Last updated on April 16th, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Looking for kid-friendly things to do in San Diego at night? You’ve come to the right place!
Even though San Diego is known for its sunshine, beaches, and active outdoor lifestyle, there are plenty of awesome activities to keep your family busy well into the evening!
We live in Southern California and have been visiting San Diego for years. Here are 11 fun and kid-friendly things to do in San Diego at night to help you plan an amazing trip that doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down.
Top 5 Picks: Things to Do in San Diego at Night
If you are just looking for a quick list of the can’t miss, very best things to do at night in San Diego with family, I am here to help! Here are our Top 5 recommendations.
- Visit Belmont Park in Mission Beach and ride the rollercoaster, catch live entertainment, play a round of miniature golf. You can even go down to the beach when it’s warm outside.
- See the San Diego skyline at night on a sunset cruise.
- Wander around Seaport Village.
- Learn about San Diego’s haunted history on a family-friendly ghost tour in Old Town San Diego.
- Gaze at the stars at a meeting place led by the San Diego Astronomy Association.
Keep reading for more details on these top five things to do at night in San Diego, plus lots more ideas to help you plan your trip!
Kid-Friendly Things to Do in San Diego at Night
1. Visit Old Town San Diego
Old Town is the historic heart of San Diego. Established in the late 1700s, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is the site of California’s first Spanish settlement.
Today, the park features 12 acres of Mexican heritage and historical sites, colorful shops, restaurants, museums, gardens, a theater and the restored (though supposedly haunted) Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Although most of the museums close by 6pm, the park is open late and you can still explore the grounds and interesting building exteriors. Most shops stay open into the evening, and Old Town San Diego features some of the best and most authentic Mexican food anywhere.
There is live Mariachi music in the Fiesta de Reyes courtyard. You can sit and enjoy the music whether you decide to eat there or not! Old Town is the place to go on a San Diego night for great food, folklore and fun.
Our favorite spot in Old Town San Diego is Cousin’s Candy Shop. They have a wonderful assortment of old-fashioned candy that you can buy by the piece or by the pound. We never miss the chance to stop in and fill up a bag to munch on when we’re down there. They are open late, and candy makes the perfect late-night hotel room snack!
Another unique and fun option for things to do in Old Town San Diego at Night is a Ghost Tour. Walking tours depart every evening and are open adults and kids alike.
The tour is creepy (lots of dark tales and old buildings) but not really scary, so most kids should be fine. Tour guides are very knowledgeable and share stories of Old Town ghosts, ghost sightings and haunts. This is a really cool way to learn about the area’s history and truly one of the best Old Town San Diego night attractions!
► Interested in staying near Old Town San Diego? Check out this article on San Diego hotels in Old Town.
Old Town San Diego
- 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego
- oldtownsandiego.org
2. See the City Lights
Old Town Trolley Tours offers the San Diego City Lights Night Tour and it is the perfect way to take in the highlights of San Diego after dark.
This narrated guided bus tour depart departs every evening from Seaport Village. It goes past some of the city’s most notable landmarks and neighborhood’s, including Balboa Park, Seaport Village, and the USS Midway.
The trolley crosses San Diego Bay via the famous Coronado Bay Bridge and stops at Coronado’s Ferry Landing, which is the perfect place to take in the expansive San Diego city skyline across the bay.
► Find out more about the San Diego City Lights Night Tour and grab discount tickets here!
If you have older kids and want to try something a little more thrilling, check out Old Town Trolley’s Ghosts & Gravestones Tour for a fun nighttime journey into San Diego’s darker side.
Old Town Trolley Tours
- 4010 Twiggs Street, San Diego
- trolleytours.com/san-diego
3. Gaslamp Quarter
Aside from the historic buildings and architectural beauty of this neighborhood (it dates back to the mid-1800s), the Gaslamp Quarter is the place to be at night. It is located right downtown near the Convention Center and Petco Park.
There are dozens of bars, restaurants, shops and theaters, and the streets themselves in the Gaslamp Quarter are alive with activity. The sound of live music pours out the open doorways.
Thanks to San Diego’s warm climate, almost all of the Gaslamp’s bars and eateries offer sidewalk seating. The range of casual and fine dining options is endless, offering everything from Mexican food to sushi and pizza to steaks.
The Gaslamp Quarter is also home to many theaters, lounges and a comedy club. It’s the perfect spot for a date night if you can leave the kids behind.
A night out at the Gaslamp Quarter is a must for any trip to San Diego. But be careful to confirm your destination is indeed a family-friendly option if you are bringing the kids (there are plenty to be found)!
Gaslamp Quarter
- Downtown San Diego
- gaslamp.org
4. Enjoy a Sunset Cruise
See the San Diego skyline from a wonderful new perspective when you cruise through the harbor at night. Most harbor cruises depart from Seaport Village.
There are a number of boat companies that offer evening cruises, with many different options to fit your needs and budget. Hornblower Cruises offers a Sights & Sips Sunset Cruise, a full Dinner Cruise, and even a special Full Moon Cruise.
You can also take a moonlit cruise through Mission Bay aboard the Bahia Belle, a sternwheeler fashioned after a Mississippi riverboat. The Bahia Belle sails from the Bahia Resort Hotel and stops at the nearby Catamaran Resort & Spa San Diego, two of the best hotels on Mission Bay.
With departures from either the Bahia Resort Hotel or its sister property the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, this 75-minute relaxing boat cruise is a scenic way to spend an evening on the water.
Taking a ride on the Bahia Belle is very inexpensive, with a fare of just $20. If you are staying at either of the Bahia Resort Hotel or Catamaran Resort, the Bahia Belle is $15.
Bahia Belle
- 998 West Mission Bay Drive, San Diego
- bahiahotel.com/bahia-belle
5. Visit Coronado at Night
Sure, it’s known for its amazing beaches and the iconic Hotel del Coronado, but Coronado Island is also fun to visit at night!
Orange Avenue is lined with great family-friendly restaurants, many with fire pits and outdoor seating. Better yet, visit the Hotel del Coronado. The beach side comes alive at night, with plenty of restaurants, live music, and an expansive lawn overlooking the sea where kids can run and play.
You can even buy s’more kits and roast marshmallows on the beach in front of the Hotel del Coronado. And be sure to end the night with a gelato from the hotel’s ice cream shop, Sundae’s at The Del.
Hotel del Coronado
- 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado
- hilton.com/hotel-del-coronado/
6. Take a Stroll Through Seaport Village
Also within easy walking distance from the Convention Center and downtown is Seaport Village San Diego. Seaport Village is a lively 14-acre stretch of waterfront shopping and dining right on the harbor.
Seaport Village is a great place to visit in the evening to watch the sunset, enjoy a nice dinner, and poke through the shops.
Built in 1980, this area of San Diego is open until 9:00 most of the year, and 10:00 pm in the summertime! Live musicians and artisans make Seaport Village a lively spot. There is also a wonderful old merry-go-round for the kids.
7. Go to the Theater
Experience San Diego’s cultural side – go to a show, a concert or even the ballet. San Diego has a number of venues both downtown and in the surrounding areas.
Some popular options include the historic Spreckels Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Lamb’s Players Theatre, San Diego Civic Theatre and of course The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park.
8. Visit Belmont Park
Located right on the boardwalk at Mission Beach, Belmont Park is San Diego’s quintessential Southern California boardwalk destination. Visiting Belmont Park is one of the best things to do at night in San Diego!
Ride the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster or several other rides. Play a carnival game, laser tag, mini golf, or go on the bumper cars. Belmont Park has an old school boardwalk amusement park vibe. You can even wander down to the beach and watch the sun set or take a stroll on the shore when the weather is nice.
There is no admission to enter Belmont Park and walk around; just pay to play! Belmont Park is open year round, but only open late every night of the week in the summertime. The rest of the year, it closes at 6pm on weekdays and 9pm Friday through Sunday.
Belmont Park
- 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego
- belmontpark.com
9. Summer Nights at the Parks
If you are visiting San Diego in the summer, you’re in luck! Several of San Diego’s amusement parks and attractions stay open late and add extra fun, so your whole family can still enjoy fun things to do at night in San Diego.
- The San Diego Zoo – Every summer Nighttime Zoo features “rock and roar” with live music, shows, and special animal encounters, in addition to the zoo’s regular exhibits. The San Diego Zoo is open daily until 9pm from June through Labor Day.
- San Diego Symphony Bayside Nights: On select nights June through September, the San Diego Symphony hosts concert and events at the Embarcadero Marina Park.
- SeaWorld – SeaWorld Summer Nights includes fireworks and special nighttime shows. Sea World is open until 9pm in the summer, so you can enjoy all the exhibits at a more leisurely pace.
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park – Splurge on a San Diego luxury experience for your family with the Roar & Snore sleepover at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Spend the night in the park and enjoy guided walks, activities, campfires, dinner, nighttime snacks, and breakfast the next morning.
10. Take a Swim
This one may sound too obvious, but don’t underestimate the fun of a nighttime swim. No doubt if you are staying at a hotel in San Diego, it has a fantastic pool. Use it at night!
A lit up pool is a lovely sight, and if there’s a bubbly hot tub at your San Diego hotel this is a great time of day to try it out. Evening swims are a great way to unwind after a long day, and you don’t have to worry about sunscreen once the sun goes down!
11. Go Stargazing
The San Diego Astronomy Association offers various opportunities for stargazing in San Diego County throughout the year. You might have to drive a bit to get to a location with dark skies.
Some of their special events include the Julian Starfest, Stars in the Park, Oak Oasis Star Party, and Stars at Mission Trails. The San Diego Astronomy Association also offers monthly lectures.
Final Thoughts: Fun Things to Do in San Diego at Night
With its famously perfect weather and warm, mild nights, you’re going to want to stay out late when visiting San Diego! And as you can see, in this family-friendly city, options aren’t limited to adults-only nighttime activities. When the sun goes down in San Diego, the city lights turn up!
You’ll find no shortage of fun things to do at night in San Diego.
► Visiting San Diego during the holiday season? Be sure to check out this article on Christmas in San Diego for more things to do night and day in San Diego.
Save These San Diego Night Activities for Later!
Planning a family vacation to Southern California? Pin the image below for future reference!
Leave a Reply