Discover the Best San Diego Summer Camps for Kids of All Ages

Looking for the perfect way to keep your kids engaged, learning, making new friends and having fun this summer? You’ve come to the right place! Our 2026 San Diego Summer Camp Guide is your go-to resource for finding the best summer programs in San Diego County—from La Jolla and Encinitas to Chula Vista and everything in between.

We’ve rounded up the top-rated summer camps across all categories—STEM camps, overnight camps, sports, outdoor experiences or adventures, creative arts, and more. Whether your child dreams of spending time with marine animals, building robots, performing on stage, or hands-on exploration of marine life at Birch Aquarium, this guide makes it easy to find something they’ll love. Plus, we have tips to ensuring your little ones first day of camp is as good as the last one!

Interested in adding your San Diego Summer Camp to this guide? Click here.

🔍 How to Use This Camp Guide

We’ve organized our camp listings two ways to make your search as seamless as possible:

1. By Camp Type: Choose from categories like Arts, Sports, STEM, Outdoor, Overnight, Traditional, and more.
2. By Region: Use the buttons to search by area—North County, South Bay, Central San Diego, and East County.

This guide makes it easy to find San Diego summer camps near you that align with your child’s age, schedule, and interests. Whether you’re searching for a week-long, full-day summer program, half-day, a flexible drop-in option during school breaks, or a specialty camp focused on hands-on learning, you’ll find options tailored to your family’s needs.

Each camp listing includes detailed information about camp sessions, age groups served, financial assistance programs, if they offer a sibling discount, and what to expect during the program. You’ll also find summer camp FAQs, contact forms, and direct email addresses so you can reach out to camps with any specific questions.

Finding the perfect camp just got a whole lot easier!

💡 Not ready for summer yet?

Bookmark this page and check out our Spring & Holiday Camp Guide for year-round camp options, including winter break, fall, and spring sessions.

Unleash your child’s creativity with camps focused on visual and performing arts. These camps offer hands-on projects in painting, drawing, ceramics, improv, acting, and music. From beginner performers to passionate young artists, these programs are designed to build confidence, encourage public speaking, and introduce new skills in a fun, supportive and positive environment.

Campers might put on a full production, learn stage makeup, create stop-motion videos, or try out instruments for the first time. Many camps even host end-of-session showcases for family and friends.

Traditional summer day camps offer a well-rounded mix of activities designed to engage your child both indoors and outdoors. These camps often take place in local parks, recreation centers, and schools, and they’re ideal for elementary-aged kids looking for an exciting summer full of variety.

Expect activities like nature walks, animal encounters, group games, arts & crafts, science experiments, and themed camp days. These camps are a great way for kids to explore new interests and build friendships in a safe, structured setting. They’re also great for working parents seeking a reliable full-day or half-day summer program.

Ready for your child’s first overnight adventure? Sleepaway camps (also called residential camps) allow kids to build independence while participating in a wide range of activities like kayaking, campfires, archery, rock climbing, and team challenges. Many of these camps are nestled in the scenic backcountry or mountains surrounding San Diego County.

With options ranging from 3-night stays to multi-week adventures, overnight camps offer unforgettable summer experiences and deep social-emotional growth. Your camper will unplug, explore the great outdoors, and come home with stories, new skills, and lifelong friendships.

Fuel your child’s curiosity with hands-on STEM exploration! Our San Diego STEM camps include everything from robotics and game development to animation, marine biology, and environmental science. These camps are designed to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and math in exciting, age-appropriate ways.

Your child might build a robot, code a video game, explore the San Diego Zoo’s animal care team, or dive into VR design. Many STEM camps are led by professionals from local universities, research labs, or tech companies—giving campers real-world exposure to exciting careers.

These are some of the most popular San Diego summer camps for middle schoolers and teens who want to level up their tech skills while having fun.

For kids who love dirt under their nails and sunshine on their faces, outdoor and nature camps are the ultimate summer adventure. These camps immerse kids in nature through animal care, farming, hiking, gardening, survival skills, and wildlife education.

Whether they’re feeding goats on a farm, tracking animal footprints at a local reserve, or learning about ocean life at Birch Aquarium or Balboa Park, these hands-on programs teach respect for the environment and instill a love of nature. Many are 100% outdoors and emphasize unplugged, back-to-basics fun.

Got an active kid? San Diego’s sports camps offer the perfect outlet for energy and teamwork. Choose from traditional sports like soccer, basketball, and baseball, or try something new like surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, rock climbing, or even ninja obstacle training.

These camps help kids develop athletic skills, build confidence, and practice good sportsmanship—all while having a blast. Many also offer water-based programs, taking advantage of San Diego’s perfect summer weather and beautiful beaches.

If your child prefers flips, kicks, and fast-paced fun, check out San Diego’s gymnastics, martial arts, and ninja-style camps. These programs are designed for strength-building, agility, and discipline—all wrapped up in exciting challenges and obstacle courses.

Kids learn tumbling, basic self-defense, coordination, and focus—all in a structured environment led by experienced coaches. These camps are especially popular for younger kids and active learners.

Did summer sneak up on you? No worries—many camps offer rolling registration, sibling discounts, or flexible weekly sessions that you can still jump into. Start by checking availability on smaller, local programs and be open to trying something new.

Make a list of your child’s interests, desired location, and any special accommodations you need. Prioritize safety, staff qualifications, and daily structure when reviewing options. Don’t be afraid to reach out directly to camps—you might be surprised by what’s still available. Click the button below to checkout the full article.

Pro Tip: Search by camp type or neighborhood using the regional buttons to streamline your last-minute camp hunt.

Are you a camp director or business offering a summer program for kids in San Diego? Join the 2026 San Diego Summer Camp Guide and reach thousands of families actively planning their summer schedules.

We feature camps of all sizes—day camps, overnight programs, nonprofit youth camps, and specialty workshops. With 66,000+ page-views in 2025, this guide is one of our highest-traffic resources of the year.

👉 Email Niki at Niki@SanDiegoMoms.com or the button below to learn more about advertising your camp.