Top Amusement Parks in San Diego That Your Kids Will Love

Home to some of the more popular parks in the country, as well as several hidden gems, San Diego might be the ideal destination for a family vacation. Here are some of the places to check out with everyone.

Besides the cultural and natural wonders, San Diego offers plenty of family-friendly attractions for you to enjoy along with your kids. You can find amusement parks with various themes right in the city, and even the world-famous Disneyland is a possible day trip destination.

Your family could easily spend the whole day in every one of the best San Diego amusement parks and not even notice how much time has passed. 

If you don’t know where to start your family adventure, here’s a list of the top places your kids will enjoy the most on your next visit to San Diego.

SeaWorld

Naturally, the main attraction of SeaWorld San Diego is the fantastic animals. There are six species of penguins, beluga whales, walruses, and sea turtles to see, but those aren’t the only residents of the park. Your kids will cheer at the sight of lovable dolphins, powerful sharks, gracious orcas, and other wonderful marine animals.

Here, you can see the animals behave naturally in the well-suited environment and even engage in different animal encounters. Kids can come face to face with penguins, dolphins, and charming sloths, although that last encounter might take quite a while due to the animal’s incredibly slow movements.

SeaWorld San Diego also features various rides and rollercoasters, but keep in mind that their availability depends on the circumstances like the weather. 

Aquatica

SeaWorld’s Aquatica amusement park is all about water fun, presenting a different experience from the main attraction based around marine animals. This water park features rides of different intensity, from relaxed lounging rides to exciting, fast-paced splashing extravaganzas. 

There are various slides like the Kiwi Curl, Taumata Racer, or Woohoo Falls that are suited for individuals, while four people can enjoy a ride together on the Tassie’s Twister or the Walhalla Wave. 

Some rides also offer several paths and slides. What’s particularly noteworthy is the fact that you can slide in the dark in Woohoo. 

Belmont Park

Belmont Park doesn’t deal in themes. Instead, it’s a place for pure, traditional fun with rides and roller coasters. 

Located in Mission Beach, this amusement park’s been in business since the 1920s and it houses the wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster. Although the exciting ride was in disrepair in the ’70s, a full restoration was performed on the Giant Dipper and it has been a widely known San Diego attraction for decades since. 

There are also many great games for the whole family, including mini-golf and other wonderful, fun activities. And if you get hungry at some point, you can grab a bite to eat in one of the restaurants.

Finally, it’s worth noting that the parking and entrance to the park are free. Of course, all rides and other attractions inside the park require purchasing a ticket. 

Zoo Safari Park

Returning to the wonders of nature, a family-friendly San Diego attraction that you shouldn’t miss is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This is an immense preserve where you can see various African and Asian animals in a natural environment. 

But more than the usual visit to the zoo, the Safari Park can even present an opportunity to see herds move across the vast open landscape. 

You can witness the amazing wildlife by jumping on a tram, riding an open bed truck, or even going on a zipline. Alternatively, there are more contained exhibit areas where you can have an up-close experience, such as the Nairobi Village, African Outpost, and the Lion Camp. 

Your kids will have plenty of excitement through this amazing, unique park that no zoo can match. If they love nature and animals, this might be among the best San Diego amusement parks for them.

Legoland

Legoland California is an expansive wonderland that will leave the whole family in awe, especially if your kids are very young. 

The first Lego-themed amusement park in the U.S., Legoland California is teeming with great fun. There are over 60 attractions kids can interact with, as well as different shows and rides. 

Legoland also features a water park with several slides, but the most exciting feature here’s the river that you can traverse on a raft you build yourself. You might even convince the kids to help you since they’ll likely be inspired by the thousands of models that adorn the park. 

There are also Lego models of everything imaginable through – cities, dinosaurs, famous imaginary characters, and much more. 

If you can set apart a few days for this fascinating place, consider booking one of the 250 rooms in the first U.S. Legoland Hotel. Don’t worry, though – the fun doesn’t end once you’re inside. All rooms are Lego-themed, just like the rest of the park.

Disneyland

While Disneyland California isn’t located in San Diego but rather in Anaheim, the land of fantasy is a mere 90 miles away from downtown San Diego. Those visiting from other states would be wise to use this opportunity to go on a relatively short ride to visit the most famous amusement park in the world.

Nothing is lacking when it comes to shows in Disneyland California. Whether your kids want to meet their favorite Disney princess or prince or experience the Star Wars universe, fun is guaranteed. Of course, there’s also the classic Pirates of the Caribbean ride that launched a successful movie franchise and the famous Haunted Mansion that awaits those with nerves of steel.

If you or the kids grow hungry, there are many dining options in Disneyland. You can even order food on the go no matter where you are in the park. 

Perhaps an even more extensive offer than the attractions are the numerous shops, so you may want to be careful with your budget. 

Fun for the Whole Family in San Diego

San Diego is an excellent place for a family vacation filled with adventure, excitement, and all the fun you can take. Visit one or all of the best San Diego amusement parks and you’ll be left with dear, long-lasting memories. 

Go on a short trip to San Diego today and the kids will have stories to tell about the amazing experiences for years to come.