13 Insanely Fun Family Reunion Ideas in San Diego

March 22, 2023

San Diego is one of the best cities to host a family reunion in. From beach bonfires to scenic hikes, San Diego county is one giant natural playground. There are also many great places for those looking to share a few drinks together!

Planning a party of any scale can be overwhelming. That is why we’ve rounded up our list of fun things to do in San Diego during your next family reunion. Keep reading for fun places, restaurants, and activities perfect for your gathering!

1. Taste The Town With A Sidewalk Food Tour

If your group wants to try some of the best food in the Gaslamp Quarter, then hop on one of our Sidewalk Food Tours! Your guide will take you to some of the best local spots while showing you around town. They are also willing to share their insider knowledge about the city and where you should check out next! A Side Walk Food Tour is a great way to kick off your next family reunion.

Check out this spread!

Spots Available

2. Learn a New Recipe at our Cooking Classes

While in San Diego, have your family learn something they can take home with them! Expert household cooks even love our cooking classes! It’s such a fun way to get your hands dirty, work together, and make memories! When you’re home and make the recipe you will always think of the time you first created the dish with your family.

Chef Eliza teaching a private cooking class

3. Hike Potato chip Rock

This iconic rock can be hiked from the Mt. Woodson trailhead starting at Poway Lake. It is a fun way to spend the day and capture a few memories along the way. At the bottom of the hike, there are also many picnic tables and rest areas where you can spend time with your family along the lake!

Potato Chip Rock

4. Paddle Glorietta Bay In Coronado

If your family wants to get out on the water, a great place to go for paddle board and kayak rentals is the Coronado Clubroom & Boathouse. They book up fast so it is important to email ahead of time to make reservations for any paddle equipment. Their clubroom is also available for rentals if you want to host a family event right on the bay!

Coronado Bridge

5. Embrace Your Inner Child

Legoland is just a short trip up to Carlsbad and it is fun for kids and adults! They have different rides, attractions, and many great dining venues that everyone can enjoy. They’ve even added a great new SEA LIFE show where families can safely interact with our aquatic friends!

Brick town!

6. Host A Beach bonfire

It wouldn’t be a San Diego family reunion without a day at the beach. Some of our favorite beaches for a bonfire are La Jolla with its beginner-friendly surf breaks and Mission Beach with its lively atmosphere.

Another local favorite is Fiesta Island on Mission Bay where you can drive your car right up to the pit for easy access. This is also a dog-friendly beach so feel free to bring your pups along. Just keep this in mind while you are driving on the island and make sure to drive slowly for everyone’s safety.

Cozy up!

7. Head To Ramona For A Day Of Wine Tasting

Ramona is San Diego’s lively country town and is perfect for getting away from the hustle and bustle. One of our favorite wineries is Milagro Winery. The tasting room is set on a beautiful estate and offers fun games like bocce ball. They even have a horseback riding package that takes you through the winery!

Great for parties of all sizes!

#8 Hop On A Hornblower Cruise From Downtown

If you want to really impress the family, book a Hornblower Cruise. We’ve gone on their dinner cruise before and were blown away by how much fun it was. The food was delicious, the drinks were great and the views of the city skyline were the best we’ve ever seen.

Group of friends enjoying view on a river from boat

9. Get Out Into Nature At Lake Jennings

One of San Diego’s best-kept secrets is Lake Jennings out in Lakeside. Many visitors (and even some locals) overlook the inland parts of San Diego and it is a shame. If your family likes camping, fishing, hiking, or anything outdoorsy – you should check out this special lake.

For the families who was a cost effective, outdoor excursion!

10. Wake Up To The Waves in San Elijo

North County has some of the best beaches in San Diego. Why not wake up at one? San Elijo State Beach lets you set up camp and listen to the waves all night long. If you bring your bikes, definitely take a trip down the way to Las Olas Mexican Restaurant for spicy margaritas and fish tacos!

How beautiful?

11. Spend The Day Out In Julian

Those of us who grew up in San Diego remember packing ourselves into the car with our family anytime we heard there was snow up in Julian. The small mountain town is lined with cute shops and restaurants perfect for exploring during the holiday season. The fun doesn’t stop there though. In the fall they have apple picking and pumpkin patches.

Year-round, you can try some of the best BBQ in Southern California at Julian Beer Co. We love their BBQ Pizza! Also, be sure to check out a cider tasting at Julian Hard Cider!

Good vibes!

12. Museum Tuesdays in Balboa Park

A great way to spend time with the whole family is at one of the amazing museums in Balboa Park. If you are a local, residents get in free to a different museum each Tuesday. You are also right by the zoo if you want to head over that way and walk around the grounds for the day! If you do head that way, swing by the Spanish Village Art Center for local arts, crafts, and other shops.

The most beautiful…

13. Play Fun Games At A Local Craft Brewery

Most breweries in San Diego are kid and dog friendly which is great for a family reunion. Some of the places we enjoy are located in Miramar because they have the most space to run around. Ballast Point even has a whole outdoor area complete with cornhole!

You can also brew-hop around that area pretty easily with a DD. If you do, make sure to check out veteran-owned, Protector Brewery for a round of shuffleboard.

Get outside, mingle, have the kids play corn hole…

Hosting Your Family Reunion in San Diego

Regardless of whether you were born here, are a local, or are just visiting – San Diego has something to offer everyone. Plan your next family reunion with your people in mind. Send them this list in an email or text and ask your group what they’d like to do while in town.

Still need more ideas? Check out any of our other posts for more activities to do in San Diego!