Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in North Pacific Beach

"In the heart of downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is 1,400 gorgeous acres of green space. (By comparison, New York City’s Central Park is 842 acres.) In 1915, Balboa Park was the setting for the Panama-California Exposition celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal and securing San Diego’s place as a port, which is why several of the city’s oldest and most ornate buildings can be found here. Many of those historic buildings now house robust museums such as the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego Museum of Art and family-friendly San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT)."

"Packed with trails, gardens, museums, zoos, theaters, concert stages and recreational facilities, it’s one of the biggest tourist attractions in the entire state of California. Nature lovers can stroll through dozens of landscapes that include everything from lily ponds to zen gardens. History buffs can take tours through museums, memorials, art houses, science centers and cultural institutes."

"This 1,400-acre site encompasses historical buildings, numerous museums, gardens, and green space. The park was created for the Panama California Exhibition of 1915-1916, and most of the buildings remain from that event. The predominant architecture is Spanish-style, with low-rise buildings that blend in with the natural surroundings."

"New Children's Museum is an interactive museum in San Diego that is a not-for-profit organization. It is a novel model of the Children's Museum that operates with a mission to pique creativity, imagination, and critical thinking in children and families via inventive and captivating experiences with modern art. The museum encourages children to think, play, and create through engrossing exhibitions, art-oriented activities, artistic performances, and educational opportunities."

"This interactive children’s museum offers interactive art meant for kids. Installations are designed by artists, so tykes can learn principles of movement and physics while simultaneously being exposed to art and working out the ants in their pants. Exhibits change every 18 months or so, so there's always something new."

"This one, you guessed it, is the epicenter of best activities for kids in San Diego. Balboa Park in Gaslamp Quarter has 17 museums that alone will keep the whole family busy for a whole day, at least. Activities like Sketch Aquarium and Reconnecting to Home have age restrictions."

"Crosby Street Park is a tiny little park that just happens to have a pier that extends way out into San Diego Bay which allows you to get some cool shots of the Coronado Bridge that most people may not have seen. Along the pier there are tug boats and military ships in the yards being fixed so it can give you some pretty interesting pictures. The park has lots of parking and this place is almost always deserted so  you will probably have it all to yourself."

"The Milk Bar offers you a long list of flavored milks that can be blended into milkshakes. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, cookies and cream, Fruit Loops, and chocolate peanut butter are just a few of the many flavored milk choices. The menu also consists of gourmet cookies and milk stouts."

"Enjoy the sights and sounds of beautiful San Diego Bay while browsing crafts and having delicious coffee & street food at Ruocco Park Market. With 15+ quality vendors there is something for everyone, from hand made jewelry, hats and clothing, to smoothies, Bao, Mexican, and artisanal coffee by @yipaocoffee. Enjoy the scenery & great vibe every Saturday from 10am to 5pm."

"Pacific Beach, Carmel MountainMix or match two freshly baked cookies or brownies on the outside and a huge scoop of decadent ice cream inside for the perfect hand-held treat at The Baked Bear. Whatever combo you choose, have it hot-pressed, drizzled with sauce, rolled in sprinkles, mini M&Ms, or Fruity Pebbles, topped with whipped cream, or all three.How to order:Limited seating is available on a first-come basis."

"Not that the classic thin brownie and vanilla ice cream sandwich isn’t great, but sometimes you just need to mix it up. Check out The Baked Bear, an ice cream sandwich shop where you can customize your base (cookies, brownies or donuts), your ice cream flavor and your toppings."

"You’ll find South Mission Beach at the extreme south end of the Mission Beach Peninsula. It’s one of the widest beaches in the city, so it’s a great place to play a game of beach volleyball or basketball. This beach is slightly more subdued than some of the others in the area, but it still gets crowded, so join the party as early as possible."

"You can always find beautiful photos to share from the beaches of San Diego. The photo below is actually a rare occurrence in Coronado where you can see a sunken ship at low tide. More: Where to Find the Sunken Ship in San Diego"

"Why go: It’s popular for bodysurfing and views from the walkway above and adjacent to La Jolla Cove. Boomer Beach is located just to the west of Ellen Browning Scripps Park and south of the Cove. It’s one of the smaller, lesser known beaches in La Jolla, and its exposure to stronger ocean waves and currents makes it less popular than neighboring Cove."

"Boomer Beach is located on the exposed western side of Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla. Because of exposure to the strong ocean waves it is less popular than […]"

"Boomer Beach is a small and ‘hidden’ waterfront located in Ellen Browning Scripps Park and is near La Jolla Cove Beach."

"If you want a beach that’s bit more lively, you can head down to Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. Both beaches are great for people-watching on the boardwalk. Make sure to grab drinks at a beachy bar, and even perfect your surfing skills at The Wave House. Yep, at The Wave House, you can surf an artificial wave (or watch others do it)!"

"Head even further north from Mission Beach and you’ll arrive at Pacific Beach. Known among the locals as P.B., if you’re looking for the stereotype of Californian beach life, you’re going to find it here. If you’re looking for a place to have a go at surfing, many newbies start out in the white water around P.B."

"Harry's Coffee Shop is popular with locals and tourists alike for an old-school, casual ambiance as well as enormous portions. Coffee is refilled quickly while the menu is varied featuring delicious omelettes and items with a Mexican flair. There's counter and booth seating as well as dog-friendly, al fresco dining in front."

"This La Jolla institution is renowned for their potato pancakes served with sour cream and applesauce but they've got everything from healthy egg white omelettes to throwbacks that include chipped beef on toast."

"Address: 3365 India Street, San Diego, California 92103Timings: 4pm - 2am, Monday - Sunday. Established by a pilot in the 40s, Aero Club Bar is one of the coolest watering holes near San Diego airport stocking, drawing crowds with pinball, pool tables, gaming booths and an extensive whiskey menu. Neon-lit aeronautical decor and spacious seating areas with wooden tables or couches create a welcoming retreat for travelers to calm shaky nerves."

"An award-winning nightspot, this place opened in 1974 and has a very casual vibe, features up-and-coming as well as established legends!. They host many different shows, events and live music too. You have to purchase your tickets online or at the ticket booth on the site."

"There’s live music being performed or curated at Belly Up almost every night. Belly Up is not ostentatious and has a more casual and on-the-go vibe to it, despite being an award-winning nightspot. Recent concerts include the Rolling Stones and Red Hot Chili Peppers."