Summer in San Diego offers more than just sunshine and pool days. It’s a chance for kids and teens to explore new interests, build skills, and make lasting memories. Between hands-on animal care to competitive sports, ocean safety, and even international academic adventures, there's a wide range of summer camps available in 2026. I've rounded up my local favorites and destination camps worth considering, with program details to help you plan ahead.
1. RSFCC Summer Camps | Rancho Santa Fe
RANCHO SANTA FE COMMUNITY CENTER offers local themed weeklong camps with a mix of sports, STEM, art, and hands on activities.
-
Program types: STEM based LEGO builds, tennis instruction, creative arts, and hands on science
-
Ages: 5 to 12
-
Dates: June 1st - August 7th
-
Schedule options: Half day and full day programs
-
Good to know: Families can choose camp options that work around other summer commitments and family plans
2. Helen Woodward Animal Center Critter Camp | Rancho Santa Fe
CRITTER CAMP gives kids a safe and structured way to interact with animals while learning about pet care and animal welfare.
-
Location: Humane Education Campus
-
Dates: June 1st - August 21st
-
Ages: Pre K - 8th grade
-
Activities: Animal interactions, indoor lessons, games, and visits with shelter animals
-
Teen option: High school students can apply to volunteer as junior counselors for community service hours. Two of my daughters have chosen to volunteer this year and are very excited about the experience!
3. RSF Attack Soccer Summer Camp | Rancho Santa Fe
RANCHO SANTA FE ATTACK SOCCER gives young players a local option for skill building, games, and recreational soccer.
-
Location: Rancho Santa Fe fields
-
Dates: June 15th - June 19th and July 27th - July 31st
-
Program style: Recreational soccer camp led by the coaching staff
-
Focus: Games, skill building, and player development
-
Ages: Ages 4 to 14
-
Good to know: Seasonal camp offerings are also available during Thanksgiving and the holidays
4. Coast Volleyball Club Summer Camp | San Diego
COAST VOLLEYBALL offers indoor and beach camps for boys and girls at different skill levels.
-
Camp types: Indoor volleyball and beach volleyball
-
Ages: Elementary through high school players
-
Skill levels: Beginner clinics, all skills training, and focused position work
-
Training options: Setting, defense, and general player development
-
Schedule: Offered weekly throughout the summer
-
Location: Most camps take place in San Diego
5. Hegewisch Stables Summer Camp | Rancho Santa Fe
HEGEWISCH STABLES Summer Horse Camp introduces kids to riding, grooming, barn care, and horse centered activities.
-
Ages: 5 to 15
-
Experience level: No prior experience required
-
Dates: June 15th - August 7th
-
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
-
Activities: Riding lessons, grooming, barn care, and horse-themed games and crafts
-
What to wear: Closed toe shoes and long pants
-
Good to know: Registration includes all supplies and spots are limited
6. Camp La Valle | Rancho Santa Fe
CAMP LA VALLE offers a full day country club camp with swimming, sports, games, STEM, and creative activities.
-
Location: La Valle Coastal Club
-
Dates: June 1st - August 7th
-
Schedule: Weekdays, 9 AM to 3:30 PM
-
Ages: 5 to 11
-
Extended care: Optional extended care is available
-
Activities: Swimming, arts and crafts, group games, STEM challenges, recreational golf, and tennis sessions
-
Theme days: Wacky Wednesdays and Thankful Thursdays
-
Enrollment note: Non members must be sponsored by a club member to enroll
7. YMCA Swim Center | Solana Beach
MAGDALENA ECKE FAMILY YMCA offers weekly summer day camps with sports, specialty programs, and inclusive camp options.
-
Location: Encinitas
-
Dates: June 8th - August 14th
-
Camp types: Specialty camps and day camps
-
Activities: Rock climbing, multi sport, karate, farming with Coastal Roots, and more
-
Inclusive option: Adaptive Camp is available for youth with behavioral and developmental needs
-
Good to know: Programs are designed to help kids stay active, learn new skills, have fun, and spend the summer with dedicated staff
8. Art Scōl | La Jolla
ART SCŌL in La Jolla offers individualized summer art camps for elementary and middle school students.
-
Location: La Jolla
-
Ages: Elementary and middle school students
-
Studio Schedule: Three hour sessions from 1 PM to 4 PM
-
Focus: 2D media
-
Art materials: Pencil drawing, colored pencils, watercolors, oil and dry pastels, and pen and ink
-
Teaching style: Instruction is tailored to each student’s skill level and interests
9. Fleet Science Center | Balboa Park
THE FLEET SCIENCE CENTER offers STEM based camps with hands on experiments, exhibits, and creative projects.
-
Location: Balboa Park
-
Ages: Pre K - 8th grade
-
Dates: June 1st - August 7th
-
Camp topics: Astronomy, robotics, chemistry, space science, and other STEM subjects
-
Program style: On site and off site camps grouped by grade level
-
Good to know: Extended care is not available for the summer
10. Junior Lifeguard Program | Del Mar
Photo credit Del Mar Lifeguard
The City of Del Mar’s JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM teaches ocean safety, rescue skills, and beach awareness.
-
Location: Del Mar
-
Dates: Weekday mornings from June through the end of July
-
Session length: Multiple two week sessions
-
Ages: 9 to 15
-
Focus: Ocean safety, rescue techniques, and physical conditioning
-
Advanced option: A limited space Super Academy is available for older participants to learn how lifeguards monitor the beach, interpret flag signals for public safety, and coordinate as a team to manage real-time ocean conditions.
11. Watersports Camp | Mission Bay
Photo credit Watersports Camp
THE WATERSPORTS CAMP gives kids and teens a full week of water based instruction and recreation on Mission Bay.
-
Location: Mission Bay Aquatic Center
-
Ages: 6 to 17
-
Dates: June 1st - August 21st
-
Session options: Full day and half day sessions
-
Activities: Wakeboarding, sailing, surfing, stand up paddling, kayaking, and marine science
-
Daily structure: Morning instruction in the camper’s primary activity, followed by afternoon recreational sessions introducing different watersports
-
Safety note: A swim assessment is conducted on the first day ot ensure water safety
-
Optional add on: Late supervision is available for an additional fee, providing flexibility for families and continued downtime with indoor activities to unwind after a full day on the water.
12. The Bishop’s School | La Jolla
Photo credit The Bishops School
THE BISHOP'S SCHOOL offers summer academics, enrichment classes, and athletic camps for a wide range of grade levels.
-
Location: La Jolla
-
Summer session program grades: Rising grades 4 to 12
-
Athletic camp grades: Rising grades 3 to 12
-
Dates: Programs run throughout June and July, with dates varying by grade level and course
-
Upper School options: Health, biblical literature, math prep, literature and writing, engineering design, electronics and coding, marine biology, and speech and debate
-
Younger student options: Visual arts, global chefs, forensics, and musical theater
-
Athletic options: Baseball, basketball, field hockey, flag football, lacrosse, strength and agility, and tennis
-
Schedule: Morning and afternoon sessions are available depending on the course or camp
-
Good to know: No classes are held on June 19 or July 3
13. Oxford Royale Academy | UK & US
OXFORD ROYALE’S SUMMER SCHOOL offers two week residential academic programs for students ready for a summer experience beyond local camp options.
-
Ages: 12 to 18
-
Program length: Two weeks
-
Dates: July 5th - August 15th
-
Start dates: July 5th, July 19th, and August 2nd
-
Locations: Oxford University, University of Cambridge, Yale University, Imperial College London, Columbia in New York, and Dubai
-
Subjects: Medicine, law, engineering, artificial intelligence, global leadership, and other advanced academic areas
-
Included: Dorm style housing, meals, academic mentoring, and structured extracurricular activities
-
Affiliation note: Oxford Royale Academy operates independently and is not affiliated with the universities, though it uses their facilities
-
Personal note: My daughter went two years ago and had a blast
14. ISSFT Camps | University of Oxford & University of St Andrews
THE INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL FOR TEENS (ISSFT) offers two week residential programs in the United Kingdom for teens interested in academics, electives, and cultural experiences.
-
Program name: International Summer School for Teens
-
Ages: 13 to 18
-
Program length: Two weeks
-
Locations: University of Oxford and University of St Andrews
-
Oxford dates: July 5th - July 19th
-
St Andrews dates: Beginning July 11
-
Academic subjects: English, Global Entrepreneurship, and Introduction to Law with International Relations
-
Electives: Golf, tennis, photography, and theatre
-
Activities: Evening entertainment, day trips, and cultural site visits
-
Accreditation: Accredited by the British Accreditation Council
-
Additional approval: Approved activity provider for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
-
Personal note: Both my 16 and 17 year old attended last year and participated in the World Leadership program at Oxford University, and they loved it!
Summer camps and programs are important because they make learning feel like a freedom, not a requirement. These camps give kids room to be active, focus on new interests, and try something outside their regular routine. With programs built around animals, sports, science, art, academics, and travel, there are plenty of ways to make Summer 2026 count.
To learn more about dining, travel, local events, and trends in luxury lifestyles, visit my blog. And don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for updates on luxury real estate and San Diego's best-kept secrets! Talk soon.
