🌴 San Diego with Kids: The Ultimate 5-Day Family Itinerary

/ jennifersheeman
Seal resting on rocks at sunset in La Jolla Cove San Diego California
Sunset in La Jolla with seals — one of the most unforgettable moments of our San Diego trip

If you’re planning a San Diego trip with kids, this itinerary made for one of our favorite family vacations.

💡 Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you book through them—at no extra cost to you!

✨ How This Trip Started (Quick LA Stop)

We kicked off this trip flying into Los Angeles and spent a couple days easing into vacation mode before heading south to San Diego.

Santa Monica Pier with Ferris wheel and ocean view in Los Angeles California
The Santa Monica Pier — a classic California stop and such a fun place for the kids to explore
  • Stayed at: City Express by Marriott Manhattan Beach
  • Walked the beach, played in the ocean, and explored a pier (the one with the Ferris wheel 🎡)
  • Watched sunrise at Manhattan Beach Pier (SO worth waking up early)
  • Drove to see the Hollywood Sign

👉 Check Availability at City Express by Marriott Manhattan Beach

If you’re looking for something closer to the beach or more walkable, you can browse other Los Angeles hotel options here:

👉 View Los Angeles Hotel Options

Then we made our way down the coast to San Diego… and that’s where the trip really hit its stride 👇

🌊 SAN DIEGO WITH KIDS

🏨 WHERE WE STAYED

📍Grande Colonial, La Jolla

Exterior view of the Colonial Grand hotel near the beach with palm trees and coastal architecture.
The Grande Colonial’s charming coastal exterior sets the tone for a relaxing beachside stay.
Oceanfront pool at the Grande Colonial hotel overlooking the beach and Pacific Ocean.
Nothing beats an oceanfront pool—this was the perfect spot to relax while the kids swam.
Spacious bedroom at the Grande Colonial hotel featuring comfortable beds and coastal-inspired decor.
Clean, comfortable, and just what we needed after long days of exploring.

✔️ Ocean views
✔️ Spacious suite (perfect for a family of 5)
✔️ Great location near everything

Book Your Stay at the Grande Colonial

📍 Why We Loved This Location

The location here was honestly perfect for a family trip. We could easily walk to see the seals at La Jolla Cove, which meant we didn’t have to worry about parking or planning—it was just part of our day.

Right across the street was Ellen Browning Scripps Park, and this became our go-to spot. The kids burned off energy here, and we found ourselves starting our mornings or winding down at night with some of the best ocean views.

This location alone made the stay 100% worth it for us.

La Jolla Cove at sunset with ocean cliffs and colorful sky in San Diego California
Sunset at La Jolla Cove — one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots in San Diego
Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla with ocean views and grassy area for families
Ellen Browning Scripps Park — the perfect spot to start our mornings and let the kids run around with an ocean view

🏨 Other Great Hotel Options in San Diego

If you’re planning a San Diego trip with kids, there are so many great places to stay depending on your budget and location preference.

While we loved staying in La Jolla, here are a few other great options depending on your style and budget:

🌊 Beachfront / Walkable Location

Hotel del Coronado (Coronado Island)
A beautiful beachfront resort with direct beach access and tons of space for families.

Check Availability at Hotel del Coronado
Hotel del Coronado beachfront resort with ocean views in Coronado San Diego California
A classic beachfront stay with direct access to one of San Diego’s most beautiful beaches

🎡 Close to Attractions (Mission Beach / SeaWorld Area)

Paradise Point Resort & Spa
A super family-friendly resort with pools, beach areas, and plenty of room for kids to explore.

View Family Rooms at Paradise Point
Paradise Point Resort San Diego with palm trees waterfront and tropical setting
A laid-back resort with plenty of space for kids to explore and relax

🌆 Downtown / Gaslamp Area

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Great location if you want to be close to restaurants, shops, and the waterfront.

Check Availability at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego skyline hotel near waterfront and downtown
A great option if you want to stay close to the city, restaurants, and waterfront views

💰 Budget-Friendly Option

Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina
A more affordable option that still has great views and family-friendly amenities.

Check Availability at Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina
Best Western Island Palms Hotel marina view San Diego waterfront budget hotel
A more budget-friendly option with beautiful marina views and a relaxed atmosphere
💡 Pro Tip: If it’s your first time visiting San Diego, staying near the coast (La Jolla, Coronado, or Mission Beach) makes the experience feel much more “California” and keeps you close to the best views and activities.

🎉 Visiting San Diego in October (What to Know)

If you have flexibility in your travel dates, October is an amazing time to visit San Diego—especially with kids.

💰 Kids Get in FREE at Many Attractions

One of the biggest perks of visiting in October is that kids can get free admission at many of San Diego’s top attractions with the purchase of an adult ticket.

This often includes places like:

  • San Diego Zoo
  • LEGOLAND California
  • SeaWorld San Diego
  • USS Midway Museum
  • And other local attractions

✨ What This Meant for Our Trip

We were able to take advantage of several of these offers, and it made a big difference in the overall cost of our trip.

For a family, this can add up quickly—so if you’re able to plan around October, it’s definitely worth considering.

🎯 Check Current Ticket Options

You can check current availability and pricing for attractions here:

Check San Diego Attraction Deals
💡 Pro Tip: Not all passes include the same attractions, so double-check what’s included based on what your family actually plans to do.

🌊 Swimming in the Pacific (What to Expect)

Kids wearing wetsuits swimming in the Pacific Ocean at a San Diego beach
Wetsuits made a huge difference—especially for the kids who wanted to stay in the water longer

One thing we didn’t fully expect—the Pacific Ocean water is cold, especially in the fall.

Even on warm, sunny days, the water temperature can be a shock if you’re used to warmer beaches.

🏄‍♀️ Our Tip: Consider Wetsuits

If your kids love the water (like ours do), you may want to consider bringing or buying wetsuits.

They make a huge difference and allow you to stay in the water much longer without getting cold.

💡 What We Learned

  • October weather was still beautiful ☀️
  • But the ocean water was definitely chilly
  • Wetsuits made beach time way more enjoyable

🎯 Find Wetsuits Before Your Trip

If you want to grab some ahead of time, you can browse options here:

View Family Wetsuit Options
💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t want to pack wetsuits, you can also rent them at many beach shops around La Jolla and Mission Beach.

📅 Our 5-Day San Diego Itinerary with Kids

We like to plan one main activity per day and leave room for exploring, relaxing, and spontaneous stops. This keeps the trip fun and not overwhelming—especially when traveling with kids.

🗓️ Day 1: Arrival + La Jolla Exploring

La Jolla coastline with ocean and cliffs in San Diego

We arrived in San Diego, checked into our hotel in La Jolla, and kept this first day easy.

  • Checked into Grande Colonial, La Jolla
  • Walked to La Jolla Cove to see the seals 🦭
  • Grabbed dinner nearby

👉 This was the perfect way to ease into the trip without overpacking the day.

🗓️ Day 2: USS Midway + Coronado + Gaslamp

USS Midway aircraft carrier docked in San Diego harbor

We packed a lot into this day, but everything was fairly close and easy to get to.

  • Explored the USS Midway Museum
Check USS Midway Tickets
  • Drove over to Coronado Island
  • Walked along the beach near Hotel del Coronado
  • Explored the Gaslamp Quarter
  • Quick drive by Petco Park

👉 If your kids enjoy interactive experiences, the USS Midway was a really fun and hands-on stop.

🗓️ Day 3: Zoo + Little Italy + Sunset Cliffs

San Diego Zoo animals and exhibits with family-friendly atmosphere

This was one of our favorite days of the entire trip.

  • Spent the day at the San Diego Zoo
Check San Diego Zoo Tickets
  • Dinner in Little Italy
  • Watched sunset at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park 🌅

👉 The sunset here is absolutely worth planning your evening around.

🗓️ Day 4: LEGOLAND + Beach Night

LEGOLAND California rides and attractions for kids
Carlsbad beach near LEGOLAND California

We took a short drive north for a really fun day.

  • Visited LEGOLAND California (Carlsbad)
Check LEGOLAND Tickets
  • Visited friends nearby
  • Beach time (rocky shoreline — something different and fun for the kids)
  • Pizza Night 🍕 at Pizza Port

👉 This is a great day to mix activities with downtime.

🗓️ Day 5: SeaWorld + Mission Beach + Old Town

Old Town San Diego colorful buildings and shops

We wrapped up our San Diego stay with a mix of fun and exploring.

  • Visited SeaWorld San Diego
Check Sea World San Diego Tickets
  • Biked along Mission Beach Boardwalk 🚲
  • Explored Old Town San Diego
  • Dinner, shops, and live music

👉 Old Town was such a fun way to end the trip with a different vibe and lots to explore.

🌵 Extend Your Trip: Palm Springs + Joshua Tree

If you have extra time, this is an amazing add-on to your San Diego trip.

  • Drove to Palm Springs / La Quinta
  • Hiked Indian Canyons 🌴
  • Stargazing in Borrego Springs ✨
  • Explored Joshua Tree National Park

👉 This part of our trip felt completely different from San Diego and was such a cool contrast.

✨ Final Thoughts

San Diego ended up being one of our favorite family trips.

It has that perfect mix of:

  • beach days
  • fun activities
  • great food
  • and just enough downtime to actually relax

From watching the seals in La Jolla to exploring the zoo, LEGOLAND, and the coastline, this trip had something for everyone—and it’s one we would absolutely do again.

If you’re planning a family trip to California, San Diego is one of those places that really delivers.

Save this itinerary for later or use it to start planning your own trip!

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