The world-famous zoo tops most sightseeing itineraries for a good reason. With 12,000 animals of more than 650 species, there is plenty to see, including giant panda bears, polar bears, hippos, koalas and Galapagos tortoises. Get access to the entire park and minimize walking with The Skyfari Aerial Tram, a cable car that takes visitors between Front Street (by the new Children’s Zoo) up to Northern Frontier (near Polar Bear Plunge) and back.

A space for more than 2600 animals, including giraffes, elephants, lions, and more, to roam in large free-range enclosures. The focus at this park is on larger African and Asian animals; don't miss the platypuses, the Cheetah Run, Mongolian Horses, and the endangered California Condor.

The cultural heart of San Diego, Balboa Park, is 1200 acres and includes 17 museums, gardens galore and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park is one of North America’s most iconic urban parks and a must-see on any visit to San Diego. Located just blocks from downtown San Diego hotels, the park has something for kids of all ages.

The SDCM is chock full of engaging, educational, and fun, hands-on activities. Each aspect of the museum is aimed to empower little ones to think, play and create. An all-time kid favorite is the 30-foot rainbow “jumpy” that artist Felipe Dulzaides designed. The interactive piece called “Missing Links” lets kids play, jump, and roll around in an awesome (and insanely large!) colorful jumpy contraption.

LEGOLAND® California is filled with more than 60 kid-powered, kid-tastic rides, shows and attractions all built for fun and geared for families with children between the ages of 2 and 12!

The Fleet Science Center is home to several exhibits that encourage budding scientists to build, tinker, imagine, invent, and more.

Don't miss the Backyard which contains interactive activities and objects that instill a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world.

Located in Escondido, the SDCDM shows how science, art, and global cultures combine to create a hands-on experience that will fascinate your most curious explorers. Be sure to check out the hands-on science exhibits like the Magnetic Ball Wall, Magnification Station, and Building Stations.

Head on over to The Old Globe Theatre, and you'll find one of San Diego's most iconic performance spaces. This theater is home to more than 15 plays and musicals throughout the year, including San Diego's very own Shakespeare festival.

The USS Midway Museum is the largest aircraft carrier in the world that you can tour, where kids can earn their Junior Pilot Wings! This maritime masterpiece features a flight deck and a hangar filled with more than 30 restored helicopters and aircraft, a firsthand glimpse of what life was like below deck, access to the engine room, flight simulator experiences, and so much more.

The Aquarium offers a kid-friendly and awe-inspiring glimpse into the underwater world via hands-on and interactive experiences and encounters.

Hamilton Children's Garden is a wonderland of fun for kiddos and parents. From Toni's treehouse to the art and rhythm gardens, there's an adventure for everyone.

Quite possibly the most scenic preserve in the country is this one at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Hike through our nation’s rarest pine trees, and you’ll see wind-sculpted trees atop cliffs overlooking the ocean. The Guy Fleming Trail is the easiest for kiddos, and if you take the Beach Trail ¾ mile to Flat Rock, you’ll find a set of stairs down to the beach (this one is best for older kids).

San Diego's version of Central Park, The Waterfront Park, located along the Embarcadero in Little Italy, is a family-favorite destination. The 12-acre park is just a stone's throw from the bay and is decked out with tons of innovative ways to entertain kids, including a splash pad and slide, a giant fountain with jets, and a grassy area for picnics.

This North County coastal area is a hidden treasure and features the perfect mix of hands-on fun and learning. The 5600-square-foot certified ‘green’ nature center and interactive museum is a great spot to learn about the plants and wildlife in the area. Enjoy an easy hike or walk around the lagoon; good for kids of all ages.

Located in the heart of Mission Beach, Belmont Park has been a top destination for family fun since the roaring twenties. Of course, the Giant Dipper (the iconic wooden roller coaster that’s called the Park home since 1925) is the most famous, but there's also mini-golf, laser tag, sky ropes,zip-lining, and so much more, plus tons of new restaurants that are sure to satisfy any and all cravings.

Root for the home team at Petco Park set right in the heart of the city and offering majestic views of San Diego. The ballpark offers complimentary admission to children under 36 inches in height, provided an adult accompanies them with a valid ticket. As far as ballparks go, this one is a homerun!

Go back in time to the 1850s and soak in San Diego's history. Kids can sit in a stagecoach, eat homemade tortillas, visit an old schoolhouse and learn some hands-on skills of the trades of yesteryear.