This week, I am sharing a list of five things to do in San Diego in the spring.
Here’s my take: summer is amazing in San Diego, obviously, but the best time to visit is in the spring. You get (mostly) perfect weather and none of the crowds that come in the summer time. We get a lot of tourists in San Diego in the summer months, so between that and schools being on summer break, all of the beaches and attractions are much more complicated to navigate (especially with a stroller and tiny humans in tow!). Spring is our favorite time to explore.
Things To Do In San Diego In The Spring
There probably could be 20 things on this list, but it’s a good start.
1. The Flower Fields in Carlsbad
Call me basic, but this is one of my absolute favorite things to do in San Diego in the spring. The Flower Fields in Carlsbad are open now until May 12th, and the grounds are completely covered in ranunculus. I’m obsessed. We have done this a few times, and every time I go I just swoon and swoon.
The Flower Fields also have a few gardening exhibits, a gold mining activity for kids, and a little stage where they do performances throughout the day. One-time entry tickets cost $23 for adults and $12 for kids ages 3-10. Kids under 3 are free. You can also purchase a season pass if you anticipate going back a few times ($48 for adults, $24 for kids).
The fields are open every day from 9am-6pm. You do have to reserve your time slot and buy your ticket online in advance. We arrived at 9:30am for our slot and it was still relatively empty (although the parking lot had totally filled up by the time we left at 11am!). HIGHLY recommend doing this on a weekday.
Spring of 2022!! Can’t believe how much they’ve grown.
2. Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park
The Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park is an essential stop in San Diego in the spring. The Cherry Blossoms are just starting to bloom and should be in full glory at the Cherry Blossom Festival March 7-10.
The garden is open daily from 10am-6pm (last admission at 5pm). General admission is $12 and student admission is $14. Kids under 6 are free.
If you have a pass to the San Diego botanical garden (which is also FAB at this time of the year), admission is free.
3. Butterfly Jungle Safari at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Every year in the spring, the Safari Park puts on a butterfly jungle exhibit, and it’s so much fun. You walk this path through the butterfly exhibit, and there are SO many butterflies flying around everywhere. This is so fun especially for the kids. The Butterfly Jungle will be open this year from March 16-May 12.
Tickets to the butterfly jungle costs $15 for guests over the age of 1–this is an additional upgrade to your ticket into the park, by the way. The park is open from 9am-6pm.
ALSO. My best tip for the Safari Park is to get there right when it opens and make a beeline for the tram ride. There is something so serene about seeing all of the animals on a cool morning before the crowds get there. And the scenery out at the Safari Park is other-worldy.
4. Wildlife Explorers Basecamp at the San Diego Zoo
The girls are obsessed with the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp at the zoo. This is a 3 acre interactive, “learn by doing” kids area that aims to foster a love for nature and empathy for wildlife. This is the perfect way to round out a trip with kids to the zoo: spend the morning looking at animals and then burn out all of their energy running through the various stations at the basecamp.
The San Diego Zoo is open every day from 9am-6pm (7pm on weekends), and the basecamp is included with admission to the zoo.
5. Ride bikes in Coronado
Yes, you can do this anytime of the year (and you should), but the reason I’m mentioning on today’s list is because Coronado gets so ridiculously crowded during the summer. It’s the perfect activity to do in San Diego in the spring. One of our favorite things to do lately with the girls is park at the Coronado Tidelands Park, let them go crazy on the playground, and then take a walk or bike ride along the harbor.
Tip: Round out your morning with brunch at The Henry.
More San Diego posts:
The Best Date Night Spots in San Diego
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