6 Thrilling Amusement Parks in San Diego for Families

You can’t visit San Diego without going to one of the many exciting theme parks. Hit new heights on one of SeaWorld’s many thrilling roller coasters or hop on the back of a truck and spot mysterious forms of wildlife at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

As San Diego locals, we often get asked about the best amusement parks in San Diego and visit them usually a few times a year, when we have friends and family members from out of town visiting. Planning is a big part of every vacation, before you decide which theme parks you and your family will visit, we’ll tell you all about them. Here’s our list of the best San Diego theme parks. We will also give you two great money saving tips, so keep on reading!

SAVE MONEY TIP: If you plan to visit multiple San Diego attractions, a great money-saving option is the GoCity Pass, which lets you bundle all the places you want to visit and save a lot of money.

If you want to visit the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Safari Park, you can get combo tickets and save money as well.

Bundle and save!

Best Amusement Parks In San Diego

San Diego Zoo

Address: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Opening Days & Times: Monday to Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm
Age Range: All ages
Free entrance with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass

San Diego Zoo is, without a doubt, one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Located in Balboa Park, the zoo is home to around 12,000 animals and represents over 650 species and subspecies. The wildlife park spans over 100 acres of land, giving these cute creatures plenty of space to roam freely.

The family-friendly park is filled with things to do other than the standard self-guided walking tours. Grab your camera and head over to the Animals In Action show, where you get the opportunity to meet your favorite forms of wildlife up close. 

Or take the Crazy About Cats Tour to travel by cart around the zoo and see the fascinating variety of different cats with a zookeeper by your side.

Before you arrive, download the San Diego Zoo app on your phone (iPhone & Android). You’ll have full access to a GPS map with the park’s attractions, dining options, activities, and more!

San Diego Zoo has its own parking lot, and it’s free of charge for any visitors. If you struggle to find a space, you’ll be able to park in one of the 11 free parking lots along the edges of Balboa Park.

Be sure to check out these San Diego Zoo Tips From A Former Employee before heading out!

Hotels near the San Diego Zoo:

Luxury: US Grant – A Luxury Collection Hotel
Mid-range: The Sofia Hotel + Hotel Republic
Budget: DoubleTree Hotel

San Diego Safari Park

Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027, USA
Opening Days & Times: Monday to Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm
Age Range: All ages
Free entrance with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass

Would you like to do something a bit different than roam through a typical zoo? Well, San Diego Zoo Safari Park gives visitors the opportunity to head into an expansive African savanna on a safari.

See giraffes in the distance munching on their favorite leaves, watch baby elephants trail after their mothers, and view how gorillas act in their everyday lives.

Of course, safaris are the main attraction in this theme park, but there’s so much more on offer. Book yourselves onto a Roar And Snore Sleepover, where you’ll get the chance to stay overnight amongst the wildlife. Imagine waking up to the sound of lions roaring!

Have you had your latest fix of adrenaline? Take an exhilarating 425 foot high zipline over the park’s wildlife. Get a bird’s eye view of rhinos, giraffes, and more. 

Feeling hungry? Venture over to the Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook to enjoy an array of delicious sandwich and salad options while watching the park’s animals go about their daily lives. The safari park has 17 dining options, so you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Parking is readily available at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for $15 per vehicle or $20 for an RV.

Hotels near the San Diego Safari Park:

Luxury: Hilton Garden Inn San Diego/Rancho Bernardo
Mid-range: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites San Diego-Escondido, an IHG Hotel + Best Western Escondido Hotel
Budget: Motel Mediteran

San Diego SeaWorld

Address: 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109, United States
Opening Days & Times: Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 5 pm. Friday + Sunday, 10am to 7 pm. Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm
Age Range: All ages
Free entrance with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass

SeaWorld is a San Diego theme park close to Mission Beach featuring high-speed roller coasters, live shows with marine animals, and more fun-filled exceptional experiences. 

Dangle on the edge before plummeting 14 stories down and soaring back up at 60 miles per hour through loops and spins on the Emperor Dive Roller coasters.

Watch high-flying bottlenose dolphins perform in front of your eyes while getting splashed. Become friends with a walrus through one of the many encounter experiences waiting to be had. The options are endless at SeaWorld.

You don’t have to pay extra to see any of the park’s animals unless you want to have a one-to-one with them. Admire cute penguins, pink flamingos, humongous sharks, harbor seals, sloths, and more.

There are plenty of dining and bar options at SeaWorld, Mission Bay, but to really make the most of it, consider purchasing the all-day dining deal. You’ll get to eat and drink all day every 90 minutes at Explorer’s Café, Calypso Bay Smokehouse, Hibisco Modern Mexican, and Manta Pizza.

If you’re considering bringing your vehicle, SeaWorld has parking available for $20, or you can pay for a premium space of $35.

Hotels near the San Diego SeaWorld:

Luxury: Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina
Mid-range: Ramada by Wyndham near SeaWorld / Mission Beach + Ocean Villa Inn
Budget: Motel 6-San Diego, CA

Legoland Carlsbad

Address: One Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008, United States
Opening Days & Times: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm. Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Age Range: 3 to 12 years old
Free entrance with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass

Legoland California is definitely one of the best amusement parks in San Diego. With over 60 electrifying rides, attractions, shows, and a sea life aquarium, your little one would never forgive you if you visited San Diego and didn’t bring them here.

All rides and attractions are made for children 12 and under, but if parents want to get on one or two, nobody will stop you. Grab your seats on the Bionicle Blaster and spin the wheel. The faster you and your family spin, the dizzier you get.

After, hop aboard the dragon and put your hands high in the sky as you zoom around sharp bends as fast as a rocket.

Discover what life is like underwater at the Sea Life Aquarium. Admire over 350 species while watching the staff scuba diver underwater to feed them.

If you have more than one day, take a trip to Legoland’s waterpark and spend some time at the 30 feet-high wave pool. Brace yourself for a lot of rolling around in the waves!

When you get a bit peckish, the Ocean Journey Cafe is always open to tame your hunger. 

Visitors lately have been struggling to find Legoland’s carpark on Google Maps. All directions should lead you to Legoland Drive. Car parking costs $27, and it’s $37 for an RV.

Hotels near Legoland Carlsbad:

Hotel in the Park: Legoland California Resort
Luxury: Omni La Costa Resort + Four Seasons
Mid-range: Westin Carlsbad
Budget: La Quinta + Motel 6

Belmont Park

Address: 3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109, United States
Opening Days & Times: Monday to Thursday, 11 am to 6 pm. Friday and Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm. Sunday, 11 am to 8 pm
Age Range: All ages
Free entrance & free rides with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass

A list of San Diego theme parks wouldn’t be complete without Belmont Park. Situated by Mission Bay, Belmont Park first opened in 1925 and has been serving the city’s residents ever since.

Bash your kids on the Overdrive Bumper Cars, try not to vomit on the Beach Blaster, and scream like a little kid on the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. Regardless of your age, Belmont Park has something that every family member will love.

Save Money Tip: Entrance to the park is free, but of course the rides and games add up quickly. If you want to stick to a budget or plan on spending a lot of time here, the All-Inclusive-Pass might be a cheaper option for you.

Are rides not your thing? Don’t worry. Tiki Town mini golf course awaits, or battle it against your lover in a game of laser tag. The winner will hold bragging rights for years to come. Before you leave, pop your head into the Old Time Photo Booth. Dress up with your loved ones and take hilarious photographs that can be hung up in your home when you return home.

Belmont park features a wide range of eateries to suit all tastes. Feeling Italian? Have some pizza at Round Table Pizza, or dive into some tacos at El Jefe.

There are four car parks available for park goers, and they’re free! Just get there early, especially on the weekends. The spaces will be snapped up in no time.

For a more information head on over to Belmont Park Complete Guide. (link needed)

Below are hotels near the Belmont Park:

Hotels near Belmont Park

Luxury: Bahia Resort Hotel
Mid-range: Pacific Terrace Hotel + Four Points by Sheraton San Diego – SeaWorld
Budget: La Quinta by Wyndham San Diego Mission Bay

Sesame Place

Address: 2052 Entertainment Cir, Chula Vista, CA 91911, USA
Opening Days & Times: Vary depending on the time of year. 10 to 4 pm
Age Range: 3 to 12 years old

Do you know someone who’s a huge Sesame Street fan? You need to take them to Sesame Place San Diego. The theme park is filled with rides and play areas your kids will love, like Abby’s Fairy Flight and Elmo’s Rockin’ Rockets. 

Have a meet and greet with some of Sesame Street’s characters in various corners of the park. They’ll be more than happy to get some pictures with you and your family.

Spend the other half of your day in Sesame Place’s water park. Parents can float down the lazy river slowly while children glide down waterslides into plunge pools. If you manage to get a second wind, join the kids on the Oscar’s Rotten Rafts for lots of twists.

Dine in one of Sesame Place’s many themed restaurants. Have a munch over at Monster Snacks or grab a hamburger at Grover’s Grill. 

Sesame Place has a parking lot for visitors to use. A space costs $30, and they sell out fast. If you miss out, you’ll be directed to another parking area for the same fee.

Hotels near the Sesame Place:

Mid-range: Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Chula Vista
Budget: La Quinta Inn by Wyndham San Diego Chula Vista + Best Western Chula Vista/Otay Valley Hotel

The Amusement Parks in San Diego is a paradise for anyone who loves theme parks. Each one has so much to offer and knows exactly how to bring out everyone’s inner child. Whichever park you visit, you’re in for a fun-filled day out!

The post 6 Thrilling Amusement Parks in San Diego for Families appeared first on San Diego Explorer.