25 Fun Things to Do in San Diego With Teens (And Tweens)

Families visiting San Diego, CA, with teenagers in tow will have no problem unplugging them for a bit to enjoy outdoor activities and even a little edutainment. We’re the perfect destination for this somewhat picky set (tweens included, too).

I’ve listed the best beaches, tours, museums, and other things to do in San Diego with teens and tweens. I’m also the mom of a teenager in San Diego.

Plus, a big part of what I do is help people visiting San Diego with kids plan their family vacations. I’ll also tell you how best to buy tickets where necessary to keep them on budget and where to stay.

Tip: Most of these attractions are on the Go San Diego sightseeing pass. These recommendations appeal to younger children, too.

San Diego Beaches for Teens

With 70 miles of coastline, it’s no surprise that some of it will appeal to the teen set. These three San Diego beaches offer the most activities that will appeal to teens and tweens.

1. La Jolla Shores Beach

La Jolla Shores Beach makes an excellent teen beach because of the activities on offer. Plus, the sand is gorgeous for regular beachgoing. Families often choose to base their San Diego vacations at one of the beachfront hotels (La Jolla Shores Hotel or La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club) for this reason.

The San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park is located right offshore. Its four habitats (rocky reef, kelp bed, sand flats, and a submarine canyon) are home to an abundance of sea life and cause waves to break gently.

This is why snorkeling, scuba, and kayak tours of La Jolla’s seven sea caves launch from here with ease. It’s also possible to boogie board and SUP. Excellent surfing happens to the north near Scripps Pier. Bring your gear or rent it nearby. Surf Diva offers lessons, clinics, and camps for kids and teens who want to learn how to surf or SUP (highly recommend) at La Jolla Shores, too. I also recommend Everyday California.

2. Pacific Beach/Mission Beach

Pacific Beach and Mission Beach are young-at-heart neighborhoods located right next to each other. Pacific Beach, in particular, is popular with the college crowd. The neighborhoods share a nearly 3-mile beach boardwalk that is fun to ride, bike, and skate (safely) along.

Along the boardwalk, you can find excellent fast-casual food and Belmont Park. San Diego Surf School, an excellent surfing school that my daughter has attended camps at, offers lessons, camps, and clinics in the more family-friendly North Pacific Beach near Law Street.

Teens will also like browsing the shops along Pacific Beach’s Garnet Avenue. (Note: This beach area does not appeal to all families, but teens tend to like it.)

3. Mission Bay

We’re lucky to have bay beaches and ocean beaches in San Diego. Mission Bay is a humanmade aquatic park that borders Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. Hotels like The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offer water sports equipment rentals onsite for families to check out and use including kayaks, SUP, aqua cycles, sailboats, and more. I’ll list these out in more detail below.

4. Coronado Island

Coronado beaches are some of San Diego’s best. Two appeal the most to teenagers.

Coronado Central Beach in front of Hotel del Coronado offers up gentle waves and a vast sandy area for beachgoing. The sand sparkles with gold flecks of a mineral called mica, which is pretty to see in the shorebreak. It’s a big beach, should the teens and tweens want to break from the family to walk along the shoreline for shelling and even some winter tide pooling. You can learn to surf here, too.

Silver Strand State Beach in front of Loews Coronado Bay Resort is also a quintessential SoCal beach with lots of space on the sand and in the water to enjoy. Loews at the Strand (seasonal) offers beach rentals (free for hotel guests). Coronado Surfing Academy provides surfing lessons here. Enjoy fishing, swimming, shelling, surfing, camping, and all sorts of beach activities here.

5. La Jolla Seals and Sea Lions

This age group probably won’t do much beachgoing in this area, but they do like walking between the La Jolla sea lions and seals. The sea lions hang out at La Jolla Cove, and the seals are just down the way at Children’s Pool Beach, a great spot for children to observe the seals.

Teens will love taking photos of our pinnipeds. You can stay on the boardwalk and usually manage to snap a selfie with them in the background. (Resist the temptation to get close to these wild animals.)

Popular Amusement Parks and Theme Parks

Teens, tweens, and children can have a great time at any of San Diego’s amusement parks and theme parks, but these are favorites.

6. Belmont Park

Our seaside amusement park is home to a historic roller coaster (which might be a tame ride by some teen standards), a variety of hair-raising rides, carnival games, a zip line, mini-golf, giant ice cream cones, Dole Whip, and more ways to spend a half-day. The beach is a few steps away, so they can easily run back and forth from the sand to the attractions.

If rides are on the agenda, buy a wristband or check Groupon for a deal (they sometimes have wristbands) as a la carte tickets add up quickly. The Go City San Diego pass includes an Attractions Pass to Belmont Park San Diego.

7. SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego has upped its ride offerings with four roller coasters that older kids love. The Electric Eel is currently the city’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, featuring looping twists, an inverted heartline roll, and 60 mph speed. Tidal Twister is a dueling roller coaster and you can look forward to California’s first floorless dive coaster called Emperor.

Tweens and teenagers will also love the Shipwreck Rapids water ride with its waterfall finale and the Journey to Atlantis roller coaster/water ride. And, of course, there are the usual animal shows, festive foods, chances to learn about wildlife conservation, and other must-see attractions that younger kids like, too.

8. San Diego Zoo Safari Park

While all ages love the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, teens particularly enjoy these two safaris. 

Flightline Safari is a zip line up to 130 feet in the air while spying rhinos, giraffes, and more along the way. It’s two zip lines, a 1-hour adventure in total, and you can rent a helmet camera should you want to record the trip.

Teens also like this park for up-close animal encounters like the Wildlife Safari that takes you to the big animals in the African Plains.

Be sure to look at the calendar of events during your dates. Other fun activities include Sun Up Cheetah Safari (see how fast they run) and Roar and Snore Safari (spend the night!). The park also receives many grants to support its wildlife conservation programs, which teens can learn about during their visit.

9. San Diego Zoo

No visit to San Diego is complete without a stop at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, which is chock full of family activities.

Spend a day or half-day viewing favorite animals, enjoying the Skyfari Tram ride, or taking advantage of upgraded experiences (some are for ages 12 and older) like Keeper for a Day. There is also no need to pay full price as you can use my ticket discount.

San Diego Museums for Teens and Tweens

This age group’s advantage is that they may have a deeper understanding of history or appreciation for art based on what they’re learning at school. San Diego’s military history is one thing, but the city is also considered California’s birthplace, so there’s lots to learn while having fun.

10. USS Midway Museum

All ages should plan a visit to the USS Midway Museum if time permits. It was one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers of the 20th century, serving from 1945 through the Cold War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and other events up to 1992.

It’s now a museum docked at the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego. The audio tour (free with admission) is narrated by 70 sailors who served onboard and leads visitors through the galley, sleeping quarters, mailroom, engine room, and more throughout the aircraft carrier. Grab tickets.

12. Balboa Park Museums

Take the teens and tweens to Balboa Park for the day, but have a Go San Diego pass or Balboa Park Explorer Pass to save money on museums. They aren’t huge, which means you WILL see more than one, and that admission adds up, trust me. Any Balboa Park museum will do, but these pique the interest of teens:

• Museum of Photographic Arts: Perfect for those interested in filmmaking or photography.
• Fleet Science Center: All ages love hands-on science exhibits and IMAX movies.
• Museum of Us: Go to this anthropology museum to learn about cannibals, mummies, the origins of race and racism, the Kumeyaay native Californians, and more.

While in Balboa Park, you can take advantage of the hiking trails and places to eat. (Local teens who are college students can actually get a discounted annual Explorer Pass.)

San Diego Tours and Sightseeing for Teens

Sightseeing is far from dull in San Diego if you know which tours to book.

13. Patriot Jet Boat

As rock music blares, ride at speeds of up to 50 mph past military ships, along the downtown skyline, and under the iconic Coronado Bridge on the Patriot Jet Boat.

You will get wet on this 30-minute thrill ride, but teens will love it. It departs from the Embarcadero near many downtown San Diego hotels. Patriot Jet Boat operates daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and then weekends only through the rest of the year. Reserve your time in advance.

14. Speed Boat Adventures

This guided boat tour program involves driving your own 16-foot mini-speed boat in the San Diego Bay, narrated by a guide in a boat ahead of you.

There is quite a bit to learn on the bay, including San Diego’s military history, tidbits about wildlife, and even the discovery of California at Cabrillo National Monument.

Drivers must be 16 years old with an adult in the boat or 18 years old to drive alone. Reserve your time and boat in advance. 

15. eBike Tours

Take an electric bike tour with San Diego Fly Rides (or, rent your own). You’ll still pedal, but these bikes take riders with ease up hills and on longer rides while you enjoy and learn about the San Diego coastline.

Favorite rides include the SoCal Rivera bike tour and, teens may particularly like the Cali Dreamin’ bike tour of both La Jolla and Pacific Beach.

Outdoor Activities Like Hikes and Water Sports

I already covered some of the ocean activities available at some of the beaches, but here are a few other examples.

16. Family-Friendly Hikes

As they get older, our local teens tend to want to brave the more difficult hikes. But ours tend to frequent Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. I think it’s easy for them to get to and navigate the trails for a bit, then maybe go to the beach.

For a unique hike, try Annie’s Canyon Trail at San Elijo Lagoon. It will take about an hour, is fairly easy, and there are some great slot canyons.

(My answer to taking the Ho Chi Minh trail down to Black’s Beach is no. It’s not safe for adults, so it’s not safe for teens, especially those just visiting—in case your kids ask about this one.)

17. Water Sports on Mission Bay

You’ll find water sports rental places all around Mission Bay. Each of the bayfront hotels has rentals for kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, aquacycles, sailboats, and even ski boats through Action Sports Rentals (where you can reserve online) or other vendors. The hotels include:

• Catamaran Resort Hotel
• San Diego Mission Bay Resort
• Paradise Point Resort
• The Dana at Mission Bay
• Hyatt Regency Mission Bay

Even if you’re not staying at the hotels, you can still rent equipment from them. Another great place is Mission Bay Aquatic Center, which offers wakeboarding lessons, windsurfing and other lesson. You should also check out their summer camps.

Other Fun Things to Do in San Diego With Teens and Tweens

The best of the rest to put on your San Diego family travel bucket list.

18. San Diego Padres Game or Petco Park Tour

If it’s baseball season and you’re in San Diego with teens or tweens, head to a Padres game. PETCO Park is conveniently located in downtown San Diego, near some of the city’s best shopping and restaurants. The park itself also houses smaller outlets of popular restaurants like Blue Water Seafood, Pizza Port, Lucha Libre, and many more.

PETCO Park has been recognized as America’s No. 1 ballpark by USA Today. If the Padres aren’t playing, you can still take one of the daily guided, behind-the-scenes PETCO Park tours.

19. La Jolla Zip Zoom (Seasonal)

It’s a day trip, but San Diego County is home to California’s longest zip line. The La Jolla Zip Zoom is located in Pauma Valley, about 90 minutes from downtown San Diego.

It has four courses ranging from 300 to 2700 feet in length. You’ll reach speeds of up to 55 mph, and since it’s a side-by-side zip line, you can experience it together. You must be 48″ tall and 65-250 lbs. It’s open in the spring, summer, and early fall but closes in the winter, roughly.

20. Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego doesn’t seem like a place for teenagers and tweens, but I can tell you that the whole family will enjoy a few hours spent here, capped off with some Mexican food. In fact, if you choose one of the restaurants adjacent to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, it’s easy to let older kids walk around on their own to browse shops for souvenir trinkets and maybe even check out some of the free museums (perhaps while you leisurely sip a margarita).

I mean there is a real haunted house (Whaley House) and a kind of creepy cemetery (El Campo Santo Cemetery) mixed in with Mexican candy shops, candle making, souvenirs, trinkets, and more!

21. San Diego County Fair (Memorial Day through July 4th)

The teens in my orbit go to the San Diego County Fair at least once in the summer. The reason why it’s not more is because of the price. The cost of rides and food adds up. Nonetheless, it’s a fun annual tradition filled with deep-fried Oreos, people watching, and carnival rides.

Fun San Diego Instagram Spots

For the teenagers and tweens who love Instagram, turn to San Diego’s street art and drool-worthy desserts. These suggestions are near tourist spots.

22. Find Murals and Desserts for Your Feed

La Jolla has a couple of murals that are accessible at street level. Take a look at the map of current projects. (Favorite Color at 7596 Eads Avenue, La Jolla, is popular.)

North Park’s Pigment store is a place both parents and teens may like. Take a photo inside and against the colorful exterior living plant wall. The “Greetings from San Diego” mural also awaits in North Park.

When it comes to desserts, check out these San Diego Instagram spots (but there are so many more, especially in the Convoy area):

• @donutbar (Downtown and Pacific Beach)
• @holymatchaa (North Park)
• @hammondsicecream (North Park — ice cream flights!)
• @bobabarsd (Convoy – boba, Hong Kong waffles, crazy ice cream)
• @somisomiicecream (Westfield UTC, Kearny Mesa) — very, very popular with local teens for taiyaki ice cream
• @binghaus (Convoy – rolled ice cream)
• @parisiengourmandises (La Jolla – rolled croissants)

Where to Go Shopping With Teens in San Diego

Here’s where our local tweens and teenagers like to go shopping.

23. Westfield UTC Mall

Our Westfield UTC mall near La Jolla is a neat lifestyle complex that the whole family will love. Stores they like include H&M, Zumiez, Vans, Lululemon, Lush, Sephora, and many others. Other stores range from Nordstrom to Hermes to Geppetto’s Toys, so the whole family will love it.

24. Pacific Beach

The other popular shopping spot is on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. It’s eclectic, and you might see some smoke shops and bars, but there are also second-hand shops to browse for cool finds, cheaper accessory shops, places for desserts (like Mr. Frosty), Brandy Melville, Urban Outfitters, Vans, and more.

25. Carlsbad Premium Outlets

We have a handful of San Diego outlet malls, but since many families choose to stay in Carlsbad hotels I’ll mention Carlsbad Premium Outlets. You can find deals on Nike, Kate Spade, Puma, Tory Burch, Volcom, and more.

Bonus Activity: Tour Colleges for Students

This might not be an activity on everyone’s list, but we have four excellent universities here.

• UC San Diego
• San Diego State
• University of San Diego
• Cal State San Marcos

You can take a self-guided tour of anyone, but it’s better to check their websites and register for a tour.

Where to Stay in San Diego With Teenagers

All of the San Diego hotels that I work with will be fine for teenagers and teens. However, this group tends to like to stay in San Diego beachfront hotels where there are things to do within walking distance. My top family trip picks include the links below.

• Pacific Terrace Hotel is located on the Pacific Beach boardwalk near teen-centric shopping.
• La Jolla Shores Hotel or La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club: Both are located on La Jolla Shores Beach and within walking distance to a handful of shops and restaurants in the La Jolla Shores business district. This beach is a great place to learn how to surf or SUP.
• Hotel del Coronado: Teenagers and tweens love this full-service resort, the beach, the Main Pool, and walking around Coronado shops on Orange Avenue.
• South Mission Beach vacation rentals: This part of Mission Beach is more family-centric, with easy access to sand volleyball courts, Belmont Park, a gorgeous beach, and Mission Bay water sports.

For more details, see my list of top San Diego family hotels and resorts.

What are your favorite things to do in San Diego with teens and tweens?