15 Best Things to Do in San Diego With Kids

San Diego is a maritime town, so expect a boatload of fun activities for the aspiring sailors (or pirates!) in your family to enjoy.

The USS Midway Museum

San Diego is home to one of the largest naval bases in the country. To get in the maritime spirit, you can watch naval jets soar over Coronado Beach, drive along the coast at North Island to see naval training sites in action, or visit the USS Midway Museum, a naval aircraft carrier docked on the harbor alongside Navy Pier just outside Seaport Village. Renovated in 2004 (and again in 2018), the USS Midway Museum serves as the largest and most visited naval warship museum in the country. Tours of the vessel include virtual-reality experiences, video games, short historical films and other digital exhibits sure to wow the kids.

The Coronado Ferry

One fun way to travel from downtown San Diego to explore and enjoy the many attractions of Coronado Island is via the Coronado Ferry. It’s a steep $14 for a round trip (kids 3 and younger free), but it takes just 15 minutes to get across the bay. You can dine on seafood, stroll through the street market and even pet parrots all along the port on the Seaport Village side. Stop in for a short ride on the historic village carousel, and then cruise across the bay to Coronado for an afternoon or evening of fun at Glorietta Bay.

San Diego Maritime Museum

For a lesser-known excursion, step aboard the Star of India, the oldest iron-hulled merchant ship in the world. She’s permanently moored in the San Diego Harbor as the site of the San Diego Maritime Museum. The vessel hosts outdoor movies, concerts and holiday celebrations for families throughout the year. Plus, they serve a pretty delish New England clam chowder on board.

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