1000+ Family Friendly Attractions for San Diego:
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- Theme Parks (22)
- Zoos, Aquariums & Animal Parks
- Museums
- Historic Sites
- Nature Centers & Gardens
- Cultural Centers
- Theater
- Indoor Play Centers
- Seasonal Attractions
- Scouting
| Venue | Community | Social Media Events | Notes | |
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xx: SD Air & Space Musuem Wings over San Diego |
Balboa Park | Facebook |
A thrilling place where kids can discover amazing airplanes and spacecraft. Explore interactive exhibits, sit in cockpit replicas, and learn about the wonders of flight in a fun and educational way! |
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xx: Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum In Rust We Trust |
Vista | Showcasing the evolution of industrial technology, the museum offers educational exhibits and live demonstrations, providing a hands-on experience of early steam and gas-powered engines and other machinery. | |
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xx: SD Automotive Museum | Balboa Park | Facebook |
A cool adventure for kids! Discover fascinating cars from different eras, sit behind the wheel of vintage models, and learn about the history of automobiles through fun exhibits that make learning about cars super exciting! |
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xx: California Surf Museum Preserving our Surfing Heritage |
Oceanside | Facebook |
celebrates the rich history and culture of surfing. Exhibits showcase surfboards, memorabilia, and the evolution of surfing, honoring legendary surfers and pivotal moments in the sport's development. It provides a comprehensive exploration of California's influential role in shaping surf culture. |
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xx: Children's Discover Museum of San Diego | Escondido | Since 1999 this Museum has been sparking a love a learning so all children can discover their wildest dreams! Today, it remains a top-tier, hands-on educational children's museum in North San Diego County, serving children ages 0-10 with interactive exhibits and programs focused on early STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math) education. | |
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xx: Comic-Con Museum Celebrating the Magic of the Popular Arts |
Balboa Park | For those who love superheroes and adventure! Dive into the world of comics, meet iconic characters, and explore interactive exhibits. It's a fun-filled journey where imagination comes to life through colorful stories and characters. | |
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xx: Deer Park Winery and Auto Museum | Escondido | World's largest Auto Museum of convertibles & Americana. | |
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xx: Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society | Fallbrook | - | Free Museum Open Fri & Sat. This group who share common interests in gems, minerals, jewelry, geology, paleontology and the related earth sciences and lapidary arts. |
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xx: Fleet Science Center | Balboa Park | Facebook |
A wonderland for curious kids! Explore hands-on exhibits, conduct exciting experiments, and uncover the mysteries of science. From interactive displays to dazzling shows. |
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xx: SD Hall of Champions Sports Museum | Balboa Park | The nations largest multi-sport museum, boasting three levels of memorabilia. Interactive exhibits make learning about sports history exciting and inspiring for young champions. Feel the thrill of victory! | |
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xx: Marine Corps Mechanized Museum | Camp Pendleton | The collection is open to the public during the week. When coming aboard Camp Pendleton, please ensure that you have a valid photo ID for every occupant of your vehicle along with current registration and proof of insurance. | |
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xx: Maritime Museum of San Diego | San Diego Bayfront | Facebook |
It's like a treasure chest of seafaring adventures for kids. They can explore historic ships, climb aboard tall ships, and imagine sailing the high seas. With exciting exhibits and pirate tales, it's a thrilling voyage through maritime history that kids will love. |
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xx: The Miniature Engineering and Craftsmanship Museum | Carlsbad | Displays are not generally of a nature that would appeal to most young children (do not touch!). The museum can, however, be an inspiring place for young people with a desire to learn how tools are used and things are made (both historical and current). | |
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xx: SD Model Railroad Museum | Balboa Park | A place where kids can see tiny trains chug through intricate landscapes. They'll marvel at miniature cities, mountains, and bridges. With interactive displays and hands-on activities, it's an exciting journey into the world of trains, sparking imagination and fascination with model railroading. | |
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xx: Museum of Making Music | Carlsbad | Facebook National Association of Music Makers (NAMM) |
Here kids can engage in interactive exhibits, play various musical instruments, and participate in hands-on activities. From creating rhythms to exploring diverse instruments, the museum offers an entertaining and educational experience, fostering a love for music and creativity in young visitors. |
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xx: Museum of Us | Balboa Park | Facebook |
All of us. — Inspiring human connections by exploring the human experience. Open Wednesday to Sunday, |
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xx: Natural History Museum of San Diego | Balboa Park | Discover the wonders of nature. Your children will encounter dinosaurs, fossils, and live animals, learning about ecosystems and biodiversity through hands-on exhibits and interactive displays. It's an exciting adventure into the natural world that inspires curiosity and appreciation for science. | |
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xx: USS Midway Museum | San Diego Harbor | Facebook |
This is a retired aircraft carrier turned maritime museum. Visitors can explore the ship's flight deck, hangar deck, and various exhibits, showcasing the history of naval aviation. It offers a unique and immersive experience of military and aviation history. |
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xx: SD Veterans Museum | Balboa Park Naval Hospital | - | Honoring heroes! Kids can explore inspiring exhibits showcasing the bravery of military men and women. Learn about history, see artifacts, and feel the pride in our nation's veterans through interactive displays and engaging stories. |
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xx: West Coast Clock & Watch Museum | Vista | - | Located on the grounds of the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Musuem. It is a very interest collection of unusual timepieces. |
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xx: WNDR Museum San DiegoNew:2024 | Gaslamp Quater | It's a wonderland of interactive art and immersive experiences for kids. They can have a magical journey through colorful installations, play with light and sound, and unleash their creativity in engaging exhibits. | |
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xx: Women's Museum of California | Balboa Park | Facebook |
Documenting the life and work of prominent female leaders and organizations' commitment to women's rights and representation. |
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zz: San Diego Museum Council | - | Facebook City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture |
This organization cranks out lots of news on special events and new developments with local museums and other local attractions. |
San Diego Desert / Mountain Museums[]
| Venue | Community | Social Media Events | Notes | |
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01: Heritage of the Americas Museum | El Cajon | The museum is on the campus of Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego. You'll find a unique collection of art, artifacts, and natural history specimens displayed in four exhibit wings: Natural History, Archaeology, Anthropology, and Art. | |
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02: Imperial Valley Desert Museum | Ocotillo | Facebook |
With exhibits on flora, fauna, and local history, the museum celebrates the unique ecology and cultural heritage of this rich desert environment and its importance, offering insights into the region's rich natural and cultural diversity. |
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03: Pacific Southwest Railway Museum | Campo La Mesa |
Facebook |
Museum showcases the history of regional railroads. Visitors can explore vintage trains, exhibits, and take scenic train rides through the picturesque countryside. With over 120 pieces of equipment and artifacts on display between our two facilities in Campo, CA and La Mesa, CA |
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04: Julian Pioneer Museum | Julian | visual narrative of Julian history from 1869 to the turn of the last century. Featuring Native Americans, gold-miners, blacksmith and other early pioneer residents. | |
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05: Anza Borrego Desert State Park Visitors Center | Borrego Springs | See the skull of the most complete Mammoth meridionalis (Southern mammoth) found in North America. And find out how these fossils were found and recovered from the desert badlands. | |
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06: Borrego Springs Desert Sculptures | Borrego Springs | Turn back the clock and take a visit to the Borrego Valley of the ancient past. There are now roughly 130 giant sculptures in the Borrego Valley, all are creation on one Ricardo Breceda. You can pick up a detailed map to the scuptures at the ABDNHA desert store, just one block west of Christmas Circle. |
Imperial Valley Museums[]
| Venue | Community | Social Media Events | Notes | |
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| See Also Imperial Valley Museums List | Imperial Valley |