San Diego with Kids: Top 3 Animal Must-Dos (Zoo, SeaWorld, La Jolla)
San Diego is amazing. The city is beautiful, the weather is bliss, and it doesn’t have the chaos of a larger area like Los Angeles. There are a ton of places to spend money tourist attractions and unique things to see. What are the animal must dos when visiting San Diego with kids?
What Are The Must Dos When Visiting San Diego with Kids?
1. SeaWorld San Diego
2. San Diego Zoo
3. La Jolla Cove
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San Diego with Kids: The Quick Answer
- SeaWorld San Diego — Aquarium, shows, and real roller coasters in one park. Plan on a full day. Single-day gate prices run high (around $127), but discounted tickets often land in the $60–$86 range.
- San Diego Zoo — One of the most famous zoos on the planet, and the giant pandas are back. Around $72 adult / $62 child for a one-day pass. Note: parking is no longer free.
- La Jolla Cove — Free, gorgeous, and crawling with wild sea lions and seals. You watch from the bluff now, not the rocks.
Prices and policies change constantly, so I flag what’s current as of this update and tell you when to just check the official site. Now let’s get into it.
San Diego with Kids
1. SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego is awesome. It is one of the best things to do in San Diego with kids because it is a combination of an aquarium and theme park, with some adorable shows thrown in to put it over the top. To be fair, I have a particular affinity for sea creatures, so I am probably an easy sell. Even if you don’t love dolphins as much as cheese, you will probably enjoy it.
If you want the deep-dive version of this section, we wrote a whole SeaWorld San Diego guide with everything we learned the hard way. Here’s the kids-focused version.
Where Is SeaWorld San Diego?
SeaWorld San Diego sits at 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, CA 92109, on Mission Bay. It is only a few minutes’ drive from downtown San Diego if you don’t hit traffic, and it’s right next door to the Mission Bay area hotels if you want to stay close.
What Animals Are at SeaWorld San Diego?
The SeaWorld San Diego exhibits are impressive. To say they are well themed would be an understatement. This is not your typical zoo. Some real thought went into these designs.
You could fill a whole day watching the animals. Some of the highlights include the penguins, dolphins, walruses, sharks, otters, and turtles. Two newer additions are worth seeking out: Jewels of the Sea, a moody jellyfish aquarium, and the revamped Shark Encounter, where you walk through a tube while sharks cruise overhead like they’re sizing you up for lunch.
This guy took a particular liking to my son. That or he was trying to bust out of there, but let’s go with the liking thing.
Which SeaWorld San Diego Shows Are Worth It?
The highlight of SeaWorld San Diego is definitely the shows. The lineup has been refreshed across the board in recent years, so check the schedule in the app and build the showtimes into your day so you don’t miss them.
Pro tip: The SeaWorld San Diego app has useful information about show times, among other things. Download it before you go.
Orca Encounter
The SeaWorld San Diego orca show was revamped years ago from its longtime theatrical Shamu show to Orca Encounter, which is still running. The show is designed to put you to sleep showcase orca behavior in the wild.
I’m not going to sugarcoat this. Orca Encounter is a snoozefest. To double down on its mediocrity compared to the other two shows, it takes place in an oven. It was nice to see the orcas, but a whole lot of talking and not much else is happening there.
The Sea Lion Show
SeaWorld’s sea lion comedy show is hilarious and has been refreshed recently, so the exact name on the schedule may differ from the one we saw. Whatever they’re calling it now, the sea lions are like professional actors putting on a comedy show. The human actors were funny enough, and believe me, I am picky when it comes to theme park theater. The Six Flags Great America entertainment department could learn a thing or two from a sea lion about quality theater.
The Dolphin Show
The dolphin show was rebranded as an all-new production (Dolphin Adventures), but the gist is the same: the animals make Simone Biles look like a beginner. They flip through the air with seemingly no effort.
Pro tip: If you have a child who will not enjoy getting soaked with salt water, sit a few rows up.
Our day ended promptly after the dolphin show because we sat in the splash zone with a four year old who hates being wet and sticky. Spoiler alert. Those dolphins are swimming in salt water, not Aquafina. At one point during the show, they brought out a giant version of a dolphin (which I’m sure is the technical name of his species), and he went to town.
What About the Rides?
SeaWorld San Diego is more of a real theme park than people expect. Alongside the kiddie rides, there’s a genuine collection of coasters: Emperor, a floorless dive coaster with a 143-foot drop; Arctic Rescue, a family straddle coaster; plus Manta, Electric Eel, and the water-soaked Journey to Atlantis. Check the current ride list before you go, because things rotate in and out.
Pro tip: Check the SeaWorld San Diego map and make a touring plan before you arrive. If you don’t have Quick Queue, go to the ride that is most important to you first.
Bonus pro tip: If you have Quick Queue, and your kids still want to ride the small rides as well, visit the children’s section first to ride the rides that don’t accept it.
How Do You Save Money on SeaWorld San Diego Tickets?
The single-day gate price is steep — recently around $127 for a one-day ticket — but almost nobody should pay that. Discounted single-day tickets routinely run in the $60–$86 range, often bundled with a meal voucher, and pricing is dynamic by date. Here’s where to look.
Tickets for SeaWorld San Diego
Direct Purchase
You can purchase tickets to SeaWorld San Diego on its website. There are several options, including single day, annual passes, and tickets that offer experiences like a seal and sea lion encounter. SeaWorld San Diego ticket prices vary by the day.
Visiting multiple times? A SeaWorld San Diego membership may make sense for you.
Pro tip: There are periodic offers with SeaWorld San Diego discount tickets. Check the website when you are ready to purchase to see what SeaWorld San Diego deals are available.
Military Discounts to SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego has historically offered a military pass that gets military personnel and their families in free, but the exact terms change year to year. Check the official site for the current military offer before you plan around it.
SeaWorld San Diego Teacher Pass
SeaWorld has historically run a free teacher admission program. Like the military offer, the details shift, so confirm it’s running for the current year before you count on it.
Undercover Tourist
Undercover Tourist is a discount ticket broker that sells tickets for several theme parks. You can purchase several types of tickets, including single day admission, with or without a dining plan, annual passes, and tickets that include other San Diego attractions. This is usually my first stop for a discounted single-day price.
Third Party Bundles and Discounts
SeaWorld San Diego ticket discounts can be added to a bundle of attractions on third party websites. This may be a cheaper option if you plan to visit more than one attraction. The Go City San Diego Card for SeaWorld San Diego and San Diego Zoo is often a great deal.
You can also purchase tickets for the zoo only on sites like Tiqets.com and Get Your Guide.
Groupon
SeaWorld San Diego Groupon deals are available from time to time. Do the math to make sure this is actually the cheapest option.
How Much Is SeaWorld San Diego Parking?
Parking comes in at a ridiculous cool price of around $35 for general parking on the official site as of this update, with pricier Up-Close and VIP tiers and rates that move with the season (some secondary sources cite a little lower). You can purchase it ahead of time online or pay at the gate.
Pro tip: Undercover Tourist also sells parking passes at a slight discount.
Bonus pro tip: The SeaWorld San Diego annual passes include parking.
SeaWorld San Diego Quick Queue and Reserved Seating
Quick Queue
The SeaWorld San Diego queue times are long. To avoid the cattle call, you can add Quick Queue to your park ticket.
Quick Queue is a front of the line pass that gets you onto specific rides as many times as you want, like Universal Express Unlimited at Universal Orlando or Fastrack at LEGOLAND Florida.
Quick Queue has multiple options. The prices vary by the day and option you select, and SeaWorld doesn’t publish a flat rate, so check the day you plan to visit. Some of the choices come with front of the line access to SeaWorld San Diego rides, and some also include reserved seating at the shows.
Pro tip: You can add Quick Queue even if you do not purchase your ticket directly from SeaWorld San Diego.
Is SeaWorld San Diego Quick Queue Worth it?
If you can afford Quick Queue, it is absolutely worth it. Park hours for SeaWorld San Diego vary by the day, but they are limited. You will not have enough time to do everything in one day, let alone ride the same things multiple times. If you will only be there once, throw some money at this one.
Reserved Seating for Shows
You can purchase Reserved Seating for the shows without front of the line access to the rides. This option gets you priority seats.
Is Reserved Seating Worth it?
Reserved Seating is unnecessary. The theaters are huge. You don’t need to line up hours ahead of time to see the shows. If you aren’t dying to sit in the front row, skip this one.
SeaWorld San Diego Dining Sans Gluten
The park will accommodate your food allergy. You can request that a supervisor assist you when you place your order. None of this means it will taste good. Even the gluten-containing SeaWorld San Diego food is overpriced and underwhelming.
Pro tip: When we visited, there was gluten free pizza at a park pizza counter, complete with the plastic pizza cutter they hand you to cut it yourself to avoid cross contamination. Dining venues turn over, so ask Guest Services where the current gluten free options are when you arrive.
Is Outside Food Allowed?
SeaWorld San Diego does not normally allow outside food into the park, but guests with medical diets and baby formula can discuss their needs with a park representative. There are picnic areas located outside the park for those who want to bring their own food.
What About the Ethical Concerns?
SeaWorld gets a bad rap. People are understandably concerned. I made the mistake of watching Blackfish in sweatpants in the middle of the day while eating tacos on my birthday (obviously). I almost canceled the SeaWorld plans, but I’m glad I didn’t.
Is SeaWorld San Diego worth it given these potential issues? I believe it is, but you don’t have to.
I’m not sure what is going on behind the scenes, but it seems the employees are acting in the best interest of the animals. I may be way off on that, so you should decide how you feel before visiting.
2. San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the world for good reason. Its intricate theming and extensive animal exhibits make it one of the best things to do in San Diego with kids. It sits in Balboa Park downtown, which puts it within easy reach of the San Diego Natural History Museum if you want to pair them.
At a different location, there is a Safari Park that offers a different experience. More on that below.
What Animals Are at the San Diego Zoo?
Lead with the headline: the giant pandas are back. Yun Chuan (male) and Xin Bao (female) arrived in 2024 and now live at the new Denny Sanford Panda Ridge, included with general admission. After years of an empty panda habitat, this is the Zoo’s biggest current draw, so build your morning around it before the lines pile up.
There are several special animal exhibits that are not to be missed. The Zoo has historically shown off an “ambassador” pairing of a Labrador retriever and a cheetah that live together — that is not a typo — though whether it’s on display depends on the day, so don’t promise the kids until you confirm it’s out.
Do not miss the tortoises. They stretch their necks several inches to invite scratches from employees.
Pro tip: You might not be able to cover the entire zoo in a day with little kids. Review the San Diego Zoo map and make a touring plan so you don’t miss your priorities.
Bonus pro tip: The San Diego Zoo app will help you navigate the property while you are there. Download it.
Take Advantage of the San Diego Zoo Skyfari Aerial Tram
This. Zoo. Is. Hot.
On top of being located in a sauna, the zoo requires uphill climbing throughout the hundred-acre property. You will burn a lot of calories before you pass out. My younger son, never one to hide his displeasure, was not about to start for this picture.
Take advantage of the Skyfari Aerial Tram, still included with admission, to carry you to the top. It runs from 10 a.m. to close, subject to availability.
Pro tip: Ride it up, walk down one side of the zoo, then ride it up again and walk down the other side.
Bonus pro tip: Arrive early to beat the crowds and the heat.
How Do You Save on San Diego Zoo Tickets?
A one-day pass recently ran about $72 for adults and $62 for kids, with multi-day and combo passes costing more. Here’s how to keep the bill down.
Direct Purchase
You can purchase tickets for San Diego Zoo directly from the San Diego Zoo website. There are several options, including single day tickets, multi-day tickets, and San Diego Zoo memberships and annual passes. Some tickets let you visit both San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
You can add the 4-D theater for an additional cost. Check the available options for discounts for San Diego Zoo when you are ready to purchase.
Third Party Tickets and Bundles
Like with SeaWorld San Diego, you can purchase tickets to San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park passes in a bundle with other San Diego attractions for a discount. This may save you money if you plan to visit other attractions.
You can also find discounted single day tickets on sites like Viator and Tripadvisor.
Check the Go City San Diego Card for San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego if you want to visit both.
San Diego Zoo Groupon Deals
You can sometimes find a deal on Groupon. Compare prices, because it isn’t always cheaper.
San Diego Zoo Military Discount
Active duty military members get in free all the time. Spouses and dependents get ten percent off at the gate, even if the military member is not present.
There is no San Diego Zoo veteran discount as of this update.
How Much Is Parking at the San Diego Zoo?
Heads up: the Zoo used to be free to park, and that perk is gone. As of January 2026, the San Diego Zoo charges around $16 per day for a standard vehicle and $8 for City of San Diego residents (advance registration required), while members park free with registration. San Diego Zoo Safari Park charges around $20 per vehicle, with members parking free as of early 2026. Confirm current rates before you go, since these numbers are new and may keep moving.
Should I Visit San Diego Zoo or Safari Park?
Both San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are great properties. Choose the option that will appeal to your family.
Safari Park and San Diego Zoo Locations
San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park downtown.
Safari Park, on the other hand, is located in Escondido and can take as long as an hour to get there from the city.
Exhibits
San Diego Zoo animals are in enclosed exhibits.
The animals at the Safari Park are featured in more natural habitats, which means fewer animals that are more spread out.
Pro tip: The Zoo seems to work better for young children with short attention spans.
San Diego Zoo Gluten Free Dining
When we visited, an Asian-cuisine cafe offered gluten free options, but they could not guarantee against cross contamination. Dining venues change, so if you are concerned about cross contamination, confirm current options with Guest Services and lean on prepackaged food.
Outside Food Policy
You are allowed to bring in food, but it cannot be in a large container like a cooler. Glass, alcohol, and straws are not allowed.
3. La Jolla Cove Beach
If you’re looking for wild animals in San Diego, this is your place. It is a fun town with nice beaches, water activities, restaurants, and shops. The views are amazing.
Best part: La Jolla Cove is free to enter.
Location
La Jolla is located a few minutes north of downtown San Diego. It is an easy drive, so don’t let the location deter you.
La Jolla Beaches
The beaches are the perfect place to visit when in San Diego with kids. They are special because seals and sea lions have set up shop on the public beaches and claimed them as their own.
Some of the beaches are safe for humans.
Other areas not so much.
Important update since our visit: Point La Jolla — the rocks where the sea lions haul out — is now permanently closed to the public year-round by city ordinance. Walking onto the rocks to get close to the animals is prohibited and can get you cited. These are federally protected marine mammals, so the rule is no joke. You can still see them beautifully from the bluff and boardwalk above; just keep your distance and let the chubby sea lions do their thing in peace.
When we visited before the closure, one extremely committed sea lion chased my children off a rock. He was either all bark or extremely slow, so they were never in real danger — but these days, that rock is off limits, and honestly the view from above is better anyway.
Pro tip: The Children’s Pool beach nearby closes from December 15 to May 15 each year for harbor seal pupping season, so plan accordingly if that’s on your list.
Parking
There is street parking, but don’t bother competing for it unless you enjoy added stress. You can reserve a parking space prior to arrival on sites like Spot Hero to maintain your sanity.
La Jolla Restaurants
La Jolla has plenty of restaurants from which to choose, from quick-service spots near the shores to sit-down places with a view. If anyone in your group eats gluten free, call ahead — La Jolla’s restaurant lineup turns over, and it’s worth confirming options before you’re standing on the sidewalk with a hangry four-year-old.
San Diego with Kids FAQ
What is the best animal attraction in San Diego for kids?
For little kids with short attention spans, the San Diego Zoo is hard to beat — the giant pandas alone are worth the trip. For a full theme-park day with shows and roller coasters, SeaWorld San Diego wins. La Jolla Cove is the free wildcard you can add to either.
San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld — which one if I only have time for one?
If your kids are young and you want to see animals up close, do the Zoo. If you want rides, splashy shows, and an aquarium under one roof, do SeaWorld. If you can swing both, a bundle like the Go City San Diego Card usually beats buying separately.
Does the San Diego Zoo have pandas again?
Yes. Giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao arrived in 2024 and live at the new Panda Ridge habitat, included with general admission. Expect crowds, so see them first thing.
Can you still see the sea lions at La Jolla Cove?
Absolutely — you just view them from the bluff and boardwalk now. Point La Jolla, the rocky haul-out area, is permanently closed to the public, so you can’t walk out onto the rocks. The animals are still there in force, and it’s free.
What should I pack for San Diego with kids?
Sunscreen, water, and a change of clothes for the splash zone are non-negotiable. For the full rundown, see our Southern California packing list.
Final Thoughts – San Diego with Kids
San Diego with kids is always a great time. The weather is great, the scenery is beautiful, and the tourist attractions around San Diego are some of my favorite in the country. Hunt for discounted tickets to save money, build a tentative touring plan before you enter SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo, and budget for parking now that the Zoo charges for it.
Take a San Diego family vacation. You will not regret it.
I can’t wait to take a trip out West Coast in the future! San Diego has always been on my bucket list!