Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around San Diego - 2022
Best Places for Kids in the San Diego area!
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you San Diego's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Get great ideas here! After you check out the list, make sure to find great things to do on our packed daily calendar, sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, and visit our Everything That's Free page for lots more ideas.
1. San Diego Zoo
The Zoo, located adjacent to downtown San Diego in Balboa Park, is 100 acres in size. It is well known for its lush, naturalistic habitats and unique animal encounters and is home to more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals representing approximately 650 species and subspecies and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 plants. It is viewed in several ways, first and foremost by walking along pathways, into aviaries, and through bioclimatic zones. There is a 35-minute Guided Bus Tour that gives a good overview of the Zoo, along with an Express Bus that stops at several locations to assist guests in accessing different areas. We suggest taking the Guided Bus Tour upon your arrival to acquaint yourself with the various areas where you would like to spend additional time. The Zoo is a unique walking experience that exhibits animals in the most natural way possible, adding shows and animal presentations throughout the day for additional enjoyment. We recommend a minimum visit time of at least three to four hours.
2. Plunge San Diego
Dive into fun at Plunge San Diego, the spectacular oceanside venue at Belmont Park in Mission Beach. Thanks to a five-year restoration project, the historic swimming pool originally built in 1925 is now a state-of-the-art attraction with a retractable roof and floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Swim in a sunlit paradise and enjoy the dining deck attached to the pool’s renovated Beach House Restaurant. The heated pool has seven (7) lap swim lanes, and a shallow area with an obstacle course for family fun. Open to the public, The Plunge offers premier programs including swim lessons for every age, a masters swim team, aqua aerobics classes, and recreational swim time. The iconic facility features a floating obstacle course, basketball hoop, dry sauna, hot showers, lockers, functional fitness area and direct beach access. For current schedules, programs and rates, visit Plunge SanDiego at plungesandiego.com
3. Balboa Park
Ever changing. Always amazing. Where culture, science, and nature collide, Balboa Park is home to more than 16 museums, multiple performing arts venues, lovely gardens, trails, and many other creative and recreational attractions, including the San Diego Zoo. With a variety of cultural institutions among its 1,200 beautiful and lushly planted acres, there is something for everyone.
4. SeaWorld San Diego
Only at SeaWorld® San Diego theme park can you get close to dolphins, penguins, sharks and more! See awe-inspiring shows with magnificent killer whales, playful dolphins, humorous sea lions plus an amazing pet show featuring adopted animals. Dive under the sea at Explorer's Reef and touch a crab, shark, or playful cleaner fish. Experience exhilarating rides, roller coasters and water rides. See dozens of amazing attractions. Enjoy fresh California cuisine. Experience this beautiful park located on scenic Mission Bay. SeaWorld® is a top-rated, all-age attraction and a must-see for any visit to San Diego.
5. "My local library"
Of course, our local library system is not really ONE place, it is MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication.
6. Oma's Family Farm
Oma’s Family Farm offers a wide variety of activities and events throughout the year. Visit us for Recess, Schedule a private event, or stop by for our Pumpkin Patch & Christmas Tree Farm in the fall. We would love to have you visit! All tickets are pre purchased through our website.
7. Belmont Park
Sure to please the entire family, Belmont Park is located on the surf and sand of Mission Beach and offers free parking and free park admission.
Belmont Park is San Diego’s only beachfront amusement and entertainment complex. Visitors can enjoy traditional and contemporary amusement park rides including the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, play laser tag, visit the arcade, climb the Sky Climb Rock Wall, Dine at Draft or Cannonball, enjoy a round of golf at Tiki Town Mini Golf, glide on the Zip Line or play midway style games - to name a few. The Park features a wide array of cuisine including oceanfront restaurants Beach House Bar & Grill, Draft and Cannonball as well as quick service concepts Belmonty's Burgers, Hot Dog on a Stick and Dole Whip.
8. Birch Aquarium
Dive into the world of sharks, seahorses, and coral reefs at Birch Aquarium. As the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, Birch Aquarium features amazing creatures including a rescued Loggerhead Sea Turtle, a Giant Pacific Octopus, Weedy Seadragons, and Moon Jellies. Get hands-on with local creatures while enjoying stunning ocean views.
9. LEGOLAND® California Resort
AWESOME AWAITS at LEGOLAND® California Resort with more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions for families with children ages 2-12. The LEGO® Ferrari Build & Race experience is now open! See the world’s first life-sized LEGO Ferrari F40 and race your own creation. Then soak up the sun at the LEGOLAND Water Park or chill out at SEA LIFE® aquarium. Plus, stay and play at the amazing LEGOLAND Hotel or Castle Hotel located right at the main entrance.
10. The New Children's Museum
At The New Children’s Museum, we believe play and art-making promote the skills that our future leaders need: creativity, confidence, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, collaboration, resiliency and optimism. The New Children’s Museum unlocks children’s innate creativity by exposing them to art and the creative process.
11. Fleet Science Center
The Fleet Science Center connects people of all ages to the possibilities and power of science to create a better future. Our mission is to realize a San Diego where everyone is connected to the power of science.
At the science center, you can explore and investigate more than 100 interactive exhibits that pique your curiosity and become immersed in an IMAX film adventure that shows the wonders of the planet—and beyond—in the Eugene Heikoff and Marilyn Jacobs Heikoff Giant Dome Theater. For young science enthusiasts, the Fleet hosts school field trips, science workshops and educational camps.
13. San Diego Children's Discovery Museum
The mission of San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum is to inspire children to learn about our world through exploration, imagination, and experimentation.
16. La Jolla by the Sea
From world-class shopping to one-of-a-kind dining. Shimmering ocean views to timeless landmarks. Beach culture to high culture. Each day, there's a new experience waiting for you. Welcome to La Jolla. Take it in.
19. Sesame Place San Diego
Sesame Place® San Diego is the only theme park on the West Coast based entirely on the award-winning show, Sesame Street®. Conveniently located just 20 minutes from San Diego and 2.5 hours from Los Angeles, this 17-acre theme park is perfect for families with kids of all ages and has been designated as a Certified Autism Center. The new theme park features 18 Sesame Street-themed rides and exciting water attractions, a family-friendly rollercoaster and a 500,000-gallon wave pool – one of the largest in Southern California. The park also features an engaging musical play area, an interactive Sesame Street Neighborhood complete with the iconic 123 Stoop, daily live character shows, an award-winning parade, one-of-a-kind photo opportunities and of course, everyone’s favorite furry friends. For more information, visit www.sesameplace.com/sandiego and follow the park on Facebook and Instagram.
20. Ninja Factory
Ninja Factory, located in the Eastlake Community just off the 125 S, is a family owned and operated Ninja Warrior style play place. Where fitness meets fun! At Ninja Factory, children, from crawler to 12 years of age, navigate the inflatable obstacles, structures, warped walls, zip lines and more. While having fun, kids grow their minds and bodies while burning off all their endless energy. There is a dedicated toddler area (to keep little hands safe from bigger feet) with age appropriate obstacles to help babies to toddlers develop their motor skills while having fun! Enjoy it for a day, month, and even for birthday parties with their many admission options! Ninja Factory is known for being clean, safe and FUN!
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Sports Educator: YMCA of San Diego
The Y focuses on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, and incorporates the core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith into all we do. The Y is more than a gym. We are a community with something for everyone in your family regardless of age, income, ability, ethnicity, or faith. When youth play sports at the Y, they gain more than just exercise. They learn what it takes to be a leader in sports and in life. Youth learn the fundamentals of the game while building character, developing self-confidence, and creating healthy relationships.
Top STEM Educator: San Diego Zoo
The Zoo, located adjacent to downtown San Diego in Balboa Park, is 100 acres in size. It is well known for its lush, naturalistic habitats and unique animal encounters and is home to more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing approximately 660 species and subspecies and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 plants. It is viewed in several ways, first and foremost by walking along pathways, into aviaries, and through bioclimatic zones.