Weekend Trip to San Diego - Activity Suggestions

Question

Hi,

We’ll be visiting San Diego in early April with our two teens (15 and 16), and I’m looking for fun activities they’d enjoy. I think they’d like taking the ferry to Coronado Island and going whale watching, but I’d love more details on how these experiences work. What time of day is best for whale watching, what company to go through, etc.

They’re not interested in the zoo, so I’d appreciate any other recommendations for teen-friendly activities. Looking forward to your suggestions!

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Great plan — Coronado + whale watching are both excellent picks for teens. Below I’ll explain how the ferry and whale-watching experiences work, the best time of day and season to go (April is still good for migrating gray whales), which companies are reliable, what to bring, and other teen-friendly activity ideas around the city.

Coronado ferry — how it works

The downtown ⇄ Coronado ferry is a short, scenic 15-minute ride across the bay and runs frequently (roughly hourly from Broadway Pier and the Convention Center). It’s an easy, no-stress trip that drops you at the Coronado Ferry Landing where you can walk, rent bikes, eat, or stroll on the beach. Flagship Cruises operates the regular Coronado ferry routes and posts schedules online (departures on the hour/from Broadway Pier, half-hour from the Convention Center).

Tip: Buy tickets in advance if you’re traveling at popular times (weekends/midday), but you can often buy at the pier kiosk if you’re flexible.
On Coronado: rent bikes and ride the flat island loop, visit the Hotel del Coronado, and relax on Coronado Beach — all very teen-friendly options.

Whale watching — what to expect in early April

Early April is still within gray whale migration season (December–April), though April is a transition month when many gray whales are heading north and you’ll start to see more dolphin activity and occasional other species. Morning trips are usually best — calmer seas, better visibility, and often fewer passengers on the boat — which makes them ideal for teens and anyone prone to seasickness. If whales are missed on a given trip, reputable companies usually offer a re-ride policy or refund (check each operator’s guarantee).

Best time of day: morning departures (calmer water, clearer views). Book the earliest available cruise if you want the smoothest ride.
What you’ll see: migrating gray whales most likely in winter–early spring; plus dolphins, sea lions, and—later in the year—humpbacks and blues. April often has late-season grays and lots of playful dolphins.

Recommended whale-watch operators

Reliable operators with experienced naturalists and good safety records include Flagship Cruises (their whale-watch tours are well-established and they also run the Coronado ferry) and City Experiences / Hornblower (often marketed as Hornblower/City Cruises). Local specialist outfits (look for ones that operate from the harbor and publish recent sighting reports) also do excellent tours. Read recent reviews and look for “naturalist on board” and “sightings guarantee/re-ride” in the tour description.

Flagship Cruises — solid choice; experience, naturalists, and a re-ride policy in many seasons. They operate ferry routes and whale-watch cruises.
City Experiences / Hornblower — another large operator with frequent departures and good guest reviews.
Local independent operators (check recent sighting logs and trip lengths): smaller boats can be more nimble for close sightings but read reviews first.

Practical tips for whale-watching with teens

Book morning trips for calmer seas and the best chance of comfortable viewing.
Dress in layers — it’s often windy and cooler on the water even on sunny days. Bring a light waterproof jacket, hat, and sunglasses.
If anyone gets motion sick, take a preventative (Dramamine / meclizine) 30–60 minutes before boarding and sit on deck where you can see the horizon. Companies often have indoor seating too.
Bring binoculars and a phone/camera with a zoom. Naturalists on board will point out animals and explain behaviors — encourage your teens to ask questions.
Arrive 30 minutes before departure to check in, find good spots on deck, and avoid lines at the ticket booth. Reserve online to secure spots on popular dates.

Other teen-friendly activities in San Diego

Cabrillo National Monument & tide pools — explore tide pools at low tide, see the Point Loma views, and learn about maritime history.
La Jolla — kayaking / snorkeling / sea caves — guided kayak tours into the sea caves and snorkeling with leopard sharks (seasonal, safe) are big hits with teens.
Belmont Park (Mission Beach) — classic boardwalk amusement park with a historic wooden roller coaster, arcade, and casual eats.
USS Midway Museum — hands-on, immersive aircraft carrier museum that appeals to teens interested in planes and naval history.
Surf lessons / stand-up paddleboarding — lots of teen-friendly lessons in La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and Coronado.
Bike the Embarcadero or Coronado — easy, scenic, and great for photos; Coronado has a wide, flat loop perfect for family cycling. (Ferry + bike = easy combo.)
Explore Old Town or Liberty Station — cultural sites, casual dining, and shopping with more space than crowded tourist spots.
Evening: Sunset Cliffs or boardwalk at Mission Beach — great for sunset photos and relaxed teen-friendly ambience.

Sample half-day plan that combines ferry + whale watching

Morning: take an early ferry to Coronado for a beachfront walk and bike rental (1–2 hours). Return to the Embarcadero by late morning.
Late morning/early afternoon: grab a quick lunch near the harbor then board a 1.5–3 hour whale-watch cruise (book morning if you prefer calmer seas).
Afternoon: if the teens still have energy, finish with a harbor cruise, USS Midway visit, or Balboa Park short stop (museums and open spaces).

Final notes

April is a good month for gray whales (late migrants), and mornings are your best bet for a smooth, comfortable, and productive whale-watch experience. Flagship and City Experiences (Hornblower) are two reputable companies to start with; book ahead, dress warmly, bring seasickness prevention if needed, and pack binoculars. Pair the ferry trip to Coronado with biking or beach time for a very teen-friendly half day, and add La Jolla kayaking or Belmont Park for variety.

Enjoy your San Diego trip — the mix of ocean wildlife, easy island ferry rides, and active outdoor options makes it a winner for teens.