Conventional wisdom holds that San Diego is for the young- with amazing water sports, surfing and a world renowned Golf culture. But a closer look and you realise that the region is chock-full of attractions for kids of all ages, especially the under-18 set. From Disneyland, the granddaddy of all theme parks, to world-class aquariums, zoos, historical museums, and outdoor activities, San Diego will keep your family engaged and hopping.
For the intellectual and older generation, San Diego offers enough history to be explored and wondered about from theme and historical museums to Wildlife safari and botanical gardens. It also offers great food and houses some great vineyards.
Beaches
Recreation in San Diego revolves around the beach, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t with the area’s 70 miles of coastline and ideal climate, it is a true reflection of the California’s Beach culture! The popular surfing spots at the Pipes Beach and Encinitas offer awesome waves for beginners and pros alike. Apart from Surfing and diving, the beaches are perfect for family fun with beach games, water sports and sand castle games!
Apart from surfing, there’s a long list of all the things one can do here, something for all age groups! One can choose from swimming, surfing or snorkelling in the sea or enrol in coastline tours, sailing, sport fishing etc. Alternately you can also enjoy skateboarding, sunbathing, rollerblading on the beautiful and scenic beaches or engage in hiking, biking, or camping activities.
If you want to try to tackle the waves, or just witness world-class surfers, The California Surf Museum at Oceanside is your place to be. The museum presents the many facets of this unique culture. The museum works to preserve the historical roots of the area’s beach communities, which are so closely tied to the ocean.. A unique experience for learning for the young ones and the elders alike!
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The Oceanside also offers the best ‘walking on water’ experience… well literally! The ocean side pier - longest wooden pier into the pacific along the west coast, offers a 1,942 feet long stroll right into the ocean, to witness the best sunset along the beach! You can also enjoy a relaxed family day fishing together at the pier or enjoying cool treats at the local diners.
Museums & Parks
The famous Balboa Park is a one-stop shop for the arts and culture-minded visitor and feels like a city in itself, specialising in knowledge, serenity and fun! Home to 15 museums, a replica of Shakespeare’s theatre and the world famous San Diego Zoo, the park could keep you busy for weeks. The 15 museums are as varied and exhaustive, offering everything from photography to model trains; it has been dubbed “Smithsonian of the West.” There’s the Museum of Man, the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Air & Space Museum; you get the picture.
The Old Globe Theatre, a replica of Shakespeare's Old Globe in London, lights up the performing arts scene in the park. You can enjoy free organ concerts every Sunday, among other performances and be transported to the literary and creative extravaganza. Crossing the Cabrillo Bridge—a 1,500-foot, seven-arch span— makes one feel like you’ve entered a gentler, more erudite place. Botanical gardens and winsome sculptures call to mind less frenetic times.
Set Sail For the Maritime History in San Diego
A bay front museum presents seagoing vessels ranging from the world’s oldest active sailing ship to a Soviet submarine. With its natural harbor and longstanding Navy tradition, San Diego has a long-standing relationship with almost anything that floats. The city celebrates its nautical heritage at the Maritime Museum of San Diego a fascinating site where you can even climb aboard one-of-a-kind vessels.
The museum’s best-known ship is the iron-hulled (and still active) Star of India, which has sailed around the world 21 times and these adventures have earned it recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest ship still in use.
Zoo, Aquariums & Theme Parks
The San Diego SeaWorld
The San Diego SeaWorld offers an opportunity to riders and non-riders alike to immerse themselves the graceful beauty of marine creatures living in a 100,000-gallon underwater habitat. Blending the exhilaration of a super-speed coaster with a marine-life exhibit, the new Manta attraction at Sea World San Diego is yet another spectacular new reason to visit this standout family attraction. The ride offers the first of its kind experience that takes riders on twists, turns, and drops, while also immersing them into the world of rays and other incredible marine creatures. Manta also incorporates Forbidden Reef, an existing SeaWorld attraction where guests can feed and touch fascinating (and harmless) bat rays.
Grab the rare chance to slip on a wetsuit at SeaWorld to interact with beluga whales, walruses, seals, and possibly even a polar bear. Or climb into a mock Greek fishing boat on Journey to Atlantis and rise skyward, first through a foggy mist then out into a world of blue--SeaWorld below, Mission Bay sparkling all around. Absorb the scene quickly, because in the next instant you’ll plunge 60 feet. You sure would not want to miss this for the world!
San Diego’s Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Explore the wonders of the underwater world at Birch Aquarium, the public exploration centre for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and beyond. An oceanographic museum showcases research discoveries by Scripps scientists on climate, earth and ocean science and includes five dozen interactive elements.
They provide ocean science education through creative exhibits, programs, and activities designed to help people use critical thinking, and to make science relevant to their daily lives and promote conservation through education and research. Visit the aquarium during Family Days and enjoy arts and crafts, science, and engaging activities for all ages in programs and special events that promotes family learning and togetherness.
San Diego Zoo
The Famous San Diego Zoo is a sanctuary for more than 4,500 animals, many of which are endangered, a world-class botanical garden, and a fun, educational experience for the entire family. Get a chance to walk in the paw prints of polar bears, visit cute and cuddly pandas, take photos of the ever-popular koalas, watch elephants frolic in their pool, and catch glimpses of lions, tigers, gorillas, zebras, camels, and many, many more. The children’s zoo allows kids to get up close and personal with a variety of animals. A guided bus tour of the zoo or a ride with the Skyfari aerial tram provides unmatched zoo experience. Overall, a guaranteed fun filled and exhilarating Family time!
Family Fun at Legoland
At LEGOLAND, the whimsical and imaginative world of tiny plastic building bricks comes alive, with incredible displays, rides, and activities, many of them geared for younger kids. LEGOLAND California is the country’s first attraction dedicated to the interactive toy that has captivated children (and plenty of adults) around the world for more than 50 years.
One of the most extraordinary parts of this sprawling theme park is Miniland USA, where 20 million LEGO bricks recreate American cities and landmarks ranging from the White House to Hollywood’s Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Star Wars Miniland uses 1.5 million bricks to depict seven scenes from the cinematic sci-fi saga. And drench your "enemies" then race down a 25-foot water chute at Pirate Reef.
AROUND SAN DIEGO
Escape to an island getaway in the heart of San Diego
There’s something magical about the ‘history meets sun-splashed beaches’ of charming Coronado Island. Maybe it’s the elegantly simple bridge that spans a stretch of Mission Bay, linking Coronado the San Diego. While driving across the 2-mile-long bridge is fun, another way to explore is by ditching the car altogether. Start by boarding the Coronado Flagship Ferry. The 15-minute cruise lands at the Coronado Ferry Landing, which features a marketplace packed with shops and restaurants. Load up a backpack with nibbles to go, rent bikes to pedal through elegant neighbourhood filled with grand homes. Consider joining weekly docent-led historic tours. Stretch out on the island’s shoreline, where you can choose from ocean waves on one side and gentle bay waters on the other.
