22 Fun Indoor Activities for When It’s Raining in San Diego

You’ve booked your dream San Diego trip expecting picture-perfect weather. But if you’re visiting in the winter, early spring, or during May Gray and June Gloom, rain or overcast skies are possible. When outdoor plans fall apart, it’s smart to have at least one reliable rainy day activity in mind as a backup.

The good news is that there are plenty of things to do in San Diego when it’s raining. From museums and movie theaters to fully indoor attractions, you don’t have to stay home just because the weather turns dreary. Below are fun indoor activities in San Diego that work well on a rainy day.

1. Movie Theaters with Dine-in and Cozy Reclining Seats

When it’s raining in San Diego, a movie is an easy, weather-proof choice, but you don’t have to settle for a basic multiplex. Several upscale theaters around the city pair fully reclining seats with in-seat food and drink service. We love these for a comfortable way to wait out a gray afternoon or evening. Options include:

• The Lot: With locations in La Jolla and Liberty Station, The Lot is known for serving craft coffee, adult beverages, and delicious cuisine to your seat before and during the films. Reclining seats keep moviegoers comfy, while huge screens make it easy to settle into a long movie.
• Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Del Mar: Cinépolis offers fully adjustable reclining seats and attentive table service throughout the film. It’s a popular choice for date nights or adults-only outings, though there are additional Cinépolis locations around North County San Diego, including Vista and La Costa.
• UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley: A cozy, intimate theater that still shows all the blockbusters, this local favorite also offers comfy seats and cheaper drinks than the two above.

2. Bowling with Food, Drinks, and a Social Vibe

When you want to move your body but rain makes hiking or swimming less appealing, bowling is an easy, weather-proof option. Around San Diego, several bowling spots double as social hubs, with full menus, craft cocktails, and extra activities that make it feel like more than just a game.

If you’re willing to drive a bit out of the city center, Lucky Strike San Marcos promises a fun experience, complete with well-kept lanes and delicious drinks. Also in San Marcos is the huge Draft Republic brewery and restaurant with a great bowling alley inside. Plus, it has an arcade right next to it for the kids and lots of games out on the large grassy area at the back of the restaurant.

Punch Bowl Social in East Village is a trendy option that offers creative beverages and a variety of activities beyond bowling.

High-end spirits and made-from-scratch dishes make Tavern+Bowl East Village a favorite among locals and vacationers alike. Break Point serves drinks and food to bowlers in the Pacific Beach neighborhood.

3. Indoor Ice Skating

Bringing one of the greatest winter thrills to the warm environment of San Diego, indoor ice rinks can be enjoyed year-round. The following are worth a visit:

• UTC Ice
• San Diego Ice Arena
• Kroc Center
• Ice Realm Carlsbad

4. Indoor Rock Climbing

Try rock climbing for the ultimate workout that also provides a mental challenge. While it’s a bummer to miss out on the real deal when the weather fails to cooperate, you can still get a feel for the experience at one of the region’s indoor rock climbing centers.

Many are frequented by members, though day passes are usually available. Favorites include:

• Grotto Climbing
• Vertical Hold
• Mesa Rim Mission Valley
• Mesa Rim North City
• The Wall Climbing Gym

Balboa Park Museums in #5-10 (All Indoors, Easy to Combine)

I think one of the best places to go in San Diego when it’s raining is Balboa Park. While you may need to step outside briefly to move between museums, most are clustered close together, making it easy to spend an entire day here with minimal exposure to the weather, even with kids in tow.

5. Fleet Science Center

This Balboa Park gem appeals to science lovers and those struggling to get interested in STEM topics. Visitors of all ages love the center’s interactive exhibits specifically designed to educate and pique curiosity.

Parents and their young children will want to head straight for Kid City, which should easily keep the under-5 set entertained. Other visitors are encouraged to explore the Space Gallery and Studio X, a hands-on tinkering space.

In addition to numerous hands-on exhibits suitable for all ages, the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater, featuring a wraparound screen, offers a wonderful escape on a rainy day in San Diego.

6. San Diego Model Railroad Museum

As one of North America’s largest and most impressive model railroad museums, this fun attraction encourages you to unleash your inner child. Although some of its finest exhibits are outdoors, there are plenty of indoor options to keep you occupied.

Themed line and location categories beckon you to explore. The attention to detail in each of these spaces is astounding; there is never any doubt that the geniuses behind this attraction are passionate about railroad history. It’s a small San Diego museum, but really easy to pop into if you’re visiting the Fleet and the NAT.

7. San Diego Natural History Museum

Founded in 1874, the San Diego Natural History Museum has enlightened the Southern California community for generations. It boasts the distinction of being the second-oldest natural history museum located west of the Mississippi.

Locally known as theNAT, this vast museum’s several floors are jam-packed with exhibits on mineralogy, citizen scientists, and the evolution of whales.

Several fossils are on display, so, as theNAT claims, you can pack 70 million years into a rainy afternoon. I’ve been behind the scenes to see their museum collection, which is nothing short of impressive.

8. The San Diego Museum of Art & Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA@SDMA)

Thanks to a recent merger, you can now visit both The San Diego Museum of Art and MOPA@SDMA with a single ticket, which is a better value. On a rainy day, this pairing works especially well, as you can see two related but still different museums.

MOPA@SDMA is a good place to start. The photography and film exhibits are interesting to walk through, no matter your camera skills, and I love the gift shop. From there, you can walk over to SDMA’s main galleries (umbrellas out because it will be a quick dash in the rain) for a deeper look at global art from Old Masters to modern works.

9. San Diego Automotive Museum

Another great option for transportation enthusiasts, the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park offers a close-up look at the history and future of motor vehicles. Its exhibits highlight many types of cars and motorcycles, with a rotating collection that ensures visitors have something new to see every time they stop in.

10. San Diego Air & Space Museum

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is an easy rainy-day choice if you’re interested in aviation, space exploration, or American history. The galleries are mostly indoors and easy to navigate, which makes this a good stop when the weather turns gray.

Standout exhibits include the Apollo 9 Command Module and a full-scale replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, both of which provide interesting historical context. If you want something more hands-on, there are simulators and interactive areas to enjoy.

11. Comic-Con Museum

Thanks to the massive popularity of San Diego’s annual Comic-Con comic book convention, the Comic-Con Museum has joined the Balboa Park museum line-up. It celebrates and showcases what makes the convention great: comics, sci-fi, fantasy, and art.

Diehard fans and newcomers to the comic world can enjoy rotating immersive exhibits, special film screenings, and STEAM-focused art activities. This is definitely a great, unique-to-San Diego option for the whole family, rain or shine.

12. San Diego Central Library

If you’re looking for a quiet, indoor, and free rainy day activity, check the event calendar or spend some time browsing and reading books at the San Diego Central Library in Downtown’s East Village.

It’s not your typical neighborhood library (though don’t forget that yours is a good option, too), as it’s an architectural landmark with nine stories, large reading areas, rotating art exhibits, and a Rare Book Room.

13. Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla exposes you to all things water without actually forcing you to get wet. Every aquarium exhibit teaches you something about conservation and our ocean. I think no matter how old you are, you’ll walk away having learned something new because it is the public outreach center of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

My favorite things to see are the seadragons, seahorses, Leopard Sharks, kelp forests, and seabass in the main tank, and the totally adorable Little Blue Penguins.

14. Liberty Station Public Market

After a busy day of visiting San Diego museums, you might crave a special treat, and the indoor Liberty Station Public Market has plenty of delicious options. You can dine in or take it to go.

This unique food hall boasts some of the city’s finest cuisine, often at wallet-friendly prices. We like to grab items from several vendors and share them, from mini donuts to Hainanese chicken rice to lobster rolls.

If you’re willing to brave a little rain, a short stroll will take you to several excellent gift shops and galleries nearby. Many are accessible via covered walkways.

15. Check Out Local Breweries

Bar hopping is always an option in the Gaslamp District, but brewery visits across the county are even more enjoyable. San Diego is known as the Capital of Craft, thanks to our whopping 150+ independent breweries. Some of the best known ones include North Park Beer Co., Pour House Brewery, and Ballast Point.

Sample a few brews and small plates or appetizers, and you might find that you’re too relaxed to worry about the bad weather. Quite a few breweries are family-friendly, too, and feature ping pong or other games to play while sipping craft beer at your favorite tasting room.

16. USS Midway Museum

Even if you don’t actually enter the USS Midway Museum, it’s worth strolling past for the unique chance to see a naval aircraft carrier amid the impressive backdrop of downtown San Diego.

The real fun begins inside, however, as you learn what it was like to live aboard this historic ship. You’ll walk through the galley, sleeping quarters, engine room, and more while listening to a guided tour. Come with questions because some of the docents actually lived on the ship.

Whether it’s a rainy San Diego day or not, you’ll want to come prepared with layers, as temperatures vary throughout the ship.

Set aside plenty of time for the flight simulator and the Battle of Midway theater, both of which bring the USS Midway to life. One of the highlights, though, is the outdoor flight deck. Head up there anyway if it’s a light drizzle or come back to see it in the sunshine. (It’s a skip likely in a downpour.)

17. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla

A fantastic way to spend a rainy day in San Diego is a few hours exploring the Museum of Contemporary Art, then lunch in the adjacent restaurant, The Kitchen at MCASD.

You will see rotating contemporary art exhibitions, large-scale installations, and works by international artists, many displayed in light-filled galleries overlooking the ocean in La Jolla.

Check the calendar for events. If possible, try to take a docent-led tour to fully appreciate the art, the views, and why it’s such a special place, rainy day or not. And thanks to an enormous donor, kids under 18 are free.

18. Book a Spa Appointment

Where better to wait out the rain in San Diego than at one of our fantastic day spas? Most are located inside our top hotels and resorts. A few of my favorites include:

• The Spa at Fairmont Grand Del Mar (inside Fairmont Grand Del Mar)
• The Spa at Torrey Pines (inside The Lodge at Torrey Pines)
• Spa Estancia (inside Estancia La Jolla Hotel)

Plus, that way, you can use the lounging facilities and dine in one of the restaurants while you’re there.

19. San Diego Zoo

Don’t let a little rain stop you from experiencing a day at the San Diego Zoo. Some people actually prefer rainy-day visits, as precipitation tends to thin out the crowds.

Plus, many animals can be more active when the weather is cool and wet. Elephants love mud, for example, and panda fur repels water. In the event of a downpour, you can always take shelter in a shop or indoor exhibit like the Reptile House or watch a movie at the 4D theater. I’ve written a guide on visiting the San Diego Zoo in the rain to help you stay dry on the right trails.

20. New Children’s Museum (Downtown San Diego)

The New Children’s Museum in Downtown is a reliable rainy-day option if you’re visiting with younger kids and want something fully indoors. The focus here is on hands-on, interactive art rather than traditional exhibits, which makes it easy for kids to stay engaged without being told to look but don’t touch.

Don’t forget to try the indoor activities available in the Innovators LAB. It’s a great museum for kids that also doesn’t usually get the same crowds as the ones in Balboa Park.

21. Trampoline Parks

A great way to give your kids some rainy-day fun indoor exercise is to take them to one of San Diego’s many trampoline parks. In addition to what seem like hundreds of trampolines, many parks have basketball slam-dunk zones, foam pits, a video game section, and dodgeball areas.

Kids can bounce to their heart’s content while you enjoy a drink or snack in the seating areas (just don’t expect gourmet coffee). If you have little ones, you may be following them around to keep them safe from bouncing teens, but most parks have special areas set aside just for those under 5.

The most popular trampoline parks in San Diego are:

• Skyzone Carlsbad (which features the thrilling ‘SkyJump’ for the daredevils)
• Skyzone Chula Vista
• Get Air in Poway
• Sky Zone Miramar
• Jump Around Now Chula Vista

22. Escape Rooms

Grab your friends and family to try to escape from one of the many themed Escape Rooms across the county. It’s not the cheapest, but if you want to extend your fun in wet weather, Escapology is where I’d go.

It’s located at Belmont Park, so you can eat at Draft or a nearby restaurant before or after. There are also a handful of other indoor activities, like the arcade and some shops. You’ll have to walk outdoors a little bit, but it’s doable, plus there’s free parking.

Do You Recommend Visiting San Diego in the Rain?

Rain or shine, San Diego offers fun activities for every type of vacationer. People always ask me, though, whether they should postpone their vacations because the weather forecast calls for rain. They don’t necessarily want to spend a full day inside a hotel room, and I get that. The answer, though, is that it depends.

We are an outdoor city, but there are things to do on a rainy day in San Diego if you look for them. In reality, whether you cancel depends on what you plan to do. If your focus is on hiking, golf, boating, or outdoor water sports, you may want to consider postponing your trip if multiple rainy days are forecasted during a short trip.

If you’re looking to explore cultural activities, such as sampling our culinary and craft beer scene, or are interested in San Diego history, don’t cancel. Family travelers should head to a San Diego museum or two — many would be on a to-do list anyway.

Will Theme Parks Refund My Tickets If It’s a Rainy Day?

Here’s another FAQ we get quite a bit. The bottom line is that you’ll need to check the policies of each attraction and ticket seller. Because the answer, again, is “It depends.”