Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in National City

"Balboa Park is where the arts, culture and history of San Diego come together to create a 1,200 acre wonderland filled with unforgettable experiences for people of every age. Thriving botanical beauty flourishes throughout and surrounds 15 museums, a variety of performing arts and musical theaters, exotic gardens, fabulous restaurants, upscale shopping, the San Diego Zoo and exquisite Spanish Moor architecture. Known as America’s largest urban cultural park, more than 500,000 visitors come each year to delight in the beauty and amazing attractions of Balboa Park."

"Nothing had quite the same impact on our San Diego architecture as did the Spanish Colonial Style Confections in Balboa Park, which revived an enthusiastic interest in this type of Spanish-style architecture. Designed in 1915, this building is an exhilarating mélange of various architectural styles. While they may have been somewhat haphazardly thrown together, they still manage to attain striking visual harmony."

"Balboa Park is one of the most Instagrammable parks in San Diego!. While you’re there, don’t miss the lily pond!. This reflection pool is not your average little lily pond."

"With immersive art studios, interactive art installations, and workshops and camps, The New Children’s Museum strives to stimulate creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through engaging experiences and contemporary art. The museum itself is housed in a dynamic space and is one of the first fully green museums in San Diego. It commissions artworks from local artists with which children can interact and engage and, as a result, always has something new to offer visitors."

"The Children’s Museum provides a dynamic, playful public space and community center for children and families—a place to experience exciting art exhibitions, hands-on studio projects, performances, birthday parties, in-depth classes, camps and educational programs. Across the street from the new building is a beautiful park, extending the museum visit outdoors with space for running, climbing, family picnics and a view of the trains and trolley going by."

"Originally in La Jolla, the New Children’s Museum opened in its current light-filled downtown space in 2008. Entering the multi-story, 50,000-square-foot space, it’s immediately evident that a lot of thought and imagination has gone into the museum’s design. Off the bat, a room lined entirely with mattresses invites kids to literally jump on the bed."

"Taiwanese “snow” is shaved off large cylinders in ribbons so pretty they resemble peonies. Flavor choices include lychee, Stumptown coffee and matcha and toppings include everything from cheesecake and panna cotta to popping boba. The folks at Iceskimo offer this pro ordering tip: "request condensed milk layered in the middle for extra sweetness and creaminess."

"Save some room after dinner for Iceskimo's Taiwanese shaved ice - a style somewhere between ice cream and Hawaiian shaved ice. The handmade ice blocks in flavors like black sesame and matcha green tea are shaved down and then topped with tantalizing extras like Nutella, lychee, bananas foster, and oolong milk tea."

"Imagine if ice cream and shaved ice had a baby—that's Iceskimo. The refreshingly light textures complement the creamy flavors and make something beautiful. You choose from a plethora of shaved ice flavors and then customize your creation with their selection of toppings."

"Check out this scoop shop in Carlsbad Village and Del Mar Highlands too. Grab a giant scoop for your whole brood, after the beach, dining or visiting the Wednesday Farmer's Market. What's more, you'll get to choose from over 32 flavors."

"La Jolla Strand Beach is located along Neptune Place between Palomar Avenue and Gravilla Street in La Jolla. There are several stairs along Neptune Place in this area so you […]"

"Rosarito Beach is a resort town on the coast of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. It’s known as a nightlife destination for U.S. visitors due to its proximity to the border. Area beaches known for strong surf include Rosarito in town, Medio Camino in the south and Baja Malibu to the north."

"We had a great time visiting the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park and actually ended up going twice while we were in San Diego. (Our reciprocal membership made this possible.) It wasn’t the largest Science Center we have been in, but it had a great collection of hands on activities for the kids – including a Lego section. Our favorite part was the Tinker Lab where the kids eyes lit up when they saw tons of cardboard and other fun materials they could use to build whatever they wanted."

"The Fleet is home to Southern California’s only IMAX® Dome Theater and 100+ hands-on science exhibits for all ages. Watch immersive giant-screen films and amazing planetarium shows in the Eugene Heikoff and Marilyn Jacobs Heikoff Dome Theatre and experience seven galleries of fun, interactive exhibits at this popular San Diego attraction."

"Children of all ages are in for a real treat when visiting the Fleet Science Center. From virtual reality to interactive exhibits and the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater, most folks are having too much fun to realize they’re learning!. In the IMAX Theater, see the biggest films on the planet and feel the sensation of floating in space."

"Bringing Paris to La Jolla, acclaimed chef Jean Michel Diot unveils bistronomie cuisine, a culinary concept that blends bistro favorites with...Read More"

"I have been coming here for 15 years, but hadn't been back since Covid. Have been twice in the last couple of weeks, and it's even better than..."

"Francophiles will love this chic new Parisian style bistro and its culinary ode to Provençe – think escargot, steak frites, fromage, plus French beers and wines. Leading the kitchen is executive chef Matt Sramek who worked under Thomas Keller at Bouchon in Beverly Hills. Now open early on the weekends there’s a morning menu until 11 a.m."

"Little Frenchie was one of my favorite spots on Coronado Island. There are many brunch places around, but this one had to be the cutest in my opinion."

"Situated on top of a cliff, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse used to be the most elevated lighthouse in the United States. It was so tall, in fact, that the clouds often hid it from view, so lighthouse keepers would fire shotguns at approaching ships to keep them away. Things are much less dramatic now, but the Old Point Loma Lighthouse is still great in terms of San Diego attractions."

"It commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542; first time that a European expedition had set foot on what later became the west coast of the United States. The lighthouse, which is often used to depict San Diego, dates from 1855 and was decommissioned in 1891. Both are part of the National Park Service."

"This historic lighthouse stands watch over the San Diego Bay at Cabrillo National Monument. It has magnificent birds-eye views of the bay and is a fantastic photo spot. The cost to enter Cabrillo National Monument is $20/car or $10/individual on foot or a bike."

"San Diego Itinerary Day three: Balboa Park and Point Loma Day three begins in Balboa Park, San Diego’s cultural epicenter and home to over 15 museums. Stroll around and take in the beautiful grounds, gardens, and Spanish architecture, and explore one of the museums if you’re inclined. My favorites are the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Man."