Theme Parks in San Diego For Kids

The best theme parks in San Diego for kids and families to enjoy!

As a San Diego Family Photographer, I commonly get asked about fun things to do with kids while visiting San Diego. San Diego is a like one big playground, there’s always something to do here! Here’s some of my family’s favorite places to go and the best theme parks in San Diego.

kids having fun in san diego

San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the world, located in San Diego, California. The zoo is home to over 3,500 animals representing many of which are rare and endangered. The San Diego Zoo is known for its excellent animal care and conservation efforts, with many of its exhibits designed to mimic the animals’ natural habitats. It’s really impressive to see. The San Diego Zoo is also home to the San Diego Safari Park located in North County San Diego. It is a separate facility located about 30 miles north of the zoo. It features a large number of African animals. You can’t go wrong with either location! Pro tip: bring plenty of snacks and wear your walking shoes. You will be walking all day long here!

Legoland Carlsbad, California

LEGOLAND California is a theme park located in Carlsbad, California, near San Diego. The park is impressivly designed for families with children ages 2 to 12 and features more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions, all built with LEGOs. The park also has several areas that are specifically designed for younger children, such as Duplo Valley and Lego Friends Heartlake City. LEGOLAND California also features a variety of live shows and entertainment. There is also a Lego-themed water park and several on-site restaurants and shops. While there are still plenty to do for younger toddlers, this theme park is best for older kids due to height and age restrictions on the bigger rides.

family having fun at beach in san diego

SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and animal theme park located in San Diego, California. The park features live shows, exhibits, and attractions that focus on marine animals and their habitats. Some popular attractions include the whale and dolphin shows. The park also features rides, such as the Electric Eel and the Journey to Atlantis, and exhibits like the Shark and Penguin Encounter. SeaWorld San Diego also includes a variety of educational experiences and programs, such as animal interactions and behind-the-scenes tours. The park is known for their animal rescue and rehabilitation program that help injured marine animals. I think this is an amazing place to take even the youngest kids, with several small rides even for the youngest in your family. Don’t miss out on riding the sky tram that takes you over mission bay for some amazing views!

family enjoying beach in san diego

While you’re here in town, make sure to schedule your family session to have memories of your time together! Send me a message to inquire about more details!

Coming to San Diego and looking for the best kid friendly hotels? I have a list of some of the most fun places to stay in San Diego that the whole family will enjoy!

Heres some other San Diego posts you might enjoy!

Fun Family Things To Do on Coronado Island

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