Family-Friendly Activities in San Diego
San Diego is one of the best family vacation destinations in the country, and Ocean Beach makes an excellent home base. From the San Diego Zoo to beachside amusement parks, there's no shortage of things to keep kids entertained. Many attractions offer discounted children's tickets, and several are completely free. Here are the best family-friendly activities near OB.
16 attractions in this category
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban cultural park in the heart of San Diego, home to 17 museums, performing arts venues, beautiful gardens, and the worl...
San Diego Zoo
One of the most famous zoos in the world, the San Diego Zoo is home to over 12,000 animals from 650+ species across 100 acres within Balboa Park. Know...
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego is a marine life theme park on the shores of Mission Bay featuring roller coasters, animal exhibits, live shows, and interactive ex...
USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum is an aircraft carrier museum located on the San Diego waterfront. The longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, it ...
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego is the birthplace of California, preserving the city's history from the Mexican and early American periods (1820s-1870s). The park ...
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a beachfront amusement park in Mission Beach featuring the historic Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster (built in 1925), a wave pool, r...
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, Birch Aquarium showcases the marine life of the Pacific Ocean and the cutting-edg...
La Jolla Shores Beach
La Jolla Shores is a wide, gently sloping sandy beach ideal for families, beginner surfers, and kayakers. It's the main launch point for guided kayak ...
Coronado Beach
Coronado Beach is a wide, flat sandy beach consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The gleaming white sand sparkles with mica flecks,...
Mission Bay Park
Mission Bay is the largest aquatic park in the country at 4,235 acres, offering calm bay waters perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, jet ski...
Liberty Station
Liberty Station is a vibrant dining, shopping, and arts district built on the former Naval Training Center in Point Loma. With over 120 businesses inc...
Seaport Village
Seaport Village is a waterfront shopping and dining complex on San Diego Bay featuring unique shops, restaurants, and harbor views. With a historic ca...
Maritime Museum of San Diego
The Maritime Museum houses one of the largest collections of historic vessels in the country, including the Star of India (the world's oldest active s...
Silver Strand State Beach
Silver Strand State Beach stretches along the narrow isthmus connecting Coronado to Imperial Beach. With calm bay water on one side and ocean waves on...
Cabrillo Tide Pools
The tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument are some of the most accessible and diverse in San Diego. At low tide, rocky pools reveal sea anemones, h...
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a 1,800-acre wildlife sanctuary in Escondido (about 35 miles from OB) where animals roam in expansive habitats resemb...
Planning a Visit?
Find accommodation near these attractions across San Diego's beach neighborhoods.
Explore More Categories
Beaches Near Ocean Beach
The best beaches near Ocean Beach, San Diego — from wide sandy shores to hidden coves and tide pool spots.
Museums & Culture in San Diego
World-class museums, art galleries, and cultural attractions near Ocean Beach, San Diego.
Parks & Nature Near Ocean Beach
Stunning parks, nature reserves, and outdoor spaces near Ocean Beach, San Diego.
Free Things to Do in San Diego
Free attractions, activities, and things to do near Ocean Beach, San Diego — no ticket required.
Outdoor Adventures Near Ocean Beach
Hiking, surfing, kayaking, and outdoor adventures near Ocean Beach, San Diego.
Dog-Friendly Things to Do in San Diego
Dog-friendly beaches, parks, and activities near Ocean Beach — San Diego's most pet-friendly neighborhood.