Family Road Trip to San Diego: The Best Stops, Parks & Travel Tips for Moms
San Diego Marina Waterfront: Family-Friendly Walks, Sailboats & Coastal Views
San Diego has a way of pulling us back again and again. This was our second visit, and once again, it didn’t disappoint. The only thing we wished? That we could’ve stayed longer.
From Houston, Texas, we packed up the van, loaded snacks and essentials, and began a family road trip that took us across deserts, mountains, and coastlines. From New Mexico sunsets to Arizona saguaros, to finally arriving in sunny San Diego, every mile was filled with beauty.
Whether it was our first visit to Legoland California, or strolling through the San Diego Marina, this trip quickly became one of our family’s favorites.
San Diego Marina with ships and coastal family walking views
🎟 Save on San Diego Attractions with Go City
One of the best tips we can share for families visiting San Diego is this: get a Go City Pass. It’s a money saver. Instead of buying separate tickets for every attraction, one pass gives you access to some of San Diego’s best family experiences.
Here are just a few highlights included with Go City San Diego:
🦏 San Diego Zoo & Safari Park – world-famous for wildlife encounters (regular price up to $76)
🚢 USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum – a must-see for history lovers (regular price up to $39)
🎢 Belmont Park Rides – classic seaside amusement park fun for the kids (regular price up to $60)
🐠 Birch Aquarium at Scripps – an ocean-lover’s dream with hands-on marine exhibits (regular price up to $30)
🐬 SeaWorld San Diego – see dolphins, whales, and family shows (regular price up to $69.99)
Arizona greeted us with rugged rocky mountains and long stretches of winding roads—scenic views that made the drive unforgettable.
The Road Trip: Houston → San Diego 🚗
Driving from Houston to California is no small adventure, but it’s worth every mile.
New Mexico greeted us with open desert highways, endless skies, and stunning sunsets. Beautiful houses that stood out against the desert landscape, such a vibrant surprise on the road. In Arizona, the kids spotted giant saguaros 🌵 and we navigated winding mountain passes that made the views unforgettable.
Entering California, rows of wind turbines welcomed us before we finally rolled into San Diego, palm trees waving in the ocean breeze.
👉 Travel Tip: Long family road trips are easier when you’re well-prepared. We packed snacks, travel games, a Noodle & Boo travel kit for the kids, and plenty of water to keep everyone comfortable.
Why We Recommend It for Families 📌
Budget-friendly: Travel with kids is expensive, and the savings added up quickly for our family of six.
Flexibility: You can choose an All-Inclusive Pass (great if you want to pack in a lot of attractions) or an Explorer Pass (pick a set number of attractions at your own pace).
Ease: No juggling multiple tickets—just one pass on your phone.
For moms planning trips, the Go City Pass is a huge stress reliever—it takes the guesswork out of San Diego’s endless attractions.
The LEGO® Technic Coaster in the Imagination Zone gave us an exciting burst of adrenaline fast, twisting, and still family-friendly enough that our older kids couldn’t stop laughing.
Our First Time at Legoland California 🎢
One of the highlights of this trip was our first visit to Legoland California. The kids had been counting down the days, and it exceeded every expectation.
Why our kids loved it:
🎠 Rides for all ages – from toddler-friendly to thrill-seeker fun
🧩 Creative LEGO® zones where imagination came to life
🎬 Shows & attractions that kept everyone entertained
📸 Endless photo-worthy builds and memories
Our boys quickly declared it their favorite theme park ever, and we agreed that it’s perfect for families.
👉 Pro Tip: Buy your Legoland California tickets online for the best deal (sometimes as low as $39).
One of our kids’ favorite stop was Pepper Grove Playground in Balboa Park—wide open play spaces, sandy areas, and creative climbing structures made it the perfect family break.
Pepper Grove Playground – A San Diego Favorite 🛝
While San Diego has many incredible parks, our kids’ favorite stop this trip was Pepper Grove Playground in Balboa Park.
This playground had everything our boys needed to burn energy after long stretches in the car: wide open spaces, huge climbing structures, and sandy play areas where they could run free. One of the highlights was the unique play equipment, like the colorful animal-shaped pieces, which made the whole area feel creative and fun.
As parents, we loved that it was clean, safe, and family-friendly, with plenty of seating and shaded areas nearby. The playground is tucked inside Balboa Park, which meant after playtime we could enjoy a walk around the park’s gardens and cultural areas.
Our kids still talk about it as their favorite playground in San Diego, and we’d recommend it to any family looking for a kid-friendly break in the city.
👉 Location: Pepper Grove Playground, Balboa Park, San Diego
Crispy Burgers & fresh seafood Road Trip Eats 🍔
No family trip is complete without memorable food stops:
Crispy Burger 🍔 – laid-back, casual, with sunny yellow umbrellas, the kids loved it at Eat Crispy Burger in San Diego.
Seafood stop 🐟 – fried shrimp, hush puppies, and fries that hit the spot after a long day was my meal of choice at the K-Bobs Steakhouse in Fort Stockton, located in Pecos County. 🌵These meals weren’t just fuel; they became part of the adventure.
We stayed at Homewood Suites by Hilton in San Diego, and it earned a full 5 stars from our family—spacious rooms, free breakfast, and a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere made it the perfect home base.
Family Stay: Homewood Suites by Hilton 🏨 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
After long days of exploring, having the right hotel mattered. We stayed at Homewood Suites by Hilton, and it earned a 5-star rating from our family.
Why it worked perfectly:
Spacious rooms for our big family
Free breakfast every morning (huge win with kids!)
Convenient location for exploring San Diego
A welcoming, cozy atmosphere that felt like home
If you’re traveling with kids, this hotel makes life so much easier.
Hollywood Sign at Cahuenga Peak
On our way through California, we couldn’t miss a stop at the Hollywood Sign. We drove up toward Cahuenga Peak, the highest point in Griffith Park at 1,821 ft, where the views of Los Angeles were breathtaking.
The kids loved spotting the sign, and the panoramic views made it one of our favorite photo stops of the trip.
Hollywood Sign view from Cahuenga Peak in Griffith Park Los Angeles
Marina Walks & Farmers Markets
Whenever we’re in San Diego, we love strolling the San Diego Marina, watching sailboats, grabbing snacks, and soaking in the coastal views.
Not far from there are a few really good farmers’ markets:
Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market – Saturdays (8 AM–2 PM) & Wednesdays (9:30 AM–1:30 PM). One of the largest in San Diego, with fresh produce, pastries, olive oil, flowers, and handcrafted goods.
Ocean Beach Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays on Newport Avenue, combining fresh goods with live music and laid-back beach vibes.
What We Packed for the Road Trip
✅ Snacks + refillable water bottles
✅ Noodle & Boo travel kit for the kids
✅ Travel games & books
✅ Sunscreen & hats (lifesavers in Arizona!)
✅ A cooler for drinks and quick meals
👉 Pro Tip: Pack in layers. You’ll go from desert heat to ocean breezes in just a few states!
What I Learned from Overpacking
Okay, moms, I’ve got a confession and a tip. This was our first big road trip since having our 7-month-old, and yes, I over-packed. Picture the Peppa Pig episode where she somehow stuffs everything into the car trunk, yeah, that was me!
To avoid hauling extra luggage (and feeling like you packed your entire house), here’s what I learned:
Bring more suitcases—lightweight, rollable ones are easier to manage than one overloaded bag you can’t unzip.
Weigh what you actually need—ask yourself: Will they wear it? Is it worth carrying?
Pack visually—if your car looks like Peppa’s trunk, it’s time to rethink.🌴
Why San Diego Keeps Calling Us Back
This was our second visit to San Diego, and we already know it won’t be the last. From Legoland California to farmers markets, playgrounds, and marina walks, San Diego has the perfect mix of family fun, relaxation, and adventure.
The only thing we’d change? We’d stay longer.
💡 Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a family-friendly road trip destination, San Diego should be at the top of your list. The journey from Houston is long but filled with incredible views, good food, and unforgettable stops.
San Diego Marina
👉 Start planning your trip today:
Buy 🧩 LEGOLAND® California Resort tickets here as low as $39 when purchased through the Legoland California website.
Book a family-friendly stay like Homewood Suites.
Leave room in your schedule for playgrounds, boardwalks, and farmers markets.
Your kids will thank you and you’ll leave with memories that last a lifetime.
From scenic desert drives to Legoland California, parks, the marina, and our favorite food stops, this video captures the highlights of our adventure. 🌴 Make sure to watch to the end!
Thank you for following along on our San Diego family road trip! 🌴 We hope our journey inspires your own adventures and helps make family travel a little easier.
