NOVEMBER: What To Do With Kids In San Diego (Nov. 2023)
- Fam Diego
- Nov 11, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 19, 2023
(updated 11/12/23)
November Adventures are here! 🙌 Which ones will you go on this month?! 🦖🦀🍂🌟🎄🎅🏻🎢⛸🎶
November'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 November.
Contents:
🦀 TIDE POOLING 🦀
This is best in winter. We love Cabrillo & the OB pier.
🍂 WHERE TO SEE FALL COLORS IN SAN DIEGO 🍂
We DO have fall colors in San Diego. Here's where to catch them! Japanese Friendship Garden, Julian, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Mt. Laguna, Idyllwild, Palomar Mountain.
🤗 PLACES FOR KIDS TO VOLUNTEER 🤗
Help your kids give the gift of volunteering. Some have age limits, but these places are known for letting kids help out.
Or carry a bag with you and pick up trash around your kids' favorite places to play. Have kids go through their clothes and toys and donate what they no longer use or play with to Goodwill, Salvation Army, San Diego Rescue Mission or Interfaith Community Services in Escondido. Donate old books and magazines to your local Little Free Library.
Here are other San Diego Volunteer Organizations, but I'm not sure if they allow kids so check them out if you're interested and be sure to let me know if you find out.
You can also look up volunteer websites and enter search parameters:
🎥 ROOFTOP HOLIDAY MOVIES 🎥
2023. Get 20% with my discount: "famdiego", exp 12/31/23!
One of our favorite activities year-round, but their seasonal Holiday Lineup is especially fun! Enjoy an outdoor movie experience on the rooftop (4th floor roof) of the Manchester Grand Hyatt downtown. You'll sit in your choice of comfy Adirondack chairs, order popcorn, drinks, hot foods, snacks and play pre/post-movie yard games like Jenga, Connect Four & board games. Under 18 allowed before 5pm movies, after 5pm is 18+ only. more info
See my IG Post with details, parking, food, drinks and how to find it.
These are "silent" movies where you'll get a bluetooth headphone to wear and watch the movie on the big screen. Best for ages 5+ so the headphones will fit. And yes you can see these movies clearly during the daytime too (see link for my reel below to see for yourself).
These movies are perfect for kids! Even though they're "silent" movies, don't be worried if your kids won't sit through it all. They can get up and walk around usually without disturbing anyone else, especially if you sit towards the back (which are still great seats). Make sure to book a movie that starts BEFORE 5pm for kids under 18. Movies that start after 5pm are strictly for 18+.
Kid-friendly holiday lineup (these start before 5pm, confirm dates/times online):
11/18 at 2pm - Candy Cane Lane
11/19 at 1:30pm - Greatest Showman
11/19 at 4:45pm - Elf
11/25 at 1:45pm - Nightmare Before Christmas
11/25 at 4:45pm - Elf (open captions)
11/26 at 1:30pm - Frozen
12/2 at 1:15pm - The Grinch
12/2 at 4:15pm - Edward Scissorhands
12/3 at 1:15pm - Nightmare Before Christmas
12/3 at 4:15pm - Elf
12/9 at 1:30pm - Elf
12/9 at 4:45pm - Home Alone
12/10 at 1:30pm - Polar Express
12/16 at 1:30pm - Nightmare Before Christmas
12/16 at 4:15pm - Elf
12/17 at 1:30pm - Elf
12/17 at 4:30pm - It's A Wonderful Life
See website for other 18+ movies for date night or friends night out!
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🎢 THEME PARK HOLIDAYS 🎢
2023. Get into the holiday spirit early with Theme Park festivities. All events are included with regular theme park admission or membership, some activities might have an extra charge.
Nov. 17 - Jan. 7 (everyday)
Bring your family together for the eye-catching spectacles, priceless traditions, and fun-filled surprises of SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration. See dazzling new Christmas shows or meet Santa and Rudolph. Feel the snow falling and watch a Christmas parade. Find photo-perfect moments across acres of beautiful decorations, including a towering 30 foot, twinkling Christmas tree and a music-activated tunnel of lights. All the while, savor delicious candy-topped hot chocolate and other treats for all ages. more info
Nov. 10 - Jan. 7 (select dates)
Dates: Nov. 10-12, 18-26; Dec. 2-3, 9-10, Dec. 16-Jan. 1; Jan. 6-7
A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place is a festive, family-friendly celebration featuring everyone's favorite Sesame Street friends. The park is transformed into a winter wonderland, adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, holiday magic, and surprises. New this year, guests can enjoy a 24-foot tall Christmas Tree, photos with Santa, and extended evening hours for a more festive experience.
Additionally, there will be a Sesame Street Christmas show, the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, the Furry Friends Christmas Dance Party, and a variety of exciting rides and attractions. Guests can also participate in games, savor special food and beverages, shop for unique holiday merchandise, and capture one-of-a-kind photos with their Sesame Street friends, all dressed up in their holiday best! more info
Nov. 24 - Dec. 31 (select dates)
Dates (open til 8pm!): Nov. 24 (member preview); Nov. 25–26; Dec. 2–3, 9-10, 16–23, 26–31
See the Safari Park in a whole new light! Embark on a joyous holiday expedition, and travel through places that glow and twinkle with seasonal cheer. Holiday tunes set the festive mood, and tasty seasonal treats will be available to tempt you throughout your journey. more info
*On December 24 and 25, there will be no Wild Holidays events or entertainment, and the Safari Park will close at 5 p.m. Guests can still visit Santa at Safari Basecamp on these dates before he dashes away to finish his route.
starts Dec. 9 - Jan. 1
Experience the magic and spirit of the holiday season at the world-famous San Diego Zoo! Join us for Jungle Bells as we light up the night until 8 p.m. (*except December 24) with amazing entertainment—including the end-of-the-evening spectacular, Aurora. Bring the whole family, and enjoy all the fun and warmth of this joyous annual celebration. more info
Nov. 18 - Jan. 7 (select dates)
Dates: Nov. 18-26; Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-30; Jan. 1-7
*reservations are still required prior to arrival
Experience the Holidays at LEGOLAND® where the entire Resort is bursting with holiday cheer. Your favorite holiday characters, Santa and the Toy Soldier, are back along with the Gingerbread Man! They’re ready for holiday hugs, pictures, and selfies. Check out our delightfully dazzling holiday shows, Santa approved of course, throughout the park all season long! Also, why not try some holly jolly themed food and drinks too? There is so much to do, you’ll want to spend the night at one of the two LEGOLAND Hotels located right at the main entrance. more info
Nov. 11 - Dec. 31
*Belmont Park is open 7 days/week, but holiday experiences are only on the weekends during these dates.
Your ultimate beachside holiday experience. From a hot cocoa bar, peppermint putt putt mini golf, live music and holiday characters, one million lights and larger than life holiday decor, in addition to their classic amusement park rides, roller coasters and arcades, everyone will delight in the holidays here. more info
🎟 HOT TICKETS TO BUY NOW 🎟
2023. If you're looking for a magical holiday experience, check out these incredible events but you'll want to buy tickets ASAP because these will sell out if they haven't already.
Note: Some of these events are fairly pricey so don't buy into the "Christmas hype" thinking you have to do alllll the things. There are plenty of similar FREE or low-cost activities elsewhere (look at libraries, parks & rec centers, etc.). But if you want an extra special Christmas memory, these are it. ;)
🔸 CHRISTMAS IN THE MOUNTAINS
Camp Christmas, Pine Valley
🔸 SANTA TRAINS
Campo: North Pole Limited ($5 off "HERO5")
Oceanside: Coaster Holiday Express
Perris: Polar Express Train
🔸 HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Annual play at The Old Globe at Balboa Park, tickets
🔸 TEA TIMES
downtown: Westgate Hotel
Del Mar: Fairmont Grand Hotel
La Jolla: La Valencia
🔸 HOTEL DEL CORONADO
Holiday movies on the beach, gingerbread house making, beach s'mores & more
🔸 SAN DIEGO BOTANIC GARDEN
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2022. After Thanksgiving is usually when you'll find your local town squares tree lighting ceremonies. These make for wonderful family traditions & connecting with neighbors. (I'll be updating my Christmas Tree Lighting page soon, this is last year's fyi.)
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🎭 CHRISTMAS PLAYS 🎭
2023. These are iconic San Diego traditions for a reason. Go check them out if you can.
🔸How The Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe, Nov. 8 - Dec. 31.; kids must be 3 to attend. (Balboa Park)
🔸Ebenezer Scrooge Big San Diego Christmas Show at the Old Globe, Nov. 17 - Dec. 24.; kids must be 5 to attend. (Balboa Park)
🔸A Christmas Carol at Cygnet Theater, Dec. 1-30.; kids must be 5 to attend. (Old Town)
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⛸ ICE SKATING RINKS ⛸
2023. Have an "Ice" Day at these holiday rinks.
🔸Hotel Del: Nov. 17 - Jan. 7 (Coronado)
🔸Liberty Station: Nov. 16 - Jan. 7 (Point Loma)
🔸Fairmont Grand: Nov. 24 - Jan. 7 (Del Mar)
🔸Viejas Casino: Nov. 11 - Jan. 7 (Alpine)
🔸Peltzer Ice Rink: Nov. 16 - Jan. 1 (Temecula)
HAVE FUN! 🤗
MONTHLY TAG-ME GIVEAWAY
If you go to any of these places and share about it, please tag me as your resource guide for finding the fun with kids in San Diego and you'll be entered in my monthly tag-me giveaway. It truly means so much for me and helps me out more than you know. If you tag me in your posts and stories please make it visibly seen (hiding tags doesn't count).
And if you have a similar account where you also share about "kid-friendly fun in San Diego", as you know, it takes a lot of time and work to gather this information so if you learn about a new place or idea from me, please tag me as your source. All of this is public information, but it takes me HOURS to compile, visit, write, edit, photograph, and create these sharable posts. Thanks in advance for your integrity.
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