Best San Diego Activities to do with Your Grandchildren

Looking for something fun to do with your grandchildren? We’ve rounded up five of our favorite San Diego family-friendly activities that we know are perfect for any age.

 

The New Children’s Museum

Located in Balboa Park, The New Children’s Museum is one of seventeen museums in the Gaslamp Quarter. The 50,000 sq ft building is a welcoming space designed with accessibility, inclusion, and engagement for all in mind. 

The museum is well laid-out and bursting with color and activities for kids and adults. It has lots of things to get your grandchildren excited, moving, and learning, no matter the weather. The price of admission begins at $10. Be sure to visit the website above before you go to plan your visit.

 

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

While we love our moderate San Diego weather, having an indoor activity planned for a day with your grandchildren is always a good idea. We love The Birch Aquarium in La Jolla for an entertaining activity indoors. 

We love the opportunity the Scripps Aquarium gives families to view beautiful marine life up close in over 60 habitats. View creatures like moon jellies, sharks, and lionfish in their natural environments! Families will also have the opportunity to interact with hands-on exhibits led by their knowledgeable staff.

Click here to plan your visit, view ticket prices, explore experiences like Behind the Scenes tours and Tidepool Adventures, and review basic FAQs. 

 

Seaport Village

Seaport Village in downtown San Diego is an excellent spot for all ages! Plus, it’s only a five-minute drive from Little Italy and situated between the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier and the Convention Center. San Diego’s Seaport Village is a great place to stop for lunch and some shopping after a morning spent out and about. Located on the water, your grandchildren will surely enjoy the sights and sounds of the bay. Be sure to check the events calendar on any given day. You’ll find live music, parades, story times, and presentations! 

 

San Diego Zoo

Lions and tigers and bears – yes, please! 

We love recommending the San Diego Zoo as a local place to take your grandchildren in San Diego! While over 100 acres, it is still accessible to multi-generations, being wheelchair and stroller friendly. You can also hop on the SkyFari Aerial Tram if you want a little break from walking the paths. 

Home to about 4,000 animals and 800 species, it is renowned as one of the best zoological centers in the world. 

For the smallest of grandkids, there is the Fisher-Price Discovery Playground. Families can interact with soft and patient animals, like goats and sheep, in a petting zoo environment. There’s still lots of excitement for bigger kiddos too. Consult the Zoo’s event calendar in advance so you can attend all of their special events. 

 

Accessibility in San Diego 

While many grandparents seek opportunities to get out and about with their grandchildren, for some, mobility and accessibility are a challenge. We’ve included a fantastic activity for grandchildren requiring less walking or traversing through large areas independently. 

 

Old Town Trolley Tours

Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego, Inc. is San Diego’s only Hop-On & Hop-Off City Tour. Called “America’s Finest City,” San Diego can be explored on a fun and educational two-hour narrated tour via a themed trolley. The tour covers about 25 miles and over one hundred popular destinations. Points of interest include Coronado and the Hotel Del Coronado, Old Town, San Diego Harbor, the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and Balboa Park. The tour is fast-paced and full of fun facts and stories, sure to entertain all ages. Written scripts are also made available to visitors with hearing impairment; enhanced audio tours are available for those with vision impairment. 

 

We hope this list has given you a starting point for planning a couple of activities with your grandchildren. Whether they are residents or visiting you in San Diego, we’re sure you will find something fun and engaging for all ages. Create memories with your grandchildren in San Diego that none of you will soon forget! If you want to see more entertaining activities for the whole family, go to our Local Activities page and get inspired.

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