23 Best Things to Do in San Diego

The famous Gaslamp Quarter is a hub for entertainment in Downtown San Diego. By day, it’s a sightseeing hotspot for Hop On Hop Off tours, art galleries, and hosting citywide celebrations, like during the annual Comic Con.

By night, it’s packed with nightlife revelers club crawling between top venues like Altitude Sky Lounge, Bloom Nightclub, and live music nights at Cafe Sevilla.

2. Explore Little Italy

The largest ‘Little Italy’ in the US is found right here in San Diego. Take the trolley to this charming community lined with some of the best Italian food restaurants and pizza spots in town. Snap selfies in front of the iconic Little Italy sign and shop more than 150 vendors at the Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market every Wednesday and Saturday.

3. Walking Tour in Old Town San Diego

See what San Diego looked like in the past by visiting the Old Town. A historical walking tour takes you into the ‘Birthplace of California’ to see buildings built as early as the 18th century. The 27-building self-guided tour visits the Old Town Market, the haunted Whaley House, preserved residences in the style of Mexican-inspired architecture, and the San Diego Mission in Presidio Park.

4. Catch a Baseball Game at Petco Park

Grab your peanuts and Cracker Jacks, and head down to Petco Park to cheer on the MLB San Diego Padres. San Diego almost always has beautiful weather for a ball game, and this pet-friendly stadium has one of the best views of the downtown San Diego skyline. Don’t leave too soon after the last inning because it hosts a postgame fireworks show on select nights.

5. Spend the Day in Balboa Park

Photo Credit: GL Brannock

Originally built for a world fair in 1915, Balboa Park is now the largest urban park in San Diego. It’s a cultural hub spanning 1,200 acres with 17 museums, leisure gardens, and more. Take the free park tram to popular venues like the famous San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the Spanish Village Art Center, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Japanese Friendship Garden.

Day Trip to Local Villages and Islands

Many quaint villages and “islands” are located throughout San Diego County. These make excellent full or half-day trips to beaches, shops, and more. Here are some of our favorites.

6. La Jolla

This charming seaside village north of San Diego is popular with tourists. Check out La Jolla Cove for one of the best sunset views and whale watching without even leaving shore! You can find interesting sea life left behind in tide pools dotting Shell Beach or explore the sea caves. Rent bikes for a leisure cruise along the boardwalk at La Jolla Shores.

7. Seaport Village

Seaport Village is a bustling waterfront area near the San Diego Convention Center. It’s famous for the Historic Carousel built in 1895, featuring more than 50 hand-carved animals, and it is still in service today. The village has dozens of local shopping boutiques for souvenirs and art galleries full of coastal-themed works from local artists.

8. Liberty Station

Photo Credit: BillyDoubleDown via Flickr

Jump on I-5 from San Diego to reach Liberty Station, which is only 15 minutes away (traffic permitting). It was previously used for the Naval Training Center. Today, you’ll find food, art, and pop-up events at the Liberty Public Market. Attend First Friday in the Arts District to meet local artists, or simply use it as a launchpad to explore the rest of the Point Loma Peninsula.

9. Coronado Island

Don’t let the word island fool you. Coronado Island is a peninsula extending off the coast and accessible via the Coronado Bridge. Take a Segway tour to explore sites like the iconic Hotel Del Coronado and Centennial Park. You can catch a ferry from Broadway Pier to Coronado Ferry Landing. It gives an incredible view of San Diego upon arrival.

Soak up the Sun on San Diego’s Beaches

Did you know that San Diego has more than 30 beaches? You’re never far from enjoying the year-round sunny shores during your visit. Add these beaches to your itinerary to see why it’s one of the best beach destinations in Southern California.

10. Water Sports at Mission Beach

The rugged Pacific coastline mellows out into a two-mile stretch of soft sand when you reach Mission Beach. It’s a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Surf the perfect waves on the oceanside, go snorkeling or kayaking in Mission Bay. The boardwalk is ideal for a sunset stroll, and you’ll also find Belmont Park.

11. Family fun at Pacific Beach

Photo Credit: wikimedia.org

Bring the whole family down to Pacific Beach (PB, as the locals call it) to enjoy a relaxing day in the sand. This laid-back setting is great for sun tanning and building sand castles. It’s preferred for kids, thanks to onsite lifeguard stations. The boardwalk is a popular hangout at night with bars and seafood restaurants.

12. Relax at Ocean Beach

Immerse yourself in the hipster vibes at Ocean Beach. The laid-back atmosphere attracts all visitors looking to revel in the SoCal beach life. The golden sands extend approximately one mile long. That gives plenty of room for the perfect sunbathing spot, or join the other surfers for  consistent waves. There’s also fishing on the Ocean Beach Pier. If you forgot anything, the nearby Newport Avenue has tons of hip shops for all your beachwear.

Get out in Nature

13. Coastal hiking trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

You’ll experience plenty of stunning ocean views when trekking the Torrey Pines Beach Trail. It extends 3.1 miles through this state park, named for the Torrey Pine Tree. Wind along the rugged coast to overlooks at Yucca Point and Razor Point. Look up, and you may see a paraglider soaring above the Torrey Pines Gliderport!

14. Photograph the views from the Point Loma Peninsula

Photo Credit: Daniel Peckham via Flickr 2.0

Stand in the site where European explorers first landed in California. Point Loma honors this early expedition with the Cabrillo National Monument dedicated to Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. Nearby, you’ll find the Old Point Loma Lighthouse overlooking San Diego Bay and spend a golden hour on the Sunset Cliffs. Get your cameras ready because these breathtaking views are a must-see.

Food & Drinks

15. Try our famous foods

San Diego is a hotspot for foodies. Bring your appetite because there are tons of foods you’ll need to try. Have you ever tried the California burrito? It’s inspired by surfers who frequently requested French fries inside their burritos for an extra pack of carbs after a day on the water.

And no visit to San Diego is complete without trying fish tacos. Seafood is always on the menu, whether visiting a small eatery or an upscale dining restaurant. Check out our picks for the best restaurants in San Diego here.

16. Sip your way through the craft beer scene

Something’s brewing in San Diego, and we’re sure you don’t want to miss it. Craft beer has always been a staple for the locals, earning this city the title’ Capital of Craft.’ There are more than 150 independent breweries. Order a flight from popular locations like San Diego Brewing Company, Mission Brewery, and Stone Brewing to sample unique locally-crafted flavors.

Screaming Fun at San Diego Theme Parks

You’re in for a world of fun at one of several theme parks and amusement parks located in San Diego County.

17. Belmont Park

Photo Credit: Comfort Huddleson

Visit San Diego’s premier oceanfront attraction—Belmont Park. Ride the legendary Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, which has been running since the park first opened its doors in 1925. Experience the thrill of gravity on the Vertical Plunge and try not to get dizzy on the Beach Blaster. After, try your luck on the tricky Midway carnival games. Admission is free, and rides are pay-as-you-go.

18. LEGOLAND California

The short drive to Carlsbad will build up plenty of excitement for LEGOLAND California. Grab the San Diego CityPASS for full-day access to this family-friendly theme park. It takes those miniature building blocks to create a themed world of more than 60 rides, water attractions, and live shows featuring your favorite LEGO characters.

19. SeaWorld San Diego

Splash into a world of fun at SeaWorld, located in Mission Bay Park. See Shamu, the Orca whale, and other marine animals leaping from the water in exciting water shows. Explore themed aquatic areas to see sea lions, dolphins, otters, and more. In addition to animals, it also has a water park with thrill rides.

Immerse Yourself in San Diego’s Culture

20. USS Midway Museum

Photo Credit: Kaila Martinez

See what life is like onboard a US Navy Aircraft Carrier at the USS Midway Museum. This decommissioned ship is docked near the San Diego Embarcadero and is now open as a museum. Climb aboard and see preserved aircraft used during wartimes. Guided audio tours help you navigate the ship’s interiors to see living quarters, the mess room, and more.

21. Birch Aquarium

Get up close to sea life at the Birch Aquarium. Oversized water tanks recreate natural habitats, exhibiting a vibrant underwater world swimming with more than 3,000 sea creatures. Witness sharks lurking for the next prey and schools of fish playfully swimming through coral reefs. Many of the 380 species are found right here in the Pacific Ocean.

22. Maritime Museum of San Diego

For centuries, ships have set sail from San Diego Bay to explore the vast reaches of the Pacific. See a few of the ships that have braved the journey at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

The extensive ship collection retells San Diego’s maritime history while allowing you to climb onboard historical ships. It features the famous Star of India ship from 1863 and even hosts historic bay cruises.

23. San Diego Air and Space Museum

Photo Credit: tataquax via Flickr CC2.0

You’ve seen the ships that help explore Earth. Now, it’s time to see spacecraft that helped propel us into the depths of outer space. This museum showcases an extensive aviation collection. It takes visitors through the history of flight—from an 18th-century hot air balloon to one of the first aircraft developed by the Wright Brothers to a model of the Mercury Spacecraft that orbited the Earth.

Where to Stay in San Diego

Explore our collection of luxury vacation rentals to stay near all your favorite things to do in San Diego. Our accommodations are great for easy access to the best beaches, entertainment, dining, and shopping.