Looking for kid-friendly things to do in San Diego at night? You’ve come to the right place!
Even though San Diego is known for its sunshine, beaches, and outdoor activities, there are tons of kid-friendly things to do in San Diego at night.
We love spending time exploring San Diego after dark. It is very safe, and the warm weather makes being outside very enjoyable!
Top 5 Picks: Things to Do in San Diego at Night
If you are just looking for a quick list of the can’t miss, very best things to do at night in San Diego with family, I am here to help! Here are our Top 5 recommendations.
► Visit Belmont Park in Mission Beach and ride the rollercoaster, catch live entertainment, play a round of miniature golf. You can even go down to the beach when it’s warm outside.
► View the San Diego skyline at night on a sunset cruise.
► Wander around Seaport Village.
► Learn about San Diego’s haunted history on a family-friendly ghost tour in Old Town San Diego.
► See the city lights on a nighttime tour of San Diego aboard an open-air trolley.
Keep reading for more details on these top five kid-friendly things to do at night in San Diego, plus lots more ideas to help you plan an amazing trip where the fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down.
Kid-Friendly Things to Do in San Diego at Night
1. Visit Old Town San Diego
Old Town is the historic heart of San Diego. Established in the late 1700s, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is the site of California’s first Spanish settlement.
Today, the park features 12 acres of Mexican heritage and historical sites, colorful shops, restaurants, museums, gardens, a theater and the restored (though supposedly haunted) Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Although most of the museums close by 6pm, the park itself is open late and you can still explore the grounds and interesting building exteriors. Most shops stay open into the evening, and Old Town San Diego features some of the best and most authentic Mexican food anywhere so it’s a great spot to grab dinner!
There is live Mariachi music in the Fiesta de Reyes courtyard. You can sit and enjoy the music whether you decide to eat there or not. Old Town is the place to go on a San Diego night for great food, folklore, and fun.
Our favorite store in Old Town San Diego is Cousin’s Candy Shop. They have a wonderful assortment of old-fashioned candy that you can buy by the piece or by the pound. We never miss the chance to stop in and fill up a bag to munch on when we’re down there. They are open late, and candy makes the perfect late-night hotel room snack!
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Another unique and fun option for things to do in Old Town San Diego at Night is a Ghost Tour. Walking tours depart every evening and are open to adults and kids alike.
The tour is creepy (lots of dark tales and old buildings) but not really scary, so most kids should be fine. Tour guides are very knowledgeable and share stories of Old Town ghosts, ghost sightings and haunts. This is a really cool way to learn about the area’s history and truly one of the best Old Town San Diego night attractions! You can also take an evening tour of the Whaley House Museum, known as one of the most haunted places in the United States.
► Interested in staying near Old Town San Diego? Check out this article on San Diego hotels in Old Town.
- 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego
- oldtownsandiego.org
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Old Town Trolley Tours offers the San Diego City Lights Night Tour and it is the perfect way to take in the highlights of San Diego after dark.
This narrated guided bus tour depart departs every evening from Seaport Village. It goes past some of the city’s most notable landmarks and neighborhood’s, including downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, Seaport Village, and the USS Midway.
The trolley crosses San Diego Bay via the famous Coronado Bay Bridge and stops at Coronado’s Ferry Landing, which is the perfect place to take in the expansive San Diego city skyline across the bay.
► Find out more about the San Diego City Lights Night Tour and grab discount tickets here!
If you have older kids and want to try something a little more thrilling, check out Old Town Trolley’s Ghosts & Gravestones Tour for a fun nighttime journey into San Diego’s darker side.
- 4010 Twiggs Street, San Diego
- trolleytours.com/san-diego
3. Visit Belmont Park
![Kid-Friendly Things to Do in San Diego at Night - Belmont Park](https://i0.wp.com/sandiegofamilytravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/San-Diego-Belmont-Park.jpg?resize=900%2C675&ssl=1)
Located right on the boardwalk at Mission Beach, Belmont Park is San Diego’s best Southern California boardwalk destination and one of the quintessential Southern California Amusement Parks. Visiting Belmont Park is truly one of the most fun things to do at night in San Diego!
Ride the historic Giant Dipper (one of the most historic roller coasters) or several other rides. Play arcade games, laser tag, mini golf, or go on the bumper cars. Belmont Park has an old school boardwalk amusement park vibe. You can even wander down to the beach and watch the sun set or take a stroll on the shore when the weather is nice.
Belmont Park has free admission. You can walk around, just pay to play! Belmont Park is open year round, but only open late every night of the week in the summertime. The rest of the year, it closes at 6pm on weekdays and 9pm Friday through Sunday.
- 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego
- belmontpark.com
4. Summer Nights at the Parks
If you are visiting San Diego in the summer, you’re in luck! Several of San Diego’s theme parks and attractions stay open late and add extra family fun so you enjoy great things to do at night in San Diego with kids.
- The San Diego Zoo – Every summer Nighttime Zoo features “rock and roar” with live music, shows, and special animal encounters, in addition to the zoo’s regular exhibits. The San Diego Zoo is open daily until 9pm from June through Labor Day.
- San Diego Symphony Bayside Nights: On select nights June through September, the San Diego Symphony hosts concert and events at the Embarcadero Marina Park.
- SeaWorld – SeaWorld Summer Nights includes fireworks and special nighttime shows. Sea World is open until 9pm in the summer, so you can enjoy all the exhibits at a more leisurely pace.
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park – Splurge on a San Diego luxury experience for your family with the Roar & Snore sleepover at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Spend the night in the park and enjoy guided walks, activities, campfires, dinner, nighttime snacks, and breakfast the next morning. This is a truly unique experience that even young children can enjoy! You’ll feel like your whole family is on safari!
5. Check Out the Nat at Night
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On the third Friday of every month, the San Diego Museum of Natural History stays open until 10 pm so families can explore the museum at night.
The San Diego Natural History Museum has a rooftop patio offering one of the best views in Balboa Park. It’s open to all visitors and serves beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks including kids’ beverages. Sip a signature cocktail as you leisurely explore the Museum!
The Nat has four floors of exhibits, a giant screen theater, and a research collection of more than 8 million specimens. All stay open during Nat at Night events, and admission is half price after 5 pm. If you happen to be visiting America’s finest city on a Friday, parents and kids of all ages will enjoy this museum.
- 1788 El Prado, San Diego (Inside Balboa Park)
- sdnhm.org
6. Gaslamp Quarter
Aside from the historic buildings and architectural beauty of this neighborhood (it dates back to the mid-1800s), the Gaslamp Quarter is the place to be at night. It is located right downtown near the Convention Center and Petco Park.
There are dozens of bars, restaurants, shops and theaters, and the streets themselves in the Gaslamp Quarter are alive with activity. The sound of live music pours out the open doorways.
Thanks to San Diego’s warm climate, almost all of the Gaslamp’s bars and eateries offer sidewalk seating. The range of casual and fine dining options is endless, offering everything from Mexican food to sushi and pizza to steaks.
The Gaslamp Quarter is also home to many theaters, lounges and a comedy club. It’s the perfect spot for a date night if you can leave the kids behind.
A night out at the Gaslamp Quarter is a must for any trip to San Diego. But be careful to confirm your destination is indeed a family-friendly option if you are bringing the kids (there are plenty to be found)!
- Downtown San Diego
- gaslamp.org
7. Enjoy a Sunset Cruise
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See the San Diego skyline from a wonderful new perspective when you cruise through the harbor at night. Most harbor cruises depart from Seaport Village.
There are a number of boat companies that offer evening cruises, with many different options to fit your needs and budget. Hornblower Cruises offers a Sights & Sips Sunset Cruise, a full Dinner Cruise, and even a special Full Moon Cruise. Our favorite experience was on the San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise aboard the “Spirit of San Diego.”
You can also take a moonlit cruise through Mission Bay aboard the Bahia Belle, a sternwheeler fashioned after a Mississippi riverboat. The Bahia Belle sails from the Bahia Resort Hotel and stops at the nearby Catamaran Resort & Spa San Diego, two of the best hotels on Mission Bay.
With departures from either the Bahia Resort Hotel or its sister property the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, this 75-minute relaxing boat cruise is a scenic way to spend an evening on the water.
Taking a ride on the Bahia Belle is very inexpensive, with a fare of just $20. If you are staying at either of the Bahia Resort Hotel or Catamaran Resort, the Bahia Belle is $15.
- Bahia Belle, 998 West Mission Bay Drive, San Diego
- bahiahotel.com/bahia-belle
8. Visit Coronado at Night
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Sure, it’s known for its amazing beaches and the iconic Hotel del Coronado, but Coronado Island is also fun to visit at night!
Orange Avenue is lined with great family-friendly restaurants, many with fire pits and outdoor seating. Better yet, visit the Hotel del Coronado. The beach side comes alive at night, with plenty of restaurants, live music, and an expansive lawn overlooking the sea where kids can run and play.
You can even buy s’more kits and roast marshmallows on the beach in front of the Hotel del Coronado. And be sure to end the night with a gelato from the hotel’s ice cream shop, Sundae’s at The Del.
- Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado
- hilton.com/hotel-del-coronado
9. Take a Stroll Through Seaport Village
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Also within easy walking distance from the Convention Center and downtown is Seaport Village San Diego. Seaport Village is a lively 14-acre waterfront park with shopping and dining right on the harbor.
Seaport Village is a great place to visit in the evening to watch the sunset, enjoy a nice dinner, and poke through the shops. There is also a wonderful old merry-go-round for the kids.
Built in 1980, Seaport Village has remained on the top attractions in San Diego. It stays open until 9:00 most of the year, and 10:00 pm in the summertime!
10. Go to the Theater
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Experience San Diego’s cultural side – go to a show, a concert or even the ballet. San Diego has a number of venues both downtown and in the surrounding areas.
Some popular options include the historic Spreckels Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Lamb’s Players Theatre, San Diego Civic Theatre and of course The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park.
11. Take a Swim
![San Diego Marriott Marquis Pool](https://i0.wp.com/sandiegofamilytravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/San-Diego-Marriott-Marquis-Pool.jpg?resize=1000%2C796&ssl=1)
This one may sound too obvious, but don’t underestimate the fun of a nighttime swim. No doubt if you are staying at a hotel in San Diego, it has a fantastic pool. Use it at night!
A lit up pool is a lovely sight, and if there’s a bubbly hot tub at your San Diego hotel this is a great time of day to try it out. Evening swims are a great way to unwind after a long day, and you don’t have to worry about sunscreen once the sun goes down!
12. Go Stargazing
The San Diego Astronomy Association offers various opportunities for stargazing in San Diego County throughout the year. You might have to drive a bit to get to a location with dark skies.
Some of their special events include the Julian Starfest, Stars in the Park, Oak Oasis Star Party, and Stars at Mission Trails. The San Diego Astronomy Association also offers monthly lectures.
Final Thoughts: Fun Things to Do in San Diego at Night
With its famously perfect weather and warm, mild nights, you’re going to want to stay out late when visiting San Diego! And as you can see, in this family-friendly city, options aren’t limited to adults-only nighttime activities. When the sun goes down and the city lights turn up, you’ll find plenty of fun and kid-friendly things to do in San Diego at night.
► Visiting San Diego during the holiday season? Be sure to check out this article on Christmas in San Diego for more things to do night and day in San Diego.
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