4 New San Diego Attractions for Families

San Diego, Calif. checks two key boxes for successful family vacations: “Sun,” thanks to year-round mild temperatures, and “fun” in the form of several theme parks, kid-friendly museums and a globally recognized zoo.

“Great weather, fun attractions, tasty food, friendly people and family-oriented resorts in a welcoming environment: San Diego boasts all of this in one package,” said Meghan Dickerson, a San Diego-based independent affiliate travel advisor for My Path Unwinding Travel. "Travel advisors can sell clients on our world-class San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld, where kids can learn about conservation; Legoland makes for a thrilling day for the whole crew; or families can visit any of our many amazing local museums. There's so much to choose from in San Diego, you’ll be booking your clients' return trip before you know it.”

There's so much to choose from in San Diego, you’ll be booking your clients' return trip before you know it.

This year, the city gives clients four new reasons to visit, with an immersive animal experience, a daring roller coaster, an interactive Lego attraction and a pop culture museum.

Wildlife Explorers Basecamp at the San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo’s newest destination is the Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, opening in March 2022.

The 3.2-acre area is designed to educate, entertain and inspire the next generation of conservationists, and is divided into four habitats featuring unique wildlife: Rainforest, Wild Woods, Marsh Meadows and Desert Dunes. Wildlife Explorers Basecamp also incorporates interactive play opportunities, species-themed sculptures and a one-of-a-kind, seven-foot-high floating stone globe that represents the connection between humans and animals.

“The name reflects the underlying goal of the area,” said Shawn Dixon, chief operating officer of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “We’re calling it a basecamp because it’s designed to serve as a launchpad for budding conservationists of all ages to be inspired to care for and protect the future of our planet.”

Among the innovative exhibits families can explore are a pollinator experience that pairs a real-life beehive with a larger-than-life honeycomb; a 20-foot-tall “ancient oak tree” adjacent to the squirrel monkey habitat for a parallel-play opportunity; and the Cool Critters building with immersive environments, digital media and learning stations.

We’re calling it a basecamp because it’s designed to serve as a launchpad for budding conservationists of all ages to be inspired to care for and protect the future of our planet.

Emperor Dive Coaster at SeaWorld San Diego

Emperor Dive Coaster — the tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster in California, and the state’s only floorless dive coaster — will open at SeaWorld San Diego on March 12, 2022.

Not for the faint of heart, SeaWorld’s newest attraction will plunge riders face-down 14 stories via a vertical drop that reaches speeds of 60 miles per hour and races through twists, turns and inversions inspired by the undersea acrobatics of emperor penguins (which by the way, can only be seen in North America at the San Diego park).

“We’re so excited to [offer] a brand-new, thrilling experience for our guests, and we’re eager to see the reactions from coaster fans,” said Erika DiProfio, the park's vice president of marketing. “In addition to the thrills and high speeds, this epic ride has unbeatable views of San Diego from 140 feet in the air.”

Clients can also support penguin conservation by shopping at the Emperor store, where proceeds benefit Penguins International, a nonprofit that protects penguins worldwide.

Lego Ferrari Build and Race at Legoland California Resort

The new Lego Ferrari Build and Race attraction coming to Legoland California Resort in the spring of 2022 puts guests of all ages in the driver’s seat as they build, test and race their own Lego Ferrari.

“Ferrari is renowned for performance, innovation and design,” said Kurt Stocks, president of Legoland California Resort. “We have millions of young guests who can be inspired from this to create their own unique cars in this one-of-a-kind testing and racing facility.”

Featuring a photo op with a life-size Lego Ferrari F40, Build and Race also lets clients build a Ferrari model to race through obstacles and challenges — and most importantly, clock the fastest time — and create a custom digital racecar that’s projected onto a Lego racetrack based on Ferrari’s private Pista di Fiorano circuit in Italy.

Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park

After revealing phase one in November 2021, San Diego’s Comic-Con Museum is looking forward to its grand opening in July 2022.

Families who visit the three-floor, 25,000-square-foot museum can meet comic creators, explore fan-sourced exhibits and experiential cinema, and participate in hands-on workshops and cosplay. The museum also features a Character Hall of Fame that, so far, has honored Batman, Pac-Man and Wonder Woman.

“San Diego offers a huge variety of activities for kids of all ages,” said Valentina Losavio, sales and reservation specialist for San Diego-based Carlisle Travel. “Thanks to the sunshine and close proximity to the ocean, this city is a magnet for family-friendly activities every day of the year.”

Tiffany Kappel, family vacation specialist from Extra Mile Travel in San Diego, agrees.

“San Diego is filled with family attractions, incredible cuisine, top-notch resorts and year-round sunny weather,” she said. “It can’t be beat for a family destination.” 

The Details
Comic-Con Museum
Emperor Dive Coaster at SeaWorld San Diego
Lego Ferrari Build and Race at Legoland California Resort
Wildlife Explorers Basecamp at the San Diego Zoo