Things To Do in San Diego With Kids

The Best Family Sightseeing and Attractions in San Diego

The most efficient and entertaining way to experience family-friendly attractions in San Diego is with Old Town Trolley Tours. Our hop-on, hop-off narrated sightseeing experience removes the stress of parking and city driving, allowing families to focus entirely on creating lasting memories. Old Town Trolley Tours provides seamless transportation to San Diego’s top destinations for kids, including museums, historic sites, and the iconic amusement parks.

• Hassle-Free Sightseeing: Parents are free to enjoy the day without worrying about directions, traffic, or finding parking at multiple attractions.
• Engaging Narration: Your expert conductor provides engaging, kid-friendly facts and historical context about San Diego’s most important places.
• Hop-On, Hop-Off Convenience: Customize your itinerary with the flexibility to get on and off at 11 stops to explore at your family’s preferred pace.
• Kids Under 4 Ride Free: Children under the age of four ride completely free of charge on the trolley tour.

Top Highlights for a Family Day in San Diego

Old Town Trolley Tours takes your family directly to or near the best places to visit, including several key attractions that are ideal for children:

• Balboa Park: Explore this National Historic Landmark, which features the famous Miniature Railroad, the San Diego Natural History Museum, and interactive fountains.
• Old Town San Diego State Historic Park: Step back in time to explore the city’s birthplace, with museums and historic buildings where you can witness blacksmith demonstrations and learn about early California days.
• The Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum: Tour the historic USS Midway, America’s longest-serving carrier. Kids will love climbing into real cockpits and navigating the complex decks of an aircraft carrier.
• Belmont Park: Visit the beachfront amusement park on Mission Beach to experience thrilling rides like the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster and other family favorites.
• The New Children’s Museum: Located near the historic downtown district, this museum features original, hands-on art and both indoor and outdoor activities.
• San Diego Zoo: The trolley stops near the world-renowned zoological preserve, where kids can see thousands of exotic animals, including rare and endangered species, up close in naturalistic habitats.

Recommended Attractions in San Diego for Kids

 Old Town

Old Town Market: Home to over 40 unique shops, the Old Town Market celebrates the rich history of San Diego. You can find everything from gourd art to Day of the Dead dolls to whimsical souvenirs within the market. With live events, top-notch restaurants, and excellent outdoor shopping, you won’t want to miss perusing the Old Town Market with your family.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park:  Dedicated to preserving the early days of San Diego, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park includes many museums and historic buildings including Casa de Estudillo, Seeley Stables, the Sheriff’s Museum, and many more. This park offers fun for all ages, and visitors can even watch authentic blacksmith demonstrations during their time here.

San Diego Harbor

Whale Watching Excursions: Interested in getting up close and personal with San Diego’s wildlife? Check out whale watching excursions departing from the San Diego Harbor. You’ll spot seals, sea lions, migrating birds, and marine life on your journey. Learn more about San Diego’s wildlife from expert naturalists during the trip, and don’t forget to bring binoculars!

Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum: The USS Midway was America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier during the 20th century. Now a popular museum, it offers a self-guided audio tour of over 60 locations, including the engine room, officers’ quarters, and flight control. Families can enjoy a special kids’ audio tour to learn about San Diego’s rich maritime history.

Maritime Museum: Water lovers and fans of tall ships will rejoice at the Maritime Museum. Test out what life was like in the days of tall sailing ships or in the lives of both American and Soviet submariners. The museum is home to over half a dozen ships, including tall ships and submarines. Walk the decks of the legendary Star of India,  the world’s oldest active sailing ship, and explore other vessels. You can check out life sailing the seas, reading maps, and even testing the anchor! Learn what life was like for sailors on tall ships and for both American and Soviet submariners.

Seaport Village

Seaport Village: With over 50 places to shop and entertainment for the whole family, it’s one of the most popular things to do in San Diego. Enjoy face painting, balloon art, and riding on the historic carousel. You can even purchase a kite to fly on a sunny day or indulge in ice cream treats. Be sure to check the Seaport Village events calendar for all the latest updates.

SEAL Tour: View the famous San Diego cityscape on land and sea during this 90-minute, fully narrated tour that departs from Seaport Village and cruises through the San Diego Harbor. Hop aboard an amphibious vehicle with your family, and learn about San Diego’s history on this exciting adventure of a lifetime.

The New Children’s Museum

Featuring original pieces of art designed to engage children and promote hands-on learning, the New Children’s Museum offers both indoor and outdoor activities for families. Inside, children can observe, create, and interact with the exhibits. Directly across the street, kids can play in a beautiful park full of climbing structures, swings and room to run around. Don’t miss out on this family-friendly museum during your time in San Diego.

Petco Park Baseball Stadium

A spectacular, open-air ballpark nestled in downtown San Diego. During baseball season, grab a stadium hot dog and watch the San Diego Padres face off against other major league teams.  Innovative design and state-of-the-art amenities make the ballpark a favorite attraction of visitors and locals alike.

San Diego Zoo

Home to over 3,700 animals and more than 650 species. The zoo pioneered the “cageless” exhibit, where animals are contained in areas mirroring their natural habitats. Whether you’re viewing the koala exhibit, riding across the park on the Skyfari or taking an animal feeding tour, this zoological preserve has something to please all ages.

Balboa Park

A National Historic Landmark, Balboa Park is full of green, open space areas as well as museums and theaters. Children especially enjoy riding on the Balboa Park miniature railroad, exploring the San Diego Natural History museum, and splashing in the water fountain near the Fleet Science Center. The expansive 1,200-acre Balboa Park is family-friendly and exciting for visitors and locals alike.

Belmont Park

Put your hands in the air like you don’t care! The perfect place to take your kids is Belmont Park. It’s a beach-front amusement park located on Mission Beach and is home to the awesome of awesome rides and thrills for kids and their parents, too. For a quick rush of adrenaline, get your seat on the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. With its steep hills, sharp curves, high speeds, and fast drops, you and your gang will be screaming with joy. The park also has the Beach Blaster swing ride that whooshes you 60 feet in the air and the Octotron that whirls you around just enough to make you giddy with dizziness. ! You can enjoy bumper cars, the thrilling vertical plunge, laser tag, and many classic amusement park rides, all while overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Ride, eat, shop, and then take a stroll along the beach. There’s so much family fun all in one place!

Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour

Fun and good cheer is in store when you get your seat on this special Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour. Enjoy a colorful candy cane, cheerful music, and a comfortable ride as this tour transports you past some of the city’s most fantastic holiday displays. You’ll travel through Old Town, Little Italy, and more, and witness all the magic of the season as the colorful lights sparkle in the moonlight. Sing along to popular holiday tunes and experience the spirit of the season in this 90-minute tour offered on select evenings in December.

Can you say Beach Day?

There are 70 miles of coastline in San Diego and miles and miles of magnificent beaches to explore. And whatever kind of beach you’re looking for, San Diego is sure to please. From rocky shores where the waves crash into the cliffs to long stretches of pure white sand and everything in between, you’re sure to find your beach.

No Beach Tour dates currently available. Please check back in 2026.

Surrounded by beach towns, majestic cliffs, and 70 miles of pristine coastline, the beaches of San Diego are a world unto themselves and the best way to explore them is on the La Jolla & San Diego Beaches Day Tripper Tour. Get comfy as the trolley climbs to the top of Mt. Soledad for an excellent overlook of La Jolla proper. Wind back down Pacific Coast Highway and pay a visit to the Children’s Pool where seals frolic in the sand and the dramatic seven Sisters Caves. La Jolla’s beauty begins on its sandy shores. Discover this charming beach town and its neighboring areas. Just a short stroll through the Village and you’ll be treated to some of the finest shopping, galleries, and dining anywhere in Southern California.

Off The Beaten Path

• Ocean Beach Tide Pools
• Point Loma Lighthouse/Tide Pools (Cabrillo National Monument)
• Sunset Cliffs – Hiking
• Birch Aquarium
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Sea World
• Legoland
• La Jolla Cove – sea lions/shallow waters for kids
• Mission Bay – park/kite flying/big grass area for picnics
• University Town Center (La Jolla) – Ice Skating, year-round

Get out and have fun in San Diego!

Outdoor fun is happening in San Diego all year long. Whether you take the Old Town Trolley Beach Tour, visit the San Diego Zoo, ride the coasters at Belmont Park, or visit Old Town, you’re sure to create family memories that will last a lifetime.

Kids Ride Old Town Trolley Tours FREE in October*

Kids 12 and under can enjoy free admission to Ride Old Town Trolley Tours during the month of October.

*One free child per adult. This offer may end at any time. Other restrictions may apply.