San Diego offers an exceptional variety of activities that cater to families, making it a top destination for travelers with children. Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventures, educational experiences, or pure fun, this sunny city has it all. If you’ve ever asked yourself a question "are there any kids activities near me?" - Here’s a detailed guide to the top 20 places to take kids in San Diego, ensuring everyone has a memorable visit.

With three locations across bright California, ANVIO offers an incomparable dive into virtual reality. Explore fantastic worlds coming straight out of fairytales and blockbusters without leaving the spacious arena. Virtual reality is a great way to pass your time while being active and safe. It attracts both gamers and those who prefer in-real-life activities as VR combines both.

All you need is comfortable shoes and clothes, the rest is covered by the park, including necessary equipment, tutorials and seamless adventure experience. The game choice is endless, beginning with horrors to tickle your nerves and ending with entertaining quests great for relaxing and exploring. Here is just a few scenarios you can choose from:

— Series of games City Z. Imagine the world wallowed in a real zombie apocalypse: everything is ruined and the number of survivors is rapidly diminishing. The future of humanity lies in your hands as you try to find an antidote in the secret laboratory. But first you have to fight all the monsters who would love to enjoy some flesh. Take the weapon and face all your fears in the fight of survival.

— Revolta. Want to challenge your friends? The aim of this game is to test your team skills in the "Team VS Team" mode or solo skills in "All against all. You will not only have to be accurate, but also cunning, nimble and agile as each movement of yours shows in-game. Get ready to get the winner title!

— Lost Sanctuary. There is a lost city according to the legends. Nobody knows how to get there, but you get a hint from the spirit of the high priest Atlan. Turns out the civilization of Atzlan needs your help. Solve all the mysteries and puzzles, enjoy the beautiful sceneries and even catch the fireflies. Just like in fantasy movies!

The listed games and some others are ANVIO's own development: you won’t be able to play them anywhere else. In these games, you do not stand still, but move freely around large arenas. It creates an incredible immersion!

Play ANVIO’s games at the following addresses:

• 3030 Plaza Bonita Road Westfield, Plaza Bonita, suite 2530, National City, CA 91 950
• Battleground Redondo, 1815 Hawthorne Blvd Ste. 202, Redondo Beach, CA 90 278, 2 level
• Player One VR World, 1515 4th St Santa Monica, CA 90 401, Santa Monica, California 90 401

What can be better to love animals? To see them up close! These locations offer an exciting opportunity to learn more about flora and fauna, see how natural habitats look like and relax while observing nature.

— San Diego Zoo is one of the biggest zoos in the world! Here you can see more than 12 000 animals of more than 650 species, including giant pandas, fluffy lynxes, polar bears and many more. The park is divided by the geographical zones such as the Polar Rim, Lost Forest, and Urban Jungle each featuring unique inhabitants. The park offers guided tours to see everything at once and listen to interesting facts, inside looks to see how zookeepers take care of the animals and botanical tours to learn more about plants and flowers.
If you want to learn in an unusual way, see the zoo from up above on the Aerial train ride, or take a loop through the territory on the miniature train. There are also several play areas with animal figurines, mazes, and rides.

— SeaWorld San Diego is a dive to the depths of the oceans. Apart from the aquariums with tropical fish, here live penguins, dolphins, sea lions and even mantas. The park frequently hosts shows where trained animals do magnificent tricks and interact with the audience, and guided tours to learn more about marine life. And if you want to feel the thrill, there is an adventure park with one of the fastest and largest rollercoasters in the world, Shipwreck Rapids offering a sail across whitewater rapids and waterfalls, and a Sea Dragon Drop with an unexpected drop from an incredible height.

— San Diego Safari park is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see wild animals at arm’s length. The giraffes, rhinos and tigers wander around while you listen about how nature is preserved here. Each ride is different: some even offer you to see the nightlife, others take a few days with a sleepover at the camphouse. Just imagine waking up far away from civilization and enjoying the sunset with the morning cup of coffee!
For the kids, there are various programs designed to be safe yet entertaining. They will learn how to light the campfire, set up tents, go on hikes and much more. Which is impossible to experience at school or in a noisy city.

— Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers hands-on exhibitions about marine life. For example, ElasmoBeach represents the sea bottom with sharks and rays, and the Tide pool plaza offers an incredible opportunity to touch starfish and crabs. The volunteers monitoring the outdoors will be happy to answer the questions about sea life, and help to get the best experience!
After the visit you can buy some themed souvenirs to support the park, or have a family dine out outdoors. Don’t forget to take some memorable pictures!

It is more than possible to make learning fun and exciting. San Diego’s museums offer fun activities for kids of all ages and cover various fields, such as the history of the state, physics and chemistry, arts, music and much more.

— The New Children’s museum is here to help kids' imagination thrive through engaging in contemporary art. The immersive exhibitions, such as the Wobbleland and Whammock, help toddlers to develop their motor skills and learn more about the world, and art installations serve as a source of inspiration. The museum frequently hosts art lessons and workshops to gain new skills and improve creativity. And if you want to support local artists — visit the artist residence, where you may even see the in-progress works.

— Old Town San Diego state historic park offers you to take a step back in time, and learn about California’s early Mexican-American history. The park is full of old adobe homes, museums, and historical reenactments that bring the past to life. Kids can participate in candle-making, gold-panning, and tortilla-making activities. The park also features frequent live performances and artisan demonstrations, creating an immersive experience for the whole family. Learning history at a young age develops thinking and logic skills.

— Fleet Science Museum will help you get familiar with science while interacting with exhibits. Where does sound come from? How do illusions work? Why is electricity so powerful? This place has answers to all the questions. If your kids love experiments and want to obtain magic powers, they can join the Junior Science Club. Here they will learn that things around us are much more complicated than what they seem.

— San Diego Model Railroad Museum is all about trains. The miniature copies of real routes show how railroads shaped America, which train models were used before and how they’ve evolved over the years. If your kids have their own train collection, they can participate in swap meetings to share their passion with others.
Each season features themed exhibitions inspired by popular movies, holidays and historical periods. The upcoming event is the Halloween Express: don’t miss the opportunity to see it choo-chooing across the railroad and eat some candy.

— Chicano park is a cultural landmark in San Diego, renowned for its vibrant murals that depict the history and heritage of the Chicano community. This colorful outdoor space is a great place for families to explore, offering children the chance to learn about art, history, and activism in a dynamic environment. The park’s lively atmosphere and educational opportunities make it an engaging destination for kids and parents alike.

— San Diego Children discovery museum is all about imagination and experimentation. This place is suitable for toddlers and younger children. The exhibits are designed the way they are simple yet entertaining, while motivating to create, construct and actively participate in the activities. Kids can create their own tales, play with magnets, try on jobs in a miniature city or even learn a little bit about aerodynamics.

What can be better than a hike across breathtaking landscapes or enjoy the sunny day at the beach? San Diego is thriving with opportunities to explore without the need to use gadgets.

— Balboa Park is a little bit of everything in one place. But the most exciting part is its untouched natural reserves. This location is famous for its hiking trails of various difficulty and length. Some last just 30 minutes, while others take hours to complete.
What’s more, there are several parks great for family picnics or outdoor games. Each has playgrounds with slides, bars, swings, and climbing walls. Here your children can make new friends or embark on an adventure. And if you like flowers, go on a walk at one of the numerous gardens with butterflies flying around.

— Coronado beach is one of the best resorts in California. If you have at least one free day, be sure to come here to relax. Golden sands are spreading for miles, making it a perfect location for tanning, swimming, and surfing. Apart from the ocean it is famous for its natural pools, beautiful architecture, and plenty of entertainment. There are many hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants here perfect for family bonding.

— Mission Bay park is one of the biggest water parks in the USA. It is a popular destination for families seeking outdoor fun activities. Whether it’s picnicking by the water, playing on the expansive playgrounds, or trying out water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, there’s something for everyone at this beautiful waterfront park. Families can also rent bikes or take leisurely strolls along the park’s scenic pathways, making it a versatile destination for a day of outdoor activities.

— La Jolla Shores is a place where the beach line is radically changing. Instead of the sandy beaches of Coronado there are rocky coasts, here you plunge into the wild, seals and sea lions bask on the beach, you can approach them, stroke them, feel closer to nature. Dolphins and sea cows swim up close. Swimming on the beach, it is not surprising to see a hundred-kilogram animal under you or next to you

— Cabrillo National Monument is an area on Point Loma, allocated to a separate park dedicated to the landing of Juan Cabrillo in San Diego Bay in 1542. Cabrillo Park is very picturesque: from the cape there are wonderful views of the harbor and the panorama of San Diego, as well as Coronado and the Air Force station North- Island. On clear days, you can see a wide panorama of the Pacific Ocean and even Tijuana from here. The rocky slopes of the peninsula itself are also very photogenic. The only drawback is that it is almost always quite windy here.
The annual Cabrillo Festival takes place on the territory in October, on a Sunday, in memory of the discoverer. In addition, Kumeyaay Indian festivals, Portuguese and Mexican festivals with singing, dancing, traditional food and so on are held here.

— The Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve is formally a part of San Diego. And at the same time, it remains a corner of genuine untouched nature: here located the wildest strip of land on the entire Southern Coast of California. The total area of the park is 2,000 acres of coastal territory, which was declared a National Natural Landmark. The landscape of the reserve includes a plateau with cliffs that rise above the Torrey Pines State Beach, as well as a lagoon inhabited by migratory seabirds. Here you can see a variety of wild flora and fauna, including forest cats, foxes, skunks, raccoons, coyotes and, of course, those very rare Torrey pines. The reserve is pierced by hiking trails, and at the top, on the rocks, there is a small museum, a hotel and a tourist station.

One of the best ways to spend time together is getting vivid emotions together. Prepare to move a lot, as these locations are perfect for active past time.

– Legoland California Resort. Imagine stepping into a world where everything, from towering trees to the smallest details, is crafted from colorful blocks. In this park, the imagination knows no limits, as even the plants and animals are brought to life in the form of LEGO creations. This immersive experience sparks endless inspiration for kids who love to build and create. As they wander through the park, they’re not just observers—they become architects of their own adventures, inspired by the intricate designs that surround them.
But beyond the creative landscapes lies the real thrill: an exciting theme park where the fun never stops. Roller coasters race along tracks that twist and turn, made entirely from LEGO bricks, providing an exhilarating rush for adventure seekers. For those who prefer something a bit more grounded, there are car rides where children can zoom around in block-built vehicles, navigating their way through the colorful scenery.

– Belmont park is one of the most renowned adventure parks in the USA. Its gem is the oldest roller coasters dating back to 1925, which still operates nowadays, called the Giant Dipper. Younger children can enjoy carousels, bumper cars and mini-golf, while teens will love the Mic Drop, Flip Out and other breathtaking attractions. Don’t forget to grab some snacks on your adventures. They are delicious!

– The UTC Ice Sports Centre is a destination for families with kids looking for fun and active experiences. This vibrant facility features two Olympic-sized ice rinks, perfect for public skating sessions to glide around and enjoy the thrill of ice skating in a safe environment. The center holds various programs tailored specifically for kids, such as beginner-friendly learn-to-skate classes and engaging figure skating workshops. Families can also take part in ice hockey clinics that introduce young athletes to the fundamentals of the sport in a fun, supportive setting.

San Diego is full of things to do with kids. From adventure parks to natural trails and hikes. You can combine various locations or spend the whole weekend in just one of them. From the educational wonders of Balboa Park and the interactive exhibits at the Fleet Science Center to outdoor adventures like hiking in Torrey Pines or enjoying the beach at Coronado, there’s no shortage of places to explore. Families will find endless opportunities to make unforgettable memories while discovering the city’s rich natural beauty, fascinating history, and incredible wildlife.

And if you want a little bit of everything without having to travel across the city, be sure to check out ANVIO. Virtual reality offers a fun, entertaining and exciting way to relax while playing games.