fun to do kids downtown san diego california   Travel for Kids
  | California | San Diego
     
   

San Diego - Downtwon

  Maritime Museum – Since the 16th century, an accessible bay and good climate has made San Diego a popular stopover for ships. At the Maritime Museum, absorb the history of 19th century sailing and steam ships.
    Explore the Star of India, a British merchant ship that sailed to India and made 21 trips around the world. Standing at the helm, you can imagine this sailing ship under your command. In the hold, there are hands-on exhibits. Kids can try their hands at tying knots, hoisting loads, or testing out the bunks for sailors (rather compact). The captain's quarters were much more plush, with carpets and curtains.
    You can also tour the Medea, a 1904 steam yacht that sailed around Scotland, or the Berkeley, a 1898 ferryboat. On the Berkeley, there are tons of ships models, and those amazing ships-in-bottles.
  San Diego Bay Walk – The Bay Walk extends all the way from Shelter Island around the bay to the Embarcadero Marina Park. Bike, walk or rollerblade on the bay walk.
    From the Maritime Museum, walk south along the waterfront, to Tuna Harbor Park (picnic areas), on to Seaport Village, continue to Embarcadero Marina Park North and South, where there're picnic tables and grassy areas, right along the water.
    Going north from the Maritime Museum, head for Harbor Island or Spanish Landing.
   

USS Midway Museum – It's a biggie, the USS Midway aircraft carrier, in service from World War II to the Gulf War. Now a museum, you can run all over, checking out the acres of flight deck, the bridge, captain's and crew's quarters, fighter jets. Pick up the self-paced audio-tour to hear real-life stories of people who sailed on the Midway.

Tip: Free with Go City San Diego

    Seaport VillageStop into Seaport Village for a light meal, snacks, or get sandwiches for a picnic in the park. Buy a kite at Kite Flite, and fly it at the Embarcadero Marina Park. Little ones will want to take a spin on the 1890's Flying Horses Carousel.
Boats, boats, boats – The port of San Diego is teeming with boats of all kinds, sail boats, cruise ships, yachts, motorboats, Navy ships. A boat ride around the harbor is a "must do."
  Harbor Excursions – Take a one hour or two hour tour of the harbor. Sail under the Coronado Bridge, close to the Hotel del Coronado, past U.S. Navy ships, submarines and merchant ships.

Tip: Use Go City San Diego
  Ferry to Coronado – From the San Diego Broadway Pier, take the pint-sized ferry to the Ferry Landing Marketplace on Coronado Island. You get a great view of the harbor from the upper deck. Click here for the ferry schedule.
  San Diego Water Taxi – For short hops around the bay, take the San Diego Water Taxi from Broadway Pier. On-call transportation with stops at the Harbor Island, the Ferry Landing, Hotel Del Coronado and Glorietta Bay on Coronado, and Seaport Village. Call in advance, 619.235.8294.
      Whale Watching – December through April, take a whale watching trip to spot the gray whales in their yearly migration from Alaska to Baja California (and back). During your three hour trip, you'll have a chance to see these extraordinary whales, covered with barnacles, often traveling in mother and calf pairs.
    Tip: Stuck in the San Diego International Airport with some time to kill? Just walk across Harbor Blvd., and you'll find Spanish Landing Park. Have fun in the playground, watch the ducks in the water and boats in the harbor. Picnic tables and bike path.
facebooktwitterinstgramvimeo travelforkidspinterest