Free Things to Do in San Diego with Kids

UPDATED JULY 2024
By Andrew Martineau

When it comes to entertainment, sports, and outdoor activities, San Diego has something for everyone to enjoy. What’s more, there are plenty of family-friendly activities that are free and that kids are sure to enjoy. Here is a selection of the activities to consider the next time you are in San Diego and want to get the kids involved in something exciting.

1) La Jolla Cove – Snorkeling

If you enjoy the ocean and are intrigued by aquatic creatures, then there is no better place to go snorkeling than La Jolla Cove. Given the protections for wildlife in the area, you can observe a variety of sea life in a clean and natural environment. The La Jolla area is one of the most affluent in the San Diego area, making a trip to this beach area exciting on multiple levels. You can enjoy the ocean and eat at world-class restaurants. Image of Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Horizon, Sky, Landscape, Sea, Water, Beach, Coast, Shoreline, Person, Panoramic,

2) Balboa Park – Free Walking Tour

World-class museums, classic architecture and well-kept grounds make Balboa Park an attraction for all ages. There are free walking tours of the park, giving adults and children alike the opportunity to learn about the origins of the park and everything it has to offer. You can take in the architecture and get some exercise, which is positive for everyone involved in the tour.

3) Mission Beach – Swimming & Sunbathing

Every year, locals and tourists alike flock to Mission Beach to surf, body-board, swim, and sunbathe. This is an ideal place for kids and adults to spend quality time together. There are also popular restaurants and shops in the area, if you want to grab something to eat or do some shopping. This is a good place to just lay back and relax, while enjoying the ocean breeze. Image of Water, Waterfront, Pier, Nature, Outdoors, Sky, Person, Beach, Coast, Sea, Shoreline, Sunrise,

4) Mission Trails Regional Park – Walking/Hiking

Walking and trekking excursions are fun ways to explore, get some cardio in, and bond with the people next to you. Mission Trails Regional Park has some easy trails to trek, allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty of the San Diego area. Be sure to bring the right shoes and even a walking stick. If you and the kids decide to walk during the summer, be sure to wear comfortable clothing and bring some sunscreen.

5) Old Town – Historical Attraction

For those that enjoy learning about history and exploring old-time buildings, old town is an ideal place to visit. Kids are sure to enjoy the history, culture, and getting an idea of how things used to be in San Diego. You can explore old town and then venture out into downtown San Diego, which will help give contrast to the new and old ways of living. Image of House, Housing, Villa, Person, Bus, Vehicle, City,

6) Mission Bay Park - Biking

There are plenty of trails and areas where you can bike along with kids in Mission Bay Park. The paths are easy and the climate will likely be sunny and warm. The backdrop is unique given the many water activities going on in Mission Bay. You can work on your cardio, suntan, and relax in a peaceful environment when you bike this area.

7) Ocean Beach – Dog-Friendly Beach

Often-times it doesn’t feel like a family outing unless the pets come to. If you and your kids choose Ocean Beach to swim, sunbathe, and relax, you can bring your pet to dog beach. Your kids are sure to enjoy the sunshine and the laid-back atmosphere of Ocean Beach. Having your pets close by will cut down on the anxiety of leaving them at home or with friends, which will increase your peace-of-mind too. San Diego is a beautiful, diverse city that has everything from world-class beaches, historical sites, and water sports that are free to explore or partake in.

If you’re looking to spend some quality time with kids and you don’t want to break the bank, try exploring the free San Diego activities above.

If you're looking for free things to do in San Diego for kids in October then the 'Kids go free in October' is a great initiative in San Diego to allow kids free access to major attractions such as zoos and safari parks.

You can also save money on the city's best attractions with a Go San Diego pass - see, it is possible to do San Diego on a budget after all.

Andrew Martineau
Go City Travel Expert

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Parasailing off the cliffs of La Jolla, San Diego
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Adventurous Things to do in San Diego

San Diego is an adrenaline fiend’s playground, a sprawling city of beaches, cliffs, canyons and theme parks that promise all manner of thrills, from century-old wooden rollercoaster rides to paragliding from the bluffs high above La Jolla’s pristine sands. Brace yourself for our pick of the 10 most adventurous things to do in San Diego... Kayak Through the Sea Caves Set sail from La Jolla Shores and paddle your way gently across the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, an astonishing marine reserve with gin-clear waters where you might spot friendly leopard sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, harbor seals and bright orange Garibaldi fish darting under your boat. You’ll soon reach the seven secret sea caves at La Jolla Cove. Steer your kayak inside to follow in the footsteps (boatsteps?) of smugglers who snuck alcohol and opium into San Diego via these same secret passageways during the Prohibition era. Kayaks are available for rent at La Jolla Shores. Ride a 100-Year-Old Rollercoaster Expect thrills galore with a healthy dollop of nostalgia at Belmont Park, an oceanfront fairground that’s been operating at San Diego's Mission Beach since 1925. Amid ultra-modern scream machines that perform high-speed vertical drops and stomach-flipping somersaults you’ll find more sedate old-fashioned amusements such as mini golf, bumper cars and an aerial assault course. The Giant Dipper rollercoaster is the undisputed jewel in the park’s crown. Here since the park opened, this traditional wooden construction provides rickety thrills aplenty along its 2,800 feet of track. Hop aboard, if you’re brave enough. Hit the Surf San Diego’s gentle rolling waves make for ideal surfing conditions, attracting thousands of surfers to its shores every year. Hire a board to give it a go yourself. Sheltered areas at La Jolla Shores and Pacific Beach are particularly forgiving for newbies, and your inevitable first wipeout should be considered a rite of passage. But, if a mouthful of sand and seawater is enough to confirm that surfing isn’t for you, look on the bright side: you can always plonk your board upright in the sand and use it as a sunshade while you admire the views. Brave California’s Longest Zipline Thrillseekers rejoice! For here’s an extreme sport that will really get the adrenaline pumping. Set in an Indian reservation north of the city in the verdant Pauma Valley, the La Jolla Zip Zoom boasts the longest zipline in California. Here, brave souls can soar high over canyons, forest canopies and the San Luis Rey River at speeds reaching up to 50mph. There’s over 6,000 feet of ziplines to whiz down across the whole reservation, with the longest a whopping 2,500 feet. Not for the faint of heart. Lace up your Boots San Diego’s unique landscape makes for some excellent walking opportunities. Hit the hiking trail through Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, 2,000 acres of rugged cliffs and wild plateaus named for the endangered Torrey pine, which is unique to this reserve. You’ll also find colorful wildflowers, towering cacti and monolithic rock formations; maybe even the occasional cheeky raccoon or lizard. Head to Yucca Point Overlook for fine views across the La Jolla bluffs to the golden beaches and shimmering ocean below. There are also guided tours available at Mission Trails Regional Park and Tecolote Canyon. Rent a Jet Ski Do you feel the need... the need for speed? Tear up the waters of San Diego Bay on a Yamaha Waverunner jet ski ride against the picturesque backdrop of the Downtown skyline. These streamlined dream machines can reach speeds of up to 65mph so you can visit bay attractions including the USS Midway aircraft carrier, Shelter Island and the curvaceous Coronado Bridge in no time at all. Keep your eyes peeled for playful seals and dolphins frolicking in the surf and maybe even racing alongside you! Leap off La Jolla’s Cliffs San Diego activities don’t come much more adventurous than leaping into the unknown on a paragliding experience from the cliffs at Torrey Pines. Take a tandem ride from the Gliderport here and let your expert guide do all the hard work while you admire sweeping views of the coastal bluffs and spot leopard sharks cruising the clear waters below. Top tip: paragliding is also a mesmerizing spectator sport, so those without a head for heights can simply bring along a picnic and enjoy the colorful spectacle from terra firma. Have a Whale of a Time San Diego is prime whale-watching territory, with majestic blue whales often spotted off the coast in summer and fall, and gray whales migrating to and from the warm lagoons of Baja en masse for calving season in winter and spring. Get up close to these magnificent creatures on a boat tour. If you’re lucky you might even spot a mother swimming with her calf, or get close enough to feel the sea spray from a blowhole or disappearing tail fin. Dozens of trips depart daily from Downtown and Mission Bay, with many guaranteeing a refund if you fail to see anything. Sample Unusual Beers San Diego is the craft beer capital of the USA, with dozens of microbreweries concocting weird and wonderful beverages for your delectation, and taprooms on nearly every street corner. It would be simply remiss not to sample a few while you’re here. Head to Hillcrest Brewing for unusual brews including Crotch Rocket Irish Style Red Ale and Banana Hammock Scotch Ale. And stagger on down to North Park for a punchy, hazy Technomancer at Modern Times’ taproom, known locally as ‘the Flavordome’. Major beer festivals hit town in June, October and November, when sampling the gamut of beers, from stouts to sours and frothy IPAs to flavored brews, is positively encouraged. Go Ghost-Hunting Here’s a way to increase your heart rate without going to the extreme lengths of e.g. jumping off a cliff strapped to a man with a big parachute. Once described by LIFE magazine as ‘the most haunted house in America’, The Whaley House in San Diego’s Old Town has seen its fair share of grisly deaths over the years and was reputedly built on the site of a former gallows. Eek. Scare yourself silly on one of the museum’s spooky evening tours – if you dare. Save on adventurous things to do in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Skyline of the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego
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Things to do in Gaslamp Quarter San Diego

Named for the lanterns that used to light its picturesque Victorian Streets, the 16 blocks of San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter are now the heart of the city’s buzzing nightlife scene. Despite its relatively diminutive size the Gaslamp (as the locals call it) packs a powerful punch, with some fine 19th-century architecture, a smattering of museums, great dive bars and some of the best entertainment in town. Check out our 10 favorite things to do in Gaslamp Quarter San Diego below. Take a Walk Down Historic 5th Avenue The Gaslamp Quarter has bags of architectural charm, with attractive historic buildings to be found around nearly every corner. Take a stroll along 5th Avenue to spot some of the best. Built in 1888, the Louis Bank of Commerce at number 835 is an impressive Baroque Revival confection, distinguishable by its elaborate facade and protruding turrets. Also look out for the Yuma Building at number 631. This Art Deco vision in red brick has brightly painted bay windows and twin spires on top. Don’t forget to snap a selfie at the famous Gaslamp Quarter sign – you’ll find it on the corner of 5th and L Street. Visit The Gaslamp Museum Step back in time inside downtown San Diego’s oldest surviving structure. Built in Portland in 1850, this unassuming traditional timber-framed ‘saltbox’ house was later deconstructed and shipped to San Diego via Cape Horn and has been standing in the same spot ever since. Wander through the hushed Victorian rooms with their thick carpets and period furniture to learn about former inhabitants including Alonzo Horton, the ‘father of San Diego’, who lived here in the late 1860s and early 70s. The museum also boasts a gift shop for unusual souvenirs and – believe it or not – a resident spook. Sample the Nightlife If this lively downtown neighborhood is known for anything, it’s the fab nightlife. Try some of San Diego’s famously excellent craft beers in an atmospheric dive bar, or head to one of the many rooftop venues for great cocktails and live music. As well as a whole bunch of nightclubs, there’s top-flight entertainment to be found at the likes of the American Comedy Company’s open mic nights and the non-stop party that is The Shout! House’s Dueling Pianos show, where high-energy entertainment, raucous sing-alongs and dancing all night long are par for the course. Take the Kids to The New Children’s Museum Let the kids get creative at this excellent interactive museum on W Island Avenue. Inside, the labyrinth of colorful little rooms filled with fun activities and exhibits will blow their tiny minds and keep them entertained for hours. Installations are ever-changing, but you can expect the likes of immersive mini theaters for imaginative role play, colorful murals, brain-bending puzzles, even a giant crocheted hammock that kids can climb inside and explore. There are also studios and workshops where they can unleash their messiest artistic streaks with paint, clay and more. See the San Diego Padres in Action Just a block from the Gaslamp over in the East Village, Petco Park is home to the San Diego Padres. Grab a hot dog, a beer and – of course – a giant foam finger, and soak up the thrilling atmosphere at a Major League Baseball game. And, if baseball isn’t your thing, keep an eye out for concert listings: this enormous stadium has hosted shows by some of the world’s biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. See Some Fine Art Just north of the Gaslamp on Kettner Avenue, the Museum of Contemporary Art is a smaller outpost of the museum’s main galleries in La Jolla. But don’t let that put you off! Works created post-1950, including sculpture, painting, photography and installations are collected here in the huge, light-filled gallery of the historic former Santa Fe Depot baggage building. Expect Pop Art, conceptual art, art from up-and-coming and emerging artists and permanent commissions by established artists including Richard Serra and Jenny Holzer. Shop Til You Drop The Gaslamp is a shoppers’ paradise, with boutique after independent boutique selling the latest fashions, vintage accessories, fine jewelry, unique works of art and more. The Gaslamp Artisan Market brings dozens of stalls selling fresh produce, street food and handcrafted artisan bits and bobs to the neighborhood every weekend. Grab yourself some brunch at one of the many cute eateries then while away an hour or two browsing for one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Go See a Show Head for the historic Balboa, a former moviehouse and vaudeville theater with some 100 years of history. Inside, ornate decorative moldings and a tiled dome create a suitably evocative setting for touring Broadway productions such as Wicked, Cats and The Book of Mormon as well as concerts by rock royalty – previous performers to have graced the stage here include Patti Smith, Willie Nelson, John Legend, Tori Amos and Nick Cave. Step Aboard an Aircraft Carrier The USS Midway Museum at Navy Pier honors the United States' longest-serving 20th-century aircraft carrier, which saw service between 1945 and 1992 before finding its permanent home here in San Diego. Airplane enthusiasts will be in seventh heaven, with oodles of magnificent flying machines to admire, including a SDB Dauntless dive bomber from the Second World War and an F9F-P Cougar from the Korean War. Play captain up on the bridge, climb into a cockpit and hear great stories and anecdotes about the USS Midway from the fantastic volunteer crew. Chill Out in Horton Plaza Park Horton Plaza is hard to miss – that’s because it’s the only square in the tiny Gaslamp Quarter. Grab yourself an ice cream from the pavilion and watch the world go by from the amphitheater steps, or sprawled on one of the grassy lawns. The large, ornate fountain on the plaza dates back to 1910 and is surrounded by palm trees – it’s a relaxing spot to while away a few idle moments in the famous San Diego sunshine. Save on things to do in the Gaslamp Quarter San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
San Diego zoo and safari park
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San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park?

Though often confused as the same park, the two parks actually offer very varied experiences.
Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield

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