The Best Things to Do in San Diego With the Whole Family

Polar bears, koalas, African penguins and so much more — the nonprofit San Diego Zoo is home to 12,000-plus rare and endangered animals. "The guided, double-decker bus tour, included in the ticket price, gave us a good overview of the animals and the zoo's conservation efforts," said a Good Housekeeping tester who recently visited. "Afterwards, we focused on a few exhibits, like the Polar Bear Plunge." If young kids are in your group, don't miss the new Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, which includes a two-story, butterfly-filled greenhouse plus nature play areas with rope tunnels.

It’s hard not to enjoy America's National Pastime with city skyline views like those beyond Petco Park. Plus, the ballpark food is classic, and perfect weather is pretty much guaranteed — the only thing that isn't is a Padres win.

About a half hour northwest of downtown San Diego, La Jolla Cove is a breathtaking spot loved by tourists and locals alike. The secluded area makes it great for family swimming and relaxation, and the nearby La Jolla Village is bustling with places for a post-dip bite. It's perhaps most popular for its adorable resident sea lions — but local tourism asks visitors to take photos from a distance.

Quintessential boardwalk family fun awaits at Belmont Park in Mission Beach. The waterfront attraction boasts all the nostalgia with classic rides, arcade games and attractions, like laser tag and mini golf.

Surf's up at this quaint, quiet and relatively small beach in La Jolla — ideal for catching waves due to its rougher currents. It's also a beautiful place to catch the sunrise, but we wouldn't recommend swimming due to some rocky spots and seasonal terrain changes.

About 35 minutes outside of San Diego, this cozy restaurant in Carlsbad brings the outdoors in with rustic decor and wood-fired fare. And yes, s'mores are on the menu! Reservations are recommended.

Prepare to be taken aback by your first sight of the giant Foucault pendulum, which provides visual proof of the Earth's rotation as it swings to and fro. Onward, you'll find captivating exhibitions, including animal photography, skulls, skeletons and a live lab full of nature's infamous creepy crawlies.

If you're traveling with a furry friend, they'll have essentially entered heaven's gates upon pawing into the sand at San Diego’s Dog Beach. It's a sanctuary for pups and "pawents" alike, where the four-legged friends can roam leash-free.

Adults will have just as much fun as kids at Legoland, so it's worth the 30-minute drive from San Diego. The magical place is exactly what it sounds like: a land full of colorful 3-D adventures, including rides, shows, movies and even an aquarium.

Whether you're interested in a casual day cruise, a kayak adventure or a fishing excursion, there are plenty of boat rentals and facilities to make your dream come true. And the views will be totally worth it.

The Torrey pine grows only in San Diego and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara, which is why the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a protected area. But visitors can still bask in its natural beauty while getting some steps in. Pro tip: To maintain preservation, no food is permitted on the reserve, nor are dogs, smoking or amplified music.

Wreck Alley is a stretch of scuttled ships for divers to explore — the most popular and advanced dive being the HMCS Yukon, a Canadian destroyer escort that's 366 feet long and 40 feet wide with six decks and over 100 compartments. The venture is recommended to advanced divers only, but beginners can scuba dive or snorkel at one of the city's other popular dive sites.

All these activities are sure to leave everyone famished, and at The Crack Shack, a family-friendly menu meets quality locally sourced ingredients to please the entire crew. The casual joint offers chill outdoor seating, craft cocktails, beer and good vibes.

Winner of a 2023 Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award, this oceanfront resort was built in 1888 and has since been deemed a National Historic Landmark.

It's known for its pristine amenities, easy access to the city and past guests, including presidents, princes, socialites and glamorous celebrities. It's also widely believed to be the inspiration for the Emerald City in L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, because the author spent many winters there.

If you're looking for a full-on beach day, complete with nothing but sunbathing, swimming and the occasional picnic snack break, Mission Bay is the place. It boasts 27 miles of shoreline, 19 beaches and eight designated swimming areas.

If anyone in the family has an affinity for ships, the Maritime Museum should top your list. It's known for restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels, including Star of India, the world's oldest active ship. Public tours are available.

Various local yoga studios and teachers offer classes at Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach — a destination made for resetting and reconnecting while the rhythmic sound of crashing waves repeats beneath you.

The most visited state park in California, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is living history, featuring 17 museums, preserved historic buildings, the Old Town Market and more. It's known as the birthplace of California and marks its first Spanish settlement, where San Diego was originally established before being relocated to today’s downtown.

An extension of the ocean it overlooks, Birch Aquarium hosts 60 habitats for fishes and invertebrates from around the world. Reservations are currently required.

Visitors flock to Anza-Borrego every spring in hopes to admire the violet radiance of a regular wildflower super bloom. Due to low precipitation, park officials say the bloom may not be as widespread in 2023 as it has been in years past. It still may be worth it to see the few that do pop up though.