Rainy Day Activities in San Diego, CA
When it rains in San Diego, CA, the best indoor options include Balboa Park (Free (park & gardens)), Balboa Park (Free), Belmont Park (Free), Birch Aquarium at Scripps ($24.95), and Fleet Science Center ($29.95).
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+
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
Free Sunday organ concerts year-round
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Sunday concerts at 2pm; pavilion open daily
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+
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+
17 museums, 14 free gardens, open 24/7
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Park grounds open 24/7; museums typically 10am-5pm
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)
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)
Restored 1929 movie theater, 1,100 standing
2891 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104 · Show nights, check schedule
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
1,400 seats on the bay, no bad seats
2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 · Show nights, check schedule