Last updated on February 28th, 2026
Looking for the best things to do during summer in San Diego?
With its perfect Southern California climate, San Diego is one of the few places in the world where seasonality doesn’t matter much. You can pretty much enjoy all the region’s many outdoor activities, attractions, and beautiful coastal setting all year long.
But summer is when the city really comes alive! Family-friendly attractions range from San Diego’s amazing beaches, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, miles of great hiking trails, and of course SeaWorld San Diego.
I’ve lived in Southern California for more than 20 years and spent lots of time exploring all the fun attractions in San Diego with my family. If you are looking for the best things to do during summer in San Diego, I’ve got the full scoop right here, plus a complete rundown of what’s new in San Diego for summer 2025.
Top 5 Picks: San Diego Summer Activities
If you are just looking for a quick list of the can’t miss, very best things to do in San Diego during the summer, I am here to help! Here are our Top 5 recommendations.
► Kayak through the La Jolla Sea Caves
► Enjoy an afternoon out on the water with a San Diego Harbor Cruise Tour
► Explore Coronado Island
► Experience fun rides and shows at SeaWorld San Diego
► See the city’s top sights on an open-air Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour
Keep reading for more details on these top five family-friendly San Diego attractions, plus lots more ideas to help you plan your trip!
Summer in San Diego
Summer is peak season in San Diego, so while it does tend to get a little crowded with tourists enjoying the sites, the great weather makes it all worthwhile. Whether you are visiting San Diego on a family vacation or live nearby, here are the very best things to do in San Diego during the summertime.
1. Spend a Day at the Beach
Let’s start with the beaches – the best part of visiting San Diego in summer.
The wonderful thing about San Diego is the variety of beaches. For instance, in spots like Mission Beach and Oceanside, you’ll find endless stretches of smooth sand and an energetic boardwalk scene, while La Jolla is known for its gorgeous cliffs and tide pools.
One of our favorite beaches is in Del Mar. In addition to being a scenic and lovely beach, it is located close to Del Mar Village with all its great restaurants, as well as Torrey Pines State Park.
Moonlight Beach in Encinitas offers everything you need for a perfect beach day, including restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, and picnic areas. It also has a large playground right on the sand, making it the perfect beach if you are visiting with younger children. The gentle surf and beautiful scenery make it a great spot to relax and enjoy the ocean.
Located in La Jolla, Windansea Beach is one of San Diego’s most beautiful beaches. It is known for its picturesque landscape, rocky coves, and stunning sunsets.
While it’s more of a scenic beach than a swimming one, it’s perfect for exploring tide pools, climbing rocks, and enjoying the unique beach huts built by locals. It’s quieter than other beaches, offering a peaceful setting for families. However, we’ve found that parking can be tough in this neighborhood, so best to visit early or on less crowded weekdays.
Located in North San Diego County, Carlsbad State Beach is ideal for a family outing. It features soft sand, relatively calm waves, and plenty of space for sunbathing and playing. Kids will love exploring the tidal pools and rock formations at low tide.
Many beaches in San Diego – such as Oceanside and Imperial Beach – have piers you can walk out onto and grab an ice cream, go fishing, or just enjoy the views. During the summertime, most of San Diego’s beaches are staffed with lifeguards, and all have restroom facilities.
One word of caution – parking can be a challenge during the summer months, so arrive early and allow extra time to hunt.
2. Take a Harbor Cruise
Is there anything more delightful than being out on the water on warm summer day?
Taking a tour of the harbor is not only a great way to see San Diego, a narrated tour shares the city’s history, sights, and even offers great views of the seals laying out in the sun. And that nice ocean breeze is the perfect way to stay cool when you visit San Diego in the summer.
We recently took the Best of the Bay Harbor Tour with City Cruises. What I liked about this tour in particular is it is the same boat they use for their San Diego brunch and dinner cruises, so there is plenty of comfortable indoor seating as well as chairs outside.
The tour leaves right from the Embarcadero near the USS Midway Museum, and you’ll cruise past Seaport Village, the San Diego skyline, Shelter Island, Coronado, Point Loma, and lots of marine animals chilling in the sun. A harbor cruise is a must-do for anyone who loves being on the water, and the good news is these 90-minute tours are fairly inexpensive!
► We Loved This San Diego Harbor Cruise! 🤩
3. Belmont Park
Belmont Park is an old school boardwalk amusement park. Located right on the boardwalk at Mission Beach, Belmont Park is one of the quintessential Southern California Amusement Parks. It is home to the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, and many other rides. You can play arcade games, laser tag, mini golf, or even zip line. It is open late in the summer and especially fun if you are visiting San Diego with teens.
Belmont Park is totally free to enter if you just want to walk around or grab a bite to eat. It has an old school feel and there is often entertainment that parents will enjoy, too. You can walk around, just pay to play! They have a fun variety of kid-friendly restaurants and to-go food too – pizza, ice cream, even gourmet coffee.
- 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego
- belmontpark.com
4. Seaport Village
Seaport Village is a lively 14-acre waterfront park with shopping and dining right on the harbor in downtown San Diego.
Visiting Seaport Village is a great activity to enjoy during the summertime. You can poke through the many shops, enjoy a meal on the waterfront, or just get some exercise walking along the waterfront. Live music, artisans, and entertainers make Seaport Village a lively spot. There is also a wonderful old merry-go-round for the kids.
If you are in Seaport Village and want to hop on a great tour, I recommend the San Diego Seal Tour. This kid-friendly tour is awesome because it travels on both land and water! The amphibious bus departs from the heart of Seaport Village and takes you on a tour of the city before slipping into San Diego Bay for a ride past SeaWorld and other waterfront points of interest. It is like two tours in one, and a huge hit if you are traveling with kids!
- 849 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego
- seaportvillage.com
5. SeaWorld San Diego
From thrilling rides to fun and educational shows featuring dolphins, whales, sea lions, and other marine life, SeaWorld is one of the most popular theme parks in California and a must-see attraction when you’re visiting San Diego.
In recent years, the park has moved away from relying on its resident marine life to entertain guests. There are lots of new rides, including roller coasters such as Manta, Emperor, Electric Eel, Journey to Atlantis, and their newest ride, Arctic Rescue. There are so many great new attractions, I wrote this guide to the best things to do at SeaWorld San Diego.
There is also an entire section of the park with rides and activities just for little kids, making SeaWorld a park the whole family can truly enjoy.
- 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego
- seaworld.com/san-diego
6. Sesame Place San Diego
If you are traveling with young kids, there is no better place to go in San Diego in the summer than Sesame Place! This little theme park offers a mix of rides, water attractions, shows, parades, games, interactive play areas, and of course opportunities to meet favorite Sesame Street characters.
Kids will love the 500,000 gallon wave pool on hot summer days. No big roller coasters or thrill rides here, so this is definitely a park for younger kids.
- 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
- sesameplace.com/san-diego
7. Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour
Taking a ride on the San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley is the perfect way to maximize your time and get around, all while learning some cool facts about America’s Finest City. In fact, almost all of the activities on this list of top things to do in San Diego with kids are accessible via the trolley. The fully narrated bus tour lets you get on and off at any of 11 stops, including Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, USS Midway, Old Town, Little Italy, and many more.
► See why the hop on hop off trolley tour is the best way to see San Diego in one day.
This is the one tour I always recommend to people visiting San Diego, especially if it is their first time. If for no other reason, riding over the Coronado Bridge in an open-air trolley is exhilarating.
► Grab your discount tickets for the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour
8. Balboa Park
At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. In fact, it is so big, there’s a free tram that will take you around to different areas of the park.
Spend a day exploring Balboa Park, home to an array of family-friendly attractions including more than a dozen museums, numerous beautiful gardens, the Balboa Park Miniature Train, Spanish Village Art Center, Balboa Park International Cottages, the Old Globe Theatre, playgrounds, a carousel, and of course the San Diego Zoo.
If you are interested in checking out multiple attractions, be sure to look into the Balboa Park Explorer Pass for the best deal on admission.
If you happen to be visiting Balboa Park on a Sunday, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion offers a one-hour free concert every Sunday afternoon at 2 pm. Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy a free concert outside.
Built in 1914, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is home to the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world (we’re talking 32-foot tall pipes!). With few exceptions, it has been providing free concerts weekly for more than a century.
- 1549 El Prado, San Diego
- balboapark.org
9. Old Town San Diego
Old Town is a great attraction to visit any time of year! Step back in time at Old Town San Diego, where the city’s rich heritage comes to life. Wander through historic buildings, enjoy live performances, and savor authentic Mexican cuisine.
Known as the birthplace of California, Old Town State Historic Park is the site of the first Spanish settlement in California, founded in in 1769. Today, it is a lively attraction with 50 shops and restaurants and numerous museums, historic sites, and educational experiences – many of which are free to explore. In fact, Old Town San Diego tops our list of best free things to do in San Diego with kids.
We love visiting Old Town San Diego! There is always something fun to see, and it is a great place to enjoy some of the best Mexican food in San Diego. Most of the restaurants offer outdoor seating, so it is the perfect place to have a great meal during the summertime.
Casa de Reyes is our favorite restaurant in Old Town San Diego. Sometimes we’ll just order margaritas and sit outside on the patio, munching chips and salsa and enjoying the lively atmosphere.
- 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego
- oldtownsandiego.org
10. See the La Jolla Sea Caves
Head to La Jolla Cove for a day of seaside fun. Let the kids splash in the gentle waves, search for sea creatures in the tide pools, check out the sea lions, or simply relax on the sandy shores of this picturesque beach.
Snorkeling and ocean kayaking are popular activities in La Jolla, since there are caves and cliffs and all sorts of beautiful scenery to check out along the coast. My husband, son, and I went on the La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour and absolutely loved it. If you take a tour, a guide will lead you toward the Seven Sea Caves, where you can get stunning views from inside Emerald Cave, the only north-facing cave in California.
► Travel Insight
If you want to check out the caves without getting wet or paying for an excursion, check out Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave in La Jolla.
11. Cabrillo National Monument
Located just 10 miles away from downtown San Diego on the Point Loma Peninsula, Cabrillo National Monument honors Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo – the first European explorer to arrive on the West Coast. I lived in San Diego for many years before finally visiting, and when I did I couldn’t believe we didn’t go sooner!
Cabrillo National Monument is the only National Park Service site near San Diego. The monument itself is beautiful, a stark white statue towering over San Diego Bay with Coronado and the San Diego skyline in the distance. The view alone is worth the trip!
Beside the monument there is a visitor center and bookstore, and small museum which tells the story of Cabrillo and other Spanish explorers. A short walk up the bluff from where the monument stands, you’ll find the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.
But perhaps my favorite thing about Cabrillo National Monument is the tide pools. You’ll have to hike or drive down, but the stunning coastline of the Point Loma Peninsula gives serious Big Sur vibes. You can hike along the shore or just enjoy the view and fresh, salty air.
- 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego
- nps.gov/cabr/
12. San Diego Zoo
Summer is a fun time of year to visit to the world-famous San Diego Zoo. It is truly one of the absolute must-see attractions in San Diego.
Kids will marvel at the diverse range of animals from around the globe and enjoy interactive exhibits, animal encounters, and even a few rides like the iconic Skyfari Aerial Tram.
The zoo is huge. With more than 100 acres to explore, plan on spending an entire day here so you don’t have to rush. It should also be noted that there are lots of hills, so it may take extra time getting around, especially if you have to push a stroller or keep little kids rounded up for the walk.
To help you get around and see everything the zoo has to offer, the San Diego Zoo offers the Kangaroo Bus – a complimentary, non-narrated transportation service that lets you hop on and off at four different stops around the zoo.
- 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego
- zoo.sandiegozoo.org
► Click here for discount tickets to The San Diego Zoo
13. San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Located about 40 minutes north of downtown San Diego is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where you can embark on a safari adventure.
This park is a bit off the beaten path because they needed lots of open land to build it. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an 1,800-acre preserve where wild animals can roam free in their natural habitat. Instead of enclosures, the animals wander across open land and it’s the park visitors who must observe them from lookout points or vehicles.
Enjoy an open-air tram ride which is included with any basic 1-Day Ticket. For an additional cost you can add on a safari experience. Popular safaris (aka tours) include the Flightline Safari zip line, Wildlife Trek walking tour, and Wildlife Safari open-air truck tour.
- 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido
- sdzsafaripark.org
► Click here for discount tickets to The San Diego Zoo Safari Park
14. Coronado Island
Located just across the bay from downtown San Diego, there are tons of fun things to do on Coronado Island with kids.
Coronado has one of the best stretches of sand in Southern California, making it one of the best places to visit in the summer just for its beach! Plus there are lots of family-friendly activities, great restaurants and shops on Orange Avenue, and the world-famous Hotel Del Coronado perched on its shore.
There are places to rent beach gear right on the sand if you don’t have your own. For a relaxed day, bring a frisbee and set up on the soft, sandy beach.
Also worth noting, Silver Strand State Beach is just a few miles south of Coronado, near Loews Coronado Bay Resort. It tends to be a little quieter, but the ocean waves and shoreline are equally perfect. Silver Strand is also home to Coronado Surfing Academy, where you can sign up for surfing lessons. The perfect way to experience summer in San Diego.
If you want to go to Coronado Island during the summertime, my best advice is to arrive early! Traffic can be a beast, and parking is nearly impossible once it gets to be later in the day. Getting there early might even score you a free spot on one of the side streets near the beach.
15. LEGOLAND California Resort
For a day filled with thrills and LEGO-themed adventures for little kids, head to LEGOLAND California. From fun rides and shows to LEGO building stations, this theme park is a paradise for little builders.
Located north of San Diego in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND offers more than 60 interactive play areas, shows, and kid-friendly rides.
When my son was younger we visited often. The park’s emphasis on creativity and learning through play makes it an ideal destination for families with younger kids. Not only can they build things with LEGO bricks themselves, but they will love wandering through Miniland USA, which features more than 30 million LEGO bricks in its fascinating displays.
► Travel Insight
LEGOLAND California also has a water park, which requires an additional ticket to enter.
- One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad
- legoland.com/california
16. Mission Bay Park
Enjoy a day of outdoor recreation at Mission Bay Park, offering more than 25 miles of shoreline perfect for walking, swimming, kayaking, kite flying, and picnicking.
Rent bikes, paddleboards, or even a sailboat for an active family outing. You can easily spend a whole day enjoying all the outdoor activities available in this great spot along Mission Bay.
17. Catch a Ballgame at Petco Park
Summertime means baseball. If you love the game, catch the Padres at Petco Park, where the whole family can cheer on the team in a casual and vibrant atmosphere.
Even if it’s not game day, you can still take a behind-the-scenes at Petco Park tour. The ballpark is conveniently located in downtown San Diego very close to Seaport Village and the historic Gaslamp Quarter.
- 100 Park Blvd., San Diego
- mlb.com/padres/ballpark
What’s New This Summer in San Diego
There is a lot happening this summer in San Diego, and many new things to experience. Here is a round-up of what’s new from the San Diego Tourism Authority.
San Diego Attractions
LEGOLAND® California Resort is unveiling its new Driving Schools on May 21, offering kids the chance to learn the rules of the road on fresh tracks at both Driving School and Jr. Driving School. The new tracks are located in Fun Town and feature realistic road scenarios, intersections, roundabouts, and even a car wash equipped with interactive bubble triggers that activate as kids drive through.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego announced that their new exhibition, Living Seas, will officially open to the public May 22. Living Seas, which is the largest capital improvement to the aquarium since 1992, invites guests to explore the wonders of our ocean planet on an unforgettable, immersive journey to uncover the splendor of the Pacific.
On June 6, San Diego Natural History Museum will be offering new experiences for visitors in the Tom Demere Paleontology Center, a new state-of-the-art collections space and fossil processing lab. It will officially open to the public as a part of Amazement in the Basement, an exhibition featuring natural history specimens of all kinds. The exhibition will also showcase stories of medical discoveries and conservation projects that have their foundation in The Nat’s research collections.
The New Children’s Museum recently debuted Artopia, an 8,600 square foot expansion that provides more room for guests to think, play and create. The new exhibit includes gallery space, classrooms expanded art-making studio space and will offer art-making workshops, artist-led experiences, and opportunities for private event rentals, all of which will be for multi-generational audiences.
As a part of its hundred-year anniversary celebration, Belmont Park has debuted a new ride, Tiki Typhoon. This new “round up” ride is one of several additions and updates being made to the park in the coming months, including a new children’s play area called Shipwreck Cove.
Festivals and Events
Dockside Night Market, an open-air celebration of local chefs and sustainable seafood, returns on August 7. Organized by Puffer Malarkey Collective in partnership with San Diego Fishermen’s Working Group, the evening brings together San Diego’s best culinary talent and local seafood suppliers all set against the stunning backdrop of the historic fishing harbor.
On June 28, Ingram Plaza at Liberty Station will transform into a wellness sanctuary for the second annual Anchored in Wellness Festival. Experience a vendor marketplace, participate in wellness classes on two dedicated stages, and enjoy special features including ice baths, contest giveaways and a wine and beer garden.
From May 16-18, Wonderfront Music and Arts Festival, a highly-anticipated 3-day music, culinary and arts festival will descend upon the waterfront of downtown San Diego all along the Embarcadero. The festival offers diverse attractions including yacht parties, water sports, art installations, after-parties, a craft beer village and plenty of local flavors.
Savor the flavors of San Diego’s most beloved dining district as Taste of Little Italy returns for two unforgettable nights on June 17th and June 18th. Each evening presents a unique lineup of 20+ participating restaurants, ensuring guests can experience new flavors and fresh pairings on both nights.
San Diego Resort Renovations
After more than six years, the Hotel Del Coronado unveiled its $550 million renovation in June. This project encompasses the historic Victorian building, its garden courtyard, and event spaces, as well as two new dining destinations: an all-day dining restaurant, Veranda, and Nobu del Coronado.
The Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina has unveiled a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion of its 81 meeting spaces. Encompassing 270,000 square feet of refreshed ballrooms, conference rooms, and pre-function areas, the newly transformed meeting spaces introduce a modern, dynamic atmosphere designed to inspire and engage, welcoming the next generation of professionals.
The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club has welcomed Chef Ananda Bareño to lead the resort’s culinary program, which includes the Marine Room and The Shores Restaurant, as well as a new restaurant, market, and bar launching as a part of a $60 million resort-wide transformation.
San Diego Summer Weather
The weather is beautiful in Southern California all throughout the year, but summer is ideal for enjoying the beach and water activities.
Average summer temperature stay in the low 80s during the day and the 60s at night. It almost never rains (although you may get a little “June Gloom” if you come early in the summer season). This perfect weather makes San Diego is an ideal summer vacation destination!
How to Save on Your San Diego Vacation
There are a variety of ways to save money on hotels and tickets to San Diego’s many theme parks and attractions – including AAA discounts, military or student discounts, and CityPASS San Diego.
I highly recommend CityPASS when visiting San Diego, as you can bundle and save up to 45% on admission to the top theme parks and attractions in San Diego. Choose either SeaWorld San Diego or LEGOLAND and then add three other attractions of your choice, with options including the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, Old Town Trolley Tours, and more! It’s a great way to save money and makes planning your itinerary easy.
Final Thoughts: San Diego in the Summer
San Diego – with its famously perfect weather and stunning beaches – is the perfect destination for families seeking an amazing summer vacation. From exhilarating theme parks to blissful beach days, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Save These San Diego Summer Activities for Later!
Thinking about a San Diego summer getaway? Pin the image below for future reference.
