San Diego is thought for its seashores, sunshine, and theme parks, but when you understand the place to look, there are additionally some incredible sightseeing excursions for households. From whale watching and sea cave kayaking to harbor cruises, pirate ships, and ghost walks, these experiences flip sightseeing into an actual journey—not simply one thing youngsters tolerate.
As a result of San Diego is unfold out, comparatively trendy, and simple to discover by yourself, guided excursions aren’t as widespread right here as in older, extra centralized cities. That makes this checklist all of the extra worthwhile. These are the excursions I constantly advocate to my shoppers as a San Diego-based journey advisor, every one kid-approved for its enjoyable issue, family-friendliness, and the way nicely it showcases nature or town.
Ocean Wildlife & Journey Excursions for Households
1. Whale Watching Excursions
Whale watching cruises are among the many hottest San Diego household excursions booked by our shoppers. There are two peak whale seasons: grey whales migrate previous the coast from December by way of April, whereas blue whales—the most important animals on Earth—seem from mid-June by way of September.
These guided excursions supply a front-row seat to nature’s grandeur, typically led by professional naturalists who preserve youngsters engaged with enjoyable info and marine science alongside the way in which. I’ve a full information to whale watching in San Diego.
- Finest for: All ages
- Ebook with: The most well-liked grey whale selection amongst our shoppers is a family-run, native enterprise known as Flagship. For a extra premium and serene expertise, guide a visit on the magnificent 141-foot crusing yacht America with Subsequent Stage Crusing who additionally affords blue whale excursions.
- Katie’s tip: To see blue whales, it’s essential to enterprise additional out into the ocean and sightings are much less frequent. I like to recommend grey whale season.
2. Snorkeling with Leopard Sharks
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a enjoyable household journey, attempt snorkeling with the innocent leopard sharks in La Jolla. Each summer season (from about late June to September), 1000’s of those mild sharks collect within the shallow, heat waters of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.
That is one in all my favourite summer season actions in La Jolla. The sharks are backside feeders, they usually don’t chunk. I’ll say they appear larger from above the water than they’re.
- Finest for: All ages. Excursions are normally ages 5+.
- Ebook with: On a regular basis California for a snorkeling with leopard sharks tour.
- Katie’s tip: You don’t want to hitch a tour, however you’ll be taught extra should you do. Wade into the water close to the Marine Room, they usually’ll be swimming proper round your legs.
Unique On a regular basis California Low cost
Use code LJMOM20 for a 20% low cost on kayak and snorkeling excursions, classes, and leases.
3. La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour
It is a tour that folks regularly inform me is an surprising journey spotlight. You’ll paddle out from La Jolla Shores Seaside, the place the waves break sufficiently small for simple launches, although you’ll get moist. You then’ll paddle out to the well-known Seven Caves throughout the gorgeous La Jolla Ecological Reserve, a protected marine park teeming with life.
Guides will lead you previous sunbathing sea lions and thru dense kelp forests. Climate allowing, you’ll even get to paddle contained in the spectacular Clam’s Cave—an expertise solely permitted on guided excursions. I’ve achieved it.
- Finest for: Ages 5+ (in a tandem kayak with an grownup) or 15+ for a single kayak
- Ebook with: On a regular basis California (low cost above).
- Katie’s tip: That is actually incredible train (my shoulders get tremendous sore). Put on acceptable solar gear that may get moist. Individuals prefer to ask should you’ll tip over. I’m positive it occurs, however I’ve by no means seen anybody do it!
4. Tide Pooling Eco-Tour
Right here’s an exercise that doesn’t require a tour, however you get a lot extra out of the expertise should you go on one. We participated in a Birch Aquarium tide pooling tour, and even with a long time of non-public visits to those tide swimming pools, there’s nothing like going with a naturalist who appears to search out all of the creatures!
It’s additionally a hands-on science lesson for youths, the place they study conservation, the totally different tidal zones, and how one can work together with sea life respectfully. You’ll doubtless see sea anemones, sea cucumbers, crabs, numerous barnacles, and small fish. Typically individuals get fortunate and see an octopus or sea star. We go tide pooling rather a lot so I’ve a information to tide swimming pools throughout San Diego and in addition tide swimming pools in La Jolla.
- Finest for: Ages 6+
- Ebook with: Birch Aquarium or Ocean Connectors, a neighborhood non-profit the place your ticket proceeds straight help environmental education schemes for youth.
- Katie’s tip: The rocks could be slippery and sharp, so put on sneakers with an excellent grip. Don’t go barefoot, and don’t step on the inexperienced grass! It’s slippery, and also you don’t know what’s beneath it.
Bay Cruises & Stress-free Boat Rides
5. San Diego SEAL Excursions
Can’t resolve between a land or sea tour? Do each! This distinctive journey takes place on an amphibious “bus boat” that first drives previous scenic downtown spots earlier than splashing straight into San Diego Bay for a harbor cruise.
The narrators are recognized for being humorous and interesting, making this one of the vital fashionable sightseeing excursions for youths in San Diego. It departs from the Embarcadero or Seaport Village.
- Finest for: All ages
- Ebook with: Our ticket website (use promo code SAVEMORE for $9 off) or Trusted Excursions (SEAL Excursions’ father or mother firm)
- Katie’s tip: It’s a 100-minute expertise, and also you’ll be seated in an open-air automobile. Carry snacks and sunscreen. I prefer it as a result of it’s simple to relax and benefit from the experience.
6. Set Sail on a Maritime Journey
Positioned alongside the Embarcadero, the Maritime Museum of San Diego affords a wide range of family-friendly excursions that deliver maritime historical past to life. Many of those experiences happen aboard actual historic ships, making them particularly memorable for youths.
Two standout choices embrace: “Boarded! A New Pirate Journey” – A enjoyable and interactive 90-minute present the place youngsters turn out to be pirate crew members, full with sword coaching, navigation apply, and full of life antics. Finest for ages 4+; contains simulated cannon fireplace. After which there’s Tall Ship Crusing Journey – A four-hour voyage on the Californian, California’s official tall ship, the place older youngsters and teenagers may also help sail the ship and be taught conventional seamanship. Finest for adventurous older youngsters and teenagers.
7. Coronado Cays Gondola Experience
Cruise the peaceable canals of the Coronado Cays on an genuine Venetian-style gondola. These personal, hour-long rides are good for households seeking to unwind and take within the surroundings—particularly throughout golden hour or after sundown when the water sparkles and the lights mirror off the houses. It’s a singular method to expertise San Diego from the water with out waves or crowds.
- Finest for: All ages
- Ebook with: The Gondola Firm
- Katie’s tip: You’ll be able to deliver your personal snacks or nonalcoholic drinks on board, and the gondolier gives cozy blankets if it will get chilly. Sundown slots refill quick, so guide early should you’re visiting throughout peak season.
8. Narrated Harbor Cruise
For a traditional and enjoyable sightseeing expertise, a narrated harbor cruise is an ideal selection. These comfy, multi-level boats supply 360-degree views of San Diego Bay’s most iconic landmarks—just like the USS Halfway, Coronado Bridge, and energetic naval fleet.
These firms have Easter, sundown, eating, and different themed cruises to select from.
- Finest for: All ages
- Ebook with: Flagship Cruises or Metropolis Cruises.
- Katie’s tip: This low-stress tour is particularly appropriate for infants and toddlers as it may be as quick as one hour on Flagship with (normally) ample open areas.
9. Sea Monkey Adventures Household Crusing
Get pleasure from a personal and customized crusing tour designed particularly for households. These excursions on a 25-foot sailboat are good for creating reminiscences with out the loud music or occasion environment of bigger cruises. You’ll be able to select from morning, day, sundown, and even whale-watching sails. Extremely advocate.
10. Bahia Belle Mission Bay Cruise
Discover the calmer waters of Mission Bay on a shocking, three-story Mississippi-style sternwheeler. This family-friendly cruise is much less about narration and extra about enjoyable, that includes dwell music and a wide range of interactive video games, together with Big Jenga, cornhole, and Join 4.
- Finest for: All ages (minors have to be accompanied by an grownup)
- Ebook with: Bahia Resort Lodge—it departs from each the Bahia and Catamaran inns.
Excessive-Velocity & Personal Boat Thrills
11. Velocity Boat Adventures
Captain your personal 13-foot mini speedboat! They’re simple to drive and permit your loved ones to discover San Diego Bay whereas having fun with the downtown sights. A information leads the way in which in a separate boat, offering narration about our metropolis by way of a two-way communication system.
12. Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Experience
In case your teenagers and tweens are on the lookout for an adrenaline rush, that is the tour for them. The Patriot is a speedboat that blasts throughout San Diego Bay, executing 360-degree spins and sharp turns, all set to a high-energy rock music soundtrack. It’s much less of a tour and extra of a water-based thrill experience.
- Finest for: Teenagers and thrill-seeking youngsters (should meet 48″ top requirement, and children should experience with an grownup)
- Ebook with: Flagship Cruises & Occasions.
Discover San Diego by Child-Pleasant Trolley, Bike & GoCar
13. Previous City Trolley Tour
A incredible method to see town with no automobile, these orange and inexperienced open-air trolleys allow you to hop on and off at San Diego’s hottest neighborhoods, together with Previous City, Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Coronado. It’s a soothing and versatile method to cowl a variety of floor with entertaining narration from the drivers.
14. Electrical Bike Tour
Give teenagers a way of freedom on an electrical bike tour. The pedal help makes navigating San Diego’s hills a breeze, permitting you to remain targeted on enjoyable and exploration. These excursions are actually extremely rated in La Jolla, particularly Cali Dreamin, which stays on flat floor from La Jolla Cove space to Pacific Seaside and again.
15. GoCar GPS-Guided Storytelling Tour
Discover town in a unusual, three-wheeled “storytelling automobile.” The GPS-guided tour gives instructions and shares enjoyable info and jokes as you drive, turning sightseeing right into a real-life online game. It’s an ideal parent-teen exercise, as the driving force have to be 21+, whereas passengers could be as younger as 7.
- Finest for: Ages 7+ (with an grownup driver)
- Ebook with: GoCar Excursions.
- Katie’s suggestions: It’s bumpy however way more enjoyable than I believed it might be.
16. Fats Woody Electrical Seaside Cruiser Expertise
This isn’t your common bike rental. Cruise the scenic paths of Coronado Island on a custom-built, retro-style electrical “woody” seashore cruiser, full with a built-in sound system for seashore tunes. It’s a classy and effortlessly cool means for teenagers and fogeys to see the island.
- Finest for: Ages 13+ (with a father or mother)
- Ebook with: Viator
Strolling & Foodie Adventures
17. Underground Donut Tour
A tour devoted to donuts is a assured win for the entire household. This two-hour strolling tour takes you to 4 of the most effective donut retailers in downtown San Diego and Little Italy. It’s a candy and scrumptious method to discover town on foot.
18. Torrey Pines Guided Nature Stroll
Absorb sweeping ocean views and uncommon native flora on a ranger-led or docent-guided stroll by way of Torrey Pines State Pure Reserve. These family-friendly hikes discover coastal trails whereas instructing youngsters in regards to the endangered Torrey pine tree, native wildlife, and the realm’s dramatic geology. It’s a soothing method to get open air and expertise San Diego’s pure magnificence past the seashore.
- Finest for: Ages 6+ (path choices range in issue)
- Ebook with: No reservation required, however it’s normally solely on weekends. Test the schedule.
- Katie’s tip: I’m a chill hiker sometimes, however I like Man Fleming Path. It’s the best loop with the most effective views.
19. San Diego Ghost Excursions: Day or Night time Expertise
If your loved ones enjoys native legends and somewhat little bit of thriller, San Diego Ghost Excursions affords two kid-friendly methods to discover town’s haunted historical past—one by day and one by night time.
The Gaslamp District Expertise is a daytime strolling tour by way of San Diego’s unique red-light district. It’s full of colourful tales about historic saloons, legendary gamblers, and frontier-era scandals—entertaining with out being scary, and a enjoyable method to discover downtown with older youngsters.
The San Diego Ghost Tour, held nightly at 8 p.m., provides a spooky twist to town’s historical past. Beginning close to the historic Balboa Theatre, this after-dark expertise shares ghost tales and unusual happenings at a few of San Diego’s most haunted spots. It’s atmospheric with out being too over-the-top, making it an ideal choose for tweens and teenagers.
- Finest for: Ages 8+ (Gaslamp), 10+ (Ghost Tour)
- Ebook with: San Diego Ghosts—LJMOM for 10% off
Solely-in-San-Diego Expertise Value Reserving
20. Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Practice Experience
You’ll be able to experience on a classic practice by way of San Diego’s lovely and rugged backcountry. The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo affords excursions on historic locomotives and automobiles from the early twentieth century. It’s a singular alternative for youths who’re practice fanatics to expertise historical past in movement on an actual heritage railroad.
- Finest for: All ages, particularly practice fanatics
- Ebook with: Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.
- Katie’s tip: Through the vacation season, attempt reserving the North Pole Restricted Christmas Practice with Santa, cookies, and loads of vacation cheer!
