7 Reasons to Bring the Family to San Diego
San Diego is the perfect destination for attendees to bring along family—for quality time between events or for a mini-vacation after the meeting ends.
From award-winning attractions and cost-effective public transportation, to educational day trips and convenient access to parks and museums, San Diego offers families great options for daytime fun while attendees are busy on the convention floor.
Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Located by the surf and sand of Mission Beach, Belmont Park is San Diego's only beachfront amusement and entertainment center! From the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster to the dynamic oceanfront restaurants, Belmont Park is the quintessential Southern California beach experience.
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego
Located on scenic Mission Bay, SeaWorld features educational animal presentations, live entertainment and dozens of exhibits featuring marine life from around the globe. Recent additions include “Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience,” along with the reimagined Shark Encounter, arriving in summer 2026. Thrill-seekers can experience the Manta, Electric Eel and Emperor roller coasters, and the newly opened Arctic Rescue ride and kid-friendly play area Rescue Jr.
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is a world-famous 100-acre wildlife park that is home to over 14,000 rare and endangered animals, representing more than 700 species and subspecies. A highlight for visitors is the return of giant pandas, once again making San Diego one of the few destinations in the world where guests can view these beloved animals in person. Visitors can also take a guided bus tour to see the Zoo and explore the new Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, an immersive wildlife experience featuring four different animal habitat zones and interactive learning opportunities.
USS Midway Museum
USS Midway Museum
The world’s most-visited ship museum, the USS Midway honors San Diego’s rich military history and features 29 restored aircraft, flight simulators and a self-guided walking audio tour in multiple languages. A powerful new exhibition, “Captive Warriors: The Midway 11,” tells the story of 11 USS Midway aviators captured during the Vietnam War, highlighting their resilience, sacrifice, and enduring legacy through personal accounts and historic artifacts.
LEGOLAND® California
LEGOLAND® California
Located north of downtown, LEGOLAND California delivers 128 acres of fun, creativity, imagination and entertainment with more than 60 interactive attractions and rides geared to children aged 2-12. The park recently welcomed Lego Galaxy, a land that transports visitors to outer space with interactive experiences, galactic food options and the all-new Galacticoaster, the first new rollercoaster introduced in over 20 years.
Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium
If your family is looking for fun with a side of science, La Jolla's Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the place. As the public outreach center for the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Birch Aquarium brings guests into the exciting world of cutting-edge research. Explore interactive exhibits and come face to face with exciting creatures.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park immerses you in an active, hands-on safari experience where herds of animals roam natural habitats in a vast reserve. Choose from a variety of exciting safari expeditions by caravan truck, cart, zip line - there's even an overnight option. Transport yourself Down Under to walk among kangaroos and wallabies, wonder at cassowaries and more in the new Walkabout Australia habitat.