San Diego is a great place to visit with teens! There are SeaWorld and a great zoo in San Diego where you can go to with kids and certainly not be bored.
SeaWorld has rides, animal shows and “attractions” like the the shark encounter, penguin encounter, forbidden reef, etc. The displays are well done, but it costs an arm and a leg to get in, even with discounts. The Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is smaller:no rides,shows, or big marine mammals; but it’s really quite nice, and a lot cheaper. The best aquarium in SoCal is in Long Beach.
Zoo is only about 5 miles from Shelter Island in Balboa Park, where a lot of great museums may like your kids. Walk around the park, lots to see. The Model Trian Museum is great, there is also an Omnimax, and Aerospace Museum nearby in the park. The best new exhibit in the city is the Midway Aircraft Carrier museum, right in the bay downtown at the foot of Broadway. Cabrillo Natl Monument at the end of Pt. Loma is great also for a totally picture perfect view of the city and North Island Naval Station. If its a clear day, you will see from the mountains to the bay,and south far into Mexico.
San Diego Wild Animal Park is almost 30 mile drive North of SD near Escondido, but shouldn’t be missed. There are zoo’s located in most cities but I have not been to another attraction like the Wild Animal Park. The tram ride is fantastic, you feel as if you are really in Africa. The animals are free.
La Jolla is a pretty beach place to visit and if you have a valid passport, you can take a stroll across the border to Tijuana Mexico.
Torrey Pines State Park and drove south , sticking as close as we could to the shore. You can stop at the “Children’s Beach” and watch the sea lions swim for hours.
Try not to miss taking a 2 hour Harbor Cruise around the entire San Diego Bay area. You can get tickets and board the boat near from your Hotel downtown south of the large Star of India sailing ship in Embarcadro harbor location just off Harbor Drive. The HornBlower cruise line has a narrated tour that will include Point Loma, Submarine base, North Island and Cornado Island and the ship yards as well as the entire San Diego Harbor.