10+ Things to Do in San Diego with Teens During Your Vacation

Traveling with teenagers has the potential to be a headache, but San Diego has plenty of fun activities to keep everyone smiling. Here's where we recommend taking the teens.

By Katie Sagal
San Diego at sunset

A visit to "America’s Finest City" is one of the most exciting places you can take teens. We know taking a family trip with teenagers can be challenging, but don't worry, we've put together a fun-packed list of things to do in San Diego with teens that will be a delight for the whole family. So, if you're after some top things to do in San Diego with teens, our list of attractions and activities includes:

  • Belmont Park Amusement Park
  • Miramar Speed Circuit Indoor GoKarts
  • San Diego Zoo Safari Park
  • San Diego Zoo
  • SeaWorld® San Diego
  • USS Midway Aircraft Carrier
  • PETCO Park Tour
  • and more...

Save on admission to attractions teens will love

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Take a ride on a world-famous coaster

Roller_Coster_San_Diego_Belmont_Park

Head to the boardwalk for some classic summer fun at Belmont Park. Take a ride on the world-famous Giant Dipper roller coaster, built in 1925 at the height of the Roaring Twenties. Then get more modern-day thrills aboard the park's newer rides and attractions like the Beach Blaster and Control Freak (warning: not for the faint of heart!)

Your All-Access Pass is perfect for teens, too. It allows them to choose from several of the park's top rides, and enjoy them with friends or siblings. They'll especially love being competitive on the Krazy Kars! 

Getting In: Belmont Park All Access Combo Pass tickets are included on all San Diego passes.

Take a race kart for a spin

Take a turn behind the wheel on one of the best indoor tracks in the United States. Designed by professional racers, the Miramar Speed Circuit is a challenge for even the most seasoned drivers. The 1,500-foot track is longer and more technically challenging than most courses, featuring four hairpin turns and two straight-aways that let drivers crank their karts (which are equipped with Honda 6.5-BHP engines) up to 40 mph.

Compare times with your friends at the finish line. Each Kart is equipped with Club Speed Timing, a highly precise electronic recording of each driver's lap pace and splits. 

Getting In: Miramar Speed Circuit is separately ticketed.

Hang out with cool animals

three-male-lions

Have you ever played tug-of-war with a tiger? The San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers visitors lots of fun and exciting opportunities for animal encounters. You'll be amazed how close you get to lots of the animals, including cheetahs, rhinos, tigers, giraffes, elephants, gorillas, and more in this environment that mimics the natural habitats of Asian and African animals. Be sure not to miss the 30-minute tram ride to get above it all for an incredible view of the entirety of the park.

Another great animal park option is the fabulous San Diego Zoo, home to the world-famous Giant Pandas. Explore 100 acres of animal excitement and education. Animal-loving teens won't want to miss out on the opportunity to see their favorite critters up close and personal!

If you're not sure which to visit or want some information about both attractions, read this post to see some of the differences between the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. 

Getting In: San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets and San Diego Zoo tickets are included on all San Diego passes.

Head to SeaWorld® San Diego

aerial-view-seaworld-marine-life-theme

For teenagers who are big animal lovers, perhaps a visit to the zoo isn't enough. In that case, a trip to SeaWorld San Diego is a must-do. Encounter an incredible variety of marine life, from penguins and polar bears to beloved orcas. Combine this delightful animal entertainment with amazing theme park rides like Journey to Atlantis and the Manta coaster.

For teens who have an interest in wildlife conservation, marine biology, or any kind of work with animals, a visit here is a great opportunity to check out what SeaWorld is doing to take care of our world's sea creatures.

Getting In: SeaWorld San Diego tickets are included on the All-Inclusive Pass only.

Explore exciting museums

While teens may roll their eyes at some museums, a few in San Diego are guaranteed to be more exciting and entertaining than your standard adult-centric options. Fans of military history or aspiring naval officers will love a visit to the historic USS Midway Museum, one of San Diego's most popular attractions. Visitors can explore many areas of the ship, from the crew quarters to the ship's brig.

 

USS Midway

At the San Diego Air & Space Museum, which focuses on the history of aviation, there's a ton of historic aircraft. There are artifacts from the history of flight like the Apollo XI Space Pen, and the fascinating Zable Theater, offering shows in 3-D and 4-D.

Last but not least, appeal to their inner child with a visit to the Model Railroad Museum. From small-scale models of real-life trains and equipment to an exhibit featuring everyone's favorite childhood train, Thomas the Tank Engine, there's something to appeal to the train lover in everybody. 

Getting In: USS Midway Museum tickets, San Diego Air & Space Museum tickets, and more are included on all San Diego passes.

Visit the Rueben H. Fleet Science Center

If your teen loves science or has dreams of being a scientist one day, take the whole family to the Fleet Science Center. With dozens of interactive exhibits designed to inspire curiosity and incite creativity in their visitors, the Fleet Science Center addresses just about every aspect of science and technology that you can think of. From electricity to space exploration to skyscrapers -- you name it, they've got an exhibit on it.

Don't forget about the IMAX movie that comes with your admission! While IMAX film topics rotate, recent films include "Under the Sea," "To the Arctic," and "Amazing Caves." They also have films on cultural topics like "Jerusalem". 

Getting In: Rueben H. Fleet Science Center tickets are included on all San Diego passes.

Take in a baseball game

young-boy-swinging-bat-hit-baseball

Teens can be relied upon to enjoy a good sporting event or two. Take them to a San Diego Padres game and enjoy the experience of being in one of Major League Baseball's loveliest parks. If you can't make a game or are looking for a more comprehensive baseball experience, take a tour of PETCO Park for some behind-the-scenes action. 

Getting In: PETCO Park Tour tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Tour San Diego in a different way

While your teens may not be super into the idea of a traditional tour, there are many more exciting approaches to exploring a city. One of our favorites is the self-guided GoCar Tour. It's a clever talking car that narrates the scenes and sights you pass along your drive, conveniently pausing and resuming narration when you want to stop to explore. Please keep in mind that the driver of the car must be 21 or older, so your teen won't be able to drive the vehicle unaccompanied. 

Getting In: San Diego GoCar Tour tickets are included on the San Diego Explorer pass only.

Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City® 

With an All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, you can visit both attractions for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you could save up to 50% on all your San Diego must-sees. Or pick an Explorer Pass, if you've chosen your fave and have a specific bucket list you're dreaming of ticking off. Go grab your San Diego pass and see the sights! 

☀️ Compare San Diego passes ☀️– 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do in San Diego in March

With the warming San Diego weather comes the promise of spring and everything that goes with it. We’re talking rainbows of flowers in the fields at Carlsbad Ranch, St Patrick’s Day street parties, and mild temperatures that just beg you to hike Torrey Pines and kayak La Jolla’s sea caves. Dive in for our pick of the best things to do in San Diego in March…
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
A hiker on the cliffs in San Diego
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Best Walks in San Diego

It would require several weeks with a detailed map and a good pair of walking boots to even scratch the surface of the hundreds of awe-inspiring walking opportunities in San Diego. The landscape of this sprawling metropolis is a vast pot-pourri of canyons, mountains, beaches, wild nature reserves and quirky neighborhood villages. Lace up your boots and get ready to explore this fascinating city with our taster guide to some of the best walks in San Diego. A Stroll Through Old San Diego Its heady hybrid of Mexican, Spanish and American influences make San Diego’s atmospheric Old Town a great place to start your exploration of the city and its rich, multicultural heritage. Here, after all, is where it all began. Grab your camera and get ready for a real flavor of the Old West, complete with prickly cacti, swaying palms and a plethora of original and recreation buildings, including the red-brick courthouse and – gulp – spooky Whaley House, purported to be one of the most haunted buildings in America. Amble through the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to pretty Plaza de Las Armas, where you’ll find the 18th-century Spanish El Capitan cannon and a number of highly Instagrammable 19th-century adobe buildings. Pause awhile to watch traditional horse-drawn carriages rumbling past the blacksmith shop; if you time it right you might even catch one of the regular living history demonstrations that are held here. There’s also a colorful Mexican market with cute boutiques, unique souvenirs and oodles of authentic taquerias. Tuck in to a spicy fish taco or two to give you the energy you need to hoof it up the hill to Presidio Park, where San Diego’s original fort and mission were established in 1769. The pristine white tower of the Junípero Serra Museum boasts far-reaching views across the park’s perfectly manicured lawns to the Old Town and the ocean below. Take a Walk on the Wild Side Some of the best walking trails in San Diego can be found in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, just a few miles north of Downtown in La Jolla. If it’s sweeping coastal views, skyscraping cacti, colorful wildflowers and otherworldly rock and sandstone formations you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place. There are eight miles of marked trails over nearly 2,000 acres here on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Take the Broken Hill Trail Loop for an unchallenging three-mile loop that passes a grove of the native trees from which the reserve takes its name. These unusual endangered pines are so rare that they’re only found here and in one other place in California. Walk the route down to the stunning beach, one of the finest in the area, or continue on to Broken Hill itself for cracking sunset sea views. At less than a mile, the Guy Fleming Trail is the park’s easiest, with some incredible views that belie its relatively short length. Here, too, you can see the famous Torrey pines up close and enjoy views of Los Peñasquitos Marsh, La Jolla and, on clear days, as far out as the Santa Catalina Islands. Keep your eyes peeled for gray whales migrating along this stretch of coast from December to April. Walk San Diego’s Museum Mile Located just north of Downtown, Balboa Park is a huge tract of urban parkland that covers some 1,200 acres. Inside, you’ll find everything from world-class museums to Japanese gardens, theaters and cafés, as well as walking trails galore. You could spend hours if not days exploring it – indeed, there’s probably enough here to fill an entire vacation! For an easy walk that packs a serious punch, enter from Sixth Avenue, joining the broad El Prado boulevard, where many of Balboa Park’s biggest attractions can be found. Take time to admire the wild cocktail of architectural styles along its length, from the shaded cloisters and garlanded columns of Casa del Prado to the California Building’s intoxicating blend of Baroque, Rococo, Gothic and Churrigueresque styles, complete with playful tiled dome and striking three-story belltower. Nearby, statues of masters Velázquez, Murillo and Zurbarán gaze out from above the elaborate entrance to the San Diego Museum of Art, a Spanish Renaissance-style confection that houses a huge collection of fine works by its stone sentries, as well as significant pieces by Goya, El Greco, Monet, Canaletto, O’Keeffe and many more. Head south from El Prado to find inner peace in the zen-like solitude of the Japanese Friendship Garden. Then onwards to the ornate Spreckels Organ Pavilion, home of the planet’s largest outdoor organ. Timed just right, you might even catch one of the free recitals that boom out every Sunday afternoon around 2PM. Urban Exploration in North Park If you’re in the market for a nice walk in San Diego that also just happens to take in a bit of local history, a few brewery taprooms and a spot of urban art along the way, then look no further than North Park, a hip and happening ‘hood that hugs the northeast corner of Balboa Park. Start by immersing yourself in San Diego heritage with a stroll through the neighborhood’s leafy streets. Head north from Balboa Park between Pershing Avenue and 28th Street and it won’t be long before you stumble upon a traditional Craftsman’s house or two, modest bungalows with architectural hallmarks that include plain wooden exteriors and wide terracotta porches. Originally intended as an antidote to gratuitous Victorian opulence and ostentation, many of the homes here were built by Arts and Crafts pioneers David Owen Dryden and Edward F. Bryans in the early 20th Century. Sightseeing can be thirsty work, can’t it? Good news! A short hop east to 30th Street is where you’ll find perhaps the highest concentration of brewery taprooms anywhere in San Diego – no mean feat here in the craft beer capital of the USA! Pause for some well-earned refreshment at the Belching Beaver, where you can also liven up your Instagram with a selfie in front of the Greetings from San Diego mural on the brewery wall. Then continue your odyssey through this achingly cool suburb, where the street art is as plentiful as the beer is strong. Look out for colorful pieces by local legends Kreashun and Madsteez. And no, you haven’t had too much hazy pale ale to drink: that really is a skateboarding donut on the wall over there. Fans of US rock royalty should complete the trail on Adams Avenue, where artist Travis Crosby’s tributes to Prince and Jimi Hendrix are a joy to behold. Save on 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
Lifeguard station on a San Diego beach
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San Diego in September

September is a popular time to visit San Diego, when temperatures remain balmy enough for short sleeves and the madding August crowds begin to gently dissipate. All of which means more space for breathing that sweet SoCal air in the beautiful parks, beaches and valleys of America’s Finest City, and greater elbow room at attractions both famous and off the beaten path. Here’s our guide to visiting San Diego in September, and all the best things to do while you’re there… Visiting San Diego in September Temperature: 66-77°F • Average Rainfall: 1 day/month • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day Not so sizzling-hot that your shirt looks like it’s been water-bombed by the time you’ve walked a couple of blocks, nor so cool that you can’t still enjoy the golden sands of Ocean Beach and La Jolla shores, September is pretty much San Diego’s ‘Goldilocks’ month. There are still plenty of festivals going on in and around the city as summer winds down and, by the month’s mid-way point, shoulder-season prices are starting to kick in. Put simply, for you that means cheaper hotel rooms, cheaper flights, and plenty of restaurant and attraction promotions designed to keep the punters coming in. In short, visiting San Diego in September is a no-brainer. Discover more in our guide to staying in San Diego. Planning to check out some of San Diego’s world-class attractions while you’re in town? Of course you are! You’re thinking: European Old Masters and modern American sculpture at the San Diego Museum of Art, a tour of the Padres' Petco Park Stadium, a day at the zoo – am I right? The Go San Diego pass can save you up to 50% on access to all of these, plus many more San Diego tours, activities and attractions.  Find out more about the Go San Diego pass, and get yours here. Things to do in San Diego in September Food, Glorious Food! If you’re going to San Diego in September, go hungry. San Diego Restaurant Week sees dozens of the city’s top eateries offer fixed price menus at rock-bottom prices. Think of it as something of a supermarket sweep (but with food), as restaurants from Miramar to Mission Bay and Hillcrest to Harbor Island welcome guests for budget lunches and dinners across eight belt-loosening days. Bookings for this epic edible extravaganza is highly recommended. Find out more about participating restaurants here. San Diego’s Local Gems Get a little off the beaten path in San Diego at any time of year and you’re all but guaranteed authentic, crowd-free fun. It’s even better in September when you might find you have North Park’s indie art galleries, Point Loma’s tide pools, Hillcrest’s picturesque Arts and Crafts houses and Coronado’s Bayshore Bikeway pretty much entirely to yourself. Surfers should strike out for La Jolla’s lesser-spotted Windansea Beach and art-lovers could do worse than a walking tour of some of San Diego’s best urban street art. Try Chicano Park, Adams Avenue and the epic Sea Walls Project for the win. Oktoberfest in… September Contrary to its name, Oktoberfest celebrations often take place in September in San Diego. That’s right: that’s ‘celebrations’ plural. This traditional Bavarian beer-fest has been adopted wholesale by thirsty San Diegans – no surprise, perhaps, given the huge number of microbreweries in this, the craft beer capital of the USA. Expect day- and sometimes week-long events in microbrewing hotspots like North Park, Hillcrest and Ocean Beach. The largest – La Mesa Oktoberfest in East County – has been running for over 50 years and features activities like bratwurst-eating competitions, yodeling contests, and dachshund races. Don’t forget your lederhosen! Miramar Air Show Only the biggest military air show in the United States, the Miramar Air Show comes to San Diego for three days in late September or early October. And it’s quite the eye-popping extravaganza. Spectators can expect extraordinary aerial acrobatics with displays that include ultra-modern fighter jets, vintage warbirds and more. You can even get a chance to fly one yourself. Well, sort of: simulators are all part of the fun here, alongside all manner of other entertainments, both on the ground and up in the air! Find out more about the Miramar Air Show here. Belmont Park Even San Diego’s most popular attractions become a lot less crowded in September than in August. Mission Beach’s Belmont Park is a case in point, promising shorter queues and old-school charm in spades. Ride the century-old wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster (if you dare), test your driving skills on the bumper cars, win a cuddly toy, and leave on a cotton candy sugar high. Pro-tip: entry to Belmont Park is included with a Go San Diego pass! La Jolla Shores There’s a raft of activities available along the luscious shores of La Jolla, San Diego’s sun-kissed northern beach destination par excellence. Sure, you could just lounge on the golden sands of crescent-shaped La Jolla Shores, and we’d heartily recommend you spend some time doing precisely that! But if you fancy a little extra excitement, why not rent a kayak and snorkel to explore the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, an absolutely pristine marine reserve where you can ogle stingrays, leopard sharks, sea turtles and more as they cruise through the gin-clear waters below. Explore the seven secret sea caves once used by Prohibition-era smugglers or get your thrill on with a leap of faith over the cliffs of nearby Torrey Pines. Find out more about tandem paragliding experiences here, and secure La Jolla kayak, snorkel and indeed surfboard rental with a Go San Diego pass. Scenic San Diego Strolls No head for heights? Fear not: San Diego’s pleasant September climes mean it’s also a great time for experiencing this stunning landscape on foot. There are 2,000 acres of rugged bluffs, windswept plateaus and colorful wildflowers to explore in Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, named for the endangered tree (pictured above) that’s unique to this stretch of coast. Over in Mission Valley, the Mission Trails National Park is, at 7,000 acres, one of the largest urban parks in the US. Hike up Cowles Mountain for 360-degree panoramas of the city and beyond. As the name suggests, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park just south of Ocean Beach promises some of the finest clifftop sunset views in town, while Balboa Park is where it’s at for flatter, shorter and altogether less strenuous (but no less beautiful) hiking opportunities. Save on San Diego Attractions, Tours and Activities Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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