Location: San Diego
Top Things to do in San Diego
10 Things to Do in San Diego That You Shouldn't Miss
San Diego embodies laid-back California culture, complete with a Boardwalk, surfing communities, and outstanding Mexican food. Breathe in the fresh ocean air at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, then gobble down a fresh fish taco at a La Jolla seafood joint. The naval aircrafts at the USS Midway Museum will have you standing at attention. A free Sunday concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the perfect way to unwind after a Saturday night bar-hop in the thumping Gaslamp Quarter.
Restaurants in San Diego
1. USS Midway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Located in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway (Museum) was America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Today, the interactive museum is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family as guests walk in the footsteps of the 225,000 young men who served on Midway. Visitors explore a floating city at sea, the amazing flight deck and its 29 restored aircraft, flight simulators, and are inspired in the Battle of Midway Theater, included with admission. Admission also includes a self-guided audio tour narrated by Midway sailors in English, Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese, French and German. Visiting Midway is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in San Diego, known around the world as "Navy Town, USA."
Reviewed By Peter T
If you like history, and particularly military history, then this is a must see attraction. Be sure to grab a headset for the self-guided audio tour, it's a great supplement to simply walking around and reading. When you get aboard, do the "Island Tour" first, as it is popular and they can only get a given number of folks through in a day. The "Island" is another name for the bridge and control rooms. There is no extra charge.
Volunteers are great - most are veterans, and some even served on the Midway when it was in service. Their knowledge and experience is also a great supplement to the posted information, and they are more than willing to talk.
The website says it takes 2-4 hours to see. We spent over 6, and we didn't even do/read everything that we could have.
You can buy your tickets online and get $2 off the ticket price, and skip the ticket line. Though don't worry if you choose to purchase your tickets on site, the line moves fast.
2. La Jolla Cove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
San Diego's most desirable spot for swimming, diving and snorkeling. The water is calm and the cove is ecologically protected. There is also a world famous dive site that is located in the La Jolla ecological preserve.
Reviewed By Lauralanglois - Hudson, New Hampshire
Favorite place for watching the seals and sea lions. At high tide in the evening, the sea lions will come up HIGH on the rocks, and you can literally get 10' away from them, but don't get too close! The place smells like sea lion, but that's part of the fun.
3. Balboa Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
One of the most popular urban parks in the United States, this bucolic paradise is packed with an array of attractions, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
Reviewed By itinerary_queen_pa - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We tried to visit Palm Sunday for the 2p organ concert. The line of traffic was crawling through the park. There was no parking available. We rolled down our windows and listened to the organ as we crawled along just trying to get out of the insanity. We had planned on visiting both the railroad museum and Japanese garden as well. After this bad experience and a wasted 90 min of our vacation stuck in park traffic, I hesitate to consider returning.
4. San Diego Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Founded in 1916, the Zoo has been an icon in San Diego for nearly 100 years—and an absolute must-see in Southern California. Spend the day monkeying around in our tropical oasis as you visit beautiful habitats that are home to gorillas, eagles, tigers, sun bears, Asian leopards, rare reptiles, a palette of colorful birds, and more. Visit the Australian Outback to delight in our colony of 24 koalas, and travel along Panda Trek to experience giant pandas and other animals that share their bamboo forest habitat. Go back in time through Elephant Odyssey to discover what animals used to roam Southern California and see what the elephants are up to. Enjoy a guided tour on a double-decker bus or the scenic view from the Skyfari aerial tram, and dine in the peaceful surroundings of Albert's Restaurant. Discover the wonders of wildlife with animal encounters, interactive experiences, and keeper chats. A leader in animal care and conservation, the San Diego Zoo is at the heart of the San Diego experience.
Reviewed By Michelle248367 - Rochester Hills, Michigan
So much to see, it's great! Wear comfortable shoes, don't worry about style. Buy tickets in advance, get discount (best are through work or AAA) and save waiting in line at ticket booth. No coolers or straws allowed in park, but you can bring in food and beverages. We were glad we brought our own to control for cost and not eat things like hot dogs. Different areas of zoo have different selections. Suggest you start at Panda, line grows as the day advances. We had a great time as adults and teens.
5. Old Town Model Railroad Depot
Overall Ratings
5 based on 87 reviews
A visit to the Old Town Model Railroad Depot will take you back in time to the 1950's where you will see trains from that era travel over a 2500 sq ft layout featuring a city at night with over 100 buildings with lights and flashing neon signs. Continuing on your journey you will pass a large farm, country town, beautiful mountain range, a large lake and dam with trestles traversing over a large gorge. Visitors may even try their hand at being the engineer on this remote controlled exhibit. We are open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday 11:00 to 6:00, Saturday 11:00 to 7:00 and Sunday from 11:00 to 6:00. Closed on Tuesdays. Our new Gift Shop will be open on February 1, 2015 and offer a wide range of Railroad items for sale.
Reviewed By ednlee444
This is modern and traditional at the same time. Love the lit up signs with motion in the city section. Great attention to detail with some good humor mixed in.
6. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Although this park is located within San Diego's city limits, it remains one of the wildest landscapes along the Southern California coast, with miles of unspoiled beaches, chaparral, elegant Torrey Pine trees and a lagoon vital to many species of migrating birds.
Reviewed By df86 - York, United Kingdom
Hiking into the coastal portion of the Torrey Pines reserve offers you the chance to look upon some really beautiful scenery. Great coastline and clear blue sea as far as the eye can sea.
The hike up the hill is a little bit of a sweat-breaker but even those with mobility problems would be able to manage it, if slowly, and there are some small car parks further up the hill if access is difficult without a car.
7. Fort Rosecrans Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By EvaF2Eva - Kaiserslautern, Germany
I visited several American military cemeteries before and I have always admired how perfectly and with what respect they are maintained therefore I thought I know what I can expect when we planed visiting Fort Rosecrans Cemetery. But what I saw took my breath away. It is giant (later on I read on internet that it has about 120 thousand veterans remains), neat and solemn. It was truly unforgettable visit.
8. Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By SeminarTrekker - Sacramento Valley
Great view of the San Diego Metroplex. Also a Midway stop between Mission Bay/Pacific Beach area and La Jolla. Features memorials of veterans including former President Teddy R.
9. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Richard G - Penngrove, California
Oye - you have the beauty of the beach, the cliffs, the fishing pier, and just a little walk into Ocean Beach. And THAT is pretty colorful in itself.
Painters, photographers, all sorts are always out here. But, take the side roads. The architecture is a great mixture around this area. Lots to do and see if you take your time!
10. Petco Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By debjapan - Huntington Beach, California
Third Padre baseball game in the 12 months. Location by the water is nice and easy to reach. This park has an outstanding collection of food choices: Gaglione Brother's, Phil's, and Cardiff Crack are our favorites. Last Saturday, we sat is row 1 of Left Field. Hint: Not row 1 because they have a row A and B in front. Bummer. We've also gone for work events in the upper deck and a great night along 3rd base line infield. Never had a bad seat. We take Uber to the park, so cannot advise on parking except that we don't.
