Easter is April 5th this year. The eggs hunts started weeks ago and the hotel brunches are already booking up. We went through every event we could find in San Diego County and pulled out the ones actually worth your time and money.
Table of Contents
Underwater Egg Hunt at The Plunge
We’re leading with this one because it sells out every year and people get mad when they find out too late. Friday, March 20, 5:30 to 8 PM. The Plunge pool in Mission Beach fills the shallow end (2.5 to 3 feet, heated to 85 degrees) with floating and sunken eggs. Kids collect them by age group, turn them in for prizes, then go hit the giant floating obstacle course. There’s a Glow in the Dark hunt after sunset too. General admission is $45, or $35 each in groups of 4+. Kids 3 and under are $5. VIP is gone. Check if regular tickets are still available before you finish reading this.
3115 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach
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Santee Lakes Egg-stravaganza
Saturday, April 4, 9 AM to 3 PM. Over 10,000 eggs. Age-specific scrambles so the little kids don’t get trampled. Pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, inflatables, food trucks. Free to get in, though parking and individual activities have small fees. This is the biggest Easter event in East County and it runs smooth every year. Gets crowded by 10.
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, 9310 Fanita Pkwy, Santee
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Alpine Acres Sanctuary Farm
April 3, 4, and 5. Hunts start at 11 AM. This one’s different. 7,000+ eggs hidden across 20 acres of real farmland near Julian, tucked in the grass and around 200+ rescue animals. Baskets are $12 on-site (12 eggs max per basket, can’t bring your own). The Easter Bunny does photos. It’s a nonprofit sanctuary, so your money goes somewhere decent. About 40 minutes east on the 8.
5178 Japatul Spur, Alpine
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Bunny Train in Campo
March 28, 29 and April 4, 5. Departures at 10:30, 1:00, and 2:30. The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum runs a 45-minute train ride through the backcountry in restored 1920s rail cars, all decorated for Easter. When you pull back into the station there’s an egg hunt in the exhibit building, activity stations, and photos with the Easter Bunny. Classic Coach puts you in the vintage commuter cars. First Class gets you the Santa Fe lounge car with a snack bar. Campo is about an hour east and the drive out through the mountains is worth it on its own.
750 Depot St, Campo
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Hotel del Coronado
Two things here. The free beach egg hunt: Easter Sunday at 10 AM and noon on North Beach, kids 13 and under, no reservations, no hotel stay needed. Just walk up. Then there’s the Easter Garden Fair in the Victorian Garden Courtyard from 11:30 to 3:30 with animal encounters, crafts, a tortoise race (real), and Easter Bunny photos.
The Hotel del also runs the Crown Room brunch, which we cover below.
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Sesame Place Elmo’s Eggstravaganza
Select dates from March 22 through April 20. Full theme park day with an Easter layer on top. Rides, stage show, the Sesame Street Party Parade, Easter Bunny photos, an egg scavenger hunt, and a Furry Friends Bunny Hop Dance Party. The scavenger hunt works better than most park egg hunts because kids search at their own pace instead of racing 200 other children to the same pile of plastic eggs.
2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
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Free Community Egg Hunts
City and county parks run free hunts throughout late March and early April. Show up 15 to 20 minutes early. The eggs are gone fast.
- Encinitas Community Park: Saturday, April 4, 10 AM to noon
- Poinsettia Community Park, Carlsbad (EGGstravaganza): Saturday, April 4, 10 AM to 1 PM
- Robb Athletic Field, Ocean Beach: Saturday, March 21, 9 to 11:30 AM
- Pacific Beach Recreation Center: Saturday, March 21, 9 to 11:30 AM
- Santee Bunny Trail, Town Center Community Park East: Saturday, March 28, 10 AM to 1 PM
More Easter Events
- Seaport Village Beach Bunny Festival: Saturday, March 28, 1 to 4 PM. Free crafts and activities at Seaport Village. Relaxed, good for small kids.
- Easter Eggspress at the SD Model Railroad Museum: March 28 and 29, 10 AM to noon. Easter eggs and model trains in Balboa Park. Pair it with other park activities the same morning.
- Hope Easter Run: Saturday, April 4, 7:30 to 11:30 AM. 5K, 10K, and half marathon. Egg hunts and activities for kids after.
Easter Brunch
The big hotel brunches book up weeks in advance. Prices are steep. The food and setting are usually worth it. Here’s what’s running this year.
Crown Room at Hotel del Coronado
Easter Sunday, 10 AM to 3 PM. The Crown Room dates back to 1888. The restoration brought back the original woodwork and chandeliers and the whole room feels like an occasion. Buffet includes breakfast dishes, seafood, sushi, carving stations, and a dessert spread. Champagne for 21+. $235 adults, $125 kids 5 to 10, free for 4 and under.
A.R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Easter Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM. À la carte, not a buffet. Easter specials plus the regular brunch menu. Egg hunt and Easter Bunny in the courtyard from 11:30 to 2:30. Three-course dinner with optional wine pairing runs 5:30 to 9:30 PM. Overlooks the Torrey Pines reserve.
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ARLO at Town and Country
Easter Sunday, 9 AM to 3 PM. They’re calling it the Golden Egg Buffet. Seafood station, breakfast favorites, carving stations, desserts, live DJ, Kendra Scott pop-up. Kids get egg hunts on the patio starting at 9:30 AM, split by age. Central Mission Valley, easy to get to.
Flagship Easter Brunch Cruise
Easter Sunday, 11 AM to 1 PM, boarding at 10:30. Two hours on the bay. Brunch buffet, omelet station, bottomless champagne or sparkling cider. $116 per adult. Dinner cruise runs the same evening.
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Catamaran Resort on Mission Bay
Easter buffet, bayfront setting. Seasonal dishes, sushi, carving station, live music. Kids get crafts, an egg hunt, and an Easter Bunny visit. More laid-back and cheaper than the Crown Room.
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On a Budget
Our best brunch spots in San Diego list has year-round favorites open Easter Sunday without the holiday pricing. Make a reservation now. Walk-in Easter brunch is not a real option.
Easter Bunny Photos
- Fashion Valley Mall: March 13 to April 4
- Westfield Plaza Bonita, National City: March 13 to April 4
- Parkway Plaza, El Cajon: March 21 to April 4 (Bunny Bash on March 21, noon to 2 PM)
- The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch: Free, Saturday April 4, 1 to 3 PM
- Hotel del Coronado: Easter Sunday, noon to 4 PM, Victorian Garden Courtyard
Before You Go
- Book brunch now. The good spots filled up a week ago.
- Community egg hunts are free but the eggs disappear in under five minutes. Get there early.
- Parking at Hotel del Coronado on Easter Sunday is a nightmare. Ferry from downtown or arrive before 9.
- April 5th in San Diego: expect mid-60s and sunny. Layers for morning, sunscreen by afternoon.
