north of downtown, the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park is an 890 hectare preserve where wild animals roam free over vast expanses as they would in their native habitats of Africa and Asia. Meander amongst the animals as you take one of the exciting Safari Tours available, or engage in an animal encounter where you can get up close and personal with one of the many species inhabiting the park.
Located 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND offers interactive adventures, delivers fun, imagination and entertainment geared for kids ages 2-12. The 50-hectare theme park features more than 40 interactive attractions and rides that are kid-powered.
There’s Ninjago World: a ninja-themed land with a Ninjago interactive ride allowing visitors to virtually defeat their villains; Miniland USA: a miniature Florida complete with Cape Canaveral and the famous Daytona racetrack, all built to scale with incredible detail out of millions of LEGO bricks; and Block of Fame: a landscaped pathway that doubles as a fun and educational, three-dimensional gallery lined with a collection of busts made solely out of LEGO bricks.
Situated in downtown San Diego, this museum is an interactive arts destination for adventurous families. The museum encourages children to play, think and create with hands-on activities and exhibitions.
The innovative exhibitions are designed by emerging and established contemporary artists. It is downtown San Diego’s first public ‘green’ project, due to its environmentally friendly infrastructure and architecture. Recycled building materials have been used, as well as water-saving devices and natural convection cooling.
The largest cultural complex west of the Mississippi and the largest urban cultural park in the US, Balboa Park is often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West”. There are 85 attractions, including 15 museums, art galleries, sidewalk performers, the Tony Award-winning Old Globe theatre, Starlight Bowl, the San Diego Zoo and an abundance of lush gardens and trees.
Some other family favourites in Balboa Park include:
Mission Bay is part of Mission Bay Park: the largest water park of its kind in the world, consisting of over 1700 hectares. From kayaking and stand up paddle boarding to water skiing, sailing, kite surfing and everything in between, Mission Bay is the ultimate water playground.
There’s also Tecolot Shores: an open, grassy, park popular for flying colourful kites, playing Frisbee and having leisurely picnics.
Recognised as the best family beach in North America by the Travel Channel, families visiting Coronado beach are greeted by a vast expanse of white sand: perfect for impromptu football games, paddleball and sandcastle building. The southern end of the beach is also a popular spot for flying kites.
For a splash of San Diego’s rich history, consider a visit to Old Town State Historic Park which marks the first European settlement on the West Coast of the US and represents San Diego’s Hispanic heritage from 1821 to 1872. It features almost 5 hectares of Mexican lore and historical sites with popular shops, restaurants, museums, a theatre and several carefully preserved or restored historic adobe and wooden buildings.
Make sure to leave time for a stroll through the Gaslamp Quarter in historic downtown San Diego. It was founded in 1867 and is home to many Victorian buildings that have since earned historic status. These days it’s a lively neighbourhood known for its cocktail lounges, dive bars, theatres and independent restaurants.
San Diego’s historic Italian neighbourhood, once an Italian fishing village, is now filled with patio cafes, restaurants, pubs, art galleries, shops, hotels and the Amici Park. Stroll the cypress tree-lined streets and discover delicious eateries, or time your visit to coincide with the Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market to pick up fresh produce, local artisan food, flowers and more.
Strap on your hiking boots to spend the day at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: a 242,000-hectare living museum. The whole family will be spellbound by a kaleidoscope of colourful wildflowers splashed across desert dunes. The start of spring is the best time to visit to capture this natural spectacle at its most spectacular.
Located in San Diego’s South Bay, Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center is the nation’s first warm weather, year-round Olympic training complex. It features training venues and support facilities for archery, canoeing/kayaking, rowing, cycling, field hockey, soccer, tennis and track and field. Families are welcome to join a narrated walking tour of the 60-hectare campus.
Explore the recently remodelled Turtle Lagoon at the Living Coast Discovery Centre. Four endangered Pacific green sea turtles have found their home at this inspiring educational facility and are waiting for you to come and find them. The turtles have more room to swim freely, and new interactive elements have been installed to educate visitors about endangered sea turtles in the wild.
Liberty Public Market, San Diego’s first 7 day a week market, is an indoor/outdoor market featuring cheeses, meats, baked goods, pasta and seafood. Bringing together a wide range of cuisines from across San Diego, you won’t go hungry wandering about the stalls.
San Diego’s largest arts and cultural district is home to 120 museums and galleries, artist studios, dance companies, fine dining, retail and educational groups. It showcases the city’s creative community and provides innovative and interactive experiences for families – guaranteed to keep everyone entertained.
Recently opened iFLY San Diego features a skydiving wind tunnel to let you live your dream of flying as you feel the wind sweep through your hair. It’s safe and comfortable, as you replicate skydiving in an indoor facility with the help of experienced instructors.
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