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san diego sunset ocean beach

The Best Places for Family Fun in San Diego, CA – Don’t Miss Them

san diego pictures
San Diego Family Fun Tips from a San Diego resident

What is a hometown, if you don’t have a sense of pride in it? Hometowns are where we live, play, work and where are children grow up. These cities determine the kind of lives we lead and in many ways shape our family dynamic. I am proud to say that my hometown is sunny San Diego, California. San Diego is known as a coastal community but has much more to offer than just its beautiful coastline. Here are my must-see sights for family fun in San Diego, CA.

masted ship in san diego
Embarcadero: located close to Seaport Village © Stephanie Hess

As I mentioned before, many of our cities shape our family dynamic, this is no different for San Diego. With a beautiful year-around climate, San Diego is a perfect destination for the outdoor-oriented family.

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San Diego, tourism, travel., family fun, family travel
Sea World Turtle Reef exhibit © Stephanie Hess

There is truly something for everyone in San Diego. However, this article is a direct reflection of my favorite places. The weather in San Diego is ideal for outside activities, so with that said, all my San Diego MUSTS are located outdoors.

panda at San Diego zoo
San Diego Zoo: A MUST for any family trip to San Diego © Stephanie Hess

Our World Famous San Diego Zoo is a tourist spot that cannot be overlooked. Not only does it make for an amazing day of lions, tigers and bears, Oh My! But, also an educational one for the family. At the end of the day, I would suggest taking a relaxing ride on the Skyfari. As it floats above the zoo from one end to the other, it will offer your legs a much needed break and might save a child or two from end of the day breakdown.

Botanical Building in Balboa Park© Stephanie Hess
Botanical Building in Balboa Park © Stephanie Hess

Balboa Park is not only an attraction for tourists but also for locals. With its handful of museums, gardens, trails and architectural beauty, it is a perfect place to make a few moments.

San Diego, family travel, family fun
Casa De Reyes during De Los Muertos time © Stephanie Hess

I also suggest a day or night in Old Town, which hosts some of the best Mexican food San Diego has to offer. Casa Guadalajara and Fiesta De Reyes are two of my favorite Mexican restaurants. Not only is the atmosphere festive and family oriented but you also get a sense of where San Diego began. Make time on your trip, to sit down at one of these two places and enjoy the moment with your family. You’ll find plenty of spots for family fun in San Diego.

beach sunset - ocean beach
Sunset off Ocean Beach

Lastly, you can’t visit San Diego without having a beach day. All of our beaches are distinctly different and every one of them amazing in their own way. However, Mission Beach would be my 1st choice, because it provides no only the boardwalk, but also a Wave House, and is surrounded by surf shops, an arcade, and amusement rides for the kids. Mission Beach also showcases one of the oldest wooden roller coasters that is still in commission today.

The true beauty of every hometown comes when you take the time to enjoy it. Life is about being in the moment, and that is why I choose San Diego as my place to live out my moments.

san diego pictures

Today’s Hometown Adventure feature is brought to us my cousin and long time resident of San Diego, Stephanie Hess. All of the photos in this article were taken by her. Aren’t they great?

Have you been to San Diego before?

What was your favorite spot or attraction?

Here are other articles in the Hometown Adventure series:

  • Joshua Tree, California
  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Written by:
Nicky Omohundro
Published on:
February 25, 2014
Thoughts:
41 Comments

Categories: Family TravelTags: family travel destinations

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About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. blankmeredith

    February 26, 2014 at 9:55 am

    We’ve done San Diego as a family too and it was so much fun! Great, family friendly vacation spot! And your pictures show it all – so fun!

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 26, 2014 at 2:30 pm

      Thanks Meredith. I grew up 2 hours from San Diego and love it too. There is so much to do there, especially outdoors.

      Reply
  2. blankDawn ~ Spatulas On Parade

    February 26, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    Lovely photos. I have never been to Cali but my husband was in San Diego several years ago for some training and fell in love with it. I see why by your pictures.

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 26, 2014 at 2:32 pm

      Thanks Dawn. I grew up not too far from San Diego. It’s a great place. If you get the chance to go, you’ll love it.

      Reply
  3. blankK Squared Glamour

    February 26, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    I love your photo on the beach! San Diego is a great place and you have done it justice!

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 26, 2014 at 2:34 pm

      Stephanie, the writer of this week’s feature loves her hometown and it shows.

      Reply
  4. blankDebbie Denny

    February 26, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    What great places you have near you!

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 26, 2014 at 2:36 pm

      Thanks Debbie.

      Reply
  5. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 26, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    Old Town is one of my favorites too. Another one of my favorites is Balboa Park. If you like sweets and pastries, look up Extraordinary Desserts. There’s 2 locations (Balboa Park and Little Italy). The line can be a little long sometimes, but it’s SOOOO worth it.

    Reply
  6. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 26, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    Thanks Ricci. It’s a great place to visit. The weather is great no matter when you go.

    Reply
  7. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 26, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    California is a whole other world. Along the beach, it can be very laid beach. Then you have the mountains, the inland cities, and more. There’s something for everyone, especially in Southern California.

    Reply
  8. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 26, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    It’s a great place Jen. The kids will love it. I went to the zoo a few years ago and it was terrific. My kids loved the koalas, pandas, and polar bear. You could spend several days just at the zoo. There’s also the Wildlife park that gives you a different view of animals. San Diego is just a great place to go as a family.

    Reply
  9. blankWendy

    February 26, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    I’ve never been to San Diego, but I’d love to go with my husband! I’ve been to LA, and well, it wasn’t as nice. lol. I want to see those sunsets myself, please!

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 26, 2014 at 9:56 pm

      LA and San Diego are completely different. I find San Diego to be more laid back. The sunsets can’t be beat.

      Reply
  10. blankHelene Cohen Bludman

    February 26, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    I’ve been lucky to visit San Diego maybe half a dozen times, and I LOVE it. The weather is the very best thing about it, but also there is so much to do and it’s such a family-friendly city.

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 26, 2014 at 9:56 pm

      I completely agree with you Helene

      Reply
  11. blankLois Alter Mark

    February 26, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    We moved to San Diego 15 years ago from New York, and I am so thankful every day when I drive by the ocean – especially after seeing the weather around the rest of the country this winter! We are so lucky!

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 26, 2014 at 9:58 pm

      I understand what you mean Lois. Are there any places you could recommend people visit that aren’t included?

      Reply
  12. blankDawnC

    February 26, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    What great pictures! I really like that picture of the turtle.

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 27, 2014 at 4:31 pm

      Thanks Dawn. San Diego is a beautiful destination.

      Reply
  13. blankBeeb Ashcroft

    February 26, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    I love San Diego! I went there a few years ago to visit family and had such a great time. I can’t wait to go back someday.

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 27, 2014 at 4:32 pm

      It’s a great place Beeb. I have to agree with you.

      Reply
  14. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 26, 2014 at 9:55 pm

    I’ve never been to the caves. We enjoyed the Children’s Pool (sea lion watching) and the tidal pools along the beach

    Reply
  15. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 26, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    Thanks so much Kimberly. I grew up there and have fond memories of San Diego. I haven’t been to Northern California though.

    Reply
  16. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 26, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    I grew up East of San Diego and went often. Now I don’t get back as much as I like. The person who wrote the article, my cousin, absolutely loves it. Where do you live?

    Reply
  17. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 26, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    Thanks Mama.

    Reply
  18. blankAly Mashrah

    February 26, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    What a beautiful place! I’d love to visit someday.

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 27, 2014 at 4:35 pm

      It should be on everyone’s bucket list. The weather is great year around and there is so much to see and do.

      Reply
  19. blankTerin Garrett

    February 27, 2014 at 6:32 am

    I have a friend that lives really close to San Diego! I want to visit her so bad! 🙂

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 27, 2014 at 4:36 pm

      You should go and enjoy a fun getaway

      Reply
  20. blankShauna

    February 27, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    Oh my, how gorgeous. I have never been, but would love to. My favorite vacation spot has to be Cape Cod, MA… not so much for the area, though it is an awesome beach town, but because I grew up vacationing there every summer and love those memories.

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 27, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      I’ve never been to the Northeast. Part of what makes a vacation great are the memories.

      Reply
  21. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 27, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Thanks Janeane. I don’t get to travel as much as I would like. So we can live vicariously together thru others’ photos. 🙂

    Reply
  22. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 27, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    Yes, the weather is great year around

    Reply
  23. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 27, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    It’s fun to play tourist in your own hometown. This series of articles features 2 hometowns each month. We’ve covered Joshua Tree, CA and Oklahoma City, OK. As a local, it’s good to get out and explore your city.

    Reply
  24. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 27, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    San Diego is a great place. It’s hard not to enjoy oneself.

    Reply
  25. blankDebi@TheSpringMount6Pack

    February 28, 2014 at 9:19 am

    Look at the little oanda. Oh I just want to kiss his little nose.

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      February 28, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      The pandas are adorable. I also like the koalas at the SD Zoo.

      Reply
  26. blankLittle Family Adventure

    February 28, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    You’re welcome Jodee. When are you going back?

    Reply
  27. blankStephanie

    March 4, 2014 at 5:31 am

    Thanks to all for the compliments on my photos, as you can see San Diego has amazing opportunities for pictures! And, to think, there is so much that I didn’t touch on either. I just wanted to give my perspective, but San Diego has so much more to offer then what I mentioned in this article. Please feel free to email me with any questions or a little more detailed input if you plan to visit.

    Reply
    • blankLittle Family Adventure

      March 5, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      Thanks for sharing your hometown with us Stephanie. The pictures were terrific. It made me miss California.

      Reply

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Hello, my name is Nicky, founder of Little Family Adventure. I'm a vivacious mother of three who wants to assist you in having "No Child Left Inside." With one teenager still at home and two young adults successfully out navigating the world, I'm out exploring the world and traveling with and sometimes without them to provide you with fresh food ideas, travel destinations, and family-friendly activities. Allow me to help you discover your own Little Family Adventure!

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