A San Diego Vacation That'll Make The Whole Family Happy

So you want to take a family trip, but you don't want to get stuck doing things that only the kids will enjoy (or only the parents? Is that a thing?).

Our solution? Plan a San Diego vacation. A West Coast bastion of laid-back SoCal vibes, this coastal city holds a little something for everyone, from the country's finest zoo to outdoor activities like snorkeling and sightseeing cruises that appeal to a wide age range. Trust us: even your teenager will be into this itinerary (even if they won't admit it). Here's what to do while you're there.

Visit The San Diego Zoo

Hailed as one of the best zoos in the world by pretty much everyone, the San Diego Zoo encompasses nearly 100 acres populated by more than 3,700 majestic animals. The zoo also owns Safari Park, a sprawling 1,600-acre wildlife preserve that gives families an experience much closer to a real-life expedition.

Get there early: And not just to beat the crowds. As Zoo Ambassador Rick Schwarz told us in our interview, the animals tend to be most active first thing in the morning, and more likely to be snoozing in the middle of the day.

See the pandas: You can only find giant pandas at a handful of zoos in the U.S., so don't skip the Panda Trek even if it's crowded. The birth of the youngest, Xiao Liwu, in captivity in 2012 represents another extreme rarity.

Shop admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and read more about planning the perfect day there in our insider's guide.

Explore La Jolla Underwater Park

This expanse of rocky reefs, kelp beds, sand flats, and underwater canyons is a snorkeler's paradise, partly due to the varied terrain and partly due to the excellent underwater visibility, which sometimes stretches beyond 30 feet. Within the park you'll find two conservation areas—the Ecological Reserve and the Marine Life Refuge—so you're likely to encounter sea lions, fish, (harmless) leopard sharks, and other aquatic life in droves.

Caves of wonders: Seven caves lie within the cliffs at La Jolla Cove. One, Sunny Jim's, is accessible via a tunnel at a landmark known as The Cave Store. The rest can only be reached by kayak, but they're worth the trouble.

Seal spotting: A short stroll from La Jolla Cove sits Children's Pool Beach, where a man-made breakwater once created a safe place for kids to play. Now it's better known as a spot to snap pics of the seals that started taking over the beach in the '90s—and who pretty much own it now.

Shop deals on La Jolla kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and tours from Everyday California.

Take a Whale-Watching or Sightseeing Cruise

Whale-watching season covers much of the calendar in San Diego, whether you're catching the passing migration of gray whales from mid-December to April or the temporary residence of blue whales from mide-June to September. The rest of the year remains a wonderful time to take in the city's skyline from the water as well.

Choppy seas tip: Many users on this San Diego Whale Watch deal praised the crew for reminding them to take seasickness medication, saying it helped them deal with the choppy waters that can form far from the shore where blue whales congregate.

Need for speed: Sightseeing takes a backseat during the Patriot Jet Boat thrill ride, which reaches speeds of up to 50 mph and features heart-pumping 360° turns, all set to rock music.

Shop all deals on whale-watching and boat tours in San Diego.

Roam Balboa Park

At 1,200 acres, this urban park and cultural center is unmatched in another American city in terms of sheer size (New York's Central Park is a measly 850 acres). The diversity of its offerings is equally impressive: 17 museums, more than a dozen gardens, and of course, the aforementioned San Diego Zoo.

Tour the grounds: Plenty of themed tours operate out of Balboa Park, including ones on the park's architecture, history, and plant life. Many are run by either volunteer groups or park rangers, meaning they're free to the public.

Kid-friendly rides: Younger kids will enjoy the beloved 1910 Balboa Park Carousel, as well as a miniature train ride that takes half-mile loops near the zoo.

Shop deals on admission to the Veterans Museum and Automotive Museum, plus Balboa Park tours from Urban Adventures USA and Adventures in San Diego.

Check Out The Living Coast Discovery Center

Though it's sometimes overshadowed by a certain zoo to the north, this Chula Vista wildlife center is still an outstanding place to encounter a wide variety of animals, particularly marine life. See everything from sea turtles to bald eagles inside its 316-acre campus along the San Diego Bay.

Get hands on: Head to the interactive touch pool to touch the backs of friendly rays. Nearby you can also see four local shark species (but keep your hands to yourself there).

Don't miss: The Shorebird Aviary, a walk-through bird habitat that's home to colorful ruddy ducks, long-beaked black oystercatchers, graceful snowy egrets, and more.

Shop deals on admission to The Living Coast Discovery Center.

This article was originally written by Amanda Parker in 2017 and has since been updated by our editors.