San Diego Fun Activities for Toddlers
Tinies will love the boardwalk, Mission Bay and meeting Shamu at SeaWorld. Top it off with time at the beach and your baby will be all smiles.
Sunny San Diego, three hours south of Los Angeles and an hour and a half from Disneyland, should definitely be part of your trip to southern California. The city boasts cultural and historic attractions, fascinating Mexican heritage and a world-renowned zoo, not to mention lush sand beaches, including some perfect for a family beach getaway.
Family Savings Alert!
This destination participates in the following savings programs that give families access to tours and attractions at discounted prices. Check out what's available:
Citypass: Save up to 50% off a select group of top family attractions in 10 exciting cities.
Go City Cards & Explorer Passes: Top attractions and tours for 1 low price at 14 destinations.
Viator: Lowest price on separate tickets for top attractions and events in 450 destinations.
Balboa Park
Visitors Center at 1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
619/239-0512
This park is a top choice for any family visiting San Diego. Besides the San Diego Zoo (see below) and 15 museums, the 1,200-acre park, the largest urban cultural park in the US, includes five theaters, three playgrounds, well-maintained gardens and acres of open grass for playing and picnicking. El Prado, the main thoroughfare, is lined with Moorish-style museums and theaters, some dating as far back as 1915. There's an old-fashioned carousel, a miniature railroad and a puppet theatre. Don't miss this amazingcomplex, often referred to as the "Smithsonian of the West"
The New Children's Museum
211 Maple Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619/233-8792
This is an ambitious, "please touch" museum where kids and parents alike are invited to create their own art, experience virtual reality simulations and learn with both hands-on and "minds-on" activities. The museum, which opened in 2008, features a dramatic three story atrium, a concrete entrance bridge and a glass-enclosed elevator. The new, environmentally green facility features expanded galleries for hands-on art experimentation, a 250-seat-theater, and an indoor/outdoor café. Museum planners have included more handicapped access, stroller parking and diaper-changing facilties in the design. Parents will appreciate the one-acre Museum Park, located across the street, that boasts three shade-covered play spaces, open days and evenings.
Rubin H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center
1875 El Prado (in Balboa Park)
San Diego, CA 92101
619/238-1233
This museum has an the world's first and San Diego's only IMAX Dome theater where they show various educational movies and light shows about the world. Your kids will also find the more than 60 hands-on exhibits, including Origins in Space, Aging for all Ages, Kid City and Gallery of Illusions and Perceptions delightful,
LEGOLAND California
1 LEGOLAND Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760/918-5346 or 877/LEGOLAND
Legoland California is fashioned after its 30-year-old European namesake and is the first of its kind in the U.S. The 128-acre complex was built using more than 130 million Lego blocks, and features 50 rides and eight themed areas. In reality, the park activities will interest kids 2-12 years, but visitors of all ages will enjoy the fantastic Lego constructions that adorn the park and the detailed artistry of their builders. Land of Adventures features four new attractions and rides. Lost Kingdom Adventure, the park's first dark ride, transports guests back to ancient Egypt on a family journey through ancient temple ruins as they ride in desert jeeps blasting targets with lasers. Beetle Bouncers boosts children nearly 15 feet into the air as they are launched up one of two towers. Pharaoh's Revenge offers a play area filled with catapulting foam balls that the whole family can enjoy, and Cargo Ace stimulates the imagination, as children become airplane pilots, soaring on planes that fly up to six feet. For your youngest tots, Swabbie's Deck is where they can enjoy gentle water play.
Mission Bay Park
Follow 1-8 to Mission Bay Dr. or Ingraham St., or 1-5 to Mission Bay exits.
619/276-8200
Unsatisfied by miles of beautiful natural coastline, the city transformed a swamp into a 4,235-acre aquatic sports center open year-round. It is the largest man-made aquatic center. Here the family can swim, sail, windsurf, kayak, waterski, and fish, mostly in areas designated for one sport only. On land there are picnic areas, playgrounds and plenty of open spaces, and boats and equipment are available for rent at several marinas. There are lots of coves with calm water perfect for swimming. Bonita Cove, DeAnza Cove, and Playa 2 all have tot lots, playgrounds, and lifeguards on duty, making them great places for toddlers to play in the water.
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum
1649 El Prado (in Balboa Park)
San Diego, CA 92101
619/696-0199
With one of the largest collections of mini-gauge railroads in the world, some kids find this museum so terrific they never want to leave. Exhibits include the Pacific Desert Lines, with miniature trains 1/160 actual size, and the Toy Train Gallery which includes a 3 Rail and interactive models for children.
SeaWorld
500 SeaWorld Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
800/25-SHAMU
Great marine exhibits and Shamu the whale shows make SeaWorld must-see entertainment for everyone. Make sure to reserve tickets for the Shamu Show by calling in advance during high seasons; it is very popular and sells out quickly. "Sesame Street Bay of Play" is a two-acre Sesame Street-themed interactive play area that includes Elmo's Flying Fish, Abby's Sea Star Spin and Oscar's Rocking Eel rides. You can rest your feet in the "Big Bird's Beach Party" show and the movie "Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination in 4-D." Call ahead to book Breakfast with Elmo and Friends.
San Diego Zoo
Zoo Drive (in Balboa Park)
San Diego, CA 92101
619/231-1515
Not visiting this world-class zoo in with some of the most innovative wildlife displays and imaginative activities around, is like not visiting The Louvre while in Paris. It is a simple must-see, that all nature lovers (regardless of age) will enjoy. Opened in 2009 is their fantastic new, interactive Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey exhibit that emphasizes ecology and African wildlife. Your family can meet a family of Giant Pandas inlcuidng cubs born in 2005, 2007 and 2009, and enjoy a guided bus tour, sky tram, petting zoo and baby animal nursery. The San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road in Escondido, 35 miles north of the zoo, is a wildlife preserve dedicated to protecting endangered species. Seeing animals in their natural habitat is quite a thrill for older kids, and scheduled sleepovers welcomes schoolage kids and parents for the night.
In addition to our recommendations, another resource for parents is the directory SDKids.com, provided to local parents who want to keep up with this ever growing city. For general information visit the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau (619/232-3101).
Photos courtesy of the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park and the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.
