21 Best Things to Do in San Diego for Adults
While we all still figure out this thing called ‘adulting,’ there are a few perks our age gets us in life! From indulging in the trendy craft brew scene to reveling in the Gaslamp District nightlife to making beach memories, some of the best things to do in San Diego are for adults.
There’s never a curfew when staying at our luxury San Diego vacation rentals! Your vacation time is all yours to sleep in, wake up to Pacific Ocean views, and stay out as late as you’d like to see as much of San Diego as possible. This list will get you started!
1. Enjoy a Laid Back Beach Day
Photo Credit: Benny Marty
Plan a beach vacation that will fill your San Diego trip with fun, relaxation, and plenty of sun. Visiting the beach is one of the essential things to do in San Diego for adults looking to take advantage of the city’s most valuable asset!
San Diego features nearly 70 miles of the Pacific coastline, featuring more than 30 beaches with unique identities.
- Hang ten with the surfers at Black’s Beach.
- Go kayaking at La Jolla Shores to explore sea caves.
- Sunbathe on the sparkling sands of Coronado Beach or go fishing at Ocean Beach Pier.
- Join the local bar party scene at Pacific Beach.
- Go snorkeling at La Jolla Cove to see the vibrant marine life in this protected nature preserve.
- Enjoy the laid-back shoreline extending Mission Bay.
2. Explore San Diego’s Cultural Epicenter at Balboa Park
Photo Credit: Roaming Panda Photos
Immerse yourself into local culture at Balboa Park, home to 18 museums. This gem is a cultural oasis located in the heart of San Diego. Spanning over 1,200 acres, the park is home to an array of museums, gardens, and performing arts venues, making it a hub for art and culture enthusiasts.
- Admire the extensive collection of Spanish art inside the San Diego Museum of Art.
- Check out the Comic-Con Museum, which preserves the legacy of one of San Diego’s biggest annual events.
- Explore the history of transportation in the San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum.
- Uncover the region’s history inside the San Diego Natural History Museum and San Diego History Center.
3. Find the Best Viewpoints in San Diego
Photo Credit: Jay Yuan
Viewchasers will have plenty of options for the best vantage point overlooking San Diego and the coast. The Cabrillo National Monument sits atop Point Loma, overlooking the downtown San Diego skyline, San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and Mexico on a clear day. Mount. Soledad is an 823-foot hill in La Jolla with a 360-degree view of the entire San Diego area. Spend golden hour at the Sunset Cliffs for an alluring coastal view of the sunset.
Check out our San Diego vacation rentals with the best views of the water or city skyline.
4. Eat Mexican Food in Old Town
Photo Credit: Jaytolem929
San Diego County is the southernmost US county before crossing the border to Mexico. With such proximity, Mexican food here is some of the best you’ll find on American soil! Here are the top-rated Mexican eateries in Old Town for tacos, fresh tortillas, and other Mexican favorites:
Find other delish Old Town San Diego restaurants here.
5. Enjoy Wildlife Encounters at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
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Kids always get excited seeing their favorite animals in the San Diego Zoo exhibits. But for adult-level thrills, embark on wild animal encounters in the Safari Park. This vast safari is more immersive than the zoo to explore on foot or open-air safari truck. See tigers, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos in a more natural setting. These experiences include guided trips around the safari and even interacting with the animals.
6. Go Brewery Hopping in the North Park Neighborhood
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North Park is a haven for all the beard-wearing hipsters, cafe connoisseurs, plant parents, and—best of all—craft beer enthusiasts! This trendy part of town features many of the best local breweries and is very walkable. Bar hop between local breweries to see why visiting this area is one of the top things to do in San Diego for adults.
7. Watch the Padres at Petco Park
Photo Credit: randy andy
Check off ‘America’s best ballpark’ from your sports bucket list when you attend a game at Petco Park. The MLB’s San Diego Padres get all the local love for professional sports lovers. Join 42,000 energetic fans to root for the home team or show your bravery by sporting the opposing team’s colors. The must-see views of the downtown San Diego skyline from home plate are enough to distract any batter.
It’s one of the few Major League Baseball stadiums that allows pets for guests staying in our pet-friendly San Diego vacation rentals.
8. Tour the USS Midway Museum
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There’s more to do at the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier than take photos of it from the Embarcadero. Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring this ship, once ranked as the largest in the world. Climb aboard this Cold War-era Navy air carrier ship for a self-guided tour of the flight deck, hangar deck, and below deck. History buffs can get an immersive experience on the flight simulators and virtual reality flight experience.
9. Get a Dose of Nostalgia at Belmont Park
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Relive your best childhood memories of riding roller coasters at Belmont Park on the Mission Beach boardwalk. This vintage amusement park is one of the most fun things to do in San Diego for adults to rediscover their youthful playfulness. Scream while plunging the 70-foot drop of the iconic Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster. Play carnival-style games to win prizes. Stop by Belmontys for a sugary funnel cake.
10. Shop til’ You Drop at Seaport Village
Photo Credit: Unwind
Retail therapy is every adult’s preferred kind of therapy. Treat your case of expensive taste while shopping in Seaport Village. Set on the San Diego Bay, this open-air shopping complex features more than 70 shops and restaurants. Spend your travel budget on SoCal-inspired apparel, accessories, jewelry, swimwear, handicrafts, art, and other collectibles.
11. Unearth San Diego’s Maritime History
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From its discovery to major early industries, maritime activity flows deep in San Diego’s history. Wash away time at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which preserves a collection of historic naval ships. Visit Tune Harbor to witness an active commercial fishing area. Learn about local marine life in the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Go scuba diving at Wreck Alley for a unique collection of artificially sunken ships.
12. Take a Whale-Watching Boat Tour for Two
Photo Credit: Isaac Shah
Whale watching is one of the best things to do in San Diego for adults since it sits directly in the whale migration path. Whale-watching tours are popular throughout the year. Get up close to gray whales en route between Alaska and Mexico and join Blue Whales while feeding in the waters just off the coast. In addition to whales, these tours also encounter dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life.
As an alternative to the boat tour, you can spot whales on land at the Cabrillo National Monument and Torrey Pines State Reserve.
13. Bring Out Your Inner Kid at Nearby Theme Parks
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The San Diego area is home to several of the best theme parks in California. Ride, play, and explore the unique worlds created once you enter the gates of each attraction.
Watch trained marine life perform flips and tricks in front of live audiences at SeaWorld San Diego. LEGOLAND in Carlsbad turns the world into a well-constructed masterpiece of colorful bricks.
14. Squeeze in a Photo Session at the Japanese Friendship Garden
Photo Credit: Sundry Photography
Fill your San Diego trip photo dump with photoshoot-quality pictures taken at the Japanese Friendship Garden. Pack your favorite outfit and get ready to capture the “money shot” of your vacation. Pose in front of stunning cherry blossom trees and wooden bridges crossing tranquil ponds. Capture selfies in front of the Japanese-inspired pagoda and entrance torii (gate).
The San Diego Botanic Garden is also an excellent option!
15. Get on a Hop on Hop Off Trolley Tour
Photo Credit: Debbie Ann Powell
Visitors can see many of the popular sightseeing spots and things to do in San Diego for adults in one day. The Old Town Trolley Hop-on Hop-off Tour gives one of the best overviews of the city.
This city trolley service offers riders access to more than 100 of the top locations in town—Old Town, Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, Embarcadero, Little Italy, and even crosses the Coronado Bridge to Coronado Island. Get off at your favorite stop and explore the area before the next trolley arrives in 30 minutes to take you to the next destination.
16. Shop Fresh and Local at a Farmers Market for Dinner
Treat yourself to a home-cooked farm-to-table meal during your stay. Our San Diego vacation rentals feature full kitchens to satisfy the chef in your group. Shop fresh ingredients at local farmers markets.A farmers' market happens every day of the week, year-round, in San Diego County. Here are a few of the must-visit markets:
Shop produce, meat, treats, seasonings, and more from local vendors.
17. Wine Tastings at Nearby Wineries
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It’s not Napa Valley or Sonoma County. However, Southern California features its own regional characteristics that give local wine-making a distinct taste. Thank the coastal environment and microclimates from the mountains for each unique flavor you try this vacation. Check out the tasting rooms of these nearby wineries:
18. Go to Happy Hour in the Gaslamp Quarter
Photo Credit: Isaac Brown
Happy hour is when Gaslamp Quarter starts to come alive. This nightlife hub kicks off the evening with drinks, live music, and food. It’s one of the best things to do in San Diego for adults to mingle with San Diego’s socialites and partygoers.
Taste handcraft drinks at upscale cocktail lounges. Order rounds of beer in local dive bars. Enjoy the views from rooftop lounges. Happy hour brings people down, but it’s the nightlife excitement of the district that keeps people hanging out until 2 am.
19. Take in High Flying Action at Torrey Pines Gliderport
Photo Credit: Sherry V Smith
Class is in session at the Torrey Pines Gliderport flight school. This higher education takes you up for a bird’s eye view of the La Jolla coastline. Learn to paraglide to experience what it’s like to soar over the coastal cliffs. Strap in with an expert and lift off from the private airport to one of the most adrenaline-rushing activities in San Diego.
20. Uncover California’s Origins at Presidio Park
Photo Credit: RCPPHOTO
Perched high above Mission Valley is Presidio Park, where the first European settlers put down roots on the West Coast. The San Diego Mission opened in the 18th century as one of the largest in the state.
Today, it’s a preserved site in this historic park. It’s open to the public to learn more about the history inside the museum and explore an archaeological site. In addition to the mission, the park also features picnic spots with views overlooking Old Town San Diego.
21. Go on a Tequila Town in Old Town San Diego
If you can't go to Mexico, San Diego Tequila Tours brings Mexico to you. For those that like the idea of a walking tour through Old Town, this tour combines that with plenty of stops for tequila tasting. Not only will you learn more about tequila, you'll also learn the history of Old Town and early California in general.
This tour can accommodate groups of 2-20 with multiple start times over the weekend. For adults that are looking for a boozy twist to a typical walking tour, this one shouldn't be missed.
Book Your Perfect Stay in San Diego
Whether planning a trip for two or with a group of adult friends, our offer the ideal spaces to enjoy this slice of SoCal heaven. Maximize your beach getaway when visiting San Diego with oceanfront rentals or reconnect with friends in a spacious vacation home.
