Birthdays only come once a year, and your kid is worth celebrating. But with the big day often comes big pressure. Should you host at home? What are you going to put in those goodie bags? What activity will make all kids (but especially the birthday boy or girl) happy? Whether you are a meticulous planner or a party procrastinator, this list of the 25 best birthday party spots in San Diego will you will help you pick the best place for your budget—and your child’s unique interests. You’re welcome!
Animal Encounters
Birch Aquarium
Courtesy of Birch Aquarium
Where: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla , CA
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-noon and 1:30-3:30pm
Cost: $400 for up to 20 people (including parents); add up to an additional 10 people for $20 per kid or $10 per adult. Members get a 10% discount off the package deal and additional guests.
Includes: Learn all about life under the ocean at Birch Aquarium. Each birthday package includes aquarium admission for all your guests, a decorated party room, an instructor to lead the activities, a craft for each child to take home as a favor, access to the outdoor party patio, and a chance to touch and feed some sea critters. Along with the fun and festivities, each guest gets free parking for three hours.
San Diego Humane Society
Where: 5500 Gaines St, San Diego, CA
When: Anytime the shelter is open
Cost: $250 for up to 16 kids; $10 for each additional child
Includes: If your child flips for all things cute and fuzzy, the San Diego Humane Society might be the perfect place to celebrate. A party at the San Diego Humane Society includes two hours in a private room with a photo booth and animal-centric props, a tour of the publicly accessible parts of the shelter, free time to eat or open presents and an up-close encounter with your kid’s choice of three of the following animals: dogs, cats, rats, rabbits, or guinea pigs. These parties are best suited for children between the ages of five and 12. Pro tip: the Escondido and Oceanside shelters also have birthday party packages, though offerings and pricing differ by location.
Living Coast Discovery Center
Where: 1000 Gunpowder Point Dr, Chula Vista, CA
When: Any day of the week, 10:30am-12:30pm or 1:30-3:30pm
Cost: Basic package $350; deluxe package $500
Includes: Celebrate San Diego’s unique wildlife with a party at the Living Coast Discovery Center. Both packages include admission to the nature center for seven adults and up to 15 kids, an animal encounter and feeding, a craft, a private room, decorations, tableware, and a party coordinator to run the show (and take care of the setup and breakdown). If you spring for the deluxe package, you’ll get all of that plus goodie bags, games and additional animal rendezvous.
Helen Woodward Animal Center
Courtesy of Helen Woodward Animal Center
Where: 6461 El Apajo, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-2pm; weekday times available upon request
Cost: Packages range from $235-$616
Includes: Play, learn and give back to animals in need with an animal sanctuary party. All parties at Helen Woodward Animal Center include at least two-and-a-half hours, access to a private patio for party festivities, 20 guests, access to their play equipment, animal encounters with four animals of your kid’s choosing, and party set up and clean up. Some packages include more animal encounters, additional time, extra guests, a tour of the facility, face painting and party favors.
San Diego Zoo
Where: 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA
When: Based on availability
Cost: $79 per guest ages three and up (except for the birthday boy or girl)
Includes: This truly wild party includes a trip to the Outback with an Australian-themed birthday bash, complete with pizza, soda, juice, cake and a decorated private party room. Each guest gets admission to the zoo for the day and the chance to get up close and personal with some of the zoo’s most beloved residents. An animal educator will also be around to host, entertain and educate.
Museums
Fleet Science Center
Where: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30am-12:30pm or 2-4pm
Cost: $500 for up to 20 guests; additional guests $20 per child or $10 per adult; members get a discount
Includes: Learn about science with all five senses at the Fleet Science Center. Their birthday package includes admission to the museum, a scavenger hunt, lab coats for everyone to wear and keep as a favor, goodie bags, a science workshop, and a party room complete with decor (and two party hosts to keep things moving). For an additional fee, you can add on a food package, cake, cupcakes, ice cream and tickets to whatever IMAX movie is currently playing.
The San Diego Air and Space Museum
Courtesy of San Diego Air & Space Museum
Where: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA
When: Any day of the week, 10am-1pm or 1-4 pm
Cost: $375 for non-members, $300 for members
Includes: For the space-obsessed, the San Diego Air and Space Museum is the perfect spot. The birthday party package includes admission for 15 kids and 15 adults, a three-hour party in Pavilion of Flight, a person to run the whole thing (and teach science to your guests!), a museum tour, a guided activity that you don’t have to plan and goodie bags. You’re on the hook for the food, drinks, and all necessary paper and plasticware.
New Children’s Museum
Where: 200 West Island Ave, San Diego, CA
When: Inquire for available dates and times
Cost: $350 for 25 guests with the option to add additional guests for $14 each; members get a $50 discount off the package price
Includes: For hands-on fun, check out downtown’s New Children’s Museum. Their party package includes a private party room for two hours, a host to keep things running smoothly, one free party spot for your family and a return ticket for every child at the party so they can return for more fun on a different day. Activities, goodie bags and catering are available at an additional cost.
The San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
Courtesy of the SDCDM
Where: 320 North Broadway, Escondido, CA
When: Thursdays and Fridays, 2-4pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-noon or 1:30-3:30pm for indoor parties or 11:45am-1:45pm for outdoor parties.
Cost: $220 to $470, depending on the number of people in attendance (which maxes out at 40 guests). Members get 10% off all party packages.
Includes: All party packages include museum admission for you and your guests, a fancy reserved parking spot, two hours of party time (with 30 minutes before to setup and cleanup), your choice of an inside or outside party space, tablecloths, someone to lead an activity, and a gift to your kid from the museum.
San Diego Maritime Museum
Where: 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego , CA
When: Mondays-Saturdays 11am-1:30pm; Sundays 12:30pm-3 pm. Custom time slots available upon request.
Cost: $499 for up to 20 kids; $649 for up to 30 kids, with the option to add on more guests at $25 per person
Includes: Each party package includes a two-and-a-half hour party, a pirate to oversee the ruckus, a treasure hunt, a sea tale-telling, a history lesson, a group photo, activities like raising the anchor and tossing grenades, goodie bags, a return ticket for another day of fun at the Maritime Museum and a gift for the birthday kid.
Sports, Games & Novelty
Skate World San Diego
6907 Linda Vista Rd
San Diego, CA
When: Three-hour blocks on Fridays from 5-11pm, Saturdays from 10am-11pm and Sundays from 10am-5pm
Cost: $225 for the Bronze package, $325 for the Silver package, and $425 for the Gold package
Includes: The Skate World roller skating rink has several different packages. All of the packages include at least 10 admissions and skate rentals, 30 minutes of party table time with a hostess, two pitchers of punch or pop, 10 ice cream cups and a return coupon for all attending kids to come back and skate another day. Upgraded packages include more party table time, pizza, cakes and more admissions and skate rentals.
Poway Ice
Where: 12455 Kerran St, Poway, CA
When: Saturdays, 1-3pm
Cost: $300
Includes: For ice dancers and hockey enthusiasts, the Poway Ice party package includes 2 hours of skate time for the birthday kid and 10 of their friends, skate rentals, three hours of party room access, pizza, decor, a customized cake, soft drinks and a host to keep the party running smoothly. You can add additional skaters for $10 each, which includes skate rental. If you want to make it even more memorable, you can opt into a Zamboni ride, a group skating lesson, or host-led games on the ice.
Corvette Diner
Courtesy of Corvette Diner
Where: 2965 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA
When: Monday-Thursday: 11:30am-1:30pm, 2-4pm, 4:30-6:30pm, or 7-9 pm. Friday-Sunday: 11:30am-1:30pm, 2-4 pm, or 4:30-6:30 pm
Cost: Packages run between $425 and $525 for up to 15 kids
Includes: Mix music and 1950’s fun at the Corvette Diner. All the packages include use of the Corvette Diner party space for two hours and food for each guest. Depending on the package, guests will play arcade games, take dance lessons or do a craft. To make it even more festive, you can add on other activities (for a fee) such as face painting, glitter tattoos, a photo booth and a balloon artist. You can even spruce up the menu by adding milkshakes or a cookie buffet (also at an additional cost).
Ultrazone Laser Tag
Where: 3146 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA
When: Dates and times based on current availability
Cost: $258 for up to eight people. $26 per additional player
Includes: For competitive kids, laser tag might be the perfect option. Ultrazone’s package includes a two-hour party with pizza, soft drinks, bottled water, party setup and breakdown (including all the tableware and cutlery), two games of laser tag, a host to serve and supervise, a coupon for a discount on a return visit and a gift for the birthday kid. All you need to bring is the cake.
Kid Ventures
Where: 2865 Sims Rd, San Diego, CA
When: Semi-private parties are available anytime Monday through Friday. Private parties are available weekday nights, Saturday and Sunday (anytime there isn’t another party already booked).
Cost: Semi-private parties will put you back $295 for up to 12 guests and the birthday child. Private parties start at $425, and can cost up to $895 if you splurge for the Platinum Birthday Bash package.
Includes: For kids with big imaginations, Kid Ventures offers the chance to be anything from a princess to a firefighter. Their party packages include at least two hours of play, staff to facilitate activities and a host to keep things moving along. Other packages include goodie bags, food, more time and more guests.
Parkway Bowling
Where: 1280 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon, CA
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am, noon, 2 and 4pm
Cost: $16.95 per child with an eight kid minimum
Includes: Have a ball with a cosmic bowling party. Parkway Bowling packages include pizza, drinks, a decorated party room, 90 minutes of bowing, shoe rental and a free ticket for each kid’s future use. Other add-ons include birthday cakes, games of laser tag, goodie bags, and access to games and play areas (which are all available at a per guest price).
Funbelievable
Courtesy of Funbelievable
Where: 11655 Riverside Dr, Lakeside, CA
When: Availability depends on the package you select
Cost: Private parties start at $795. Semi-private party packages start at $395. Mini-parties are $75 plus $15 per child
Includes: Party packages vary widely and are customizable. Although almost everything is different depending on your individual choices, all party packages include a play pass to the play structure. You can add extras such as food, drinks, goodie bags and more.
Art
ArtBeat Studio
Where: 3975 8th Avenue, San Diego, CA
When: Days and hours vary; inquire for more information
Cost: $125 for up to 6 kids; additional kids $18 each
Includes: For little gardeners in the making, ArtBeat Studio has a plant party. This part is mobile, so you’ll have to provide the meeting space and tables and chairs, but they’ll bring the supplies, an instructor to teach the kids about plants (and lead the activity), table covers, gardening gloves and aprons. Each participant gets to keep the terrarium they make.
CeramiCafe
Where: 5500 Grossmont Center Dr, La Mesa, CA
When: Anytime Mondays-Fridays; Saturdays 10:3 am-6:30 pm; Sundays 10:30am-4:30 pm
Cost: $55 plus $16 per child
Includes: Let their inner artist out at CeramiCafe. Their cupcake party package includes 90 minutes in the party room, something to paint, custom e-vites, cupcakes, pink lemonade and a host to assist and clean up.
PaintBox Studio
Where: 1101 Washington Pl, San Diego, CA
When: Any day of the week; times and dates depending on availability
Cost: The standard package costs $399. The VIP package is $599
Includes: Their standard sewing or painting party packages includes supplies for up to 10 guests, a two-and-a-half hour party, themed décor, chosen by the birthday child, and an instructed sewing or painting lesson. The VIP packages also include food and drinks, printed invitations, and goodie bags.
Thrill Rides & Adventures
Belmont Park
Where: 3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA
When: Any day of the week, time subject to availability
Cost: Between $225 and $450 for the packages, prices vary by season and are less expensive between January and March
Includes: Thrill your kid and their friends with a day at Belmont Park. All the Belmont Park birthday packages include a meal, dole whip dessert, and $5 PowerCard arcade credit for each guest and 45 minutes at a private, outdoor table. Some packages include unlimited rides, unlimited attractions (or both).
K1 Speed
Where: 1709 Main St, San Diego, CA
When: Monday-Sunday
Cost: Starts at $40 per person
Includes: K1 takes you for a literal spin around the track. Party packages are custom built; inquire for details.
San Diego Circus Center
Courtesy of San Diego Circus Center
Where: 2050 Hancock St, San Diego, CA
When: Saturdays, 3-4pm
Cost: $275 for 12 guests, $12 per additional guest
Includes: San Diego Circus Center brings clowning around to the forefront. Their birthday package includes instruction in one (or more) circus activities by skilled instructors. Activities include (but are not limited to) juggling, tightrope walking, trapeze and aerial silks. Goodie bags are available for an additional $10 per guest, and include a water bottle, crayon, mask, clown nose and set of three juggling balls. The San Diego Circus Center does not provide food or decor, but parents are encouraged to bring their own.
Uptown Jungle
Where: 8711 N Magnolia Ave, Santee, CA
When: Weekday parties, 1:30-5:30pm; Weekend parties,10:30 am-7:30pm. All parties are two hours long
Cost: Weekday packages start at $185 and top out at $450. Weekend packages start at $235 and go up to $565
Includes: Get wild with Uptown Jungle’s birthday packages, which include a private party space, a party planner and host, drinks, tableware and cutlery, special grip socks for jumping and pizza.
Vertical Hold Rock Climbing
Where: 2074 Hancock St, San Diego, CA
When: Saturdays and Sundays,10am-8pm; weekday availability varies—call for the specifics
Cost: Pay per climber; up to 15 climbers, $17 per climber; 16 or more, $15 per climber
Includes: Take your kid’s birthday to new heights with two hours of climbing, all the necessary gear, an instructor to guide (and keep the climbers safe!) and use of a private party room for 30 minutes after your climbing window closes.
