3 Days in San Diego, CA
Three days in San Diego, CA — don't miss Adams Avenue Street Fair (Free), Air Track Park ($25), Axe Throw San Diego ($29.95), Axe Throw San Diego ($29.95), and Balboa Park (Free (park & gardens)). Organize by neighborhood to avoid wasting time on transit.
Bus tour included, no add-on fees
2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Summer 9am-9pm; Spring/Fall 9am-6pm; Winter 9am-5pm
Built for under-12s, buy online to dodge $139 gate price
1 Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 · Generally 10am-7pm, varies by day; closed select days · Ages 2–12
Toddler-sized aquarium with ocean views
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-7pm
Art you're supposed to climb on
200 W Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 · Mon, Wed-Sun 9am-4pm; closed Tuesdays · Ages 0–10
100+ hands-on science exhibits + IMAX dome
1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm
Four stories of dinos and live reptiles
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, Fri until 11pm
Home to the Giant Dipper, a 1925 wooden roller coaster that's a National Historic Landmark
3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily from 11am, closing 8-10pm depending on season
Playground + calm bay water steps away
1740 E Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily dawn to dusk
Climb into cockpits on a real aircraft carrier
910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, last entry 4pm · Ages 4+
Open-range safari, tram ride included
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027 · Daily 9am-5pm, extended summer hours to 7pm
Gentlest waves in San Diego + tide pools at low tide
8200 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Daily, dawn to dusk; tide pools best at low tide
Largest operating model railroad museum in North America — kids under 12 free
1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Wed-Sun 11am-4pm, closed Mon-Tue
See all the way to Mexico — tourists miss it
5115 Soledad Rd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily dawn to dusk
Stroller-friendly trail to ocean overlooks
12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Daily 7:15am to sunset
Free Sunday organ concerts year-round
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Sunday concerts at 2pm; pavilion open daily
27 miles of calm, no-wave shoreline
2688 E Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily dawn to dusk
Ground-level fountain jets + harbor views
1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 6am-10pm; fountains Tue-Sun 9am-9pm, Mon 11am-9pm · Ages 0+
Year-round lifeguards + ferry ride from downtown
1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 · Daily, dawn to dusk; lifeguards 9am-dusk · Ages 0+
Fire rings for bonfires + small-town beach
400 B St, Encinitas, CA 92024 · Daily dawn to dusk; lifeguards seasonal · Ages 0+
Climb a Soviet submarine and 1863 sailing ship
1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, last entry 4pm · Ages 4+
Tortilla-making demos + free everything
4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110 · Daily 10am-5pm · Ages 0+
Six free playgrounds + 14 free gardens
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Park grounds open 24/7; playgrounds dawn to dusk · Ages 0+
Hand-carved carousel on the bay, $4
849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-9pm (10pm in summer) · Ages 0+
Climb into cockpits, Wright Brothers to Space Age
2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-4:30pm · Ages 0+
Toddler-sized aquarium next to LEGOLAND
1 Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 · Daily 10am-5pm, hours vary seasonally · Ages 0+
$48 intro week includes gear + belay lesson
10110 Mesa Rim Rd, San Diego, CA 92121 · Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-9pm
Day pass works at all 3 San Diego locations
2074 Hancock St, San Diego, CA 92110 · Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9pm
Ninja Warrior course + dedicated toddler zone
8190 Miralani Dr, San Diego, CA 92126 · Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 10am-7pm
Trampoline park + 18-hole indoor mini golf + arcade
8190 Miralani Dr, San Diego, CA 92126 · Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 10am-8pm
1925 heated indoor pool, 200 feet from the Pacific
3115 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily 7am-7pm
$4.25/game weekday afternoons, 40 lanes
8210 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126 · Mon-Sat 9am-midnight, Sun 9am-11pm
Cheapest per-game rates in San Diego
7585 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111 · Mon-Wed 9am-midnight, Thu 9am-1am, Fri-Sat 9am-2am, Sun 9am-midnight
First week free, 7 San Diego locations
1080 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 · Daily, class schedule varies (typically 6am-8pm)
Two heated pools + nobody turned away for cost
4300 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92105 · Mon-Fri 5am-10pm, Sat 7am-6pm, Sun 8am-5pm
Ice skating in San Diego — $25 if you book online
4545 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92122 · Daily, session times vary — check schedule
$87 million community center with ice rink + pool
6737 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115 · Public skating sessions vary — check schedule
$30 for an hour of coached axe throwing
9340 Dowdy Dr, Ste 105, San Diego, CA 92126 · Thu-Sun, check schedule for session times
Cook and eat with a pro chef, $69-99
7007 Friars Rd #930b, San Diego, CA 92108 · Class schedule varies — check website
Small-class organic cooking in Solana Beach
512 Via de La Valle, Ste 102, Solana Beach, CA 92075 · Class schedule varies — check website
Pottery on the 101 in Encinitas, all levels
802 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 · Class schedule varies — check website
Walk-through VR, not just a headset — groups of 6
1640 Camino Del Rio N, Ste 116, San Diego, CA 92108 · Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sun 10am-11pm
Private rooms — no strangers, price drops with group size
3116 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Mon-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sun 10am-10pm
Trampolines + slime + LEGO + painting, all indoors
10512 Mission Gorge Rd, Santee, CA 92071 · Mon-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-7pm · Ages 1–12
Indoor mini golf — combine with trampoline time
8190 Miralani Dr, San Diego, CA 92126 · Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 10am-8pm
Indoor surfing at Belmont Park, $20/hour
3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily 11am-8pm (extended hours in summer)
First week free, post-surf yoga crowd
1554 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily, class schedule varies
Multi-level indoor playground + 100 arcade games
3146 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110 · Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-9pm · Ages 1–12
Bouldering + yoga, no ropes needed
6060 Cornerstone Ct W, Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92121 · Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm
Tiki mini golf at Belmont Park, all ages
3114 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily 11am-8pm (extended hours in summer)
52 free rec centers, most with indoor gyms
Various locations across San Diego · Varies by location — most Mon-Sat
Walk-in VR arcade, more games than Sandbox
200 E Via Rancho Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025 · Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm
Heated indoor pool + full gym, community pricing
5505 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92110 · Mon-Fri 5am-10pm, Sat 7am-6pm, Sun 8am-5pm
Private chef teaches you a full meal, groups of 2-14
Various locations, San Diego, CA · By appointment — book online
Laser tag + arcade steps from the beach
3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily 11am-8pm (extended hours in summer)
VR games on trampolines + parkour area
8260 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111 · Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-7pm
17 museums, 14 free gardens, open 24/7
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Park grounds open 24/7; museums typically 10am-5pm
12,000 animals, bus tour included
2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 9am-5pm (extended to 9pm in peak summer)
Walk a real aircraft carrier, flight deck to engine room
910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, last entry 4pm (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)
16 blocks of rooftop bars and speakeasies
Fifth Ave & Market St, San Diego, CA 92101 · Open 24/7; most venues 11am-2am
Panoramic views from the tip of Point Loma
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 · Daily 9am-5pm (tide pools close 4:30pm)
Sea lions + best snorkeling in SoCal
1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Open 24/7
Sunset Strip comedy in a La Jolla beach town
916 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Show nights Wed-Sun, check schedule
Best sound system in San Diego
1337 India St, San Diego, CA 92101 · Show nights, check schedule
Free adobe village + Cafe Coyote
4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110 · Daily 10am-5pm (Oct-Apr: 10am-4pm Mon-Thu)
1925 wooden roller coaster on the beach
3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily 11am-8pm (extended hours in summer)
Restored 1929 movie theater, 1,100 standing
2891 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104 · Show nights, check schedule
Sunset behind the stage on the bay
222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101 · Performance nights, check schedule (season typically Apr-Oct)
Free bayfront stroll with Coronado views
849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-9pm (10pm in summer)
Best sunset in San Diego — locals' pick
1253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107 · Daily, dawn to dusk
Rarest pine on Earth + ocean overlooks
12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Daily 7:15am to sunset
5,017-pipe organ, free Sundays year-round
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Sunday concerts at 2pm; pavilion open daily
200+ tents every Saturday, arrive early
W Date St & India St, San Diego, CA 92101 · Saturdays 8am-2pm
145 steps into a sea cave — only one in CA by land
1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Daily 9am-5pm (weather permitting)
World's oldest active sailing ship
1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, last entry 4pm
Under 17 always free
1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Mon-Tue 10am-5pm, Thu-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Wed
100+ hands-on exhibits + IMAX dome, free first Tuesdays
1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm
Four stories of dinos + live reptiles
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, Fri until 11pm
Climb into cockpits, Wright Brothers to Space Age
2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-4:30pm
Art you're supposed to climb on — changes regularly
200 W Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 · Mon, Wed-Sun 9am-4pm; closed Tuesdays
Walk-through VR for groups of 6, not just a headset
1640 Camino Del Rio N, Ste 116, San Diego, CA 92108 · Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sun 10am-11pm
Private rooms, no strangers — $30/person for 6+
3116 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Mon-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sun 10am-10pm
Largest model railroad museum in North America — kids free
1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Wed-Sun 11am-4pm, closed Mon-Tue
Laser tag + arcade on the boardwalk
3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily 11am-8pm (extended hours in summer)
Coached axe throwing, $30/hour — great date night
9340 Dowdy Dr, Ste 105, San Diego, CA 92126 · Thu-Sun, check schedule for session times
Real Scripps science + Pacific views, $3 with EBT
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-7pm
Ice skating in San Diego — $25 if you book online
4545 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92122 · Daily, session times vary — check schedule
Ferry ride + Victorian resort beach
1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 · Beach open 24/7; hotel grounds accessible during business hours
90+ acts, completely free, late September
Adams Ave between 35th St & Ohio St, San Diego, CA 92116 · Sat-Sun 10am-dusk
1,400 seats on the bay, no bad seats
2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 · Show nights, check schedule
Free splash pad with Coronado Bridge views
1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 6am-10pm; fountains Tue-Sun 9am-9pm, Mon 11am-9pm
Louis Kahn masterpiece, free courtyard
10010 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Courtyard: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; tours by reservation
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