These fun things to do in the summer in San Diego, California are such awesome activities for all ages. From beaches to theme parks, museums, zoos, and more, these are some of the best family-friendly things to do in San Diego!
Family-friendly activities in San Diego
Are you taking a family vacation to San Diego this year? Or just passing through? Maybe you’re a Southern California resident? I am sure you’ll be looking for things to do while you’re here, there is so much to experience! Born and raised in San Diego, and now enjoying the city with my kids, I kinda consider myself an expert mom in the city.
85 Things to Do In San Diego This Summer
I have been to almost every single place on this list, so I can definitely recommend it by experience. There are many more places to do and things to see, but I am listing my favorites here. Note that activities marked in BLUE are Honey + Lime top picks. You will have something to do every single day of the summer, enjoy your time in San Diego!
The best San Diego beaches
La Jolla Shores
Coronado Beaches (all of them), Coronado, CA
Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach, CA
La Jolla Cove, Children’s Pool and Tide Pools – Children’s pool and tide pools not for swimming
Torrey Pines State Beach
Carlsbad State Beach
Pacific Beach
Cardiff State Beach
San Diego, California Amusement Parks
LEGOLAND, Carlsbad, CA
Sea World San Diego
Belmont Park by the beach
Boomers, San Diego, Vista and El Cajon, CA
John’s Incredible Pizza, National City, CA
Water Parks in San Diego
Sesame Place, Chula Vista, CA
LEGOLAND Waterpark, Carlsbad, CA
LEGOLAND Chima Waterpark, Carlsbad, CA (yes, they have TWO!)
The Wave Waterpark, Vista, CA
Splash Pads and Pools in San Diego
Hilton Head County Park, El Cajon, CA
Embarcadero Waterfront Park, Downtown
Las Posas Sprayground, San Marcos, CA
Sunset Park, San Marcos, CA
Buelow Park, San Marcos, CA
Santee Lakes Sprayground, Santee, CA
Tierrasanta Recreation Center Pool and Children’s Play Area
McGrath Family YMCA Splash Pad, Spring Valley, CA
Omni La Costa Resort, La Costa, CA
Arcades and laser tag in San Diego
UltraZone Laser Tag
Nickel City
The Boardwalk, El Cajon, CA
Dave & Busters
San Diego Paint Ball Park
Atlantis Lazer Tag, Chula Vista, CA
Also see Boomers, John’s Incredible Pizza, and Belmont Park under ‘amusement parks‘
San Diego Museums
New Children’s Museum
Ruben H. Fleet Science Museum
The NAT: SD Natural History Museum
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, Escondido, CA
San Diego Museum of ArtUSS Midway Museum, Downtown San Diego
The San Diego Zoo
San Diego Safari Park, Escondido, CA
Bates Nut Farm, Valley Center, CA
Suzie’s Farm
U-Pick Strawberry Farms – Carlsbad, CA
San Diego Botanic Gardens
Balboa Park Japanese Gardens
San Diego Indoor Activities
Sky Zone Trampoline Park – Chula Vista, CA
Get Air Trampoline Park, Poway CA
SkyHigh Sports
Jump Around Adventure Park, Chula Vista ,CA
Pump It Up Inflatable Jump House, Poway, CA
KidVentures, Chula Vista & 4S Ranch, CA
My Kids Clubhouse, Poway and Bonita, CA
Playwerx, Carlsbad, CA
Playtown Indoor Playground, El Cajon, CA
Funbelievable, Lakeside, CA
Skateworld Roller Rink
Ice Town Ice skating
Mira Mesa Bowl
San Diego Ice Arena
Pelly’s Mini Golf, Del Mar, CA
Leisure and Recreation activities
Seaport Village, Downtown
Balboa Park, tons of attractions here
Padres Baseball at Petco Park, catch a game or tour the stadium
Hiking, biking, scuba, kayaking, golf, surfing, fishing, boating, etc, from the San Diego Tourism Authority
Birch Aquarium Scripps, La Jolla, CA
SeaLIFE Aquarium, Carlsbad, CA
Historic Old Town
Cabrillo National Monument
Living Coast Discovery Center, Chula Vista, CA
Mission Trails Regional Park Hike and Explore
Lake Hodges – Fishing, boating, and hiking, Rancho Bernardo, CA
Segway and Bike Tours, Downtown and Balboa Park
Miramar Speed Circuit, Go Karts and Racing
Mount Soledad Observatory, La Jolla, CA
Palomar Observatory, North County
Campland by the Bay, Pacific Beach
KOA San Diego Campgrounds, Chula Vista, CA
Limited Time summer fun in San Diego
The Del Mar Fair, Del Mar, CA, through July 5th
Carnaval at The Bahia Mission Bay – Live music, beach party, BBQ food, and drinks every Thursday through August 28th.
Regal’s Summer Movie Express $1 Films – PG Movies on Tuesdays
San Diego Humane Society, plenty of youth programs throughout the summer
San Diego Farmer’s Markets, SD Countywide
Summer Concerts at Balboa Park
Summer Movies in the Park, Countywide
Day at the Horse Races, Del Mar, CA
What are your favorite summer activities in San Diego?
No matter what you decide to do when you visit San Diego, there are so many great family-friendly activities to experience year-round. If you’re looking to go out to breakfast or brunch, check out these best breakfast spots in San Diego. Enjoy your summer in San Diego!
The Zoo and Sea world are my favorite places to go to in San Diego. I also would love to try Legoland and the San Diego Botanical Gardens. It is so pretty in this city!
I forgot all of the fun things in San Diego. Where was the photo taken that’s above leisure and recreation? I can’t place it. Although I am just up the road an hour, I don’t get down there enough. I did go to a lot of those places when my son was young. We practically lived at Nickel City. I didn’t know it was still around.
That is Seaport Village!
I guess I never saw it from that angle before.