Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Carmel Mountain

"Start the day in Balboa Park and try to get there early because this park is HUGE (and by huge I mean there is a freeway and several other roads running through it). Balboa park isn’t just green space, its packed with the best of San Diego’s museums and you’ll want to do some pre-planning to decide which museums you want to see in the time available (half a day). I’m a space and science nerd so I made a beeline for the Air and Space Museum."

"Families appreciate the beauty and abundance of recreational opportunities at Balboa Park. This expansive outdoor space includes 17 museums, playgrounds, a swimming pool, and over a dozen different gardens. Many visitors come here to enjoy the Pepper Grove Playground, a large kids' recreation area with slides, swings, a jungle gym, sandbox, playing fields, and picnic tables."

"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."

"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."

"This unique museum collaborates with contemporary artists to create one-of-a-kind art installations. The exhibits include playhouses, clubhouses, and climbable towers. Kids can interact with the exhibits and engage in active play as they would at home."

"Hosp Grove was founded by a group of investors called The Hosp Eucalyptus Corp in 1908. They planted 219 acres of trees in this Carlsbad grove hoping they could be harvested & sold to the Santa Fe Railroad as railroad ties. Much of the grove has been sold off, but what remains are fun, forested trails with plenty of inclines and twists & turns."

"Choose from three locations (Market, Chula Vista or Barrio Logan) for your fill of Michoacan-style ice cream. Flavors range from the basics such as strawberry, vanilla, chocolate and Oreo to the more exotic like mamey, nanche and guanabana. For a satisfying treat, try the Michocan Basket, Tocumbo’s version of the sundae featuring ice cream of your choice, fresh fruit and whipped cream served in a waffle bowl."

"The Whaley House is a museum and California Historical Landmark, situated in the Old Town, San Diego, California. It is administered by the Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO). The Whaley House was the home of Thomas Whaley and his family."

"San Diego’s first two-storey brick-built building, the Old Town’s Whaley House dates to 1857. What kindles fascination about the building is its spooky goings-on. This National Historic Landmark was designated “haunted” by the U.S."

"For over sixty years, Mother Nature has transformed the rolling hills of north San Diego County into one of the most spectacular and coordinated displays of natural color and beauty anywhere in the world. The nearly fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that make up The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch® in Carlsbad, California, are in bloom for approximately six to eight weeks each year – from early March through early May – literally bringing the famous fields back to life. This annual burst of color, which has become part of the area’s local heritage, also is one of nature’s official ways of announcing the arrival of spring here in southern California."

"From stunning stretches of coastline and desert landscapes to seaside bluffs and historic mission-style architecture, Carlsbad is one of Southern California’s most alluring cities. It’s also home to one of the most amazing flower gardens in the state, which draws throngs of visitors from all over the region during the much-anticipated spring bloom. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are comprised of nearly 50 acres of rolling hills that typically explode with color for six or eight weeks sometime between March and May."

"JuneShine’s honey-brewed hard kombucha is offering same day pick-up between the hours of 11am-7pm daily at their North Park (order online here) and Scripps Ranch (order online here) location. Or get home delivery by ordering online (free shipping for orders over $50)."

"A wee, squat building that isn’t going to dazzle with sweeping skyline views, Amplified more than makes up for its height by being just steps off the beach. It bears along some sweet ocean breezes that complement the homemade beers nicely. Have a kebab and a Treble Tripel, and we’ll await your thanks."

"Peaceful, aromatic, and oh so colorful, the San Diego Botanic Gardens are where we go when we just need some time to ourselves. Stroll through gardens in different stages of bloom, admiring the beauty that surrounds you as you feel your mind quiet down. Open every day from 9-5 (closed on Christmas!), you can’t have the same experience twice!"

"Located in Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a relaxing spot to spend an afternoon in San Diego. The garden was built to represent the friendship between San Diego and its sister city in Japan, Yokohama, and provides a unique and chilled out experience for visitors. Besides its zen atmosphere and impressive garden and architecture designs, the Japanese Friendship Garden hosts regular events throughout the year, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, and the San Diego Sake Day."

"There is an extra fee to enter the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. There’s an upper and lower strolling path where you can see koi pond, landscaped gardens and a Zen garden viewing deck. It’s a very tranquil space."

"The Garden originated as a teahouse during the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition and now lies on two acres near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion."

"Kids can take their pick from empanadas, bao buns, tacos, or pizza followed by sweet crepes, cookies, and bubble waffles at Liberty Public Market, which also has an astroturf outdoor space with tons of seating. Kid-friendly restaurants Officine Buona Forchetta and Stone Brewing are just a short walk away."

"San Diego’s first food hall is housed in the city’s former naval training center, a 361-acre site in Point Loma that now features a lively business district with wide lawns, a waterfront park, and historic Spanish Revival–style..."

"You can’t go wrong at Extraordinary Desserts, because not only is every single thing they make insta-worthy, but also because it’s 100% dessert perfection. From whole cakes for your next birthday bash to small tarts to sample and even breakfast pastries, everything at Extraordinary Desserts is, well, extraordinary. Try the mini desserts so you can get a taste of it all."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Thank You (20,5 m... used under CC BY 2.0. From 4th Avenue, Extraordinary Desserts is ready to rock your taste buds in this new location. Whether you’re in for a chocolate overload with the Viking or pleasant strawberry freshness of their Shangri-La cake, these sweets cannot disappoint you in any way."

"Let’s hope you saved room for dessert, because the Convoy District has some of the best ice cream shops in the city. All the inventive flavors and adorable cones or waffles to hold your scoops might even tempt you to skip dinner and go on an ice cream crawl instead."