We’ve all been outside a lot this year, and luckily San Diego’s weather lends to being able to continue outdoor adventures, even into the ‘winter’ months. We have some beautiful Parks and Gardens in San Diego, all offering something different and with a twist of their own. Here are a few of our absolute favorites!

San Dieguito County Park

This park in North County is easy to get to, just minutes off the 5 and close to a handful of spots to grab a picnic lunch on your way.

          Quick info:

• Address: 1628 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Del Mar, CA 92014
• Phone: (858) 755-2386
• Reservations: (858) 565-3600
• Hours: 9:30 a.m. – sunset, daily
• Parking: $3 in the lot, but street parking is available!

San Dieguito Park has everything you’ll need for a fun family day, but is also a great spot for family photos, birthdays, etc! The park offers over 5 miles of hiking trails – with all levels catered to – make sure you trek up Activity Hill with your kids to check out the crazy awesome suspension bridges and lookout platforms. The park also offers 5 playgrounds, plenty of space to find a quiet spot to picnic and play – and also our absolute favorite stop, the turtle ponds right by the lower entrance. To view a park map and see all this great spot has to offer check out their park brochure!

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San Diego Botanical Gardens

This is such a hidden gem in North County – but once you find it, it’ll be hard to stay away. They not only have beautiful grounds, filled with native San Diego plants as well as plants from all around the world – but they also have the most amazing children’s play area I’ve found in San Diego!

          Quick Info:

• Address: 300 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
• Phone: (760) 436-3036
• Reservations: You must book a timeslot to visit online here.
• Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
• Parking: Free!

When you go, you must stop at Hamilton Children’s Garden – the focal point of this amazing garden area is Toni’s Tree House, where a playground has been built into a beautiful tree, unlike anything I’ve seen before! Once you’re done make sure to stop at the Spell and Smell garden, where your kids can have fun finding their names in letters and learning more about the plants all around us.

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Japanese Friendship Garden

Tucked away in Balboa park, this beautiful garden is one of a kind. On your adventure into this garden, make sure you walk down to the lower gardens – the waterfalls and koi are so beautiful. Plus, my kids could look at fish forever!

          Quick info:

• Address: 2215 Pan American Road. E San Diego, CA 92101
• Phone: (619) 232-2721
• Reservations: You must buy your ticket online here.
• Hours: Daily 10am-6pm, last admission at 5pm.
• Parking: Park at the Organ Pavilion Lot

The garden has a lot of fun events going on all the time, so make sure to check out their events page before planning your visit!

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We have so many hidden gems in San Diego, and these are definitely a few of my favorite – what are some of yours?