San Diego averages about 266 sunny days a year, so a rainy day feels like an anomaly — which is exactly why families aren't prepared when it happens. The good news: 33 solid indoor options means you can fill an entire day without checking the radar. Here's what to do when the sky doesn't cooperate.
Best Indoor Museums and Cultural Spots
Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park is the first call on any rainy day. 4.5 stars, $80–$130 for a family of 4 (adult ~$25, child ~$18; IMAX add-on ~$8/person; café lunch ~$30). Plan 2–4 hours. The IMAX screen is massive — book the first morning show before it fills. This museum has enough content to fill a full rainy morning without anyone getting restless.
San Diego Natural History Museum is two minutes from the Fleet by foot inside Balboa Park. 4.6 stars, $70–$110 (adult ~$22, child ~$15; café lunch ~$30). Plan 2–3 hours. Dinosaurs, ocean science, California ecosystems. Stack this with the Fleet on the same Balboa Park day — park once, walk between them.
San Diego Air & Space Museum is a third Balboa Park museum option. 4.6 stars, $60–$90 (adults ~$20, kids 3–11 ~$10). Plan 2–3 hours. For kids who've watched anything with aircraft, this museum exceeds expectations.
Children's Museum of Discovery in Escondido (30 minutes north) earns 4.6 stars at $50–$70 for a family (admission ~$10–$12 per person; parking free in downtown Escondido). Plan 2–3 hours. Stroller-friendly, nursing rooms available, genuinely interactive exhibits for ages 1–10.
Children's Museum Park in downtown San Diego is right in the city — $40–$70 (admission ~$15 per child; under 1 free; adults with paid child may be free or reduced). 4.6 stars. 1.5–3 hours. The compact downtown location makes it easy to combine with other downtown stops.
The New Children's Museum in downtown earns 4.5 stars at $60–$80 for a family of 4 (adults ~$15–$18, children ~$12–$15; under 1 free). Check for the EBT Card to Culture program for discounted admission. Plan 2–3 hours. Art-focused interactive exhibits that feel different from the typical science museum formula.
Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert is further out (Palm Desert area), but earns 4.6 stars at $35–$55 for a family — one of the best dollar-per-hour values on this list for families willing to make the drive on a rainy day.
Museum of Illusions - San Diego in the Gaslamp Quarter earns 4.9 stars. Budget $60–$100 for a family of 4 (adults ~$20, kids ~$15). Plan 1–1.5 hours. Every room is a photo opportunity and a puzzle; kids 7+ get it on a level that makes it genuinely fun rather than just confusing.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park earns 4.7 stars at $25–$40 for 2 adults (kids under 15 free with a paid adult). Plan 1–2 hours. One of the best family museum values in the city.
California Science Center in LA earns 4.7 stars. General exhibits are free; IMAX runs $8–$10/person. Budget $30–$80 for a family. Plan 3–5 hours. The 2-hour drive is worth it for an extended rainy day when San Diego's indoor options feel exhausted.
Entertainment Venues
Game Show Studio San Diego in Mission Valley earns 4.9 stars — the highest rating among entertainment venues on this list. Budget $80–$120 per group. Plan 1–2 hours. Your family competes in live game show format. For competitive families with kids 7+, this generates more laughter per dollar than anything else in the city.
City Fun Center earns 4.6 stars and combines bowling, mini golf, and arcade under one roof. Budget $80–$140 (bowling ~$25–$35/lane + shoe rental; mini golf ~$8–$10/person; arcade tokens; food). Plan 2–4 hours. The multi-activity format means siblings with different interests all find something.
K1 Speed San Diego in Barrio Logan earns 4.5 stars. Budget $100–$160 (2 races per person ~$25 each plus food). Plan 1.5–2.5 hours. Real indoor karting on a multi-level track — the experience for older kids and teens who need something that feels grown-up.
SEA LIFE Aquarium earns 4.5 stars. Budget $80–$130 (buy online — gate prices are significantly higher; check LEGOLAND combo deals). Plan 1.5–2.5 hours. The ocean tunnel walk-through is the signature moment — being surrounded by marine life overhead creates genuine awe in most kids.
Shark Encounter (included in SeaWorld admission, 4.5 stars) and Penguin Encounter (included, 4.4 stars) are both indoor — SeaWorld is a full-day commitment at $300–$500 for a family of 4, but it's entirely doable on a rainy day.
Discovery Cube earns 4.4 stars. Budget $60–$100 (adults ~$18, kids ~$14). Plan 2–4 hours. Hands-on science exhibits that blur the line between playing and learning.
Indoor Play Spaces
Rise and Shine Play in Point Loma earns 5.0 stars. Budget $50–$70 (child admission ~$15 each; accompanying adult included; 2 kids + snacks). Plan 1.5–2.5 hours. The best-reviewed indoor play space in the city for young children.
Bluebird Play in Point Loma earns 5.0 stars at $30–$50 for two kids, adults often free. 1–2 hours. Point Loma has both Rise and Shine Play and Bluebird Play — pick based on your kids' ages (Bluebird skews slightly younger).
Squarena in Solana Beach earns 5.0 stars for dodgeball on trampolines. Budget $70–$120 per session. 1.5–2.5 hours. North County; more appealing for kids 7+ who can handle organized competitive play.
Play City in Eastlake earns 4.6 stars. Budget $60–$90 (admission per child ~$15–$18; adults free or discounted). Plan 2–3 hours. Stroller-friendly; nursing rooms available.
Tiny Tiger in Miramar earns 4.5 stars at $40–$65 (child ~$14–$16; adults often free or reduced). 1.5–2.5 hours. Good for the younger crowd under 7.
THE PLAYGROUND earns 4.5 stars. Budget $50–$80 (admission ~$12–$18 per child). 1.5–2.5 hours.
FUNbelievable earns 4.3 stars. Budget $50–$80 (child ~$13–$16; adult discounted or free). 2–3 hours.
Trampoline Parks
Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Miramar earns 4.6 stars. Budget $100–$150 for a family (jump passes ~$20–$28/person per hour; socks ~$3; snacks extra). 1.5–2.5 hours.
Altitude Trampoline Park earns 4.4 stars. Budget $60–$100 per session. 1.5–2.5 hours.
Jump Around Now Trampoline & Adventure Park earns 4.3 stars at $60–$100 (per-person admission ~$15–$25 by session length). 1.5–2.5 hours.
Ninja Factory Eastlake earns 4.3 stars. Budget $60–$100 per session. Eastlake, 1.5–2 hours. The east county option for families staying near Chula Vista.
Get Air Trampoline Park earns 4.2 stars at $60–$100 per session. 1.5–2.5 hours.
AirTrack Park in Kearny Mesa earns 4.1 stars at $60–$100 per session. 1.5–2 hours.
Boardwalk earns 4.2 stars. Budget $80–$140 (admission plus tokens/credits for rides and games). 2–4 hours.
Chuck E. Cheese in Point Loma earns 4.0 stars. Budget $50–$100 (pizza + game play card). 1.5–2.5 hours. Unlimited play passes are the better deal for longer visits.
Freshwater Aquarium is inside SeaWorld (included with admission). 30–60 minutes as a standalone stop within a SeaWorld day.
Quick Picks by Age Group
Toddlers (under 5): Rise and Shine Play, Bluebird Play, Tiny Tiger, Children's Museum Park, Play City, Children's Museum of Discovery
Big kids (6–12): Fleet Science Center (IMAX), Game Show Studio, City Fun Center, Museum of Illusions, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Sky Zone, Discovery Cube
Teens: K1 Speed, Squarena, Ninja Factory Eastlake, City Fun Center bowling
Budget (under $70 for a family): San Diego Model Railroad Museum ($25–$40), Bluebird Play ($30–$50), Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert ($35–$55), Children's Museum Park ($40–$70)
Highest-rated rainy day options: Rise and Shine Play (5.0), Bluebird Play (5.0), Squarena (5.0), Game Show Studio (4.9), Museum of Illusions (4.9)
A rainy day in San Diego doesn't have to feel like a setback. The Balboa Park museum cluster alone can fill an entire day — park once, walk between the Fleet, Natural History Museum, and Air & Space Museum, and you've got 6–8 hours of content without moving your car.