San Diego is among the finest cities within the nation for issues to do with toddlers and infants. The climate is delicate year-round, most sights are outside and stroller-friendly, and you may construct a full day round a single park with out a automotive experience between actions.
This information covers 18 of the very best issues to do in San Diego with toddlers, written for the under-5 crowd. Every concept is rated 3 ways: how stroller-friendly it’s, what ages will get probably the most out of it, and whether or not it really works round a nap.
What Age Can They Do What?
A fast reference earlier than you propose
0–12 mo
Crawlers
Stick with sensory experiences: Birch Aquarium (mesmerizing tanks), La Jolla Cove seals (assured animal sighting), The Seaside (toes in sand). Infants experience free nearly in all places. Greatest in a service, although a stroller works on the zoo and gardens.
12–24 mo
Walkers
They wish to contact all the pieces: New Youngsters’s Museum (interactive artwork), theNAT Yard (large ladybug climber, potting shed studying nook), Waterfront Park (splash pad + grass). Begin hitting the Zoo. Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is ideal for this age.
2–3
Toddlers
Theme parks open up: Sesame Place (the entire park), SeaWorld Rescue Jr., LEGOLAND Duplo Valley. They’ll deal with a half-day outing with a noon nap break. Fleet Science Middle Child Metropolis is nice for wet days.
3–5
Preschoolers
Nearly all the pieces on this record works now. San Diego Zoo turns into a full-day journey, San Diego Botanic Backyard Seeds of Surprise is an actual favourite, and so they’re sufficiently old to understand the Balboa Park Miniature Prepare. Many can skip the afternoon nap for large outings.
Quick on time? Begin right here
| Greatest For | Prime Decide | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First Go to | San Diego Zoo | Flat paths, shade, Wildlife Explorers Basecamp for toddlers, bus tour when legs give out |
| Wet Day | New Youngsters’s Museum | 100% indoor, interactive artwork installations designed for crawlers by means of age 10 |
| Free Outing | Waterfront Park | Splash pad, grass, harbor views, shaded playground, no ticket wanted |
| Crawlers | Birch Aquarium | Low tanks at child eye stage, tide-pool contact tanks, compact sufficient for one nap window |
Earlier than you go to any of those
Spend a couple of minutes with the official app for the Zoo, Safari Park, SeaWorld, or LEGOLAND earlier than your go to. Decide three or 4 issues your toddler will truly care about (particular animals, a specific experience or exhibit) and stroll in with that quick record. Toddlers get distracted, have meltdowns, and don’t all the time cooperate, so that you most likely received’t see all the pieces you deliberate. The purpose is to stroll in with priorities as an alternative of wandering and getting overwhelmed. (Smaller venues like Birch Aquarium and the museums in Balboa Park don’t want this — they’re sufficiently small to only present up.)
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1. San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park · 2920 Zoo Dr
The Zoo is the toddler exercise most households ask about first. Toddlers love Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. It’s greater than three acres constructed for teenagers underneath 5 with 4 nature play areas (Desert Dunes, Wild Woods, Marsh Meadows, and Rainforest), a two-story greenhouse filled with butterflies, bees, and leafcutter ants, and habitats for animals like prairie canine, fennec foxes, axolotls, and a Chinese language large salamander. For those who solely have a half day with a toddler, that is the place it’s possible you’ll spend nearly all of your time.
With a toddler, right here’s the day stream that works: begin with the Guided Bus Tour. It’s 35 minutes, narrated, included with admission, and in case your toddler stays in your lap for the experience, it doubles as a scouting journey. You’ll see what’s the place and spot the animals value strolling again to. Use the remainder of your time to revisit no matter your loved ones want to see. Finish the day at Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, the place they will run round, splash on the water pad, and burn off no matter’s left within the tank. Eat earlier than or after Basecamp, then head dwelling for nap time. The Skyfari Aerial Tram can also be included if you would like chook’s-eye views with out strolling, and you may take collapsible strollers on it.
Learn our full San Diego Zoo information →
Katie’s Tip
Arrive at opening (9 AM) and head straight to Basecamp earlier than it will get crowded. Do 2–3 animal areas, then take the bus tour when your toddler begins melting down. You’ll see extra from the bus than you’ll strolling at that time anyway.
2. Birch Aquarium at Scripps
La Jolla · 2300 Expedition Approach
Birch is our go-to rainy-day (or any-day) exercise. It’s compact sufficient to do in 90 minutes, the tanks are at toddler eye stage, and the outside tide-pool plaza has contact tanks the place even crawlers can really feel a sea star. My daughter has been mesmerized by the seahorse tank since she was about 8 months outdated.
The aquarium is sufficiently small that you just received’t lose half your day, and it’s good as a result of you’ll be able to transfer at your individual tempo with out feeling rushed. The ocean views from the terrace are spectacular and we love the Little Blue Penguins.
Learn our full Birch Aquarium information →
Katie’s Tip
The car parking zone is small and fills up by 11 AM on weekends. Go early or on a weekday. For those who’re visiting in winter, verify for his or her particular “Tidepooling Adventures” applications. They’re guided, and a very good match for toddlers who don’t thoughts getting moist.
3. New Youngsters’s Museum
Downtown · 200 W Island Ave
This isn’t a dusty science museum with “please don’t contact” indicators. The New Youngsters’s Museum is a up to date artwork museum the place each set up is designed to be climbed on, crawled by means of, or painted on by children. The bottom flooring has a devoted child/toddler space with delicate surfaces and sensory play.
It’s 100% indoor and air-conditioned, making it the most suitable choice on a uncommon scorching or wet day in San Diego. Beneath 1 is free. Plan 2 hours. Toddlers is not going to wish to go away. There’s additionally a neat outside playground throughout the road.
Katie’s Tip
First Sunday of each month is free (Goal-sponsored). It will get crowded, however in case you arrive at opening it’s manageable. Weekday mornings are blissfully quiet.
4. SeaWorld: Rescue Jr.
Mission Bay · 500 SeaWorld Dr
Most individuals consider SeaWorld as a big-kid park, however Rescue Jr. is a devoted children’ zone themed round marine animal rescue and conservation. It has light rides constructed for the under-5 crowd: Rescue Riders (kid-sized jet skis), Rescue Rafter (a rescue-boat experience with light spins), and Tidepool Twist (a sluggish spinning experience with sea-life graphics).
The Rescue Bay Splash Zone has fountains that mimic harbor wakes, so convey a swimsuit. Exterior Rescue Jr., the animal reveals (penguins, sea lions, dolphins) work for any age. The Orca Encounter present common and toddlers love the splash zone seating.
Learn our full SeaWorld San Diego information →
5. Sesame Place San Diego
Chula Vista · 2052 Leisure Cir
A complete theme park constructed across the 2–5 set. Most rides have low peak necessities (usually 36–38 inches) or none in any respect, the water play areas are shallow and heat, and your toddler will lose their thoughts seeing Elmo in particular person. That is probably the most toddler-focused park in San Diego.
It’s smaller than SeaWorld or LEGOLAND, which is definitely a characteristic whenever you’re with toddlers. You possibly can see the entire park with out a loss of life march.
Essential: Sesame Place San Diego now operates seasonally. The park is usually open weekends plus choose weekdays, with water sights operating Might by means of summer time. Test the calendar at sesameplace.com earlier than you propose your go to.
Learn our full Sesame Place information →
Katie’s Tip
Deliver swimsuits and water footwear. The water areas are the spotlight for toddlers and also you’ll need them prepared from the beginning. Go on a weekday to keep away from character line waits.
6. LEGOLAND: Enjoyable City & Dino Valley
Carlsbad · 1 LEGOLAND Dr
LEGOLAND California skews older (finest for five–10), however the resort has two areas constructed particularly for toddlers: Enjoyable City (dwelling to the DUPLO Playtown play construction with delicate DUPLO blocks, plus driving colleges and household rides) and Dino Valley (which incorporates the DUPLO Little Dino Path, a mild dino-themed experience with no peak minimal). For a 2–3 12 months outdated, the mix is a full morning.
Past these two areas, the Miniland USA walk-through (tiny LEGO replicas of cities, together with San Diego) holds toddler consideration surprisingly effectively. Test the LEGOLAND experience information for present peak necessities earlier than you go, since most coasters require an grownup companion on the decrease thresholds.
Learn our full LEGOLAND California information →
7. Fleet Science Middle: Child Metropolis
Balboa Park · 1875 El Prado
Child Metropolis is a soft-play space on the bottom flooring open solely to children underneath 5. There’s a miniature grocery retailer, a water desk, constructing blocks, and a toddler-sized climbing construction. It’s separate from the primary museum flooring, so that you don’t have to fret about your crawler heading for the steps.
In case your little one is 3+, the primary museum has loads of interactive reveals too. The IMAX theater is loud, so skip it with infants.
Learn our full Fleet Science Middle information →
8. The NAT: The Yard
Balboa Park · 1788 El Prado
The Yard is an indoor play area contained in the Pure Historical past Museum, themed to really feel like a yard and restricted to ages 0–5 and their adults, so no massive children will bowl over your crawler. Children climb on an enormous ladybug, hunt for hidden particulars alongside a wood fence, learn in a comfortable potting shed, and (for crawlers) tumble round a delicate cushioned space. It sits subsequent to the Flying Squirrel Café, so mother and father can seize a espresso and watch.
Additionally, everybody loves Al the Allosaurus and the reward store!
Learn our full The NAT information →
9. Youngsters’s Museum of Discovery
Escondido · 320 N Broadway
About 35 minutes north of central San Diego in Escondido, the Youngsters’s Museum of Discovery (nonetheless typically known as by its outdated identify, the San Diego Youngsters’s Discovery Museum) packs 13,500 sq. ft of indoor and outside reveals geared toward ages 0–10. For toddlers particularly, the Toddler Tide Pool is a devoted crawl-and-cruise area with climbing buildings and a studying space. Curiocity is a faux children’ metropolis with a grocery retailer, laundromat, and different roleplay stations. Exterior within the Trudy Bronner Discovery Backyard, there’s a water-play desk, an Creativeness Playground, an edible backyard, and Sebastian, a 50+ year-old desert tortoise toddlers come again to see.
Katie’s Tip
As tempting because it is perhaps to pair this with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (which can also be in Escondido), it’s a very lengthy day for a toddler. Each venues take actual strolling, each are 30+ minutes out of your resort, and the drives bookending the day eat by means of the nap window on each ends. Decide one, save the opposite for subsequent time.
10. Dwelling Coast Discovery Middle
Chula Vista · 1000 Gunpowder Level Dr
Most vacationers skip this one. This small wildlife heart on the shore of San Diego Bay has sea turtles, sharks, rays, and shorebirds, all at toddler peak and arm’s attain. The stingray contact pool is the spotlight for teenagers 2+. Paths are flat and paved.
It’s a lot smaller than the Zoo (you’ll be performed in an hour), which is precisely the suitable measurement for an consideration span measured in minutes.
Learn our full Dwelling Coast Discovery Middle information →
11. La Jolla Shores Seaside
La Jolla · 8200 Camino Del Oro
That is my native seashore and it’s very toddler-friendly. The sand is flat and extensive and our two beachfront inns are positioned right here as effectively. There are restrooms, showers, a grassy park with a playground behind the seashore, and walkable outlets and informal eating places within the Shores enterprise space.
Learn our full La Jolla Shores information →
Katie’s Tip
Park at Kellogg Park (free 2-hour spots fill early) and arrange on the south finish close to the playground. When the toddler is finished with sand, stroll 50 ft to the swings. Morning is finest, because the wind picks up after midday.
12. Moonlight Seaside (Encinitas)
Encinitas · B Avenue on the seashore
A North County decide definitely worth the drive: Moonlight Seaside is at road stage, which sounds small however is definitely uncommon and toddler-magic. You stroll straight from the car parking zone onto the sand. There aren’t any stairs, no bluff staircase, and no sandy slog with a stroller. A grassy park sits proper behind the seashore with a well-designed playground inches from the sand, so toddlers can bounce between sandcastles and slides with out shedding sightlines.
The shoreline is gently sloping with a delegated lifeguarded swim-only zone, and the Marine Security Middle is staffed year-round (8 AM to nightfall) with further seasonal towers Memorial Day by means of Labor Day. Restrooms, outside showers, consuming water, and the seasonal Seaside Wolf snack bar are all on-site. It’s additionally far sufficient north of the Tijuana sewage plume that water high quality holds up reliably. Test present situations at sdbeachinfo.com earlier than you go.
Learn our full Moonlight Seaside information →
13. Waterfront Park
Downtown · 1600 Pacific Hwy
An enormous splash pad, extensive grassy lawns, shaded playground tools, and harbor views, all free. It’s the strongest free choice within the metropolis for this age. The splash pad has light fountains (not highly effective jets), so even crawlers can sit within the water safely. Deliver a change of garments.
14. Mission Bay Park & Playgrounds
Mission Bay · A number of entry factors
Mission Bay is a flat, calm, enclosed bay with grassy parks, playgrounds, and sandy seashores lining each shore. There’s no surf, the water is heat and shallow, and you may park proper subsequent to the sand at most factors. Toddlers can wade, throw bread at geese (don’t truly), and play on considered one of a number of playground buildings.
Pair it with a stroll alongside the bayside path. There are a number of public playgrounds dotted alongside the Mission Bay shoreline.
Learn our full San Diego playgrounds information →
15. San Diego Botanic Backyard: Seeds of Surprise
Encinitas · 230 Quail Gardens Dr
The San Diego Botanic Backyard has two separate youngsters’s gardens value understanding about. Hamilton Youngsters’s Backyard (one acre, the biggest children’ backyard on the West Coast) has Toni’s Tree Home and themed backyard rooms. Seeds of Surprise is the smaller, preschool-aged backyard with a working mannequin railroad, a playhouse, and a dinosaur dig. Toddlers can run freely in fenced, secure areas in each, surrounded by flowers and butterflies.
The remainder of the backyard is a stroller paradise: extensive paved paths, shade, and benches in all places. The bamboo forest is shaded, swishing, and tall sufficient that toddlers go quiet.
Learn our full San Diego Botanic Backyard information →
Katie’s Tip
Don’t skip the bamboo forest path. It’s shaded and funky even in summer time, and the sound of bamboo within the wind captivates little children. Pack a lunch and use the picnic space close to the youngsters’s backyard.
16. La Jolla Cove: Seal Watching at Youngsters’s Pool
La Jolla · 850 Coast Blvd
I’ve taken a whole lot of toddlers to the Youngsters’s Pool in La Jolla to see the harbor seals, particularly if it’s throughout pupping season (December 15 by means of Might 15), when there is perhaps infants on the sand, too.
After the seals, stroll 10 minutes north to see sea lions on the rocks at La Jolla Cove (or vice versa). These two areas are dependable for wildlife sightings which might be relatively uncommon for an city space and entertaining for all ages.
Bonus: My favourite gelato place is a barely uphill stroller push above the Cove. It’s known as Bobboi.
Learn our full La Jolla seals information →
17. San Elijo Lagoon Nature Path
Cardiff-by-the-Sea · 2710 Manchester Ave
The perfect “hike” for toddlers in San Diego County. The path is flat, shaded, and follows the sting of a lagoon teeming with birds. Assured walkers can deal with it on foot; youthful ones experience in a jogging stroller (the path is packed filth, not paved, however clean sufficient). It’s a few mile spherical journey to the point of view.
The brand new Nature Middle on the trailhead has a small exhibit corridor with animal skulls and feathers, which is toddler catnip.
18. Balboa Park Miniature Prepare and Carousel
Balboa Park · 1800 Zoo Pl
Working since 1948, this classic miniature prepare takes riders on a 3-minute, half-mile loop by means of the park, previous animal sculptures and thru a small tunnel. Proper subsequent door is the 1910 hand-carved carousel, considered one of solely a few dozen in North America that also runs the outdated brass-ring custom: riders on the outer row attempt to seize a brass ring because the carousel turns, and whoever catches it wins a free re-ride.
That is the simplest add-on in Balboa Park. For those who’re already heading to the Fleet Science Middle or theNAT, the prepare and carousel sit a brief stroll from each and switch right into a 20-minute facet journey your toddler will bear in mind greater than the museum. Tickets are a number of {dollars} per rider; hours range seasonally, so verify balboapark.org earlier than you go.
Learn our full Balboa Park information →
Stroller Logistics: What to Know
- Deliver your individual. Umbrella strollers work for many museums and parks. Full-size joggers are finest for the Zoo, botanic backyard, and trails.
- Rental choices. Our associate BabyQuip delivers strollers, cribs, automotive seats, and excessive chairs to your resort or trip rental anyplace in San Diego. The most important theme parks additionally hire strollers on-site, however anticipate a wait on the rental counter on arrival.
- Theme parks enable strollers in all places. Zoo, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and Sesame Place all have extensive paths and stroller parking at rides.
- Museums: verify on the door. New Youngsters’s Museum and Fleet Science Middle ask you to park strollers on the entrance. Child carriers work higher inside.
- Seashores: go away the stroller within the automotive. Sand ruins wheels. Use a service or allow them to stroll. Seaside wagons are common however cumbersome.
Nap-Pleasant Day Planning
Morning (9–11:30 AM): Do your big-ticket exercise (zoo, museum, or theme park). Toddlers are at peak power and all the pieces opens at 9 or 10.
Noon (12–2:30 PM): Again to the resort or automotive for nap. Don’t struggle it. A rested toddler is a contented toddler.
Late afternoon (3–5 PM): Simple, low-key outing just like the seashore, Waterfront Park splash pad, or seal watching. No tickets, no crowds, golden hour mild for photographs.
I guide San Diego inns for households each week. Right here’s what I’m on the lookout for once I’m matching a property to a household with a toddler: cribs that aren’t an afterthought, swimming pools with a shallow finish or splash space, suites with a separate sleeping area (so that you’re not tiptoeing at 8 PM), and walkability to actions.
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A number of that constantly work effectively for our toddler shoppers:
Coronado · Beachfront
Beachfront condo-style suites with full kitchens, in-unit laundry, and a zero-entry pool. The setup that provides households probably the most separate-room area with out renting a home.
Carlsbad · Household Resort
Splash Touchdown swimming pools (with a toddler slide), the Little Sprouts Children Membership for ages 6 months to 12 years (a uncommon 6-month-and-up begin age), and a 600-gallon saltwater aquarium inside the children’ membership.
Mission Bay · Greatest Worth
Calm wave-free bay seashore (a lot simpler than ocean with a toddler) and tropical grounds with koi, turtles, and birds.
What are you able to do with a 1-year-old in San Diego?
At 12 months, your finest bets are theNAT Yard (ages 0–5 solely, an indoor play area with an enormous ladybug climber and potting shed), Balboa Park gardens (extensive paths, free), the Fleet Science Middle Child Metropolis (delicate play), and La Jolla Shores Seaside (light waves, flat sand). The New Youngsters’s Museum additionally has a devoted child/toddler play space on the bottom flooring.
What can a 2-year-old do in San Diego?
At age 2, theme parks open up: Sesame Place, SeaWorld’s Rescue Jr., and LEGOLAND’s Duplo Valley are all designed for this age. Birch Aquarium remains to be a success, and the San Diego Botanic Backyard’s Seeds of Surprise play space is ideal for assured walkers. The San Diego Zoo remains to be the #1 decide. Wildlife Explorers Basecamp was constructed for 2-year-olds.
Do I have to guide San Diego theme park tickets upfront?
Sure, guide forward. On-line costs for the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and Sesame Place are usually $5–15 cheaper per ticket than the gate, and also you skip the ticket sales space traces on arrival. Children 2 and underneath are free on the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Birch Aquarium, and the foremost museums, so for these parks you solely purchase grownup tickets. LEGOLAND California and Sesame Place are stricter, charging children beginning at age 2, so solely infants underneath 2 are free at these two parks. A multi-park sightseeing cross like Go Metropolis San Diego can save extra in case you’re hitting greater than three sights. See our San Diego low cost tickets and passes web page for present offers.
Can I convey snacks into San Diego theme parks?
Sure, all 4 toddler-relevant parks (San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, Sesame Place) enable outdoors snacks and small lunch coolers. Glass containers and full-size meals often usually are not allowed. A sippy cup or refillable water bottle is crucial factor to pack, because it’s simple to refill at a number of the eating retailers.
Ought to I hire a stroller in San Diego or convey mine from dwelling?
Deliver yours from dwelling in case you can. Most U.S. airways allow you to gate-check or verify a stroller totally free. If flying with out one just isn’t an choice, our associate BabyQuip delivers strollers (together with cribs, automotive seats, and excessive chairs) to your resort or trip rental anyplace in San Diego, together with La Jolla, Coronado, Carlsbad, downtown, and Mission Bay. Their day by day charges usually are available in beneath in-park stroller leases on the theme parks. However it’s also possible to hire strollers and lockers at our main theme parks.
When is the very best time to go to San Diego with a toddler?
Yr-round, actually. That’s the entire level of San Diego. But when I needed to decide, September–October is good. Summer time crowds skinny out, and the climate stays heat (70s–80s). October is “Children Free” month on the Zoo, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, and SeaWorld, however for toddler-only journeys, the financial savings are minimal since children 2 and underneath are already free at most sights. Children Free October primarily issues when you’ve got older siblings touring alongside, or in case you’re visiting LEGOLAND since children ages 2 and older want tickets.
Is San Diego Zoo or Safari Park higher for toddlers?
For toddlers particularly, the Zoo wins on logistics: it’s centrally positioned in Balboa Park (10 min from most inns), Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is constructed for teenagers underneath 5, and the included Bus Tour makes a half-day go to really feel full. Safari Park works for toddlers, too (see the subsequent FAQ), however often provides 30+ minutes of drive time on every finish of the nap window. For the total comparability past toddler-specific logistics, see our San Diego Zoo vs. Safari Park information.
Ought to I go to San Diego Zoo Safari Park with a toddler? It’s a 30+ minute drive.
Sure, loads of households with toddlers go. The day performs out like this: arrive on the 9 AM opening, get three stable hours in, go away by midday. In case your toddler is a car-nap child (not a stroller-nap child), the drive again to your resort turns into the nap, and the day works.
The maths will get more durable in case your toddler doesn’t sleep within the automotive AND doesn’t sleep within the stroller. In that case, you’re squeezing 30+ minutes of drive time on every finish into the nap window, which often doesn’t go away room for an actual go to. The Zoo is nearer to most inns and is the better name in case your toddler is a “wants the crib” sort.
For a half-day Safari Park go to, experience the Africa Tram (45 minutes by means of the African plains habitat, included with admission) proper whenever you arrive. Toddlers can sit, watch giraffes and rhinos from the protection of the tram, and infrequently nod off. Pair it with a stroll by means of Walkabout Australia or Tiger Path, and also you’ve coated the highlights in 2 to three hours. If you’d like a deeper expertise, the paid Cart Safari ($64 and up) gives a guided cart tour, and the 90-minute Wildlife Safari ($98 and up, previously the Caravan Safari) generally permits you to hand-feed giraffes from an open-air truck (they don’t promote this, because it is determined by what the animals are up for).
Is La Jolla good for toddlers?
Sure. La Jolla has three of the very best toddler actions within the metropolis: Birch Aquarium (mesmerizing tanks, contact swimming pools), La Jolla Cove sea lions and Youngsters’s Pool seals, and La Jolla Shores Seaside (light waves, flat sand, playground). It’s additionally simple to navigate with a stroller and discover quiet, kid-friendly eating places.
