Remember watching Mr. Banks belt out “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” at the end of Mary Poppins? Not only did it make you feel like everything was going to be A-okay with the Banks’ family, it also inspired you to get out there and enjoy a little high-flyin’ adventure of your own. Lucky for us, San Diego offers plenty of spots to go and fly that kite to the highest height. Read on to see where to catch some air.
Photo: Hilltop Park via Beth Shea
Hilltop Park
Hilltop Park in San Diego is like the Emma Stone of parks — there’s nothing not to love. Nestled on the top of a mountain in Rancho Peñasquitos, this locale has a great open grass field for kite flying, a kid’s playground with sand, a covered seating area and amazing views of both the city and the ocean. So, grab that kite and head over to Hilltop Park. You’ll be glad you did!
9711 Oviedo Way
San Diego, Ca 92129
858-538-8198
Online: sandiego.gov
Photo: Noel P. via Yelp
Mission Bay
Don’t you love it when local spots make worldwide top ten lists? Well, that’s what happened when Mission Bay in San Diego topped USA Today’s list of Top Ten Places in the World to Fly a Kite. Nationally recognized, locally approved — spacious Mission Bay is a prime spot to let that kite soar! You and your little ones may run into a few other kite aficionados since the San Diego Kite Club meets here every second Saturday of the month. Also, if your kiddo’s legs are too tired from chasing kites, there are plenty of awesome bike paths throughout the park to check out afterwards.
Insider’s Tip: Mariners Point, Tecolote Shores North and Fiesta Island are all prime destinations for kite flying.
2688 East Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego, Ca 92109
619-221-8900
Online: sandiego.gov/
South Ponto Beach
North County dwellers who don’t want to travel south for the day, get your kite flyin’ fix at South Ponto Beach in Carlsbad. The beach is just north of Leucadia, where the bluffs end and the open stretch of ocean begins. Families love spending the day at South Ponto Beach and it comes as no surprise. The waves are calm, there are tons of stones for skipping and the restrooms are clean and easily accessible. AND, that ocean breeze gives you just the right amount of lift off to get your kite flying through the sky.
Insider’s Tip: Parking is usually available on the street, but if you can’t find a spot there’s a parking lot at the south end. Cost is $15.
La Costa Ave., HWY 101
Carlsbad, Ca 92008
619-438-3143
Online: sandiegocoastlife.com
Photo: Kiwanis Club of Ocean Beach
Dusty Rhodes Park
It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s a… sky full of kites! Home to the oldest children’s kite festival in the United States, Dusty Rhodes Park easily makes our list for top San Diego destinations to fly a kite. Every year, on the second Saturday of May (that’s May 13, 2017 this year!) crowds flock to the Ocean Beach park to not only fly kites but also to build and decorate them. The local event includes prizes, professional kite fliers and amazing kite demonstrations as well as games, carnival activities and live music. Whether you make it to the festival or just visit the park with your family, it’s sure to be a great place for your little ones to see their kite dance through the sky.
Sunset Cliffs Blvd. between W. Point Loma and Nimitz
San Diego, Ca
Online: oceanbeachsandiego.com
Photo: Aaron Burden via Unsplash
San Dieguito Park
Up, up, and away! Any breezy day is a good day to head to San Dieguito Park and launch a kite with your little aviator. Just a short distance from Del Mar, the park gets a lovely ocean breeze and offers a variety of recreational activities in addition to spacious grounds for kite flying. Think about packing a family picnic to enjoy on the large open lawns lined with eucalyptus trees and a tranquil pond. San Dieguito Park is truly a local gem.
Insider’s Tip: Be sure to check out “activity hill.” It has rope bridges, hillside ladders and lookout stations.
1628 Lomas Santa Fe Dr.
Del Mar, Ca 92014
Online: SDparks.org
Where’s your favorite kite flying destination? Let us know in the comments below.
–– Aimee Della Bitta
