San Diego is thought for its seashores, sunshine, and theme parks, but when you already know the place to look, there are additionally some implausible sightseeing excursions for households. From whale watching and sea cave kayaking to harbor cruises, pirate ships, and ghost walks, these experiences flip sightseeing into an actual journey—not simply one thing children tolerate.
Because San Diego is unfold out, comparatively fashionable, and straightforward to discover by yourself, guided excursions aren’t as widespread right here as in older, extra centralized cities. That makes this checklist all of the extra worthwhile. These are the excursions I persistently advocate to my purchasers as a San Diego-based journey advisor, each kid-approved for its enjoyable issue, family-friendliness, and the way nicely it showcases nature or the town.
Ocean Wildlife & Adventure Tours for Families
1. Whale Watching Tours
Whale watching cruises are among the many hottest San Diego household excursions booked by our purchasers. There are two peak whale seasons: grey whales migrate previous the coast from December by means of April, whereas blue whales—the biggest animals on Earth—seem from mid-June by means of September.
These guided excursions provide a front-row seat to nature’s grandeur, usually led by skilled naturalists who preserve children engaged with enjoyable info and marine science alongside the best way. I’ve a full information to whale watching in San Diego.
- Best for: All ages
- Book with: The hottest grey whale alternative amongst our purchasers is a family-run, native enterprise referred to as Flagship. For a extra premium and serene expertise, e-book a visit on the magnificent 141-foot crusing yacht America with Next Level Sailing who additionally affords blue whale excursions.
- Katie’s tip: To see blue whales, you want to enterprise additional out into the ocean and sightings are much less frequent. I like to recommend grey whale season.
2. Snorkeling with Leopard Sharks
If you’re in search of a enjoyable household journey, strive snorkeling with the innocent leopard sharks in La Jolla. Every summer time (from about late June to September), 1000’s of those mild sharks collect within the shallow, heat waters of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.
This is one among my favourite summer time actions in La Jolla. The sharks are backside feeders, they usually don’t chew. I’ll say they give the impression of being greater from above the water than they’re.
- Best for: All ages. Tours are normally ages 5+.
- Book with: Everyday California for a snorkeling with leopard sharks tour.
- Katie’s tip: You don’t want to affix a tour, however you’ll study extra should you do. Wade into the water close to the Marine Room, they usually’ll be swimming proper round your legs.
Exclusive Everyday California Discount
Use code LJMOM20 for a 20% low cost on kayak and snorkeling excursions, classes, and leases.
3. La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour
This is a tour that folks regularly inform me is an sudden journey spotlight. You’ll paddle out from La Jolla Shores Beach, the place the waves break sufficiently small for straightforward launches, although you’re going to get moist. Then you’ll paddle out to the well-known Seven Caves throughout the beautiful La Jolla Ecological Reserve, a protected marine park teeming with life.
Guides will lead you previous sunbathing sea lions and thru dense kelp forests. Weather allowing, you’ll even get to paddle contained in the spectacular Clam’s Cave—an expertise solely permitted on guided excursions. I’ve carried out it.
- Best for: Ages 5+ (in a tandem kayak with an grownup) or 15+ for a single kayak
- Book with: Everyday California (low cost above).
- Katie’s tip: This is admittedly implausible train (my shoulders get tremendous sore). Wear applicable solar gear that may get moist. People prefer to ask should you’ll tip over. I’m positive it occurs, however I’ve by no means seen anybody do it!
4. Tide Pooling Eco-Tour
Here’s an exercise that doesn’t require a tour, however you get a lot extra out of the expertise should you go on one. We participated in a Birch Aquarium tide pooling tour, and even with a long time of private visits to those tide swimming pools, there’s nothing like going with a naturalist who appears to seek out all of the creatures!
It’s additionally a hands-on science lesson for youths, the place they study conservation, the completely different tidal zones, and how you can work together with sea life respectfully. You’ll probably see sea anemones, sea cucumbers, crabs, numerous barnacles, and small fish. Sometimes individuals get fortunate and see an octopus or sea star. We go tide pooling so much so I’ve a information to tide swimming pools throughout San Diego and likewise tide swimming pools in La Jolla.
- Best for: Ages 6+
- Book with: Birch Aquarium or Ocean Connectors, an area non-profit the place your ticket proceeds straight assist environmental teaching programs for youth.
- Katie’s tip: The rocks will be slippery and sharp, so put on footwear with a very good grip. Don’t go barefoot, and don’t step on the inexperienced grass! It’s slippery, and also you don’t know what’s beneath it.
Bay Cruises & Relaxing Boat Rides
5. San Diego SEAL Tours
Can’t resolve between a land or sea tour? Do each! This distinctive journey takes place on an amphibious “bus boat” that first drives previous scenic downtown spots earlier than splashing straight into San Diego Bay for a harbor cruise.
The narrators are identified for being humorous and fascinating, making this one of the widespread sightseeing excursions for youths in San Diego. It departs from the Embarcadero or Seaport Village.
- Best for: All ages
- Book with: Our ticket website (use promo code SAVEMORE for $9 off) or Trusted Tours (SEAL Tours’ mother or father firm)
- Katie’s tip: It’s a 100-minute expertise, and also you’ll be seated in an open-air automobile. Bring snacks and sunscreen. I prefer it as a result of it’s simple to sit back and benefit from the journey.
6. Set Sail on a Maritime Adventure
Located alongside the Embarcadero, the Maritime Museum of San Diego affords quite a lot of family-friendly excursions that convey maritime historical past to life. Many of those experiences happen aboard actual historic ships, making them particularly memorable for youths.
Two standout choices embrace: “Boarded! A New Pirate Adventure” – A enjoyable and interactive 90-minute present the place children turn out to be pirate crew members, full with sword coaching, navigation follow, and energetic antics. Best for ages 4+; contains simulated cannon fireplace. And then there’s Tall Ship Sailing Adventure – A four-hour voyage on the Californian, California’s official tall ship, the place older children and teenagers will help sail the ship and study conventional seamanship. Best for adventurous older children and teenagers.
7. Coronado Cays Gondola Ride
Cruise the peaceable canals of the Coronado Cays on an genuine Venetian-style gondola. These personal, hour-long rides are excellent for households seeking to unwind and take within the surroundings—particularly throughout golden hour or after sundown when the water sparkles and the lights replicate off the houses. It’s a novel option to expertise San Diego from the water with out waves or crowds.
- Best for: All ages
- Book with: The Gondola Company
- Katie’s tip: You can convey your personal snacks or nonalcoholic drinks on board, and the gondolier gives cozy blankets if it will get chilly. Sunset slots refill quick, so e-book early should you’re visiting throughout peak season.
8. Narrated Harbor Cruise
For a basic and stress-free sightseeing expertise, a narrated harbor cruise is an ideal alternative. These comfy, multi-level boats provide 360-degree views of San Diego Bay’s most iconic landmarks—just like the USS Midway, Coronado Bridge, and energetic naval fleet.
These firms have Easter, sundown, eating, and different themed cruises to select from.
- Best for: All ages
- Book with: Flagship Cruises or City Cruises.
- Katie’s tip: This low-stress tour is particularly appropriate for infants and toddlers as it may be as quick as one hour on Flagship with (normally) ample open areas.
9. Sea Monkey Adventures Family Sailing
Enjoy a personal and customized crusing tour designed particularly for households. These excursions on a 25-foot sailboat are excellent for creating recollections with out the loud music or social gathering environment of bigger cruises. You can select from morning, day, sundown, and even whale-watching sails. Highly advocate.
10. Bahia Belle Mission Bay Cruise
Explore the calmer waters of Mission Bay on a surprising, three-story Mississippi-style sternwheeler. This family-friendly cruise is much less about narration and extra about enjoyable, that includes reside music and quite a lot of interactive video games, together with Giant Jenga, cornhole, and Connect Four.
- Best for: All ages (minors should be accompanied by an grownup)
- Book with: Bahia Resort Hotel—it departs from each the Bahia and Catamaran resorts.
High-Speed & Private Boat Thrills
11. Speed Boat Adventures
Captain your personal 13-foot mini speedboat! They are simple to drive and permit your loved ones to discover San Diego Bay whereas having fun with the downtown sights. A information leads the best way in a separate boat, offering narration about our metropolis by means of a two-way communication system.
12. Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride
If your teenagers and tweens are in search of an adrenaline rush, that is the tour for them. The Patriot is a speedboat that blasts throughout San Diego Bay, executing 360-degree spins and sharp turns, all set to a high-energy rock music soundtrack. It’s much less of a tour and extra of a water-based thrill journey.
- Best for: Teens and thrill-seeking children (should meet 48″ peak requirement, and youngsters should journey with an grownup)
- Book with: Flagship Cruises & Events.
Explore San Diego by Kid-Friendly Trolley, Bike & GoCar
13. Old Town Trolley Tour
A implausible option to see the town and not using a automobile, these orange and inexperienced open-air trolleys allow you to hop on and off at San Diego’s hottest neighborhoods, together with Old Town, Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Coronado. It’s a soothing and versatile option to cowl numerous floor with entertaining narration from the drivers.
14. Electric Bike Tour
Give teenagers a way of freedom on an electrical bike tour. The pedal help makes navigating San Diego’s hills a breeze, permitting you to remain targeted on enjoyable and exploration. These excursions are actually extremely rated in La Jolla, particularly Cali Dreamin, which stays on flat floor from La Jolla Cove space to Pacific Beach and again.
15. GoCar GPS-Guided Storytelling Tour
Explore the town in a unusual, three-wheeled “storytelling car.” The GPS-guided tour gives instructions and shares enjoyable info and jokes as you drive, turning sightseeing right into a real-life online game. It’s an ideal parent-teen exercise, as the driving force should be 21+, whereas passengers will be as younger as 7.
- Best for: Ages 7+ (with an grownup driver)
- Book with: GoCar Tours.
- Katie’s suggestions: It’s bumpy however far more enjoyable than I assumed it might be.
16. Fat Woody Electric Beach Cruiser Experience
This isn’t your common bike rental. Cruise the scenic paths of Coronado Island on a custom-built, retro-style electrical “woody” seaside cruiser, full with a built-in sound system for seaside tunes. It’s a trendy and effortlessly cool means for teenagers and fogeys to see the island.
- Best for: Ages 13+ (with a mother or father)
- Book with: Viator
Walking & Foodie Adventures
17. Underground Donut Tour
A tour devoted to donuts is a assured win for the entire household. This two-hour strolling tour takes you to 4 of the perfect donut retailers in downtown San Diego and Little Italy. It’s a candy and scrumptious option to discover the town on foot.
18. Torrey Pines Guided Nature Walk
Take in sweeping ocean views and uncommon native flora on a ranger-led or docent-guided stroll by means of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. These family-friendly hikes discover coastal trails whereas instructing children in regards to the endangered Torrey pine tree, native wildlife, and the realm’s dramatic geology. It’s a soothing option to get outdoor and expertise San Diego’s pure magnificence past the seaside.
- Best for: Ages 6+ (path choices range in issue)
- Book with: No reservation required, however it’s normally solely on weekends. Check the schedule.
- Katie’s tip: I’m a chill hiker usually, however I like Guy Fleming Trail. It’s the best loop with the perfect views.
19. San Diego Ghost Tours: Day or Night Experience
If your loved ones enjoys native legends and just a little little bit of thriller, San Diego Ghost Tours affords two kid-friendly methods to discover the town’s haunted historical past—one by day and one by night time.
The Gaslamp District Experience is a daytime strolling tour by means of San Diego’s authentic red-light district. It’s full of colourful tales about historic saloons, legendary gamblers, and frontier-era scandals—entertaining with out being scary, and a enjoyable option to discover downtown with older children.
The San Diego Ghost Tour, held nightly at 8 p.m., provides a spooky twist to the town’s historical past. Starting close to the historic Balboa Theatre, this after-dark expertise shares ghost tales and unusual happenings at a few of San Diego’s most haunted spots. It’s atmospheric with out being too over-the-top, making it an incredible choose for tweens and teenagers.
- Best for: Ages 8+ (Gaslamp), 10+ (Ghost Tour)
- Book with: San Diego Ghosts—LJMOM for 10% off
Only-in-San-Diego Experience Worth Booking
20. Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Train Ride
You can journey on a classic practice by means of San Diego’s stunning and rugged backcountry. The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo affords excursions on historic locomotives and automobiles from the early twentieth century. It’s a novel alternative for youths who’re practice fans to expertise historical past in movement on an actual heritage railroad.
- Best for: All ages, particularly practice fans
- Book with: Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.
- Katie’s tip: During the vacation season, strive reserving the North Pole Limited Christmas Train with Santa, cookies, and loads of vacation cheer!