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Things to Do in San Diego with Kids
San Diego might be the easiest big city in America to visit with kids. The weather is mild all year, the bay and beaches are never far away, and some of the best family attractions in the country sit within a few miles of each other. This guide is organized by neighborhood so you can plan days that don't involve hours in the car, with parent tips from our local guides and free picks flagged along the way.
And yes, we're a donut tour company, so we'll tell you where the sweet stuff is too. Our San Diego donut tour walks families through Little Italy, and it's one of the easiest ways to kick off a day near the waterfront.
By the Underground Donut Tour team · Updated November 2026
At a glance
- Free favorites: Waterfront Park splash fountains, Little Italy's Piazza della Famiglia, Balboa Park's gardens, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, La Jolla Cove and the beaches
- Rainy day picks: The New Children's Museum, Fleet Science Center, The Nat, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, Birch Aquarium
- Sweet treat: Our San Diego donut tour welcomes kids 2 and up, with kids' tickets from $65
Kid-friendly things to do in San Diego, by neighborhood
Little Italy and the Downtown waterfront
Little Italy Piazza della Famiglia
FreeA pedestrian plaza with a fountain, gelato nearby and room for kids to roam. On Saturdays the Little Italy Mercato farmers market fills the surrounding blocks.
Waterfront Park
FreeSplash fountains, a big playground and lawns right on the bay, next to the County Administration Building.
Parent tip: Pack a towel and a change of clothes. Kids rarely stay dry here.
The New Children's Museum
Rainy day pickHands-on art and play spaces built for kids 1 and up, just south of downtown at 200 W Island Ave. Open 9am to 4pm, closed Tuesdays.
USS Midway Museum
Kids can climb into cockpits and walk the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.
Parent tip: Plan two to three hours.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Historic ships you can board along the Embarcadero, including the Star of India.
Seaport Village
Shops, a carousel and kites flying over the water. A good easy stroll for little legs.
Parent tip: Little Italy, Waterfront Park and the Embarcadero connect on one flat walk, so you can do the donut tour in the morning, let kids run at the splash fountains, and finish at the Midway without moving the car.
Balboa Park
San Diego Zoo
The headliner. Kids under 3 get in free.
Parent tip: Go early, use the Skyfari aerial tram to cross the park, and save the guided bus tour for tired legs.
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
Rainy day pickDinosaur fossils and Southern California wildlife.
Free in the park
FreeThe gardens, the Botanical Building lily pond, the Spanish Village artist studios, and free Sunday afternoon concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Parent tip: Balboa Park is big. Pick one museum plus the Zoo, or two museums plus playtime, rather than trying to see everything in a day.
Old Town
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
FreeAdobe buildings, a blacksmith shop, candle dipping and costumed history right in the plaza.
Old Town shops and candy stores
Easy to combine with lunch.
Haunted Old Town tour
Ages 6+In the evening, our haunted tour is built for families, with spooky-but-fun stories and sweet stops for kids 6 and up.
Parent tip: Old Town is flat and walkable, which makes it a good half day with younger kids.
Coronado
Coronado Beach
FreeWide, calm, sparkly sand that kids love.
The Coronado Ferry
A short ride across the bay from Broadway Pier that kids treat like an attraction of its own.
Hotel del Coronado
Worth a walk-through, especially during the holidays when there's ice skating by the sea.
La Jolla
La Jolla Cove
FreeWatch sea lions and harbor seals from the walkway.
Parent tip: Please keep a respectful distance from the animals.
Tide pools at low tide
FreeLittle ones love spotting crabs and anemones.
Parent tip: Check a tide chart before you go.
Mission Bay and the beaches
Mission Bay
FreeCalm water and playgrounds that suit toddlers better than ocean surf.
Belmont Park
A classic seaside amusement park on Mission Beach with a wooden roller coaster.
Day trips kids love
San Diego Children's Discovery Museum
In Escondido, with hands-on play for younger kids.
Sweet treats and kid-friendly eats
Underground Donut Tour (kids' tickets from $65, ages 2 and up). A guided walk through Little Italy with stops at local donut shops and plenty of San Diego history along the way. Guides let families pick flavors as they go, so picky eaters always find something.
Taste San Diego's best donuts on one walk
Kids 2 and up are welcome. Guides set an easy pace for little legs.
Parent tip: Cruising? The tour finishes close to the cruise terminal, and families often book it the morning they sail. Download our free Kids' Activity Book for the walk or the plane ride.
What families say about our San Diego tours
"Brought 3 kids under 9. Wade went at our pace and made it so fun!"
Justine A., TripAdvisor, June 2026
"I had 3 of my kids on the tour too and Wade was great with them, keeping them engaged, letting them give input on what we ordered and tried."
Craig N., TripAdvisor, April 2026
"He let us choose our donuts which was cool since we have two kids."
Jennifer P., TripAdvisor, February 2025
"Great with the kids... My kids want to do it again!"
Spencer L., TripAdvisor, December 2024
"Let us choose to pick some safe options for the kids."
Jordan R., TripAdvisor, June 2026
"A beautiful walk around Little Italy and eat all the treats! The kids loved it too!"
samehastings, TripAdvisor, May 2026
All 5-star guest reviews.
Exploring on your own? Our Best Donut Shops in San Diego guide lists the city's best donut shops by neighborhood, and Best Holiday Donuts in San Diego covers the festive specials.
Sample days
Day 1: Little Italy and the bay
- Morning: donut tour in Little Italy.
- Let kids run at the Waterfront Park splash fountains.
- Afternoon: the USS Midway or The New Children's Museum.
- Sunset stroll at Seaport Village.
Day 2: Balboa Park
- San Diego Zoo when it opens.
- Picnic lunch in the park.
- The Model Railroad Museum or Fleet Science Center.
- Carousel ride before heading out.
Day 3: Ocean day
- Morning at La Jolla Cove and the tide pools.
- Lunch in La Jolla.
- Afternoon at Birch Aquarium.
- Or swap it all for the ferry to Coronado Beach.
San Diego with kids by season
Holidays (late November to early January)
- December Nights in Balboa Park: Dec 4 to 5, 2026. Free, with stages, food and lights across the park.
- Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo: Dec 18, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 (not Dec 24), included with Zoo admission.
- Hotel del Coronado holidays and skating by the sea: Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
- SeaWorld Christmas Celebration: Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, included with admission. Our holiday donut tour runs during the season too: see Best Holiday Donuts in San Diego.
The rest of the year
- Spring: whale watching season tails off, wildflowers bloom inland, and crowds are lighter outside spring break.
- Summer: beach days, longer Zoo hours and Comic-Con week in July (book hotels early).
- Fall: warm water, fewer crowds and some of the best beach weather of the year.
- Winter: mild days that are perfect for the Zoo, museums and walking tours.
San Diego with kids FAQ
Is the San Diego donut tour good for kids?
Yes. Kids 2 and up are welcome, the route is a flat walk through Little Italy, and guides adjust the pace for families. Kids' tickets start at $65.
What are free things to do in San Diego with kids?
Waterfront Park's splash fountains, Little Italy's Piazza della Famiglia, Balboa Park's gardens and Sunday organ concerts, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, La Jolla Cove, the tide pools and the beaches.
What's the best area to stay in San Diego with kids?
Little Italy and the downtown waterfront keep you walkable to the bay, the Midway and the donut tour, with a short drive to Balboa Park. Mission Bay and Coronado suit beach-focused trips.
What can we do on a rainy day?
The New Children's Museum, the Fleet Science Center, The Nat, the Model Railroad Museum and Birch Aquarium are all good indoor picks.
What age is best for LEGOLAND?
It's designed for kids roughly 2 to 12.