The 5 Best Places You Can Go with Your Kids in North County San Diego

San Diego boasts of beautiful beaches, parks and botanical gardens. The weather is perfect all year long making it easy for families to have fun outdoors in many different settings. Whether you go to one of many popular San Diego attractions or choose to relax at one of the beaches you and your kids are sure to have tons of fun. Here is are 5 of the best places you can go with your kids in North County San Diego that epitomize Southern California fun.

1 - Moonlight Park - 400 B Street, Encinitas, CA 92024

I have yet to find a better family friendly place in San Diego than Moonlight Park in Encinitas. Moonlight is perfect because it has a fully equipped park with ample grass and a great play structure the kids can enjoy for hours. If the kids want to splash in the water, the beach is a few steps away so they can build sand castles and get their feet wet in the ocean. Moonlight also has plenty of bathrooms and showers so after the family is done being outdoors you can clean the kids off and get lunch in Downtown Encinitas which is easily within walking distance.

2 - Quail Botanical Gardens - 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024 - www.SDBGarden.org

A couple miles inland from Downtown Encinitas is the Quail Botanical Gardens which is one of the best places for family fun outdoors in North County San Diego. My favorite part of this attraction is the huge bamboo forest that makes music as the wind causes the bamboo to tap into each other. Pricing for this attraction is low with adults charged $12 and kids 3-12 only cost $6. Your kids will have so much playing in the tree house and with toys in the new children's area.

3 - LegoLand - One LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008 - www.Legoland.com/California.htm

Legoland is a great outdoor attraction for kids 4 and over in North County San Diego. It has rides, games and even a little water park. The whole family can have fun roaming around viewing the elaborate lego masterpieces and soaking up the Southern California sun. Prices for this attraction are $67 for adults and $57 for kids and seniors. You may also upgrade your ticket to include the Sea Life Aquarium which is located on the property. This is an all day attraction so be sure to not schedule anything else because you will be exhausted after your day.

4 - Cottonwood Park - 95 N. Vulcan, Encinitas, CA 92024

If you are looking for a fun North County San Diego park to take your kids, Cottonwood is one of the best. I suggest taking your kids here when you want them to have fun outdoors but may not want them to splash in the ocean. In this park your kids will have fun playing with a unique water structure and climbing a rock wall. There is plenty of grass and picnic tables so your family can enjoy a picnic or play ball. This park is also more dog friendly than Moonlight so go here if you have your canine friend with you.

5 - PlayWerx - 6060 Avenida Encinas #B, Carlsbad, CA 92011 - www.PlayWerx.com

PlayWerx is a place in North County San Diego where parents can take their kids to play on a 'Mega Play Structure" that includes climbing, bouncing, swinging and sliding. While it is meant to be a kid's play structure, I personally love climbing around in it with my son. The prices are very reasonable with kids 3 and under at $5 and 4 and up cost $10. The best part is that not only are parents admissions free, PlayWerx also has a café located inside so mom and dad can sip on coffee while their kids have tons of fun.