San Diego is thought for its seashores, sunshine, and theme parks, but when you recognize the place to look, there are additionally some unbelievable 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 youngsters tolerate.
As a result of San Diego is unfold out, comparatively trendy, and straightforward to discover by yourself, guided excursions aren’t as widespread right here as in older, extra centralized cities. That makes this listing all of the extra useful. These are the excursions I constantly advocate to my purchasers as a San Diego-based journey advisor, each kid-approved for its enjoyable issue, family-friendliness, and the way effectively it showcases nature or town.
Ocean Wildlife & Journey Excursions for Households
1. Whale Watching Excursions
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 via April, whereas blue whales—the most important animals on Earth—seem from mid-June via September.
These guided excursions provide a front-row seat to nature’s grandeur, typically led by skilled naturalists who preserve youngsters engaged with enjoyable info and marine science alongside the best way. I’ve a full information to whale watching in San Diego.
- Finest for: All ages
- E-book with: The most well-liked grey whale selection amongst our purchasers is a family-run, native enterprise known as Flagship. For a extra premium and serene expertise, e book a visit on the magnificent 141-foot crusing yacht America with Subsequent Stage Crusing who additionally provides blue whale excursions.
- Katie’s tip: To see blue whales, it’s worthwhile 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 happen to’re on the lookout for a enjoyable household journey, strive snorkeling with the innocent leopard sharks in La Jolla. Each summer time (from about late June to September), hundreds of those light sharks collect within the shallow, heat waters of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.
That is one among my favourite summer time actions in La Jolla. The sharks are backside feeders, they usually don’t chunk. I’ll say they give the impression of being larger from above the water than they’re.
- Finest for: All ages. Excursions are normally ages 5+.
- E-book with: On a regular basis California for a snorkeling with leopard sharks tour.
- Katie’s tip: You don’t want to hitch a tour, however you’ll study extra in the event you do. Wade into the water close to the Marine Room, they usually’ll be swimming proper round your legs.
Unique On a regular basis California Low cost
Use code LJMOM20 for a 20% low cost on kayak and snorkeling excursions, classes, and leases.
3. La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour
This can be a tour that folks often inform me is an sudden journey spotlight. You’ll paddle out from La Jolla Shores Seaside, the place the waves break sufficiently small for simple launches, although you’re going to get moist. You then’ll paddle out to the well-known Seven Caves throughout the gorgeous La Jolla Ecological Reserve, a protected marine park teeming with life.
Guides will lead you previous sunbathing sea lions and thru dense kelp forests. Climate 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.
- Finest for: Ages 5+ (in a tandem kayak with an grownup) or 15+ for a single kayak
- E-book with: On a regular basis California (low cost above).
- Katie’s tip: That is actually unbelievable train (my shoulders get tremendous sore). Put on acceptable solar gear that may get moist. Folks wish to ask in the event you’ll tip over. I’m positive it occurs, however I’ve by no means seen anybody do it!
4. Tide Pooling Eco-Tour
Right here’s an exercise that doesn’t require a tour, however you get a lot extra out of the expertise in the event 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 search out all of the creatures!
It’s additionally a hands-on science lesson for teenagers, the place they find out about conservation, the completely different tidal zones, and work together with sea life respectfully. You’ll probably see sea anemones, sea cucumbers, crabs, a number of barnacles, and small fish. Generally folks get fortunate and see an octopus or sea star. We go tide pooling rather a lot so I’ve a information to tide swimming pools throughout San Diego and likewise tide swimming pools in La Jolla.
- Finest for: Ages 6+
- E-book with: Birch Aquarium or Ocean Connectors, an area non-profit the place your ticket proceeds instantly assist environmental education schemes for youth.
- Katie’s tip: The rocks may 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 & Stress-free Boat Rides
5. San Diego SEAL Excursions
Can’t determine 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 instantly into San Diego Bay for a harbor cruise.
The narrators are recognized for being humorous and interesting, making this one of the well-liked sightseeing excursions for teenagers in San Diego. It departs from the Embarcadero or Seaport Village.
- Finest for: All ages
- E-book with: Our ticket website (use promo code SAVEMORE for $9 off) or Trusted Excursions (SEAL Excursions’ mum or dad firm)
- Katie’s tip: It’s a 100-minute expertise, and also you’ll be seated in an open-air car. Convey snacks and sunscreen. I prefer it as a result of it’s straightforward to relax and benefit from the journey.
6. Set Sail on a Maritime Journey
Positioned alongside the Embarcadero, the Maritime Museum of San Diego provides a wide range of family-friendly excursions that deliver maritime historical past to life. Many of those experiences happen aboard actual historic ships, making them particularly memorable for teenagers.
Two standout choices embody: “Boarded! A New Pirate Journey” – A enjoyable and interactive 90-minute present the place youngsters turn into pirate crew members, full with sword coaching, navigation observe, and energetic antics. Finest for ages 4+; contains simulated cannon fireplace. After which there’s Tall Ship Crusing Journey – A four-hour voyage on the Californian, California’s official tall ship, the place older youngsters and teenagers may also help sail the ship and study conventional seamanship. Finest for adventurous older youngsters and teenagers.
7. Coronado Cays Gondola Experience
Cruise the peaceable canals of the Coronado Cays on an genuine Venetian-style gondola. These non-public, hour-long rides are good for households seeking to unwind and take within the surroundings—particularly throughout golden hour or after sundown when the water sparkles and the lights mirror off the houses. It’s a singular option to expertise San Diego from the water with out waves or crowds.
- Finest for: All ages
- E-book with: The Gondola Firm
- Katie’s tip: You possibly can deliver your personal snacks or nonalcoholic drinks on board, and the gondolier offers cozy blankets if it will get chilly. Sundown slots replenish quick, so e book early in the event you’re visiting throughout peak season.
8. Narrated Harbor Cruise
For a traditional and stress-free sightseeing expertise, a narrated harbor cruise is an ideal selection. These comfy, multi-level boats provide 360-degree views of San Diego Bay’s most iconic landmarks—just like the USS Halfway, Coronado Bridge, and energetic naval fleet.
These corporations have Easter, sundown, eating, and different themed cruises to select from.
- Finest for: All ages
- E-book with: Flagship Cruises or Metropolis Cruises.
- Katie’s tip: This low-stress tour is particularly appropriate for infants and toddlers as it may be as brief as one hour on Flagship with (normally) ample open areas.
9. Sea Monkey Adventures Household Crusing
Get pleasure from a non-public and personalised crusing tour designed particularly for households. These excursions on a 25-foot sailboat are good for creating reminiscences with out the loud music or get together ambiance of bigger cruises. You possibly can select from morning, day, sundown, and even whale-watching sails. Extremely advocate.
10. Bahia Belle Mission Bay Cruise
Discover 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 a wide range of interactive video games, together with Large Jenga, cornhole, and Join 4.
- Finest for: All ages (minors have to be accompanied by an grownup)
- E-book with: Bahia Resort Lodge—it departs from each the Bahia and Catamaran accommodations.
Excessive-Pace & Non-public Boat Thrills
11. Pace Boat Adventures
Captain your personal 13-foot mini speedboat! They’re straightforward 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 via a two-way communication system.
12. Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Experience
In case your teenagers and tweens are on the lookout for 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.
- Finest for: Teenagers and thrill-seeking youngsters (should meet 48″ peak requirement, and children should journey with an grownup)
- E-book with: Flagship Cruises & Occasions.
Discover San Diego by Child-Pleasant Trolley, Bike & GoCar
13. Outdated City Trolley Tour
A unbelievable option to see 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 Outdated City, Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Coronado. It’s a soothing and versatile option to cowl lots of floor with entertaining narration from the drivers.
14. Electrical 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 centered 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 Seaside and again.
15. GoCar GPS-Guided Storytelling Tour
Discover town in a unusual, three-wheeled “storytelling automobile.” The GPS-guided tour offers 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 have to be 21+, whereas passengers may be as younger as 7.
- Finest for: Ages 7+ (with an grownup driver)
- E-book with: GoCar Excursions.
- Katie’s suggestions: It’s bumpy however rather more enjoyable than I assumed it could be.
16. Fats Woody Electrical Seaside Cruiser Expertise
This isn’t your common bike rental. Cruise the scenic paths of Coronado Island on a custom-built, retro-style electrical “woody” seashore cruiser, full with a built-in sound system for seashore tunes. It’s a trendy and effortlessly cool approach for teenagers and oldsters to see the island.
- Finest for: Ages 13+ (with a mum or dad)
- E-book with: Viator
Strolling & 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 very best donut retailers in downtown San Diego and Little Italy. It’s a candy and scrumptious option to discover town on foot.
18. Torrey Pines Guided Nature Stroll
Soak up sweeping ocean views and uncommon native flora on a ranger-led or docent-guided stroll via Torrey Pines State Pure Reserve. These family-friendly hikes discover coastal trails whereas educating youngsters concerning the endangered Torrey pine tree, native wildlife, and the world’s dramatic geology. It’s a soothing option to get open air and expertise San Diego’s pure magnificence past the seashore.
- Finest for: Ages 6+ (path choices range in problem)
- E-book with: No reservation required, however it’s normally solely on weekends. Verify the schedule.
- Katie’s tip: I’m a chill hiker usually, however I like Man Fleming Path. It’s the best loop with the very best views.
19. San Diego Ghost Excursions: Day or Evening Expertise
If your loved ones enjoys native legends and a bit little bit of thriller, San Diego Ghost Excursions provides two kid-friendly methods to discover town’s haunted historical past—one by day and one by night time.
The Gaslamp District Expertise is a daytime strolling tour via San Diego’s unique 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 youngsters.
The San Diego Ghost Tour, held nightly at 8 p.m., provides a spooky twist to town’s historical past. Beginning 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 ideal choose for tweens and teenagers.
- Finest for: Ages 8+ (Gaslamp), 10+ (Ghost Tour)
- E-book with: San Diego Ghosts—LJMOM for 10% off
Solely-in-San-Diego Expertise Value Reserving
20. Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Practice Experience
You possibly can journey on a classic practice via San Diego’s lovely and rugged backcountry. The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo provides excursions on historic locomotives and automobiles from the early twentieth century. It’s a singular alternative for teenagers who’re practice fanatics to expertise historical past in movement on an actual heritage railroad.
- Finest for: All ages, particularly practice fanatics
- E-book with: Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.
- Katie’s tip: In the course of the vacation season, strive reserving the North Pole Restricted Christmas Practice with Santa, cookies, and loads of vacation cheer!