March 2020: 10 Family-Friendly Activities in San Diego

Spring break, the time change, and the first official day of spring all mean March has arrived – and is in full swing! Celebrate the season of renewal here in San Diego with some of the very best family-friendly activities around!

1. River Kids Discovery Days
   When: March 13-14
   Where: Locations Across San Diego
   Cost: Free
   Ages: All ages
   Two days of fun, nature and learning in celebration of the San Diego River awaits you and your family at numerous spots throughout San Diego County! A variety of volunteer projects and education opportunities will help kids learn how to be stewards of natural resources and green spaces. RSVPs are required, so be sure to reserve your spot today!
2. 7th Annual International Mariachi Festival
   When: March 8, 11am – 7pm
   Where: Bayside Park, Chula Vista
   Cost: $10 and up
   Ages: All ages
   The Mariachi Festival at Bayside Park in Chula Vista welcomes all families to come celebrate San Diego’s Mexican heritage together! This exciting festival offers mariachi music, traditional folkloric dancing, and a wide celebration of Mexican arts, culture and culinary treats.
3. San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering 
   When: March 7-15
   Where: Petco Park
   Cost: Free
   Ages: All ages
   The San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering is a ten-day educational experience that all encompasses STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). The festival is full of interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities, and dynamic speakers to engage kids and families!
4. CRY San Diego Color Festival
   When: March 7, 11am – 3pm
   Where: Hourglass Field, Miramar College
   Cost: $6-$15
   Ages: All ages
   The Color Festival – known in India as the Holi Festival – is hosted by Child Rights & You (CRY), a San Diego nonprofit that helps underprivileged children in India and the U.S. Kids will have a blast painting themselves with (safe, hypoallergenic) colors, playing games, tasting flavorful Indian food from local vendors and participating in a kids’ dance showcase!
5. St. Patrick’s Day Parade + Irish Festival
   When: March 14, 10:30am – 6pm
   Where: Balboa Park
   Cost: Free
   Ages: All ages
   The Annual San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade features incredible floats, marching bands, dance groups, antique cars, representatives from Ireland and adorable Irish Setters. Following the parade, head to the Irish Festival in Balboa Park for tasty food and drink, kids’ activities and live music and dance entertainment on two stages!
6. Leprechaun Run
   When: March 14
   Where: Pacific Beach
   Cost: $20 and up
   Ages: All ages
   Don your favorite greens and bring your pot o’ gold for The Kids 1K Fun Run and Leprechaun 5K Run in Pacific Beach! The 5K starts at 9 a.m. with the Fun Run starting at 10 a.m. All Fun Run participants will get cool sunglasses and a finisher medal! Parents can trot alongside their child without needing to register.
7. Circus Vargas
   When: March 13-23
   Where: National City
   Cost: $17 and up
   Ages: All ages
   Circus Vargas returned to San Diego County in February and is still going on through March 23rd. Take the family to celebrate their 51st anniversary extravaganza of acrobats, daredevils and flying trapezes! Discount tickets are available on Goldstar.
8. Kids’ Day at The Flower Fields
   When: March 22, 11am – 5pm
   Where: Carlsbad Flower Fields
   Cost: $9-$18, age 2 and under free
   Ages: All ages
   Our wet San Diego winter means some especially gorgeous blooming at the Carlsbad Flower Fields. On Kids’ Day, little ones will enjoy the colorful floral expanse while also having a blast with activities and entertainment. There will be bouncy houses, music, games, face-painting and a musical petting zoo!
9. East Village Opening Day
   When: March 26, 10am – 7pm
   Where: Petco Park
   Cost: Free
   Ages: All Ages
   This free family-friendly block party will have you swinging into baseball season! Come down to Petco Park and join others showing off their Padres spirit with games, live music, baseball-themed beverages and lots of tasty food. Kids will dig the Fun Zone, packed with free activities, games, rock climbing and more.
10. Breakfast with a Bunny + Spring Egg Hunt
    When: March 28, 9:30am – 12pm
    Where: Otay Lakes County Park
    Cost: Free, Day-use parking is $3
    Ages: All ages
    This free family friendly event, Breakfast with a Bunny + Spring Egg Hunt, will be held at Otay Lakes County Park. A light breakfast will be served at 9:30am and a well-known bunny will be present for the perfect family photo opportunity.

Want to know what fantastic family-friendly events are happening around San Diego every month? Be sure to bookmark all of Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups’ helpful articles!