Dozens of public parks, 70 miles of beaches, and numerous museums are just part of what awaits kids and families. For current information about activities for children, pick up a free copy of the monthly San Diego Family Magazine, or check it out online at www.sandiegofamily.com; its calendar of events is geared toward family activities and kids' interests. The International Visitor Information Center, 1040 1/3 W. Broadway at Harbor Drive (tel. 619/236-1212), is also a great resource. The long-awaited, oft-delayed Children's Museum/Museo de los Niños, 200 W. Island Ave., downtown (tel. 619/233-8792; www.sdchildrensmuseum.org), finally opened in May 2008. This $25 million, state-of-the-art facility -- designed by the city's most acclaimed architect -- will feature cultural and educational programs, including hands-on art projects, storytelling, music, and visual and performing arts. The museum is intended to engage all ages, from toddlers to parents.
The Top Five Attractions for Kids
- Balboa Park has street entertainers and clowns that always rate high with kids. They can usually be found around El Prado on weekends. The Natural History Museum, the Model Railroad Museum, the Air & Space Museum, and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center -- with its hands-on exhibits and IMAX theater -- draw kids like magnets.
- The San Diego Zoo appeals to children of all ages, and the double-decker bus tours bring all the animals into easy view of even the smallest visitors. There's a Children's Zoo within the zoo, and kids adore the performing sea lion show.
- SeaWorld San Diego, on Mission Bay, entertains everyone with killer whales, pettable dolphins, and plenty of penguins. There are also wet and wild thrill rides and a collection of new Sesame Street-related attractions, including rides, a musical production (Big Bird's Beach Party), and a "4-D" interactive movie experience.
- The San Diego Wild Animal Park delivers a memorable wildlife experience, recreating the savannas of Africa with free-roaming animals. For visitors age 4 and up, the Roar & Snore camping program -- held year-round on weekends (except Dec and Jan) -- is immensely popular.
- LEGOLAND California, in Carlsbad, features impressive models built entirely with LEGO blocks. There are also rides, refreshments, and LEGO and DUPLO building contests. The park advertises itself as a "country just for kids" -- need I say more?
Other Top Attractions
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps, in La Jolla, is an aquarium that lets kids explore the realms of the deep and learn about life in the sea.
- Seaport Village has an old-fashioned carousel for kids, lots of shops and outdoor eateries that children enjoy, and harbor views of some very impressive ships.
- Whale-Watching Tours offer a chance to spot 40-foot gray whales that migrate past San Diego each winter.
- Old Town State Historic Park has a one-room schoolhouse that rates high with kids. They'll also enjoy the freedom of running around the safe, parklike compound to discover their own fun.
- The Gliderport will entertain kids as they watch aerial acrobats swoop through the skies.
- Chula Vista Nature Center is a small facility near the southern end of San Diego Bay that has a walk-through aviary and tanks for getting up close to turtles, stingrays, and small sharks.
That's Entertainment
The Old Globe Theatre (tel. 619/234-5623; www.theoldglobe.org) in Balboa Park showcases Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! each year during the holidays. Performances are scheduled late-November through December. Tickets are priced $39 to $59 for adults, $19 to $31 for kids 3-17. Children under 2 are free. The San Diego Junior Theatre (tel. 619/239-8355; www.juniortheatre.com) is the oldest continuing children's theater program in the country, operating since 1948. The productions (shows like Peter Pan and Little Women) are acted and crewed by kids 8 to 18 and are staged at three different theaters: Balboa Park's Casa del Prado Theatre, the Theatre on Third in Chula Vista, and the YMCA Firehouse in La Jolla. Ticket prices are $10 to $13 for adults, $8 to $11 for seniors and children (ages 2-14). More than a dozen shows are staged each season, with performances held on Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons, as well as some weekday matinees.
Sunday afternoon is a great time for kids in Balboa Park. They can visit both the outdoor Spreckels Organ Pavilion for a free concert (the mix of music isn't too highbrow for a young audience) and the House of Pacific Relations to watch folk dancing on the lawn and taste food from many nations. Or try the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre, in Balboa Park's Palisades Building (tel. 619/544-9203; www.balboaparkpuppets.com). Individual shows might feature marionettes, hand puppets, or ventriloquism; the stories range from classic Grimm's Fairy Tales and Aesop's Fables to more obscure yarns. Performances are Wednesday through Friday at 10 and 11:30am, and Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 1pm, and 2:30pm (additional showtimes are added in summer). The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children over 2; children under 2 are free.
