The Ultimate Family Guide
San Diego With Kids
San Diego is easily one of my favorite places to take kids.
There is SO much to do, the weather is usually amazing, you have the beach and Mission Bay right there, and there are enough kid-friendly restaurants and activities that you don’t feel like you’re spending the entire vacation trying to keep everyone entertained.
I love a nice dinner and a good beer, but I also don’t want to spend the entire meal telling my kids to sit down, stop touching everything, and asking how much longer until we can leave.
Give me good food, something for the adults, and something that keeps the kids busy, and I’m happy.
That’s honestly how I plan most of our family trips now.
We’ve done San Diego with kids enough times that we definitely have our favorites now. So if you’re planning your first family trip, these are the places I’d actually recommend, plus all the little mom things I would want someone to tell me before I went.
San Diego Guide
📍 Jump to Section...
- Best place to stay: The Dana on Mission Bay
- Best big attraction: Sea World San Diego
- Best for little kids: Sesame Place
- Best for the wildlife: San Diego Zoo
- Best smaller attraction: Birch Aquarium
- Best for Rides, Games & Beach Time: Belmont Park + Mission Bay
- Best for Lunch, Shopping & Exploring: Old Town San Diego
- Best Activity for Dad — Fishing
- Best Restaurant for Keeping Kids Entertained: Corvette Diner
- Best Casual Meal With Kids: Pizza Port Ocean Beach
- Best for Parents & Kids: Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
- What to Pack
- Mom Tips
- Final Thoughts
Where We Stay: The Dana on Mission Bay
This is one of those hotels where I’m telling you to just spend the extra money. There are definitely cheaper places to stay in San Diego, but The Dana is SO worth it with kids. You’re right on Mission Bay, close to SeaWorld, the pools are awesome, and the hotel itself is actually part of the vacation. After spending all day at SeaWorld or the zoo, I do not want to load everyone back into the car and find something else to do. We can come back, let the kids swim, walk around the bay and look at the boats, and actually relax for a little bit. And honestly, my kids are just as happy swimming at the hotel as they are doing some expensive attraction. I’ve learned I would rather spend a little more on a hotel that makes the whole trip easier than save money and make more work for myself. Spend the extra money on The Dana. You won’t regret it.
WHY I LOVE IT WITH KIDS
- Right on Mission Bay
- Two heated pools
- SeaWorld shuttle
- Marina views
- Seasonal family activities
- SeaWorld fireworks views
Make Your Hotel Part of the Trip
One of my biggest family-travel rules now is that hotel time counts as vacation time.
Walk around Mission Bay. Look at the boats. Swim. Let the baby nap. Let your older kid watch TV for an hour. Sit by the pool. Have a drink. Do absolutely nothing.
That’s still vacation.
In fact, those slower moments are usually when everyone is happiest.
Sea World
SeaWorld is one of the easiest attractions to recommend when you’re traveling with kids of different ages. Little kids have animals, shows, play areas and family rides. Older kids have roller coasters.
🎟️ DEAL ALERT: CHECK FOR KIDS FREE DEALS!
Ways I Check for Cheaper Tickets
1. Attraction Website Deals
2. SoCal Hotel Packages
Many local Mission Bay hotels offer ‘Stay and Play’ packages. If you are traveling from out of town, combining lodging with park access is an easy route to savings.
3. AAA & Teacher & Military Discounts
AAA members can easily log in to secure savings.
For teachers, you can sign up for a Teacher Fun Card and get free admission.
For service members, the ‘Waves of Honor’ program grants complimentary single-day admission.
4. Authorized Ticket Resellers
SMART PLANNING
MY SEAWORLD MOM TIPS
Take The Shuttle
It makes the day SO much easier with kids. You don’t have to load everyone into the car, pay to park, trek through the parking lot, or try to remember where you parked after a long day.
Download App
Not in the parking lot. Not at security. Download it before you leave. Look at the showtimes and decide which ones matter most. Then build your day around those.
Check Showtimes
Check the showtimes as soon as you get there and plan your day around the ones you really want to see. It’s SO easy to get caught up in rides and realize you missed a show!
Bring Stroller
SeaWorld is a lot of walking, and theme-park tired hits differently. Plus, it gives you somewhere to throw all your stuff instead of carrying it all day.
Early Photo
Get the cute family pictures when you first get there! Everyone is still clean, happy, and looking cute. Don’t wait until the end of the day when everyone is sweaty, tired, and completely over it.
Don't Carry House
You do NOT need to bring your whole house into the park. Pack the essentials, a dry change of clothes, sunscreen, water, and a few snacks. The less you have to carry around all day, the better!
What I Actually Bring Into SeaWorld
Pack the things you’ll actually use, keep your bag light, and save yourself from carrying a ton of stuff around all day.
💧 Refillable Water Bottles
You can bring an empty reusable water bottle or a sealed plastic water bottle into the park. There are water refill stations throughout SeaWorld, so bring your own bottle and refill it during the day instead of constantly buying drinks.
🥨 Small Kid-Friendly Snacks
Pack a few small, easy snacks for the kids like Goldfish, fruit snacks, or baby food pouches. They’re perfect to have on hand when someone suddenly decides they’re starving in the middle of the park.
☀️ Sun Protection Essentials
The San Diego sun can be STRONG, so sunscreen is a must. I also bring sunglasses and hats for the kids, especially for sitting outside during the shows.
👕 Wear Water Friendly Clothes
Wear water-friendly clothes that dry quickly! Between splash zones and water rides, there’s a good chance the kids are going to get wet. Quick-dry clothes mean you don’t have to carry an entire extra outfit around all day.
🔋 Portable Phone Charger
Between taking pictures, checking showtimes, using the SeaWorld app, and keeping track of everything throughout the day, your phone battery goes FAST. This is one thing I never want to be without.
Toddlers + younger kids
★ MOM TIP
Sesame Place
Sesame Place is SO much fun with younger kids because it’s basically a theme park and water park in one. They can meet their favorite Sesame Street characters, go on rides made for little kids, watch shows, and spend the rest of the day playing in the water.
What to Pack for Sesame Place
Water Gear & Swimwear
Definitely bring swimsuits, rash guards, water shoes, and your own towels, the kids are going to want to get wet! Life jackets are available for free in the park, so at least that’s one less thing you have to pack and carry around all day.
Park Essentials & Sun Protection
Bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and definitely a stroller for the little ones. After a full day of swimming, water slides, and running around the park, that walk back to the car feels LONG. You’ll be very happy you brought it!
Change of Clothes & Wet Bag Storage
This is crucial! Bring a couple of wet/dry bags or plastic Ziplocs. Include a full set of dry clothes so kids can transition comfortably to the dry rides later in the afternoon.
Conquering the San Diego Zoo
CRITICAL ADVICE ⚠️
Do NOT underestimate how big this zoo is! There is a LOT of walking, hills, and so much to see. Have a rough plan before you start so you’re not walking back and forth across the zoo with tired kids all day.
Your Zoo Survival Pack Checklist
- Extra Supportive Walking Shoes (lots of hills!)
- Refillable Water Bottles (hydration stations are everywhere)
- Sunscreen (San Diego sunshine is strong)
- Stroller (even older kids will get tired of walking)
- Snacks (beat the mid-day hanger)
- Zoo App / Map (essential for finding your favorite animal)
💡 Don't Skip This!
I’ve been to a lot of zoos. San Diego Zoo is still the best zoo I’ve been to. If this is your first family trip to San Diego, this would be very high on my list.
The Birch Aquarium
Not every San Diego day needs to involve walking 20,000 steps. That’s why I really like Birch Aquarium.
The aquarium has marine-life exhibits, Little Blue Penguins and hands-on tide-pool experiences, plus beautiful views toward the La Jolla coastline.
Turn This Into a La Jolla Day
- Birch Aquarium
- La Jolla Cove (Scenic drive & coastal breeze)
- Spot the Seals (Basking on the sandy shores)
- Food & Ice Cream (Sweet local treats nearby)
- Sunset Photos (Unforgettable family portraits)
Belmont Park + Mission Beach
Belmont Park and Mission Beach are such a fun combo with kids because you get beach time, rides, games, food, and the boardwalk all in one stop. I also love that this doesn’t have to be another huge all-day theme park. Spend a few hours at the beach, walk over to Belmont Park, let the kids ride some rides and play games, grab food, and stay for sunset.
Start With Mission Beach
Start With Mission BeachLet the kids actually have some beach time! Bring the swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, sand toys, and snacks and give them a few hours to just play.
The best part is Belmont Park is right there, so you don’t have to pack everyone back into the car and drive to your next activity.
MOM TIP
Don’t completely exhaust the kids at the beach if you’re planning on doing Belmont Park afterward. A few hours is plenty—you still want them to have some energy left for the rides!
🎡 Head Into Belmont Park
After the beach, walk over to Belmont Park for rides, games, and food. Ride the Giant Dipper if your kids are tall enough, it’s the iconic wooden roller coaster right on the beach and a must-do at least once! One of the things I really like about Belmont Park is that you don’t have to treat it like another expensive full theme-park day. The park is free to enter, and you can decide how much or how little you actually want to do.
- Unlimited Ride Wristbands: Best for kids planning to ride all afternoon.
- Pay-As-You-Go Credits: Best for families who only want to hit one or two rides.
- Spectators are Free: Best for anyone who just wants to walk the park.
Old Town San Diego
One of my favorite easy San Diego stops with kids.
I wouldn’t plan an entire day here, but it’s perfect for a slower morning or afternoon when you don’t want another huge attraction.
Walk around, check out the historic buildings, let the kids look through the shops, eat some really good Mexican food, and just explore. After days at SeaWorld or the zoo, I LOVE having something on the itinerary where we don’t have to be anywhere at a certain time.
🌮 Eat at Old Town Tequila Factory
If you’re going to Old Town, go hungry and eat at Old Town Tequila Factory. This is exactly the kind of restaurant I love adding to a family trip: good Mexican food and margaritas for the adults, plenty for the kids to eat, and amazing views overlooking San Diego.
🛍️ Let the Kids Shop
Set a Souvenir Budget First
Fishing Adventure
🎣 Seaforth Landing
If someone in your family loves fishing, check out Seaforth Landing on Mission Bay. They offer everything from shorter fishing trips to full-day and offshore trips, so you can choose what works for your family.
My husband has taken charters out of Seaforth Landing and caught 100-pound tuna, while Gage and I stayed back at the hotel, swam, and hung out around Mission Bay.
💡 MOM TIP
If you have younger kids who aren’t ready for a long fishing trip, make this a split-family day! One parent can head out fishing while the other plans a fun pool or beach morning with the kids. If your kids are older and love fishing, look for a shorter trip the whole family can do together.
WHERE TO EAT WITH KIDS
Because parents deserve great food and a cold beer while the kids stay fully entertained. Here are our favorite San Diego’s family-friendly dining spots.
Pizza Port Ocean Beach
- Pizza
- Beer
- Beach
Pizza Port is one of our favorite easy stops after a day at Ocean Beach. The pizza is good, there are tons of beers on tap, and it’s casual enough that you don’t have to worry about showing up with sandy, tired kids.
Corvette Diner
- Food
- Arcade
- Fun
Dinner is part of the fun at this retro diner with burgers, shakes, entertaining servers, and a huge arcade. We love it because the kids can eat and play all in one stop.
Stone Brewing Escondido
- Beer
- Garden
- Koi Pond
Don’t let “brewery” make you skip this one with kids. The huge outdoor garden gives kids room to explore while parents enjoy good food and a beer. It’s one of our favorite ways to make everyone happy.
The Ziploc Gallon Bag: Trust me. Eventually it WILL have a purpose.
MY SAN DIEGO PACKING GUIDE
From beach days to the zoo and everything in between, having the right stuff packed can make or break a San Diego day with kids. This is everything I keep in my bag to make long days out a whole lot easier.
More San Diego Mom Tips
Don’t over-schedule your evenings. Some of the most magical memories are just grabbing a blanket, some takeout pizza, and sitting on the sand at Windandsea or Sunset Cliffs while the kids run around.
1. Check for Deals BEFORE Buying Tickets
Before paying full price for anything, check for current promotions, attraction bundles, and multi-attraction passes. If you’re visiting during Kids Free San Diego in October, definitely check which attractions are participating that year.
A few minutes of searching before you buy can save you a LOT of money.
2. Check Ride Heights Before You Go
Do this BEFORE you tell your kid about a ride.
Check the height requirements for SeaWorld, Belmont Park, Sesame Place, or anywhere else you’re going and measure your kids at home.
Because finding out they’re too short while standing directly in front of the roller coaster is not how I want to start my day.
3. Swimsuits Under Outfits Strategy
If you know there’s even a chance you’re ending up at the beach, pool, or somewhere the kids can get wet, put their swimsuits on under their clothes.
Then you can just strip off the top layer and let them play instead of trying to change everyone in a bathroom.
4. ALWAYS Bring Sweatshirts
Don’t let a warm afternoon fool you.
Once the sun goes down, especially near the water, you may be very happy you threw sweatshirts in the car.
I would rather have four sweatshirts sitting untouched in the trunk than listen to everyone tell me they’re cold for two hours.
5. The Stroller Survival Plan
Even if your bigger kid hasn’t used a stroller in forever, think about bringing one for your big attraction days.
The San Diego Zoo is HUGE, SeaWorld means a ton of walking, and vacation-tired kids suddenly forget they’ve had functioning legs for the last six years.
Plus, you have somewhere to put all your stuff.
6. Portable Stroller Fan Lifesaver
If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, throw a rechargeable stroller fan in your bag.
It’s great for warm park days, stroller naps, and anytime you’re sitting outside longer than expected.
7. Don't Forget the Sunscreen
The breeze can make San Diego feel cooler than it actually is, which makes it really easy to forget how much sun you’re getting.
Put sunscreen on everyone before you leave the hotel and bring it with you to reapply.
8. Keep an Extra Outfit in the Car
You don’t necessarily need to carry extra clothes around all day.
Keep them in the car.
Between sand, water, food, spills, and whatever else kids somehow manage to get on themselves, you’ll eventually use them.
9. Bring More Snacks Than You Think You Need
Someone will be hungry.
Then someone else will be hungry.
Then the kid who said they weren’t hungry five minutes ago will suddenly be STARVING.
Bring the snacks.
10. Avoid Overbooking Your Daily Schedule
This is probably one of my biggest San Diego tips.
You do NOT need to do SeaWorld, the zoo, the beach, and Old Town in the same day.
Pick your big activity.
Then leave room for the hotel pool, dinner, the beach, or absolutely nothing.
Everyone will have more fun.
11. Stay Close to What You're Doing
Saving a little money on a hotel isn’t always worth spending half your vacation driving back and forth.
This is one of the reasons I love staying around Mission Bay. Being able to get back to the hotel for a nap, swim, or reset can completely change the day when you’re traveling with kids.
12. Book Your Must-Dos Early
If there’s something your family REALLY wants to do, don’t leave it until you arrive.
Book the important stuff ahead of time, especially special experiences, popular restaurants, or anything with limited availability.
Then leave the rest of your trip flexible.
13. Bring a Wet Bag
Wet swimsuits.
Sandy clothes.
Dirty shoes.
Mystery kid mess.
Throw it all in the wet bag and deal with it when you get back to the hotel.
Honestly, even a plastic grocery bag works.
14. Make Mornings EASY
Bring easy breakfast food for the hotel room.
Granola bars, muffins, cereal, yogurt, whatever your kids will actually eat.
Getting everyone dressed, sunscreened, packed, and out the door for SeaWorld is enough work. You do not also need to turn breakfast into an event every morning.
15. Leave Time for Nothing
Do NOT schedule every hour of your San Diego vacation.
Leave an afternoon open for the hotel pool.
Grab pizza and take it to the beach.
Stay longer because the kids are having fun.
Watch the sunset.
Let everyone sleep in.
Somehow, the parts of our trips that I barely planned are usually the ones we end up talking about the most.
You don’t have to see everything to have an amazing San Diego trip.
MOMS: GET IN THE PICTURE.
This is probably my biggest regret from our San Diego trips.
I’m always the one taking the pictures. Pictures of the kids. Pictures of my husband with the kids. Pictures of everything we’re doing. And then I get home and realize I’m barely in any of them.
Hand your phone to your husband. Ask someone nearby. Prop it up and use the timer. I don’t care how you do it.
GET IN THE PICTURE!
Your kids aren’t going to care if your hair looked perfect or if you loved your outfit. They’re going to want pictures with their mom.
And you’ll want them too.
AND ENJOY IT, TOO
Put the itinerary away sometimes.
Take the picture.
Get IN the picture.They’re only this little once.
Final Thoughts
San Diego is one of those places we keep coming back to because it just works with kids. You can have huge theme-park days AND slow beach days all in the same trip.