San Diego Theme Parks & Attractions
Roller coasters above the Pacific, the world's best zoo, a century-old wooden coaster on the boardwalk, and an aircraft carrier you can walk through — San Diego packs more world-class attractions into one region than almost anywhere on Earth.
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I thought San Diego was just beaches and burritos until I spent a full day at the Zoo and realized I'd barely scratched the surface. Then we did LEGOLAND with the kids, rode the Giant Dipper at sunset, and spent an entire afternoon on the USS Midway. This city has more world-class attractions per square mile than places ten times its size. The trick is knowing when to go, which tickets to buy online, and how to avoid the crowds. That's what this guide is for.
— Scott
We've organized San Diego's best attractions into three categories — Major Theme Parks with world-class rides and shows, Zoos & Animal Parks featuring the planet's best wildlife experiences, and Family Fun & Attractions covering museums, water parks, and hands-on adventures. Each card includes current pricing, what to expect, and who it's best for.
Major Theme Parks
Roller coasters, LEGO worlds, and oceanfront thrills
3 attractions
Best for Kids LEGOLAND California
Carlsbad
$109+ adults, $104+ kids
60+ rides, shows, and attractions built around the LEGO universe. Miniland USA recreates iconic cities in millions of LEGO bricks. Best for ages 2-12, with roller coasters, interactive dark rides, and build-your-own experiences. The water park is separate admission and worth the add-on in summer.
Must-Visit SeaWorld San Diego
Mission Bay
$60-90 online
Marine life exhibits meet world-class coasters. Emperor is San Diego's tallest, fastest, and only floorless dive coaster. The Orca Encounter show, penguin exhibit, and shark tunnel draw millions annually. Seasonal events like Electric Ocean turn the park into a nighttime light show during summer.
Belmont Park
Mission Beach
Free entry, rides $6-10 or wristband $35+
An oceanfront amusement park with century-old charm. The Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster has been running since 1925 and is a designated historic landmark. Beach Blaster, zip line over the boardwalk, bumper cars, and a laser maze round out the rides. Free to walk around — pay per ride or grab an unlimited wristband.
Zoos & Animal Parks
World-famous wildlife experiences you won't find anywhere else
3 attractions
Must-Visit San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park
$67+ adults, $57+ kids
Consistently rated the #1 zoo in the world. Home to 3,700+ animals across 650+ species, including pandas that returned in 2024. Africa Rocks, Lost Forest, and the Outback exhibit showcase habitats from every continent. The guided bus tour covers 75% of the park — start there, then explore on foot. Allow a full day.
Must-Visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Escondido
$67+ adults, $57+ kids
A 1,800-acre wildlife sanctuary where animals roam in open-range enclosures that mirror their natural habitats. The open-air Africa Tram safari is included with admission. Add-ons include the Balloon Ride for aerial views and the Flightline zip line over the enclosures. Roar & Snore overnight glamping lets you sleep next to the animals.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
La Jolla
$24.50 adults, $19.50 kids
A research aquarium run by UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The two-story kelp forest tank is mesmerizing, the seahorse nursery is one of the few in the country, and the outdoor tide pool exhibit lets kids touch real sea creatures. Perched on a cliff above La Jolla with stunning Pacific views. A quieter, more educational alternative to the big parks.
Family Fun & Attractions
Museums, aircraft carriers, water parks, and hands-on adventures
4 attractions
USS Midway Museum
Downtown
$26 adults, $18 kids
The longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, now permanently docked on the Downtown waterfront. Walk the flight deck with 30 restored aircraft, climb into cockpits, try the flight simulators, and follow the self-guided audio tour through the ship's galley, engine room, and crew quarters. Allow 3-4 hours — there's more here than you expect.
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Balboa Park
$23.75 adults, $13.75 kids
Full-size aircraft replicas including the Spirit of St. Louis, plus original spacecraft, engines, and aviation artifacts spanning over a century of flight. The 4D theater adds motion and sensory effects to aviation films. Located in the beautiful Ford Building in Balboa Park — combine it with the Zoo for a full day.
Best for Kids The New Children's Museum
Downtown
$16
Not your typical children's museum. Interactive art installations designed by commissioned artists let kids climb, build, paint, and play their way through rotating exhibits. Every piece is meant to be touched. The rooftop park and drop-in art studios keep families engaged for hours. Best for ages 2-10.
Knott's Soak City
Chula Vista
$45+ online
A 22-acre water park with 22 speed, tube, and body slides for every thrill level. The wave pool and lazy river handle the mellow crowd, while Pacific Spin and Shore Break deliver serious drops. Open May through September. Best visited on weekdays to avoid crowds — bring your own lounge chairs or rent a cabana.
Pro Tips for San Diego Theme Parks
Best Times to Visit
Weekdays in September and October are the sweet spot — summer crowds are gone, weather is still perfect, and many parks drop prices. Avoid holiday weekends and spring break (mid-March to mid-April). Arrive when gates open for the shortest lines.
Combo Tickets & Passes
The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park offer a 2-park combo that saves $20+. SeaWorld multi-day passes cost barely more than single-day. LEGOLAND bundles the water park and aquarium. Always buy online — gate prices are $10-30 higher across the board.
Parking & Getting There
Parking is $25-30 at LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, and Safari Park. The San Diego Zoo has free parking in Balboa Park (arrive early — lots fill by 11am). Belmont Park has metered street parking and paid lots. Consider the Trolley to Downtown attractions like USS Midway.
Seasonal Events
SeaWorld's Electric Ocean (summer) and Christmas Celebration are worth planning around. The Zoo does Nighttime Zoo in summer with extended hours and live music. LEGOLAND runs Brick-or-Treat in October and Holiday Snow Days in December. Check event calendars before booking.
Plan Your Theme Park Trip
Tell our AI planner which parks and attractions you want to hit and it will build a day-by-day itinerary — with ticket links, best times to visit, and nearby restaurants.
Start Planning →Frequently Asked Questions
For young kids (ages 2-12), LEGOLAND California is the clear winner — the rides, shows, and building experiences are designed specifically for that age range. For families with older kids and teens, SeaWorld offers a mix of marine life exhibits and serious roller coasters like Emperor. The San Diego Zoo is the safest bet for all ages — it's genuinely engaging whether you're 3 or 73.
Each major park (Zoo, LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, Safari Park) needs a full day. If you want to hit all four, plan at least 4-5 days and build in a rest day. Most visitors pick two parks and fill remaining days with smaller attractions like the USS Midway, Birch Aquarium, or Belmont Park — which only need 2-4 hours each.
No. The San Diego Zoo is in Balboa Park, right in the city — it's a traditional zoo with exhibits, walkways, and a guided bus tour. The Safari Park is 35 miles north in Escondido and feels like a wildlife sanctuary. Animals roam in large open-range enclosures and you view them from an open-air tram. Both are run by the same organization but are completely different experiences. The combo ticket covers both.
January through mid-March (excluding Presidents' Day weekend) offers the lowest prices and smallest crowds. Many parks use dynamic pricing — tickets on a random Tuesday in February can be 30-40% cheaper than a Saturday in July. SeaWorld regularly offers deals under $60 online during off-peak periods. Always check the parks' websites for flash sales and multi-day bundles.
If you plan to visit 3+ attractions, a Go City All-Inclusive pass can save 30-40% compared to gate prices. It typically covers the Zoo, LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, USS Midway, and Birch Aquarium among others. A 3-day pass is the sweet spot for most visitors. Just make sure the attractions you actually want are included — not every pass covers every park, and some have blackout dates.