Discover 38 family-friendly activities, venues, and restaurants in Del Mar.
12 Upcoming EventsThe highest-rated places we recommend first — start here.
Seagrove Park offers the best of both worlds for Del Mar families: a well-maintained bluff-top park with playground equipment and picnic areas, plus direct beach access via stairs. The stunning ocean views make it a perfect spot for picnics while kids play, and when they're ready for sand and surf, you're just steps away from the beach below.
🛝 PlaygroundPowerhouse Park in Del Mar is a family favorite that truly lives up to its name, offering something for everyone from tots to teens. This modern facility combines an exceptional playground with a skate park, basketball courts, and plenty of shaded picnic areas, all just blocks from the beach. With its stellar 4.8-star rating from over 2,500 families, this free community park delivers serious fun without the price tag.
⭐ ActivityTorrey Pines State Beach is a stunning coastal gem where kids can explore protected tidepools teeming with sea creatures, splash in gentle waves perfect for younger swimmers, and marvel at dramatic sandstone cliffs. The combination of nature exploration and classic beach fun makes this one of San Diego County's most family-friendly shorelines, with calmer waters than many nearby beaches and fascinating marine life just waiting to be discovered.
⭐ ActivityThese tranquil oceanfront meditation gardens offer families a serene escape with koi-filled ponds, lush landscaping, and breathtaking Pacific Ocean views. It's an ideal spot to introduce children to mindfulness and nature appreciation while exploring peaceful pathways lined with colorful flowers, streams, and charming bridges that make kids feel like they've stepped into a storybook garden.
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⭐ ActivityFletcher Cove Beach Park is a gem among San Diego County beaches, offering everything families need for a perfect beach day in one spot. The combination of gentle waves, tide pools teeming with marine life, a playground for when kids need a sand break, and grassy picnic areas makes this an ideal destination for families with young children who want beach fun without the hassle of steep access or rough surf.
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🧗 AdventureTorrey Pines Gliderport offers a thrilling spectacle that captivates kids of all ages,colorful paragliders and hang gliders launching off dramatic coastal cliffs and soaring overhead like real-life superheroes. The expansive grassy bluffs provide the perfect spot for kite flying, picnicking, and watching the action, while scenic trails lead to breathtaking ocean views that make for unforgettable family photos.
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⚽ SportsSwami's Beach is a stunning Encinitas gem where families can explore fascinating tide pools teeming with sea creatures, build sandcastles on the shore, and watch surfers ride the waves. The beach's iconic staircase leads down to a beautiful stretch of coastline perfect for introducing kids to ocean exploration, with calmer tide pool areas ideal for younger children and opportunities for older kids to take their first surfing lessons.
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🛝 PlaygroundDel Mar Shores Park is a beloved neighborhood gem offering modern playground equipment that keeps kids entertained for hours. With its combination of play structures, open grassy areas perfect for running and games, plus a basketball court for older kids, this well-maintained park provides something for the whole family in the heart of beautiful Del Mar.
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🎮 EntertainmentWhile primarily known as an iconic music venue for adults, Belly Up Tavern occasionally hosts all-ages concerts and family-friendly community events that give kids a taste of live music in an intimate, legendary setting. This is a special-occasion venue where music-loving families can experience quality performances together in a space that's hosted everyone from local bands to major artists.
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🌳 ParkEncinitas Community Park is a spacious, well-maintained gem that offers something for every age group with its modern playground equipment, open grass fields perfect for running and picnicking, and multiple sports courts. With a stellar 4.7-star rating from over 1,200 families, this park delivers on its promise of quality family time, whether you're looking for active play or a relaxing afternoon under the California sun.
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🌿 NatureSan Elijo Lagoon and Ecological Reserve offers families a chance to explore a thriving coastal wetland ecosystem with seven miles of easy-to-moderate trails perfect for little legs. The interpretive center provides hands-on learning experiences about local wildlife, while the trails offer opportunities to spot over 300 bird species, lizards, rabbits, and even the occasional bobcat from safe viewing distances.
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📚 LibraryEncinitas Library is a modern community hub that goes far beyond books, offering an impressive children's section alongside engaging storytimes, hands-on craft programs, and tech resources that make learning fun. With its stellar 4.7-star rating from families, this library has become a beloved destination where kids can explore, create, and discover new interests in a welcoming environment.
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🛍️ ShoppingCedros Collective Mall offers a relaxed, open-air shopping experience perfect for families who want to browse unique boutiques without the chaos of a traditional mall. The walkable tree-lined avenue features eclectic shops, family-friendly restaurants, and art galleries housed in converted industrial buildings, creating a laid-back beach town vibe that keeps kids entertained while parents shop.
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⭐ ActivityDel Mar Fairgrounds is Southern California's premier family entertainment destination, hosting the beloved San Diego County Fair each summer along with year-round events like seasonal festivals, concerts, and special exhibitions. With everything from carnival rides and petting zoos during fair season to horse racing events and holiday celebrations, there's always something exciting happening at this iconic oceanside venue that's been creating family memories for generations.
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🛍️ ShoppingDel Mar Plaza offers families a relaxed coastal shopping experience with stunning Pacific Ocean views that will keep kids entertained between stores. The open-air layout features interactive fountains perfect for warm days, spacious walkways for strollers, and weekend entertainment that turns a simple shopping trip into a full family outing.
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12 upcoming family events in Del Mar
🌾 FarmCoastal Roots Farm is a vibrant community farm in Encinitas where kids can get their hands dirty learning about sustainable agriculture. With educational programs, farm tours, and the chance to see where food really comes from, it's a wonderful opportunity for children to connect with nature and understand the journey from seed to table.
Wynston's Ice Cream offers the ultimate self-serve frozen yogurt experience that kids absolutely love. With a wide variety of flavors and an impressive toppings bar, children can create their own personalized dessert masterpieces while parents appreciate the pay-by-weight system that keeps portion control in check. The welcoming neighborhood atmosphere makes it a perfect stop after school, sports practice, or weekend adventures in Rancho Peñasquitos.
🐠 AquariumBirch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography offers an intimate, manageable aquarium experience perfect for families exploring La Jolla. With hands-on tide pool touch tanks, mesmerizing seahorse and jellyfish exhibits, and breathtaking ocean views from its hilltop location, this aquarium delivers an educational marine adventure without the overwhelming crowds of larger facilities.
⭐ ActivityLa Jolla Shores offers a mile-long stretch of soft sand with protected, mellow waves that make it San Diego's best beach for families learning to surf or boogie board. The wide beach transitions to a grassy park area with playgrounds, picnic tables, and Kellogg Park, while the calm waters attract friendly leopard sharks in summer and sea lions year-round.
⭐ ActivityLa Jolla Cove is a stunning beach destination where kids can splash in gentle waves, peer into tide pools teeming with marine life, and get up close with adorable sea lions lounging on the rocks. The crystal-clear, protected waters make it ideal for families with young snorkelers, while the dramatic coastal cliffs and abundant wildlife create endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
⭐ ActivityThe Cave Store offers a unique underground adventure where families descend 145 steps through a hand-carved tunnel to reach Sunny Jim Cave, the only sea cave in La Jolla accessible by land. Before or after your cave exploration, kids will be mesmerized by the shop's collection of shells, fossils, geodes, and ocean treasures,perfect for budding marine biologists and rock collectors.
🍽️ RestaurantLa Valencia Hotel in La Jolla offers families an upscale yet welcoming beachfront dining experience with sweeping Pacific Ocean views that keep kids entertained. The outdoor patio seating is perfect for restless little ones who need space to move, while the dedicated kids menu ensures even picky eaters find something they'll enjoy. This historic pink palace combines elegant coastal charm with a relaxed atmosphere that accommodates families without fuss.
🍦 Ice CreamGirard Gourmet is a charming La Jolla institution that's perfect for treating the kids to premium ice cream and sweet treats after a beach day or village stroll. This locally-loved spot also serves breakfast and brunch options, making it a versatile stop where families can grab morning pancakes or afternoon scoops in the heart of walkable La Jolla Village.
La Jolla Shores Beach is one of San Diego's most family-friendly beaches, featuring a wide stretch of soft sand and gentle, shallow waves perfect for young swimmers and sandcastle builders. The protected cove creates calm conditions ideal for first-time ocean explorers, while the nearby tide pools and kayak launch areas offer additional adventures for curious kids.
🍦 Ice CreamCold Stone Creamery in Scripps Ranch offers a fun, interactive ice cream experience that kids absolutely love watching. The signature cold stone mixing process turns ordering ice cream into entertainment as staff members work the frozen surface, chopping and blending your chosen mix-ins right before your eyes. It's a sweet treat destination that doubles as a quick, air-conditioned activity on warm San Diego days.
🍦 Ice CreamThis Baskin Robbins location in Solana Beach is a perfect pit stop for families looking to cool down with a sweet treat. With the iconic 31 flavors to choose from, even the pickiest eaters will find something to love, and the convenient location makes it an ideal reward after a beach day or playground visit.
Inspire your child's creative problem-solving with Kids Sculpture Techniques at Pacific View Arts Center in Encinitas, CA on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Students experiment with clay, cardboard, recycled materials, and more, learning hands-on sculpting skills while discovering that art can be made from almost anything around them.
via Google Events
Let your child's artistic side flourish with Kids Art Exploration at Pacific View Arts Center in Encinitas, CA on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Young artists will paint, sculpt, and print their way through an engaging class designed just for them, building confidence and discovering favorite creative techniques in a welcoming studio environment.
via Google Events
Kick off the holiday shopping season by supporting local! Small Business Saturday in Cardiff on November 28, 2026 at Cardiff 101 Main Street in Encinitas is your chance to shop with purpose while families enjoy special savings at over 20 local merchants. Plus, grab the annual poster giveaway with purchase,a fun memento for kids.
via Cardiff 101 Main Street
Give your family an inside track to holiday savings with the Cardiff 101 Holiday Passport to Savings on November 28, 2026 at Cardiff 101 Main Street in Encinitas. Pick up your exclusive discount passport featuring deals from over 20 local businesses, turning your holiday shopping into a fun scavenger hunt across Cardiff's best shops.
via Cardiff 101 Main Street
Showing 12 events in and around Del Mar