What are the best things to do in San Diego with kids, by age?

The fastest way to plan San Diego with kids is by age, because the same stop can thrill a 4-year-old and bore a 14-year-old. Below we sort named places into three age bands, each with a paid pick, a free pick and prices we checked on November 3, 2026. For a first-trip overview see our top 5 for a first visit, and for the big zoo decision see Zoo vs. Safari Park.

What is there to do in San Diego with toddlers?

For toddlers, pick the New Children's Museum downtown and a free playground. The museum (200 W. Island Ave.) charges $20 for children 1 and up and $25 for adults, babies under 1 are free, and it's open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. six days a week, closed Tuesdays. The Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park has a Kid City area; kids 2 and under are free, juniors (3-12) are $18.95 and adults $21.95, with a dome film included. Free options: Pepper Grove Playground in Balboa Park has a separate area for kids under 5, Bonita Cove on Mission Bay has sandy toddler areas, and Waterfront Park downtown has fountains to splash in. For a first beach day, see the calmest beaches for kids.

What should kids ages 5 to 10 do in San Diego?

Ages 5-10 are the sweet spot for aquariums, the USS Midway and tide pools. The USS Midway (910 N. Harbor Dr.) is $31 for youth 4-12 at the gate or $29 online, kids 3 and under are free, and La Jolla Mom calls it especially good for elementary-age kids; see our Midway tips. The San Diego Zoo is $68 per child (3-11) any day or $63 on online Value Days. LEGOLAND in Carlsbad starts at $69 online on its ticket page (its help center says $79) versus $139 at the gate, so never buy at the window; see our LEGOLAND tips. The free pick: tide pools at Dike Rock (north of Scripps Pier) or Shell Beach in La Jolla, best from late October through March when daylight low tides arrive in late afternoon. Morley Field Playground in Balboa Park is built for ages 5-12.

What do tweens and teens like to do in San Diego?

• —Belmont Park, Mission Beach (3146 Mission Blvd.): free to enter; the Giant Dipper wooden coaster needs riders 50 inches tall. The unlimited Ride & Play pass is $68.95 at the gate but $48.95 online on typical weekdays and $34 on Wednesdays (La Jolla Mom, updated Oct 17, 2026).
• —La Jolla sea-cave kayak tour (La Jolla Kayak, 2199 Avenida de la Playa): 90-120 minutes; ages 5+ ride tandem with an adult, single kayaks require age 15+. The operator's page doesn't show a price; check its booking page.
• —USS Midway flight simulators: extra charge of about $8-$10 a ride, 42-inch minimum, on top of admission.
• —Free: Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. Kids 15 and under never pay; adults pay $20 per car or $10 on foot, and everyone is free on Nov 11, 2026.
• —Free: a sunset at the cliffs; see our sunset spots and free things to do.

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap contributors

Toddlers

1. 1New Children's Museum — $20 per child, closed Tuesdays

Free

1. 2Waterfront Park — Splash fountains and playground
2. 3Bonita Cove Park — Sandy toddler areas
3. 8Cabrillo National Monument — Under 16 always free

Kids 5-10

1. 4Birch Aquarium — $29.95 child online
2. 5USS Midway Museum — $29 youth online, 3 and under free
3. 9LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE — From $69 online

Tweens and teens

1. 6Belmont Park — Free entry; Giant Dipper 50 in.
2. 7La Jolla Kayak — Single kayaks 15+

Paid and free picks from this guide, grouped by age.

See these on the full San Diego map