April: What To Do With Kids In San Diego (April 2025)
- Fam Diego
- Apr 1
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 2
April Adventures are here! 🙌 Which ones will you go on this month?! 🐣🌷🍓🌳📚🌎🤹🏻❄️🛼
April's List of What To Do With Kids in San Diego
Here are all the fun kid-friendly events and seasonal happenings for these lucky San Diego kids in April.
Contents:
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🐣 EASTER CELEBRATIONS
Celebrate with your little honey-bunnies! (Easter Guide will be up this week)
🌷 FLOWER FIELDS
JULIAN FARM & ORCHARD
They have u-cut daffodils, zinnias, sunflowers & farm activities. These costs can add up if you do all the activities so you might want to pick and choose a couple: tractor rides, petting zoo & yard games. We had the best day here and it's all so fun. They also had some hot sandwiches from a nearby restaurant for sale that were delicious.
📆 March-April every year
4381 Julian Hwy, Julian, CA 92036
💻 info
CARLSBAD FLOWER FIELDS
They have PHOTO-only flowers (NO u-cut) and you cannot walk in the fields. You'll find 55 acres of giant ranunculas in all colors. You can only walk the perimeter They have lots of other fun activities on site, but the costs really add up here: tractor-wagon ride, sweet pea maze, playground, gemstone mining, butterfly encounter and more.
📆 early March - early May every year
📍5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
💻 info
🍓 STRAWBERRY PICKING
This is a fun Spring-Summer activity to get out in the fields and pick the freshest strawberries you've ever tasted. Kids will get dirty, so wear clothes & shoes that you don't mind getting muddy. Some of these have fun add-ons like hay rides or sunflower mazes, etc. so be prepared to do (and pay) more than just pick strawberries. And bring some extra money because it all adds up! And yes these freshly picked strawberries will cost you more than at the grocery store, but you're really paying for the experience and teaching your kids about where food comes from.
FAQ: No, these are not organic strawberry farms.
MELLANO FARMSTAND - Strawberry Picking & Festival
April 5 & 6, 2025 + beyond. The Strawberry Festival kicks off their strawberry picking season! During the 2-day festival, you'll be able to pick your own strawberries, walk through the flower fields, take a tractor ride, bounce house, enjoy the delicious food trucks, live music and more! DATES: April 5 & 6, 2025 from 10am-4pm.
📍 5750 N River Rd., Oceanside
Strawberry Picking will remain open Thursday-Sunday from 10:30am-3pm until the season is over.
2022 COST: $10/small bucket; $15/large bucket
2022 EXTRAS: $5/tractor rides on weekends
Parking Fee: $5 during festival dates
KENNY'S STRAWBERRIES
Mar. 22, 2025 - mid-June. Join us at our strawberry farm for a day filled with laughter, berry picking, and making unforgettable memories with your loved ones. 🍓💕 Bring the kids along and let them experience the joy of picking their own bright red berries straight from the plant. Each child will receive a strawberry coloring book and they can also enjoy our farm themed sensory play area at no additional cost.
📍 953 Rainbow Valley Blvd., Fallbrook
We also have our Kenny’s Farm Kitchen on Saturdays and Sundays serving fresh strawberry lemonade, shortcake and ice cream bars. There will also be additional food vendors on weekends.
WHEN: Mar. 22, 2025 - mid-June
HOURS: Fri-Sun from 10-5
RSVP: reservations required (click here)
2025 COST: $5 entry fee ages 4+ plus cost of buckets
2023 COST: $8/small bucket; $20/large bucket
CARLSBAD STRAWBERRY CO.
Open NOW! Not only are our strawberries super fresh and tasty, but we offer the unique experience of getting to pick your own! We have been growing Strawberries for generations and it is our joy to provide a great family, friend or field trip adventure you'll remember for years to come.
📞 760-603-9608 📍 1050 Cannon Rd., Carlsbad
HOURS: daily 9am-5pm, weather permitting
RSVP: none needed, walk-in only
2025 COST: $17/bucket includes admission for one; $10/pp field admission for those not picking
2025 EXTRAS: Tractor Rides are $10/adult; $5 rabbits, $5 sheep/goat, OR $12 tractor ride + animal petting, Bounceland prices here
🌳 NATIONAL PARKS WEEK
April 19-27, 2025. Opt Outside all week to enjoy our beautiful country. Entrance fees are waived on 4/19; different parks will host events & activities all week! 💻 website
San Diego National Park Events:
Cabrillo: walking tours, open bunker, snake greetings, open tower climbs
Joshua Tree: guided jr ranger hikes, campfire evenings
National Parks always have a few “fee-free days” during the year to make parks accessible to everyone. 2025 dates: 1/20, 4/19, 6/19, 8/4, 9/27, 11/11
National Parks also offer free parks passes to 4th graders, military and those with permanent disability.
📚 STORY TRAILS
APRIL 2025. Stroll along a Story Trail in April! We’ve teamed up with @sdcountylibrary to bring the colorful pages of children's books to life at some of our most family-friendly trails during Earth Month. Bring the whole family for a one-of-a-kind literary adventure – in both English and Spanish. Don’t miss out on the fun. website
Find Story Trails at these County Parks:
Adams County Park (Valley Center)
Agua Caliente County Park (Julian/Anza Borrego)
Barnett Ranch County Preserve (Ramona)
Borrego Springs County Park (Borrego Springs)
Dos Picos County Park (Ramona)
Eastview County Park (Sweetwater/Bonita)
El Monte County Park (Lakeside)
Estrella County Park (Spring Valley)
Flinn Springs County Park (El Cajon)
Lake Morena County Park (Campo)
Lincoln Acres County Park (National City)
Live Oak County Park (Fallbrook)
Louis A. Stelzer County Park (Lakeside)
Pine Valley County Park (Pine Valley)
Potrero County Park (Potrero)
Rancho Guajome Adobe County Park (Vista)
Santa Ysabel Nature Center (East County)
Spring Valley County Park (Spring Valley)
🌎 EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS
Apr. 18-27, 2025. We’ve planned free fun for the whole family at locations across San Diego! County Parks is celebrating Earth Day with a series of outdoor events: from picnic with the goats, reading with a boa constrictor, guided hikes and volunteer clean-up events, find all the info below! website
Friday, April 18, 2025 at 11 a.m.
Earth Day Fair at County Operations Center Patio
Learn how the County of San Diego is working to create a more sustainable world through its departments and programs. Staff are hosting a free public fair with a variety of interactive and informative booths, demonstrations and giveaways.
Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Reading with Rosy: An Animal Encounter with Books at San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center.
With our resident reptile ambassador – Rosy the Rosy Boa – our rangers will host an interactive snake workshop, a lagoon trail walk, and a very special storytime with the San Diego County Library! Meet at the Nature Center Amphitheater; call the park for details at (760) 634-3026.
Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Picnic with the Goats at Los Penasquitos Ranch House
Bring your lunch for a pen-side picnic with our resident animal ambassadors. During the picnic, park rangers will discuss 1860s ranch life, animal care and Nubian goats. At the end, there will be an opportunity to interact with the goats and tour the centuries-old ranch house; call the park for details at (858) 484-7504.
GUIDED HIKES
Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve with Women in the Wild
Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 9 a.m.
Head up the hills to a majestic mountain overlooking San Diego County to the west and the Anza Borrego Desert to the east. Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve spans 2,900 acres and contains a roughly 5-mile roundtrip trail through mixed conifer forest to the summit and back. Pause along the way to learn about trail safety, hiking essentials, unique plant and animal species, and to discover how the mountain provides headwaters for three San Diego watersheds. Call for more information at (619) 214-2642.
Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch County Preserve
Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Staff will lead a hike along the moderately difficult, 3.5-mile Martha’s Grove Trail. Learn all about this 2,272-acre property while experiencing a variety of habitats, historic oak groves, and the remnants of an old ranch. This activity meets at the Goodan Staging Area. Call the park for more information at (858) 513-4737.
Dos Picos County Park
Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
The Ernie Pantoja Memorial Trail is an easy 1-mile hike that boasts of coast live oak, native plants and a good view of Mount Woodson. Learn about the local plants and animals as we take to the trail, followed by a walk around Dos Picos pond. (760) 789-2220.
Dictionary Hill County Preserve
Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Join a ranger and a local biologist for a mile hike, exploring the California coastal sage scrub habitat and a discussion on unique and rare plant species. Enjoy the view from a 1,500 ft. summit, where on a clear day you can observe the Coronado Islands, San Diego coastline, downtown, and Sweetwater Reservoir. Meet at the trail head. Call for more details at (619) 644-5492.
VOLUNTEER EVENTS
Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
County Parks and Recreation has partnered with I Love a Clean San Diego to clear waste around waterways and prevent it from moving downstream. All projects will take place from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Advance registration is required - for more information, visit creektobay.org.
PARTICIPATING COUNTY PARKS:
Lindo Lake County Park
Old Ironsides County Park
Otay Lakes County Park
Rainbow County Park
San Dieguito County Park
🤹🏻 FERN STREET CIRCUS
April 12-27, 2025. This FREE street circus is coming to a neighborhood near you! It features international circus artists, musicians, clowns & performers. @fernstreetcircus / website
Fern Street Circus is part of a global movement in creating and documenting the impact of circus as an agent of social justice and change. Fern Street has been designated Cirque du Soleil’s Social Action Partner in San Diego, a signal honor which speaks to our years of service to families in neighborhoods of need. Join us as we make change with infectious joy!
DATES: April 12-27, 2025 from 2-3pm
*subject to change, 2025 info here
Sat 4/12 at Park De La Cruz
3603 38th St., 92105 (City Heights)
Sun 4/13 at North Park Rec Center
4044 Idaho St., 92104 (North Park)
Sat 4/19 at Cesar Chavez Rec Center
455 Sycamore Rd., 92173 (San Ysidro)
Sun 4/20 at Golden Hill Rec Center
2600 Golf Course Dr., 92102 (Balboa Park - southeast)
Sat 4/26 at Azalea Park
2596 Violet St., 92105 (City Heights)
Sun 4/27 at Gompers Park
1110 Carolina Ln, 92102 (Chollas View)
❄️ DISNEY ON ICE
April 10-13, 2025. Tickets to Disney on Ice "Into The Magic" show are on sale now. You'll see Mickey & Minnie, Anna & Elsa, Woody & Buzz and more. This has been one of our favorite shows, even since mine were 2 yo they were mesmerized by all the action. Click here for my tips & tricks for Disney On Ice with Kids.
📞 888-363-5330 📍 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., 92110
WHEN (April 2025):
Thur 4/10 at 7pm
Fri 4/11 at 7pm
Sat 4/12 at 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sun 4/13 at 1pm & 5pm
COST:
Average $24-$58, cost varies by date and seats chosen. Please don't buy the super expensive seats though...you can get good seats for under $40. SAVE $5 WITH DISCOUNT CODE: "DOI25"
-->SAVE THE "SERVICE FEE" AND BUY YOUR TICKETS IN PERSON AT THE BOX OFFICE
SEATS:
Here's a link to the seating map. They're all good seats! The cheap ones on the side usually have the best views. The ones in front center are further away.
PARKING:
This cost $25 at the Jan 2025 show. I like to save you money when I can, but there isn't anywhere to park for free nearby and the trolley doesn't come close, only the bus line. So the only parking option is either to have someone drop you off or pay the $25.
Check “Venue Information” for polices on bags, food, etc.
🛼 VIEJAS OUTDOOR ROLLER SKATING RINK
Apr. 4 - June 21, 2025. SoCal's largest outdoor roller rink is back. Viejas Outlets offers a change of pace in more ways than one! Take your time ambling about soothing cascades and artisan-crafted sculptures, all amid a leafy green, family-friendly environment that’s sure to relax. And kids of all ages can enjoy our interactive fountain, bowing lanes and multi-media performances in the Show Court!
📞 619-659-2070 📍 5003 Willows Rd., Alpine, 91901
WHEN: Apr. 4 - June 21, 2025
DAYS: Fri-Sun
HOURS: 4-9pm
2023 COST: $10/pp incl rental skates, $99/season pass.
TIP: download & sign the waiver online before you go.