I like San Diego Worldwide Airport (SAN). It’s a part of what my metropolis an awesome place for household holidays. The airport is true in the course of Downtown, which implies you’ll be able to in style areas shortly—Coronado, La Jolla, and past.

I’ve been utilizing SAN as my house airport since I used to be eighteen. Now as a mum or dad and San Diego household journey advisor, I’ve been via it extra occasions than I can rely with children in tow and so have my purchasers.

This information is designed that can assist you navigate the airport confidently with kids whether or not it’s your first journey or your fiftieth. It’s organized by terminal so you’ll be able to plan for what’s obtainable close to your gate, from household restrooms and lactation rooms to meal choices that work for choosy eaters.

Earlier than You Go: What Mother and father Have to Know

It’s not an advanced airport. My household doesn’t thoughts arriving early due to the improved conveniences it gives recently. And extra of our domestically in style eating places and bars are opening shops contained in the airport.

This implies you’ll be able to style and sip the perfect of San Diego earlier than your flight (or seize one thing on the best way to baggage declare). However first, let’s focus on the vital logistics dad and mom wish to find out about.

Water Bottle Refills Are In all places

Deliver your personal refillable water bottle. There are bottle refill stations situated post-security in each terminal plus a pair extra within the worldwide arrivals space. You’ll discover them close to restrooms and gate clusters.

(Simply bear in mind to empty them earlier than going via safety after all which is one thing my daughter tends to overlook to do.)

Wi-Fi and Interactive Terminal Maps

I exploit the airport Wi-Fi on a regular basis. It’s quick and free. Discover the sign and hook up with it. Then, a sign-in field will seem. Pop in your e mail, settle for the phrases, and surf away.

To search out your method across the airport, the interactive terminal map on SAN’s official web site is below On the Airport > Interactive Map. I’m supplying you with the hyperlink as a result of I’ve made the error of outdated maps, due to the renovation. And this one is comparatively simple on a cellular system.

Safety: What to Count on and Easy methods to Plan

TSA PreCheck is on the market at each checkpoint, and children below 18 can undergo with you (examine present guidelines to make certain).

CLEAR is on the market at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 West, however not at Terminal 2 East. If you happen to’re flying out of East (American or Alaska largely) and need to use CLEAR, you’ve two choices.

Possibility 1: Indoor route

• Step 1: Test your baggage at Terminal 2 East desks inside.
• Step 2: Go downstairs to baggage declare, then stroll via the terminal to Terminal 2 West.
• Step 3: Use the set of escalators (or the close by elevator) to go upstairs to safety. You’ll see these as you stroll towards T2 West.

Takes lower than 10 minutes. I’ve finished this loads of occasions with my daughter. It’s simple sufficient with older children, however is likely to be an excessive amount of should you’re juggling a stroller, automobile seat, or overtired toddler.

Possibility 2: Out of doors route (greatest with a stroller)

• Step 1: Test your baggage with a skycap at Terminal 2 East.
• Step 2: Keep exterior and stroll left alongside the curb to the Terminal 2 West entrance.
• Step 3: Enter via CLEAR at Terminal 2 West.

Why this works: The East and West sides of Terminal 2 aren’t linked upstairs at check-in degree. If you happen to attempt to stroll inside, you’ll be compelled downstairs after which again up once more like in choice 1 this outside route skips the ground change.

Safety traces at SAN are typically very affordable exterior of vacation weeks or weather-related delays. Terminals 2 East and West are linked airside, so when you’re via safety in both half, you’ll be able to transfer freely between the 2.

Gate-Test That Stroller

If you happen to’re flying with small children, deliver a stroller and gate-check it. It makes an enormous distinction whereas navigating the terminals, particularly in case your gate is an extended stroll or there are any delays.

On the time of this writing, each airline permits one stroller per baby to be gate-checked at no cost.

Sundries & Requirements

If a toddler wants drugs, you’re restricted to what’s stocked in Hudson or comfort outlets. It’s often simply band-aids, ache relievers, some chilly and allergy medicines, Dramamine, hand sanitizer, travel-size wipes, and issues like this. I’ve seen toddler Tylenol previously. The one technique to confirm inventory is to name.

USO San Diego: A Beneficial Useful resource for Navy Households

If you happen to’re an active-duty service member or touring with one, USO San Diego operates a devoted lounge pre-security, close to the place you get dropped off by the T2 East skycabs. It gives snug seating, snacks, drinks, children’ actions and play space, and a quiet area to regroup earlier than your flight.

Remedy Canines at SAN

SAN’s volunteer program, Prepared, Pet, GO!, brings licensed remedy canine and their handlers into the terminal. I do see them in gate areas they usually love assembly children and calming nerves. They aren’t all the time roaming the airport however maintain an eye fixed out for them.

Baggage Carts

You’ll discover SmartCarts the place you get dropped off on the terminal. They value $8. You’ll use a contactless cost to pay and when you do, a cart will probably be launched in your use. My daughter and I used one not too long ago to get our baggage to the Alaska counter.

At T2, the skycaps are actually proper subsequent to the bags cart so that you don’t want one should you’re checking in with them. In the event that they’re closed or the traces are lengthy and also you need to haul your baggage inside, the carts assist cross the skybridge over the road that connects the drop-off space to the terminal.

Terminal 2 West (Gates 36–51): An Straightforward Concourse for Households

If you happen to’re flying Delta, United, or most worldwide carriers, you’re probably departing from Terminal 2 West. That is the perfect terminal for households thanks to higher eating, extra room to unfold out, and the airport’s solely play space (till the brand new play space opens in Terminal 1).

Provisions Earlier than Safety

If it was all you possibly can do to get the household into the automobile to the airport, you do have a meals choice earlier than safety close to the check-in desks—Einstein Bagels. We’ve got ducked in there earlier than to proper the ship earlier than going via safety.

There’s additionally a comfort retailer for magazines and snacks known as Lindbergh Area Information.

San Diego Airport Play Space in T2 West

The Chase Sapphire Lounge situated close to Gates 46–47, is the one lounge at SAN previous safety with a devoted kids’s playroom. It’s a clear, contained area the place little ones can entertain themselves earlier than the flight whereas dad and mom take a breather with included scorching meals and drinks.

Entry is on the market primarily via the Chase Sapphire Reserve bank card. If you happen to’re touring with youthful children and have lounge entry, they’ll adore it, and there’s a pleasant altering desk plus often some diapers within the toilet. The bonus is that that is my favourite lounge in San Diego airport. We go early simply to make use of it.

The place to Eat in T2 West with Children

• Phil’s BBQ (Gate 45): An area San Diego favourite that provides beneficiant plates of ribs, hen, and fries.
• Pannikin Espresso & Tea (Gate 39): Not only for adults — they provide baked items, pastries, and scorching cocoa, making it an awesome cease for snacks. The unique outpost was in La Jolla for many years and Mexican scorching chocolate is a La Jollan favourite (has cinnamon and nutmeg). Native teenagers adore it.
• Elegant Desserts (Gate 38): Cookies, mushy serve, and different candy treats that work as bribes, rewards, or peace choices mid-tantrum.
• Beaudevin Wine Bar (Gate 39): Whereas not designed for teenagers, it’s a quieter area with shareable flatbreads and salads if you must sit down on this finish of the terminal.
• Starbucks (Gate 46-47): This outlet takes cellular order which I extremely advocate in any other case you’ll wait.
• Stone Brewing (Gate 36): A smaller outlet of a bigger native brewery identified for craft beer and it opens early at like 6 a.m. It’s a spot with tables if dad and mom/guardians need to sit and have a drink whereas children snack on gastropub fare.

Snack Runs and Final-Minute Necessities

For grab-and-go choices or forgotten objects, T2 West is nicely stocked.

• Stellar Information (Gate 39 space): Provide snacks, bottled drinks, gum, exercise books, and fundamental journey wants.
• Camden Meals Co. (close to Gate 36): Contemporary sandwiches, salads, lower fruit, baked items, and packaged snacks with a more healthy tilt.
• Gaslamp MarketPlace (close to Gate 46): A mixture of San Diego–themed items, snacks, and children’ souvenirs.
• Tech on the Go (close to Gate 37): Chargers, headphones, and small electronics for surviving an extended flight.
• Warwick’s of La Jolla (Gate 47): This store is a real gem and should go to in La Jolla. I purchase a great deal of items and skip Amazon to purchase books right here in individual. This beloved native bookstore has an awesome children’ part with books, puzzles, exercise kits, and little trinkets. It’s among the finest stops for one thing quiet and screen-free earlier than you board.

Restrooms & Lactation Room

• Household restrooms are situated all through the terminal and are clearly marked.
• A lactation room is on the market close to Gates 34–35. It’s totally personal and features a sink, electrical shops, and comfy seating.

Aircraft Recognizing & Quiet Distractions

There’s a tucked-away known as Sundown Cove with some counter order spots (pizza, ramen, Mexican meals) with floor-to-ceiling home windows and good runway views. This is among the greatest locations on the airport for teenagers to observe planes take off and land. There’s additionally fro-yo right here.

Different quiet wins for visible distraction:

• Look out for artwork: Close to the Chase Lounge that’s a cool ceiling show we like with rotating lights and sculptural design delicate however surprisingly mesmerizing for teenagers.
• Massive home windows all through the concourse: Excellent for declaring plane, gasoline vans, and floor crew exercise.
• The sculpture space close to Peet’s Espresso typically has attention-grabbing issues happening. Final time we have been there, dancers have been performing.

Terminal 2 East (Gates 20–33): Straightforward to Navigate, However Can Really feel Tight

In case your flight departs from Terminal 2 East (Alaska Airways and American Airways largely), you’re in one of the crucial compact, easy areas of the airport. I’ve spent a whole lot of time right here as an American AAdvantage Govt Platinum member.

It’s not as spacious as Terminal 2 West, however it’s easy to maneuver via which is usually a big plus when touring with children.

Why This Terminal Works for Households

The whole lot you want is pretty shut collectively: safety, meals, bogs, and boarding gates are all roughly clustered in the identical wing that perhaps takes 5 minutes to stroll from finish to finish.

If you happen to’re making an attempt to keep away from gate-checking a stroller, that is in all probability the simplest terminal for carrying a child in a provider although I’d maintain the stroller for toddlers.

That stated, when the airport is busy, seating close to the gates can replenish shortly. There have been occasions after I’ve needed to stand within the Alaska gates whereas ready to board as a result of the ready space was packed. It’s not unmanageable simply one thing to concentrate on should you’re touring throughout peak hours or holidays.

Child-Authorized Eating in Terminal 2 East

The eating space close to Gate 26 has the primary three locations on this listing side-by-side. These usually are not sit-down, however quite counter order locations with restricted menus which might be mini variations of their bigger shops. There’s an space with tables you’ll be able to take your meals to subsequent door, that has big floor-to-ceiling home windows for aircraft recognizing.

• California Pizza Kitchen (Gate 26): You’ll be capable of seize a pizza or a salad to go.
• Panda Specific (Gate 26): Constant and quick. Children love the rice, noodles, and orange hen.
• Jack within the Field (Gate 26): One other fast and acquainted selection.
• Artisan Market (Gate 23): Nice for more healthy grab-and-go snacks, recent pastries, and a big selection of drinks together with oat milk, almond milk, and scorching cocoa. There is usually a line however it often strikes shortly it doubles as Pannikin which is the well-known native espresso store I discussed in T2 West. There’s no seating right here, you’d take this to your gate.

Aspire Lounge: Handy However Not Assured

The Aspire Lounge, situated between Gates 23 and 33, is usually utilized by households together with mine. It’s typically a peaceable place to regroup, however there are just a few caveats:

• It’s not an enormous lounge and there’s no children’ play space.
• Just lately, there have been traces to get in because of capped capability. So whereas it’s an awesome choice should you’re in a position to enter, I wouldn’t rely on it 100%. I’ve seen this in any respect hours of the day.
• Kids below 2 are usually admitted free, which is a pleasant perk for households with infants.
• There’s an included buffet with fundamentals like continental breakfast objects, cheese and crackers, and occasional machines. Home wine and beer are included however they pour premium drinks at further cost. Additionally they have Bare Juice smoothies behind the bar that children like.

I feel the explanation for the traces is as a result of you will get in with an Admirals Membership membership, AMEX Platinum card, Precedence Cross, and day passes. There are too some ways to get in. I’ll inform you than once they’re at capability, Admirals Membership takes precedence. I’ve been admitted with Admirals Membership however not AMEX earlier than.

Different Necessities & Structure Notes

• Household restrooms and lactation rooms can be found post-security, near Gate 23.
• The terminal connects airside with Terminal 2 West, so if you must cross over after safety, you can achieve this.
• There are many massive home windows right here too for planespotting.

Terminal 1 (New): What Households Ought to Know

I actually disliked the outdated Terminal 1. It was cramped, outdated, and laborious to handle with children. There weren’t sufficient locations to sit down, little or no meals selection, and general it could possibly be an disagreeable begin to a visit.

The brand new Terminal 1 is an enormous enchancment for households. It’s brighter, cleaner, and feels prefer it was really designed with passengers in thoughts. You’ll discover extra seating, eating shops which might be reputable native favorites, and improved circulate.

That stated, this terminal remains to be evolving and has solely been open for just a few weeks. Airways are shifting gates and terminals throughout building and never all eating shops are open. At all times examine the San Diego Airport web site earlier than flying to substantiate your terminal and gate project.

Pre-Safety Ideas

If you happen to’re arriving early or assembly somebody at arrivals, there are just a few useful spots pre-security:

• Einstein Bros. Bagels is a fast, dependable breakfast spot if you must gasoline up earlier than safety.
• The dramatic “RISE” jellyfish sculpture exterior the terminal makes for a enjoyable distraction for teenagers, particularly at evening when it’s lit up.
• Baggage declare and arrivals are simple to entry, however there isn’t a lot past seating and merchandising machines in that space simply but.

What It’s Like Airside

When you’re via safety, the brand new terminal is way more enjoyable than its predecessor. Households will recognize that restrooms, meals, and seating are all clustered pretty shut collectively, so that you’re not dragging drained children throughout lengthy corridors to search out what you want.

Eating & Snacks

Even when the total slate of eating places isn’t open but, you’ll discover much-improved eating. At present, right here’s what you’ll be able to count on:

• McDonald’s: A standby for teenagers who need one thing predictable. Situated airside, previous safety.
• Bankers Hill Bar & Market: That is the sit-down choice for vacationers who need one thing extra elevated. It’s very best when you’ve got time to kill and need an actual meal.
• Parfait Paris: A patisserie-style cease that serves croissants, macarons, and sweets — simple wins in case your children are beginning to soften down.
• Ciao Gourmand Market and different grab-and-go counters: You’ll discover sandwiches, fruit cups, and snacks should you’re speeding to board or have to prep your carry-on with one thing in addition to goldfish crackers.
• Darkish Horse Espresso Roasters and Einstein Bros. Bagels spherical out the espresso and breakfast choices.

The airport has additionally introduced a future lineup that features native favorites Puesto, Cutwater Spirits, Kettner Trade, Ambrogio15 (we eat right here lots) and extra. Double-check the eating listings on the SAN web site to see in the event that they’re open while you fly.

Buying & Necessities

Retail remains to be ramping up within the new terminal, however you’ll be able to count on the fundamentals like a journey necessities store with snacks, magazines, and children’ exercise books.

You’ll additionally see native reward choices and San Diego-themed souvenirs. Warwicks (the enduring La Jolla bookstore I already talked about in T2) is anticipated to open a smaller outpost/kiosk in T1. I’m hoping that it’s additionally a spot the place households needing books or puzzles earlier than a flight can decide them up.

Facilities for Households

• Household restrooms can be found close to main gate clusters and embrace altering tables.
• Lactation rooms can be found each pre- and post-security, they usually’re clear, fashionable, and personal.
  • T1 West Rotunda: Degree 2, throughout from the elevator
  • T1 East Rotunda: Floor degree, previous the safety checkpoint
• Seating is best than the outdated terminal, which helps when flights are delayed or the gates are full. And it has electrical shops.
• A children’ play space is a part of the deliberate build-out (actual location: close to Gate 7, based mostly on SAN’s public plans), however it’s not scheduled to open till 2028.

Floor Transportation: What Households Have to Know

Getting out and in of San Diego Worldwide Airport is often easy and one more reason why I like dwelling right here.

However there are just a few vital issues to know should you’re touring with children, particularly when coping with rental automobiles or rideshare pickup after an extended flight.

Rental Automobile Middle

All rental automobiles are dealt with at a devoted off-airport facility known as the Rental Automobile Middle (RCC). A free airport shuttle runs constantly, 24 hours a day, between each terminals and the middle. Shuttles are simple to identify and cargo from designated areas simply exterior baggage declare.

If you happen to’re flying with youthful children or a number of items of bags, simply bear in mind that the shuttle experience provides about 10–quarter-hour to your journey after touchdown. When you’re on board, it’s a easy experience, and it’s simple to search out your rental automobile firm within the middle.

Rideshare Pickup (Uber, Lyft, and so on.)

You’ll discover designated rideshare pickup areas at each Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

• Terminal 1: After you exit baggage declare, comply with the indicators to the Transportation Plaza, which is throughout the road in a devoted space.
• Terminal 2: The rideshare zone is situated on the Transportation Plaza as nicely. You’ll stroll throughout to the second lane curbside close to baggage declare. It’s clearly signed.

I’ve had no hassle utilizing Uber or Lyft at SAN, however typically throughout peak hours, it could actually get slightly busy and tough to see your driver’s license plate coming although not not possible.

Airport Shuttles

Along with the rental automobile shuttle, there’s a free inter-terminal shuttle that loops between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 all through the day. It operates roughly from 4 a.m. to 2 a.m. and is nice should you’re switching airways. Strolling between terminals although isn’t too tough with a stroller and, in truth, is likely to be simpler.

There’s additionally the San Diego Flyer, a complimentary electrical shuttle that connects the airport to the Outdated City Transit Middle. That is useful should you’re utilizing Amtrak or COASTER trains to get to North County with out renting a automobile. We typically have households staying at The Seabird Ocean Resort do that as a result of the Oceanside prepare station is just a few blocks away.

Assembly Household or Ready with Children at Baggage Declare

If you happen to’re bringing children to fulfill somebody on the airport or one mum or dad is gathering baggage there are spots to sit down and wait.

Terminal 2’s baggage declare has slightly outlet for drinks and snacks that’s recently not all the time open after I’m there. The brand new Terminal 1 has public artwork and slightly extra respiration room than earlier than within the arrivals space.

You’re allowed curbside pick-up, however it’s essential to stay along with your automobile. There’s no idling or ready on the curb however individuals do it anyway and it causes congestion. Throughout busy occasions, employees will probably be directing site visitors and telling individuals to maneuver alongside.

On the finish of the day although, I like our airport and it’s pretty simple for households to navigate. If you must keep the evening, take a look at my listing of prime lodges close to San Diego Airport and greatest lodges in Downtown San Diego.