Traveling to San Diego?
Pack Light. Travel Happy.™ Rent baby gear in San Diego.With such incredible weather for the majority of the year, it’s no surprise that the typical activities to do with babies and toddlers in San Diego revolve around being outdoors or by the beach. It’s also no surprise that San Diego has been dubbed “America’s Finest City,” with its mecca of sandy beaches nestled on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. No travel to the area would be complete without a requisite visit to a sunny beach or indulging in the expansive outdoor activities.
With some tips from local San Diego BabyQuip Quality Providers, we will highlight some of the traditional “must-see” activities to check out on your next visit to San Diego, as well as some other cool and unusual places that shouldn’t be bypassed! Check out our travel guide to the best of San Diego tourism!
Babyquip Quality Providers Kellen and Melanie Alca, and Amy Jellison of San Diego, CA, rent baby gear to families traveling to their hometown. However, when they aren’t helping other families enjoy their time in the sunny city, they head out with their own kiddos and explore the best activities San Diego has to offer. Melanie and Amy offer up cool and unusual family-friendly activities in San Diego, as well as some local favorites!
1. Explore the Tidepools
Tidepooling is definitely an off-the-beaten-path San Diego activity, and there are more than a few tidepools to visit. In the summer, low tides occur in the middle of the night, so late fall and winter (November through March) are the ideal times to go tide pooling in San Diego.
BabyQuip Quality Providers, Kellen and Melanie Alca, and family really love The Scripps Pier Tidepools in La Jolla. She explains: “They are never super crowded – the beach there is wide, and there are plenty of tidepools to explore. My four-year-old loves collecting seashells, and as you walk north from the access point towards the tidepools, the beach is absolutely covered in them!
You can find this spot just west of Birch Aquarium. Take La Jolla Shores Dr. and go towards Scripps Pier. Find street parking near the intersection at El Paseo Grande (it is a residential neighborhood), and the beach access point is a walkway right next to the last house on El Paseo Grande. The tidepools there are free to enjoy, but if you’d like to explore with a trained naturalist, the Birch Aquarium offers paid Tidepooling Adventures as well. “
2. Experience the Grunion Runs
Melanie also loves the unique experience of the Grunion Runs and exclaims that they are “so much fun for toddlers!” She points out that the season hits in San Diego from April through June. Melanie explains, “Grunions are silvery fish that come up on the beach to lay eggs under the full moon around high tide. The beach is literally COVERED with them during the nights they “run.” During the open season, you are allowed to catch the grunions by hand while they do this.”
Melanie also mentions that “because they happen around the time of the full moon, the grunion runs are an evening activity. So it is definitely a special treat and not for every family if they don’t like making exceptions to bedtime. But if they do, it is so much fun for little ones to run around and participate!” You can find the Grunion Run Schedule and more here.
3. Visit the Water Conservation Garden
The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon is a “hidden gem in East County,” says Melanie. “The flat, easy walking trails are stroller-friendly and a great place to introduce your little ones to nature.” Melanie and family especially enjoy the “nature treasure hunt for little ones. Kiddos complete it by using the signs/name markers that they find on plant species in the garden. They’ll also learn about plants, animals, and even dinosaurs!” It is FREE and opens daily from 9-4 pm.
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4. Live like a Local!
Amy has great suggestions for those visiting San Diego! She states, “San Diego has so many things to do with your little ones.” She says, “There are so many parks, restaurants, beaches, craft fairs, and farmer’s markets all around San Diego. It’s truly the ultimate destination spot!” Some of Amy’s favorite places to visit are Belmont Park, The New Children’s Museum, the San Diego Zoo, Waterfront Park, The Fleet Science Center, Seaworld, and the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum. Read more below!
5. Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a beachfront park that has rides, restaurants, shops and so much more! This kid-friendly amusement park in San Diego will have your kids enjoying activities such as Bumper Cars and Krazy Kars. Try your hand at mini-golf, or rent bikes and take a scenic ride down the Boardwalk that the whole family will enjoy!
6. The New Children’s Museum
Think, Play and Create is the tagline for the New Children’s Museum in Downtown San Diego. This museum focuses on early learning through contemporary art and play. Of course, it offers the usual lineup of sensory and interactive exhibits that are common in most museums. However, a big hit for infants and toddlers under 4 years of age is Wobbleland.
It’s an area that resembles an oversized kitchen with larger-than-life food sculptures that the little ones can play on, crawl through, and generally explore their creativity!
They will also delight in the interactive Sketch Aquarium, which allows them to draw their own sea creatures, which are then scanned and projected onto a giant virtual aquarium. They can then touch the fish to watch them swim away or feed them from a virtual food bag! How fun is that?!
7. San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo, located in Balboa Park, is the most visited zoo in the United States, featuring over 3500 animals! Little ones will particularly enjoy the play areas such as the Elephant Playard which is an interactive outdoor area that will take them through a maze of elephant satellite trackers. They can also play at the fossil dig and solve fun puzzles.
8. Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park is a great place for families to visit in Downtown San Diego. This 12-acre park with a beautiful view of the Bay offers a bit of something for everyone! Kids will love the Interactive Water Fountains that they can run around in and cool off in the warmer months. There is also a huge park with plenty of room to run around, as well as play structures to climb on! Adults will love the historical landmarks!
9. The Fleet Science Center
The Fleet Science Center is a great opportunity for kids of all ages to explore interactive exhibits and galleries. The Kid City exhibit is specifically geared to kids ages 5 and under! They can check out the Ball Wall, which has an array of chutes, tracks, and moving objects. Little ones will also enjoy the hands-on Fire Station, Grocery Store, Magnetic Wall, Block Corner, and Little Learner’s Lab!
10. SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a fun-filled day for the whole family. Be sure to catch the encounters with many sea animals, including dolphins, whales, walruses, sea lions, otters, turtles, and more! Be sure to ride the skylift across the water to see the sites from above. If you have bigger kids, don’t miss the thrill rides, and the little kids will love the touch tanks where they can pet-friendly reef sharks!
11. San Diego Children’s Museum
The San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum has so many interactive exhibits for kids! Check out the Kids Global Village, Discovery Sailboat, and Toddler Tide Pool. All of these activities help promote early childhood development and refine motor skills. The outdoor Discovery Garden is perfect for small children too! With a wide variety of nature-based science activities and exhibits, it’s sure to please. The interactive exhibits help children learn about and appreciate their surroundings!
San Diego is truly an incredible family travel destination with plenty to explore and discover! If you need to rent baby gear to facilitate getting around this lovely city, Melanie and Amy of BabyQuip have you covered. They rent strollers, infant carriers, car seats, and so more!
Traveling to San Diego?
Pack Light. Travel Happy.™ Rent baby gear in San Diego.
Jennifer O’Neill is an Independent Quality Provider with BabyQuip, helping families travel lighter and happier. She is a mother of two boys and enjoys working out, spending time with family and friends and of course, traveling.
Tide pools are the best. Anyone have any advice on babysitting services in the area? We are visiting in March and I want one night for just me and my husband.
Hello. thanks for your detailed article. i just came accross this and i really trust your openion on san diego.
San Diego is the best. We’ve visited twice with the kids and they love it. Great place for families. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of the area. Much appreciated.
Aw, this was an extremely good post.
You made some fine points there.
I’ve been to San Diego so many times and had no idea about the Grunion Runs. Kind of creeps me out but I’m going to have to take my kids next time.
Can you tell me the best time for whale watching?
Best times are usually mid-December until late April!