Best Things to Do During Spring Break for Kids in San Diego 2026

Surfing may not be the first thing you think about when you're looking for activities to do with your kids for spring break, but I can tell you that if your family is even the least bit sporty, there is nothing like sitting on a surfboard in the lineup and looking at the blue ocean. That is true for adults and kids alike. It's my way of meditation!

Surf culture runs deep in San Diego and throughout Southern California. The area features countless surfing beaches that are perfect for everyone, from the first-time surfer to the experienced pro.

My go-to surf spot is Pacific Beach. The area offers consistent waves for beginners, especially at PB Point and Tourmaline Surf Park. I also love to surf many of the La Jolla beaches, many of which have helped shape the history of surfing in San Diego, like Windansea Beach.

If you or your kids haven't surfed before, all-age surfing lessons are available daily during spring break. Lessons will include everything you need for gear and instruction. Trained and certified guides will teach you the basics and have you and your kids in the waves, making memories in no time.

And if you and your kids already know how to surf, make sure to get the best prices on surfboard rentals with a Go City San Diego pass using discount code GVSD5OFF.

Stay Near the La Jolla Surf

I promised you hotel recommendations on our 2026 list of the best things to do for spring break in San Diego with kids, and my first is the Grande Colonial La Jolla.

Located at the northern tip of the La Jolla neighborhood, near multiple beaches perfect for surfing, this 4-star, historic 1913 hotel has been freshly modernized into a luxury boutique experience, ideal for some R & R after a day in the surf!

The world-famous San Diego Zoo is the most popular attraction in San Diego for good reason. Listed as the most-visited and 6th-largest animal park in the United States, it features more than 12,000 animals across 600+ species.

If your kids are like mine and love animals, take them to see the giant pandas, which returned from China in 2024. My kids also love the koalas, the largest colony outside of Australia

The park is designed to educate kids and adults alike with information cards throughout the park.

If your spring break happens to fall in early May, you're in luck! Saturday, May 2nd, is the yearly Food, Wine, and Brew event, an evening filled with entertainment, food, wine, and of course, the animals! My niece, Mom, and I loved the event last year. I'd personally recommend the VIP passes as they include perks like skipping the line, a cool hangout area, and better bathrooms. And don't worry, the event is family-friendly with non-alcoholic beverages as well!

For the cheapest zoo tickets, get a Go City San Diego pass using the discount code GVSD5OFF.

Stay Near the San Diego Zoo

While there are no hotels directly in Balboa Park, there are several really nice hotel options near Balboa Park.

I'd recommend The Dana on Mission Bay. Located next to SeaWorld San Diego, a sea-life-themed park worth considering with your kids, the hotel has a relaxed family feel and two pools perfect for splashing around.

And at under 10 miles, usually about a 15 minute rideshare away from Balboa Park, you can be at the zoo in no time!

Balboa Park features more than a dozen family-friendly museums, so this year we decided to leave the selection up to you.

However, my kids would recommend the Nat (San Diego Natural History Museum), a great place to learn about Southern California's past and present; the Air & Space Museum, perfect for budding astronauts; and the Museum of Photographic Arts, an ideal destination for art lovers.

All of these museums are part of the Go City San Diego pass. Purchase your pass using our discount code GVSD5OFF to save on admission to these museums and more throughout San Diego.

Stay Near a Balboa Park Museum

My choice of hotel here is the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa!

Located off Mission Blvd. between Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, the family-friendly Polynesian-themed property features a pool, arcade, and incredible koi pond. At just 10 miles from Balboa Park, a stay at the Catamaran means you can enjoy spring break with your kids at the beach while staying close to various museums!

Another storied animal park in San Diego worth visiting with your kids over spring break in 2026 is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido.

Located about 45 minutes north of the San Diego Zoo, this park has more land and thus puts a special emphasis on big animals like elephants, giraffes, and rhinos, a few of my kids' favorites.

My kids also love the Safari Excursions! While there are multiple options, the Wildlife Safari includes a 90-minute ride in an open-air truck that takes you up close and personal. It's an opportunity to learn about the animals, plus the conservation efforts at the core of the park's mission. This specific adventure is an add-on starting at $118.

My daughter would also want me to mention the Hidden Jungle, a habitat that's home to the park's butterflies and the Butterfly Jungle Safari. Kids can walk among these insects and learn about their life cycle.

The Butterfly Jungle Safari is a 20-minute activity that can be added on to any general admission ticket for an additional $18. Just know that it's a limited-time event, set for March 21st to April 12th, 2026.

And to keep your spring break budget-friendly, grab a Go City San Diego pass. Our discount code GVSD50FF will help you save on park admission.

Stay Near the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

While the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is inland from the beach, I recommend the Mission Pacific Hotel in Oceanside.

Also known as the Mission Pacific Beach Resort – JDV by Hyatt, the family-friendly hotel offers chic, clean rooms and a rooftop pool with views of the Pacific Ocean.

While the hotel is a 40-45 minute drive to the park, it will also allow you to spend time at one of our fantastic, nearby beaches.

For a truly San Diego experience, I'd recommend that you and your kids pay a visit to the massive USS Midway on the beautiful San Diego Bay. This real naval aircraft carrier was the longest-serving of the 20th century, and now it is a museum with a large collection of aircraft on board.

As an iconic San Diego landmark, a visit is more than an average experience; it's an educational journey exploring the military history of San Diego and beyond!

The USS Midway is once again included in the Go City San Diego pass, so grab one before you go. Use the discount code GVSD5OFF to get the lowest price.

Stay Near the USS Midway

The USS Midway is located in the San Diego Bay along the Embarcadero in Downtown San Diego. This incredible location means plenty of fantastic hotel choices nearby!

My pick here is the InterContinental San Diego and the IHG Hotel. Located in Marina San Diego, this bayfront hotel is a modern glass building featuring upscale rooms, quality dining, and a pool perfect for your entire family.

For many, spring break is synonymous with the sea and sand. For families, however, the prospect of navigating San Diego's college spring break crowds can be daunting, as many of San Diego's beaches attract young adults from all across Southern California and beyond.

If you're looking to cool off in the Pacific Ocean in a more family-friendly atmosphere, I'd suggest that you head to the La Jolla Underwater Park. It's an excellent spot to swim, snorkel, paddle, and try out other water sports, like kayaking!

As one of my family's favorite water activities and things to do over spring break each year, we even decided to add exploring the La Jolla Underwater Park with a kayak & snorkeling tour to this year's edition of our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego article!

There are a couple of awesome kayaking tours I'd highly recommend. The 2-hour Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves explores the sea cliffs and caves as you kayak through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. You'll get to kayak through three habitats - rocky reefs, sandy flats, and kelp beds.

My other choice would be the 2.5-Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour. This adventure is a bit longer but also includes snorkeling, which will get you close to garibaldi, sea lions, and possibly even friendly leopard sharks!

Stay in La Jolla

If you want to stay in La Jolla near the start of the kayaking tour, stay at La Valencia Hotel. The hotel offers old-world charm with modern finishes.

Located in the heart of La Jolla, the hotel has a Mediterranean feel, offering views of the pool or the Pacific Ocean.

For more options, check out our article reviewing the best hotels in La Jolla.

San Diego offers visitors a wide variety of tours for enjoying the sights of the city, but none quite like the San Diego SEAL City Tour. Returning to our list for 2026, it's the only one that will take you and your kids to locations both on land and on the sea.

Also featured on our list of the 13 Best Harbor Cruises & Boat Tours in San Diego, the SEAL Tours use a unique, Coast Guard approved "amphibious bus" that can drive around the streets and traverse the harbor. Guests can expect a fully narrated 40 minutes on land and 60 minutes on the water.

SEAL Tours start at $49 per person. They depart daily from both the Embarcadero and Seaport Village heading out between 10:00am – 3:00pm.

Stay Near the San Diego SEAL Tour

I'll pick a hotel near Downtown San Diego with a little twist since departure locations are both nearby the city.

The Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa is a beautiful property just across the Coronado Bridge on Coronado Island. The resort has three pools with views of the city's skyline and is perfect for families.

Located in the Embarcadero along San Diego Bay, next to the Star of India and the USS Midway, is one of my family's favorite museums: the Maritime Museum!

San Diego's seafaring and naval history is quite grand, and a trip to the Maritime Museum is the perfect way for you and your kids to learn all about it.

If you just want to visit the Maritime Museum, tickets are $28 for adults, with Military and Senior 62+ tickets offered for $20 and youth (6-17) offered for $15. Kids five and under are admitted for free.

If you're always looking for the best family deal like I am and are interested in visiting a few more attractions like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, or the USS Midway, your best bet to get the cheapest prices will be to get Go City San Diego passes using savings code GVSD5OFF.

Stay Near the Maritime Museum

There are a lot of really nice family-friendly hotels in Downtown San Diego and near the Embarcadero, but for a stay near the Maritime Museum, I'd suggest the Kona Kai Resort & Spa, A Noble House Resort.

Located on Shelter Island, which lines the mouth of the San Diego Bay, this 3-star resort is family-friendly with skyline and bay views, fire pits, and a fantastic pool.

Built in Mission Beach in 1925 by John D. Spreckels, Belmont Park is San Diego's historic theme park. Spanning a full seven acres, the park has games, seasonal events, food and drink plus thrill rides like the iconic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. My daughter is a huge fan of old wooden roller coasters, and this is one of her favorites!

When I personally think of the park that's literally walking distance from my home, I think 'part fair' with games and cotton candy and 'part theme park' with rides and entertainment. What I know for sure is that the park is old-fashioned family fun that is sure to be a hit with your kids.

Once again, admission can be had at a discount through the Go City San Diego pass using our code GVSD5OFF.

As my daughter's 'test and approved' top choice for Spring Break 2026, our team at Go Visit San Diego decided to include it this year as part of our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego.

Stay Near Belmont Park

Located less than two miles from Mission Beach and Belmont Park, my pick here is the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina.

The property features a large pool with a waterslide, bay views, fire pits, a spa and wellness center for the adults, plus clean, well laid out rooms large enough for families.

SeaWorld San Diego in Mission Bay Park is the perfect theme park for families interested in learning about sea life and our oceans. If your kids like marine life, such as dolphins, penguins, and seals, or enjoy thrill rides, this park would be a great choice!

Another perk of visiting SeaWorld San Diego on weekends in the spring is the Seven Seas Food Festival held Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from February 27 to April 26, 2026. With more than 20 stalls and 150 items to choose from, this event brought me back to the park after many years away.

My kids and I loved the seasonal event so much that we'll once again be visiting SeaWorld San Diego over spring break this year to enjoy the wide variety of tasty food and drinks!

Stay Near SeaWorld San Diego

My choice for a hotel near SeaWorld San Diego is the Paradise Point Resort & Spa.

Located just minutes from the park on its own island in the middle of Mission Bay, the rooms and bungalows are clean and inviting. The complex is massive, with a spa and five incredible pools, making it perfect for families with kids.

San Diego is home to more than 75 picturesque beaches that line our Pacific coast, and curl through the beautiful bays of Mission Bay and the San Diego Bay.

I'm a longtime resident of the Pacific Beach neighborhood, so when it comes to FREE family fun in the sand and sea, I really enjoy North Pacific Beach, but honestly, there are many great choices.

If you're in La Jolla, La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores have nice sand and are also great for a swim. If you're in Coronado, Coronado Central Beach is very popular with families, and the view of the iconic Hotel del Coronado, a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, is one that I personally really enjoy.

You could also pick one of the Mission Bay Park beaches, like Bonita Cove, as the water is smoother and safer for young kids. With calmer waters, Mission Bay is a great place to kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

My kids also love exploring the tide pools, especially during low tide, when the sea creatures are easy to see up close. La Jolla Tide Pools and Point Loma Tide Pools are my kid's top choices. For a complete list, check out our article covering the best tide pools in San Diego.

Stay on Pacific Beach

If you're looking for a family-friendly hotel on the beach, you've picked the right city!

Since North Pacific Beach is my first choice, I'll recommend a place near it that is great for families. Choose the 4-star Pacific Terrace Hotel. Located on the boardwalk, the hotel offers ocean views plus a heated pool and hot tub.

Kids can experience the thrill of paddling, surfing, and sailing in San Diego at the Mission Bay Spring Break Camp. Held daily from 8:30am to 4:00pm, the camp helps kids learn to swim, build new skills, and stay active.

Instructors will teach your kids the basics of their chosen sport, so beginners are welcome!

Spring Break Camp in 2026 will be held from March 30th to April 3rd at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center. Class times vary, so check the official site for more information.

Stay Near the Mission Bay Spring Break Camp for Kids

My choice here is another beautiful, family-friendly hotel in Mission Bay: the San Diego Mission Bay Resort.

Located on the east side of the bay, the contemporary hotel offers bay views, fire pits, a refreshing pool, and a white sand beach perfect for kids.

If you've made it this far down the list, then you surely have a number of ideas of how to best spend some quality time with your kids during spring break. However, there were a couple more activities worth mentioning that just missed our list.

If you have young kids, consider taking them to LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad. The park has rides and character meet-and-greets that are perfect for your elementary school kids, plus the theme park's newest land, Dino Valley, features LEGO dinosaurs, which are an absolute hit. Get discounted admission with a Go City San Diego pass using discount code GVSD5OFF.

LEGOLAND California Waterpark was another attraction that just missed our list for 2026 but could still be well worth your time. The waterpark has slides, rides and splash zones plus parades, shows and of course the LEGO characters.

Stay Near LEGOLAND California

I'll stick with a hotel suggestion in Carlsbad near LEGOLAND California, and I'll pick the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel.

The room themes are incredible and include Ninjago rooms and princess rooms, to name a few. Plus, you wake up in the middle of LEGOLAND California. It doesn't get any better!