Zoo, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and the Safari Park in five days, timed for the month the kids get in free.
The big-ticket San Diego trip, spaced so nobody melts down. The Zoo (Rosie Score 87) opens the trip with pandas, the Skyfari, and the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, then late lunch at The Prado and a golden-hour wander through Balboa Park's gardens. SeaWorld and LEGOLAND each get their own full day, with real dinners at Corvette Diner and Pizza Port instead of a third round of park food. Day 4 resets the pace at street level: flight decks on the USS Midway (Rosie Score 86), tacos at Puesto, the Waterfront Park splash fountains, and dinner in an Old Town courtyard. Day 5 drives north to the Safari Park, where the Africa Tram makes the case that the best theme park is a savanna. Dated for October, when Kids Free San Diego turns the most expensive week of the year into the cheapest. Plan $3,100 to $4,100 for a family of 4, before Kids Free savings.
A trip planned with you, not for you.
This is a read-only preview of Rosie's builder. Switch between list, map, and calendar to explore the trip. In your own, every stop is yours to move, swap, or rebuild.
Each day, told as a story
Four gate days would break anyone; the harbor day in the four-spot is what makes the fifth day fun instead of forced.
Pandas, Basecamp, garden wind-down.
Orcas, coasters, arcade dinner.
Bricks all day, pizza after.
Flight deck, fountains, courtyard dinner.
Savanna tram, then home.
Best for your kid's age
Family Score rates each venue 0–100 based on age-appropriateness, safety, and fun factor.
If your youngest is 0–3
San Diego Zoo
Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is a world-class play zone hiding inside a zoo.
SeaWorld San Diego
Sesame Street Bay of Play and dolphins at glass level.
Waterfront Park
Splash fountains, lawns, and zero admission.
If your youngest is 4–8
San Diego Zoo
Skyfari, pandas, and keeper talks pitched right at them.
USS Midway Museum
Sit in real cockpits; the audio tour has a kids track.
LEGOLAND California
Driving School licenses and Miniland scavenger hunts.
If your youngest is 9–12
SeaWorld San Diego
Emperor and Electric Eel are real coasters, not kiddie rides.
USS Midway Museum
Flight simulators and the island bridge tour.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The tram safari, plus zipline and cart add-ons if earned.
What it costs
A typical 5-day trip for a family of 4
Estimated total
$3,100 - $4,100
ex. lodging · family of 4 · 5 days
Mission Valley resort (4 nights)
$800-$1,100
4 park gates + Midway
$1,300-$1,700
Meals in and out of parks
$650-$850
Rental car, gas, parking
$350-$450
These dates sit inside Kids Free San Diego: kids have historically been free with a paying adult at the Zoo and Safari Park in October, and dozens of venues join each year. Check the current lineup; it can cut $300+ off this exact itinerary.
Zoo + Safari Park multi-park tickets beat two singles, and every park sells online tickets below gate price. Never pay at the window.
Day 4 is the pressure valve: under $150 all-in for a family of 4, sitting between the two most expensive days.
Five things we wish we'd known
SeaWorld and LEGOLAND trim weekday hours outside summer. This itinerary uses a Wednesday and a Thursday; confirm both operating calendars the week you book.
Every park day here starts at opening. The first two hours have half the lines of the middle four; leave the parks when the meltdown math says so, dinners are all short drives.
The Zoo is genuinely hilly, SeaWorld and LEGOLAND are long, and the Safari Park is a hike. Bring yours or rent at each gate; under-6 legs do not survive four gate days otherwise.
LEGOLAND is 40 minutes north, the Safari Park 40 minutes northeast. Both against commute flow in the morning; leaving by 8:30 keeps it painless.
They are different parks 45 minutes apart. The Zoo is compact and shady for the littles; the Safari Park is open savanna and tram-based. This trip does both and they will not feel repetitive.
Make this your San Diego trip in about 8 minutes.
Swap stops, change dates, add your own picks. Rosie keeps the rhythm intact.