San Diego is understood for its seashores, sunshine, and theme parks, but when you understand the place to look, there are additionally some incredible 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 children tolerate.
As a result of San Diego is unfold out, comparatively trendy, and simple to discover by yourself, guided excursions aren’t as widespread right here as in older, extra centralized cities. That makes this checklist all of the extra useful. These are the excursions I constantly advocate to my shoppers as a San Diego-based journey advisor, every one kid-approved for its enjoyable issue, family-friendliness, and the way properly it showcases nature or the 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 shoppers. There are two peak whale seasons: grey whales migrate previous the coast from December by way of April, whereas blue whales—the most important animals on Earth—seem from mid-June by way of September.
These guided excursions supply a front-row seat to nature’s grandeur, typically led by skilled naturalists who preserve children engaged with enjoyable info and marine science alongside the best way. I’ve a full information to whale watching in San Diego.
- Greatest for: All ages
- Guide with: The most well-liked grey whale alternative amongst our shoppers is a family-run, native enterprise referred to as Flagship. For a extra premium and serene expertise, e-book a visit on the magnificent 141-foot crusing yacht America with Subsequent Degree Crusing who additionally affords blue whale excursions.
- Katie’s tip: To see blue whales, you’ll want 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
Should you’re searching for a enjoyable household journey, strive snorkeling with the innocent leopard sharks in La Jolla. Each summer time (from about late June to September), 1000’s of those light sharks collect within the shallow, heat waters of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.
That is considered one of my favourite summer time actions in La Jolla. The sharks are backside feeders, they usually don’t chew. I’ll say they appear larger from above the water than they’re.
- Greatest for: All ages. Excursions are normally ages 5+.
- Guide 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 be taught extra for those who 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
It is a tour that folks continuously 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’ll get moist. You then’ll paddle out to the well-known Seven Caves throughout the beautiful 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 accomplished it.
- Greatest for: Ages 5+ (in a tandem kayak with an grownup) or 15+ for a single kayak
- Guide with: On a regular basis California (low cost above).
- Katie’s tip: That is actually incredible train (my shoulders get tremendous sore). Put on applicable solar gear that may get moist. Individuals wish to ask for those who’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 for those who go on one. We participated in a Birch Aquarium tide pooling tour, and even with many years of non-public visits to those tide swimming pools, there’s nothing like going with a naturalist who appears to seek out all of the creatures!
It’s additionally a hands-on science lesson for youths, the place they study conservation, the totally different tidal zones, and work together with sea life respectfully. You’ll seemingly see sea anemones, sea cucumbers, crabs, plenty of barnacles, and small fish. Typically folks get fortunate and see an octopus or sea star. We go tide pooling quite a bit so I’ve a information to tide swimming pools throughout San Diego and likewise tide swimming pools in La Jolla.
- Greatest for: Ages 6+
- Guide with: Birch Aquarium or Ocean Connectors, a neighborhood non-profit the place your ticket proceeds straight help environmental teaching programs for youth.
- Katie’s tip: The rocks might be slippery and sharp, so put on sneakers with 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 straight into San Diego Bay for a harbor cruise.
The narrators are identified for being humorous and fascinating, making this some of the standard sightseeing excursions for youths in San Diego. It departs from the Embarcadero or Seaport Village.
- Greatest for: All ages
- Guide with: Our ticket web site (use promo code SAVEMORE for $9 off) or Trusted Excursions (SEAL Excursions’ dad or mum firm)
- Katie’s tip: It’s a 100-minute expertise, and also you’ll be seated in an open-air automobile. Deliver snacks and sunscreen. I prefer it as a result of it’s straightforward to sit back and benefit from the trip.
6. Set Sail on a Maritime Journey
Positioned alongside the Embarcadero, the Maritime Museum of San Diego affords 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 youths.
Two standout choices embody: “Boarded! A New Pirate Journey” – A enjoyable and interactive 90-minute present the place children turn into pirate crew members, full with sword coaching, navigation apply, and energetic antics. Greatest 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 children and youths may help sail the ship and be taught conventional seamanship. Greatest for adventurous older children and youths.
7. Coronado Cays Gondola Journey
Cruise the peaceable canals of the Coronado Cays on an genuine Venetian-style gondola. These non-public, hour-long rides are excellent for households trying to unwind and take within the surroundings—particularly throughout golden hour or after sundown when the water sparkles and the lights mirror off the properties. It’s a singular technique to expertise San Diego from the water with out waves or crowds.
- Greatest for: All ages
- Guide with: The Gondola Firm
- Katie’s tip: You’ll be able to deliver your personal snacks or nonalcoholic drinks on board, and the gondolier gives cozy blankets if it will get chilly. Sundown slots replenish quick, so e-book early for those who’re visiting throughout peak season.
8. Narrated Harbor Cruise
For a basic and enjoyable sightseeing expertise, a narrated harbor cruise is an ideal alternative. These snug, multi-level boats supply 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.
- Greatest for: All ages
- Guide with: Flagship Cruises or Metropolis Cruises.
- Katie’s tip: This low-stress tour is very 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
Take pleasure in a personal and customized crusing tour designed particularly for households. These excursions on a 25-foot sailboat are excellent for creating recollections with out the loud music or occasion environment of bigger cruises. You’ll be able to 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 shocking, three-story Mississippi-style sternwheeler. This family-friendly cruise is much less about narration and extra about enjoyable, that includes dwell music and a wide range of interactive video games, together with Large Jenga, cornhole, and Join 4.
- Greatest for: All ages (minors should be accompanied by an grownup)
- Guide with: Bahia Resort Resort—it departs from each the Bahia and Catamaran motels.
Excessive-Pace & Personal 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 by way of a two-way communication system.
12. Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Journey
In case your teenagers and tweens are searching 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 trip.
- Greatest for: Teenagers and thrill-seeking children (should meet 48″ top requirement, and youngsters should trip with an grownup)
- Guide with: Flagship Cruises & Occasions.
Discover San Diego by Child-Pleasant Trolley, Bike & GoCar
13. Outdated City Trolley Tour
A incredible technique to see the town with no automotive, 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 technique to cowl a variety 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 targeted 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 the town in a unusual, three-wheeled “storytelling automotive.” The GPS-guided tour gives 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 motive force should be 21+, whereas passengers might be as younger as 7.
- Greatest for: Ages 7+ (with an grownup driver)
- Guide with: GoCar Excursions.
- Katie’s ideas: It’s bumpy however rather more enjoyable than I assumed it will 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 classy and effortlessly cool manner for teenagers and fogeys to see the island.
- Greatest for: Ages 13+ (with a dad or mum)
- Guide 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 perfect donut outlets in downtown San Diego and Little Italy. It’s a candy and scrumptious technique to discover the 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 by way of Torrey Pines State Pure Reserve. These family-friendly hikes discover coastal trails whereas instructing children concerning the endangered Torrey pine tree, native wildlife, and the realm’s dramatic geology. It’s a soothing technique to get outdoor and expertise San Diego’s pure magnificence past the seashore.
- Greatest for: Ages 6+ (path choices fluctuate in issue)
- Guide with: No reservation required, however it’s normally solely on weekends. Test the schedule.
- Katie’s tip: I’m a chill hiker sometimes, however I like Man Fleming Path. It’s the best loop with the perfect views.
19. San Diego Ghost Excursions: Day or Night time Expertise
If your loved ones enjoys native legends and a bit of little bit of thriller, San Diego Ghost Excursions affords two kid-friendly methods to discover the town’s haunted historical past—one by day and one by evening.
The Gaslamp District Expertise is a daytime strolling tour by way of 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 technique to discover downtown with older children.
The San Diego Ghost Tour, held nightly at 8 p.m., provides a spooky twist to the 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 a fantastic choose for tweens and youths.
- Greatest for: Ages 8+ (Gaslamp), 10+ (Ghost Tour)
- Guide with: San Diego Ghosts—LJMOM for 10% off
Solely-in-San-Diego Expertise Value Reserving
20. Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Practice Journey
You’ll be able to trip on a classic practice by way of San Diego’s stunning and rugged backcountry. The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo affords excursions on historic locomotives and automobiles from the early twentieth century. It’s a singular alternative for youths who’re practice fans to expertise historical past in movement on an actual heritage railroad.
- Greatest for: All ages, particularly practice fans
- Guide with: Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.
- Katie’s tip: Throughout the vacation season, strive reserving the North Pole Restricted Christmas Practice with Santa, cookies, and loads of vacation cheer!
