Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Encinitas

"Adjacent to the Zoo is Balboa Park, one of San Diego's most beloved treasures. Known as the "Smithsonian of the West," Balboa Park is the largest cultural park in America and features 17 museums and performing arts venues as well as beautiful gardens, the lily pond and botanic building, concerts and a host of special events. Take a stroll down the main El Prado promenade, enjoy the gorgeous 1915 Spanish Colonial-revival style architecture, and grab a bite to eat and one of the many purveyors in the park."

"Like no place else in the country, Balboa Park offers a magnificent combination of art, architecture, history and agriculture in one expansive park. Spanning approximately 1,200 acres, Balboa Park was once known as City Park and was founded more than 125 years ago. Today, the park is home to 15 museums, theaters, marvelous gardens, restaurants, shopping and the world-famous San Diego Zoo."

"Balboa Park is the largest urban park in the United States and it was built for the Worlds Fair. The buildings here still stand and it is home to one of the best zoos in the world too – The San Diego Zoo. This is another location that is a favorite among photographers shooting engagement photos."

"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."

"Not huge but one of the most interactive places for younger generation, the New Children’s Museum is worth a visit if you are in San Diego with kids and family. The museum was originally built in 1983. After that, it had time and again got renovated with the mission of restoring and vitalizing creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through contemporary Art in kids and older generation."

"With 17 museums at Balboa Park, it’s easy to miss this fun spot for children in the heart of San Diego’s downtown Gaslamp Quarter. Some areas of The New Children’s Museum are age-specific, like Sketch Aquarium for ages 2+ and Reconnecting to Home for ages 6+. Meanwhile, other spaces engage children across age groups."

"It’s a neighborhood spot rather than a seaside visit, characterized as being incredibly calm and peaceful. This is the type of place you come to stroll after a long work day. It’s also a great spot for children and dogs, so if you have either or both…you’ve struck gold!"

"Whether you want to go strawberry picking, have sunflowers as a backdrop, or get an awesome pumpkin patch fall photo, the Carlsbad Strawberry Company is the place to go!. Check their website ahead of time to see what’s in bloom!"

"For four generations since 1950, Carlsbad Strawberry Company has been providing fresh and delicious produce to the community. Located along Cannon Road in Carlsbad, its lush strawberry fields add color to Interstate 5."

"By adding your email you agree to get updates about Spoon University Healthier. Mornings usually call for a green smoothie or hearty bowl of oatmeal, but sometimes you need that sweet fix; and donuts are having their shining moment in San Diego. People are lining up to get some of the city’s best breakfast sugar bombs, and for good reason."

"San Diego has its own version of Central Park: The Waterfront Park, located along the Embarcadero in Little Italy. Opened in 2014, it's become a family-favorite destination for locals. The 12-acre park is just a stone's throw from the bay and is decked out with tons of innovative ways to entertain kids including a splash pad and slide––but it's the giant fountain, with its many jets, that is the park's main attraction."

"Enjoy a day at this public park that features interactive splash fountains, beautiful gardens with distinct themes, picnic areas and a lot of playing ground and equipment for kids. Unleash the kid in you and play in the splash fountains or unique playing ground. Take a walk along the waterfront while capturing great pictures."

"Located in downtown San Diego along the bay near Little Italy San Diego, Waterfront Park is perhaps best known for its interactive splash fountains and its extensive, family-friendly open spaces. Outdoor movies in the park and other free events are held here in summer. (Location: Downtown San Diego)"

"Jyoti-Bihanga is a casual spot with an inventive menu of vegan and vegetarian fare run by local students of spiritual master Sri Chinmoy. The tranquil eatery offers a creative menu of delicious food for lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday and an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet on a couple of Sundays every month. Tuck into whole-wheat blueberry pancakes, challah French toast, tofu scrambled eggs, and French biscuits for Sunday brunch, fresh salads, homemade soups, wraps and sandwiches for lunch, and a variety of entrées, sides, and desserts for dinner."

"If Italian cuisine is your fave, lunch or dinner at Cesarina is a must. Owner Niccolo Angius recently moved to San Diego from Rome, opened this glorious pasta haven and named it after his wife. Here you'll find a pasta-making station where you can observe fresh pasta being crafted to perfection all day long."

"Once a fresh pasta pop-up and now a full-service brick-and-mortar restaurant in the upper Voltaire section of Point Loma, Cesarina focuses on fresh pasta dishes but also boasts a menu of other antipasta and main courses."

"Voltaire Street in San Diego is the home to Cesarina, one of the city's top Italian places. A warm and welcoming spot, Cesarina is an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinn..."

"If you're a fan of the annual Miramar Air Show, then the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is a good place for you to visit. What sets this museum apart from all others is the fact that it is the only museum in the world dedicated to preserving the incredible contributions made by Marine Corps Aviators and their ground support personnel. Located at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the museum is comprised of an outdoor area, displaying an average of at least twenty five vintage aircraft and an indoor display of memorabilia and artifacts dating to the earliest days of Marine Corps Aviation."

"The Flying Leatherneck Museum is the only museum in the world that primarily showcases the United States Marine Corps (USMC) aviation. You’ll be able to take an up-close look at 48 historical aircraft in their gallery. Check their event calendar to see what’s on tap during your visit."

"The Seeley Stable Museum is a reproduction of the Yuma to San Diego stage stop. It displays a wide collection of 19th-century transportation vehicles and equipment as well as other rare artifacts."

"Might I suggest saving some money and time by purchasing a frozen pizza. The crust will give you a similar cardboard experience."

"Ash St., Suite 100 (between India Street and Kettner Boulevard) in Little Italy, it's the highest-rated Italian restaurant in San Diego, boasting four stars out of 330 reviews on Yelp. Its offerings include pasta, pizza and desserts."

"Family owned and operated, Petrini’s Restaurant serves Italian peasant cuisine and “Pizza to Die For” in a bright and inviting atmosphere."

"If you want to taste the best of the best, consider ordering from the Fast Food delivery spots in Carlsbad that have earned a high star rating from users. You might just find your new favorite takeout spot that way."