Fleet Science Center

If you only take your kids to one science museum in San Diego, the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park should be a very strong contender. This isn't a place where you stand in front of plaques and read — it's all hands-on, and the difference in how engaged my kids are compared to more traditional museum formats is striking.

The exhibits are built around interaction. Kids can stand in a giant bubble, explore how sound travels, examine the physics of a pendulum, and touch things that most museums rope off. For kids between about 5 and 12, there's genuinely more here than you can cover in one visit. The energy gallery alone kept my 7-year-old busy for 45 minutes because each activity leads logically to the next.

For parents with toddlers, the Tot Spot on the ground floor is a thoughtfully designed space for children under 5, with age-appropriate activities that don't require reading or coordination. It's one of the better under-5 spaces I've seen in a science museum, and it means you're not trying to drag a 3-year-old through exhibits designed for older kids.

The IMAX dome is worth building your visit around. Shows rotate regularly and cover topics from ocean life to outer space — the dome format makes it genuinely immersive rather than just a big screen. Buy timed tickets for your preferred showtime online before you go, as popular shows sell out.

Parking in Balboa Park is free but competitive on weekends. Aim to arrive before 10AM for street spots along Park Boulevard. The museum is fully stroller-accessible with elevators between floors.