6 Fun Things to Do You Can Do at Night (with Kids) in San Diego

1. Roasting S’mores on the Beach

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Light up the bonfire and grab your s’mores fixings for an unforgettable night. What kid won’t remember smushing melting chocolate and marshmallows together? There are even a few places that take the work out of it for you and all you have to do is show up ready to roast!

These hotels offer s’mores roasting to non-hotel guests.

Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave.
Coronado
Online: hoteldel.com

Red Marlin Restaurant at the Hyatt
1441 Quivira Rd.
Mission Bay
Online: hyatt.com

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
2100 Costa del Mar Rd.
Carlsbad
Online: resortpass.com

Bonfire Set-up Services:

Bayside Bonfires
998 W. Mission Bay Dr.
Mission Bay
Online: baysidebonfires.com

Beach Genie
Oceanside
Online: thebeachgenie.com

2. Go to a Drive-In Movie

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There’s a reason drive-in movies have been around forever. They’re inexpensive and fun for the whole family. Drive-ins often have a double feature, where they show two movies back-to-back. You just pay one entrance fee and can either stay for both movies or duck out after the first one ends if the kids can’t stay up that late. BYO snacks and drinks or buy from the food stand if you crave fresh-popped popcorn.

Santee Drive-In
10990 Woodside Ave.
Santee
Online: santeedriveintheatre.com

South Bay Drive-In
2170 Coronado Ave.
Chula Vista
Online: southbaydrivein.com

3. Watch SeaWorld Fireworks for Free

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Throughout the year, the night sky get's lit up with SeaWorld’s fireworks show over Mission Bay. Psst…you don’t have to watch them from SeaWorld. Anywhere along Mission Bay will give you a good view, like from Ski Beach in the middle of Mission Bay. 

Insider Tip: Dress warmly, bring a beach blanket, and grab some take-out for dinner.

Ski Beach Park
1600 Vacation Rd.
Mission Bay
Online: seaworld.com

4. Take in a San Diego Sunset

Sunsets are such a relaxing way to unwind from a busy day. So gather up your special people and head to the coast, the beach, or a pier to enjoy some quiet time together and reflect on your summer plans. Grabbing a spot at the end of a pier makes for the best front-row seat. Choose a pier with a restaurant at the end so you can enjoy dinner al fresco while watching the sun go down.

Imperial Beach Pier: Tin Fish
910 Seacoast Dr.
Imperial Beach
Online: tinfishonline.com

Ocean Beach Pier: Walking on Water Café
5091 Niagara Ave.
Ocean Beach
Online: walkingonwatercafe.com

Oceanside Pier
10 Oceanside Pier
Oceanside
Online: visitoceanside.org

5. Visit Belmont Park

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Bright lights, rides, food, music, and fun make an epic way to keep your nights going. Belmont Park has something to put a smile on everyone’s faces. There are a number of rides for kids under 36” tall, while bigger kids can ride the Giant Dipper roller coaster, play laser tag, or try the Sky Ropes. Dinner is easy breezy with burgers and pizza, or enjoy an ocean sunset view from one of their sit-down restaurants.

3146 Mission Blvd.
Mission Beach
Online: belmontpark.com

6. Explore Balboa Park after Dark

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Walk around Balboa Park after dark and you’ll be amazed at how much life there is to see. All the buildings are lit up at night and with the colors changing every few seconds, it makes for a mesmerizing free light show. Another free and fun show to watch is the roller skaters who show up with their music and practice their tricks and spins as they roll around a makeshift lap in front of the San Diego Museum of Art. One perk about coming here after dark is there will be plenty of parking.

1450 El Prado
Balboa Park
Online: balboapark.org