The Best Spots for an Easter Picnic in San Diego

Easter weekend is just around the corner and the forecast looks sunny, so why not take advantage of the weather by planning a picnic? Whether your’re looking for ocean views, playgrounds, sports fields, or somewhere you can bring your pets, we have just the perfect place for your Easter picnic in San Diego. 

La Jolla

Scripps Park

Scripps park is a beautiful coastal beach area near La Jolla cove.  You can enjoy seaside trails, sunset views, wildlife, and more when you visit this picnic area. If the weather is right, this would be a great spot for an Easter picnic in San Diego – just remember to clean up after your meal!

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: picnic tables and grassy area

Playground: no

1133 Coast Blvd
La Jolla, CA 92039

Calumet Park

Located atop a bluff right on the ocean, Calumet park offers outstanding views of the Pacific. Want to contemplate your day over a nice Easter picnic and perhaps some wine? You probably aren’t the only one. Calumet park is a popular, yet often overlooked, nature area. Relax, listen to the ocean, and enjoy a quiet moment with family and friends.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: no

5424 Calumet Rd
San Diego, CA 92037

Kellogg Park

This park has on site restrooms, a playground, grassy areas – and a stunning view of the ocean, to boot. This is an excellent spot to take your family for a delightful Easter picnic this year. If the weather is right and you decide to dip your feet in the ocean, there are also showers on the premises. And parking isn’t an issue, since there’s always plenty of it.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: yes

8200 Camino Del Oro
La Jolla, CA 92037

Pacific Beach

Kate O. Sessions Memorial Park

Kate O. Sessions memorial park has a great view of the coastline that you can enjoy with the whole family – even your pets. Whether you choose to sit in the grass, on a bench, or even in the bed of your truck, you won’t be disappointed by the views and recreation facilities this park has to offer.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: yes

5115 Soledad Rd
San Diego, CA 92109

Mission Bay Park

Mission Bay park offers free parking, running trails, vending machines, tables, restrooms, and more to make your Easter picnic in San Diego truly convenient. The view, as with most of San Diego’s parks, is incredible. And hey, you can always go for a jog when you’re done filling up on food!

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: yes

2688 E Mission Bay Dr
San Diego, CA 92109

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach

This is a great beach to park yourself for an Easter picnic in San Diego this year. Get the smell of the sea salt, the ocean breeze, and the warm sand beneath your toes. Ocean Beach is walking distance to some restaurants and shops, and there’s a nice long pier you can stroll around on. There’s also an off-leash dog beach in the area, open 24 hours a day.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: no

1950 Abbott St
San Diego, CA 92107

Sunset Cliffs Park

Come have a picnic at Sunset Cliffs park and discover what stories nature has to tell you. If you time it right, you can observe the marine life in the park’s tidepools, or you can come later and watch the sunset as you enjoy an Easter feast. There aren’t picnic tables, but there’s plenty of sand to park your picnic baskets.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: no

4401-4499 Ladera St
San Diego, CA 92107

Clairemont

Cadman Park and Recreation Center

Want to find a spot that has lots of fun for the kids and the dog? Cadman park has basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, and even an off-leash dog park. You can post out in the bleachers and watch the kids play while enjoying your own Easter picnic in style.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: yes

4280 Avati Dr
San Diego, CA 92117

Kearny Mesa Recreation Center

This awesome rec center has a soccer field, picnic area, leash-free dog park, swimming pool, game room, craft room, and even a BMX track. Does your family have a lot of different recreational interests? Then the Kearny Mesa recreation center is perfect for your 2016 Easter picnic in San Diego.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: yes

3170 Armstrong St
San Diego, CA 92111

Mission Hills

Pioneer Park

This serene park also has a dark side, as it also hosts a cemetery. Don’t let a fear of the dead keep you away, though. This park allows alcohol during daylight hours, and has lots of shade, parking, and places to sit and picnic or barbecue. We’ve heard that, while there are on-site restrooms, you might want to avoid them if possible since they aren’t very well-kept.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: yes

1521 Washington Pl
San Diego, CA 92101

Balboa Park

Not only is Balboa Park it’s own park (as the name obviously implies), but it’s its own section of San Diego. It has a great array of architecture, a botanical building, the natural history museum, as well as a host of other educational activities. Start here with your picnic this Easter, then roam around and learn a thing or two about the world around you.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: yes

1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101

Downtown San Diego

Waterfront Park

Waterfront park has clean bathrooms, a snack bar, plenty of play structures, grassy areas for picnicking, spray fountains, and much much more. If you or any of your family members like ships, then you’ll definitely enjoy the view of the harbor. Parking is free, so make sure to come down early and get a prime spot.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: yes

1600 Pacific Hwy
San Diego, CA 92101

Embarcadero Marina Park North

Enjoy the bustling marina, full of fish vendors and other mom n pop shops this Easter Sunday. Watch the street performers as you sit at the marina and enjoy your meal. There are lots of restaurants with outdoor seating if you forget your picnic basket (although we hope that doesn’t happen). After food, take a walk along the park trail and enjoy a view of the San Diego Bay.

Pet Friendly: yes

Seating Area: yes

Playground: no

500 Kettner Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101