Things to Do With Kids in San Diego

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Ride a Carousel and a Miniature Train in Balboa Park

The 1910 Carousel adjacent to the San Diego Zoo, is a menagerie of animals with hand-carved European craftsmanship. The carousel is one of the few in the world still offering the brass ring game for everyone taking the 5-minute ride. Enjoy the original hand-painted murals surrounding the upper portion of the carousel and the military band music.

The Balboa Park Miniature Railroad takes a 3-minute, ½-mile trip through four acres of Balboa Park.  Ride rare antique train with as few as fifty currently remaining in the world. Operated by the San Diego Zoo and the Department of Transportation. Carousel and the Miniature Railroad hours Sat – Sun and school holidays 11am-5pm. Admission is $2.00. Call for more info (619) 239-0512

Take a Tour of Petco Park – Home of the San Diego Padres Baseball Team

Get a behind the scenes with a guided tour. Visit the press box and “writers row”. See the Padres dugout and the bullpen and walk the outfields warning track. Visit the Historic Western Metal Supply Co. building. The original building that the park incorporated into the design of the ballpark. See the area the call the beach and the park at the park. Great fun for the kids and the young sports fan. Tour Hotline at (619) 795-5011.

View the 2012 season game schedule!

Ride a Roller Coaster

Located in Mission Beach, Belmont Park offers tons of fun for the kids. Belmont park itself offers the Giant Dipper an original old wooden Roller Coaster still rideable although built in 1925. Surrounding the Giant Dipper is an Amusement Park complete with a carousel, arcades and snacks for the kids. Also housed in the park is the Flow Rider. A machine creating a man made surfing wave. Be a spectator and  enjoy watching others ride the waves up close. Belmont Park also houses an original indoor pool house for swimming and if course the park lies a few feet from the ocean.

Sleep With the Animals

Sleep with the Animals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formerly known as the Wild Animal Park . Have an African Safari with the family in San Diego County. Meet African animals up close with a private encounter. Enjoy hands-on activities, games, and crafts; participate in an African drum circle around the campfire; slumber to the rumblings of lions and elephants, then wake to the courtship calls of African crowned cranes. For children 6 and over with accompanying adults. Call for details (619) 718-3000 or 800-407-9534, or visit sdzsafaripark.org

Seal Tours

Seal Tours for the kids on amphibious vehicle. Take the family in the open-aire amphibious vehicle, driven by experienced captains specially designed and built to be driven on land and water. Vehicles are Coast Guard approved. Open air tour vehicles that allows you to enjoy the tour with amazing views while you see some of the sites of San Diego from land and then gently drive down a boat ramp and you are in the water on San Diego Bay. www.sealtours.com (619) 298-8687

Play Laser Tag

Play tag in a foggy, dimly lit, multi level arena. Contains mazes, ramps, obstacles, strobe lights and loud music. Wear vests and carry your laser gun. Players are given a thorough briefing before suiting up. Loads of fun laser tagging each other and racking up points. Keep track of your score and see if you can increase it with each game. Must be 7 years or older to play. Located at 3146 Sports Arena Blvd. Call Ultrazone for details at (619) 221-0100, or visit www.ultrazonesandiego.com

View Vintage Aircraft at the Leatherneck Museum

The museum is comprised of an outdoor area, displaying an average of at least twenty five vintage aircraft and an indoor display of memorabilia and artifacts dating to the earliest days of Marine Corps Aviation. Fun for the kids. The only museum in the world dedicated to the primary purpose of preserving the history of Marine Corps Aviation. The museum is located in the 8600 block of Miramar Road, between Camino Ruiz and Cabot Drive. Admission is free. Entrance to the museum is through its Miramar Road gate, proudly flanked by U.S. and Marine Corps flags. Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00am to 3:30pm.

See the Seals at Seal Beach/Children’s Pool

Take the kids and watch the seals frolic in the water and bask in the sun at Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Some days over a hundred seals call this home. See them in their natural beauty. Get close and take some great pictures from various vantage points. The area is marked off with rope on the sand and the sea wall to the west. Please obey the rules of non engagement. Located at the beach at 850 Coast Blvd. West of Prospect.

Ride a Bike

Rent a bike and ride along the Ocean Boardwalk and enjoy the waves lapping up on the shore, the action on the beach and the scenic oceanfront properties. We take you for a ride -Watch the Video. Stop for a bite to eat or a drink at a few of the restaurants found along the way. Also enjoy the quieter side of Mission Bay. Watch the many sailboats and other water sports as you meander along the scenic winding route. Rent bikes at Hamels across from Belmont Park or at Bicycle Discovery in Pacific Beach at 742 Felspar Street at Mission Boulevard.

Ice Skate

Yep, we got it! Get a break from the heat and enjoy ice skating with the family. San Diego has several indoor ice rinks. Skating is good exercise and the whole family can enjoy it. Skate or play hockey and these locations. Ice Town – Golden Triangle UTC area at 4545 La Jolla Village Drive. 92122. Please call (858) 452-9110 for details. Also Kroc Center – College area located at 6737 University Avenue Call (619) 269-1498 for details, or visit kroccenter.org

Sleep with the fish

Spend the night at Sea World with penguins, sharks and whole lot of fish. Arrive at 5:45pm and you will be served dinner and enjoy educational activities. Wake up and have a hot breakfast and then spend the day at the park. For children 4 and over accompanied by parents. Visit www.seaworld.com, or call (619) 226-3900