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
5.0 based on 24,873 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 NewfiePupLover - Des Moines, United States
We visited the USS Midway on our way to the airport when heading out of San Diego from our Spring Break trip, and I'm glad that we did. Our young kids (8, 8 & 6) enjoyed the airplanes on display and walking through the various decks of the ships, including the internal warfare room, map rooms, etc. The individual audio tour packs (like an iPod) were excellent and allowed each person to listen and learn about all aspects of the ship, the aircraft, personal stories from soldiers who worked on the ship, war stories, etc. There is a great gift shop on the ship, and there is also food available as well as water & soda machines placed throughout the ship. I would highly recommend this site for anyone interested in history, but really for just about anyone of any age. It was a great experience. We were on the ship for about 2 hours, although if you had the time you could spend an entire day looking around and interacting with all of the staff/volunteers and exhibits.
2. Balboa Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12,833 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 noeadventures - Los Angeles, United States
Who knew Southern California had an international-like escape. Old buildings and churches, open city squares for dining under umbrellas with fountains and birds, vendors, huge outdoor piano organ, church bells ringing, museums, botanical gardens, bridges, zoo, on and on and on and on...you could spend a whole day here easily. I felt moderately like I was back in Prague or Guatemala. Such a cool place.
3. San Diego Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27,804 reviews
The world famous San Diego Zoo is a non-profit wildlife sanctuary home to more than 3,500 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. San Diego Zoo Global is a not-for-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, and the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy. The Zoo was founded on October 2, 1916, by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D. It currently has an 11-member Board of Trustees headed by Steven G. Tappan; and Paul A. Baribault is the president/CEO.
Reviewed By 333josephd - San Diego, United States
Great place to go for the day there is so much to see and do here lots of animals recommend definitely take the sky tram also take the bus to her first just to see where you want to go there are lots of cool shows to see we will definitely cover 12 miles or more walking around
4. Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,899 reviews
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and the Caribbean. An interactive museum showcases research discoveries by Scripps scientists on climate, Earth and ocean science.
Reviewed By brodger - Philadelphia, United States
This is not an aquarium with dancing dolphins and masses of fish--it's an educational and research facility with excellent exhibits for public consumption. One side has a first rate series of well-labeled tanks for the PNW and tropical environments and wonderful seahorses (the aquarium has a successful breeding program with daily tours) and the other side has educational exhibits, primarily for children (my opinion, anyway). In between, outside of the exhibits, there are open tanks and volunteers so kids can feel sea cucumbers and the like. Great views. There's a very good gift shop and a snack truck outside the ticketed area. I got there by public bus -- and it's a steep walk of about 1/3 mile to the aquarium. There is parking if you have a car.
5. La Jolla Cove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,465 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 westcoastcat - Vancouver, Canada
San Diego has 70 miles of beautiful coastline and there are endless ways to enjoy the beaches, but this little cove in La Jolla "the Jewel" is perhaps the most unique. You can explore the tide pools on Shell beach, a soft Sandy beach with caves tucked into the cliffs, or you can admire the antics of the playful seals and California sealions on the rocks and on the Children's Beach. I loved strolling along the shoreline watching the waves come crashing in and spraying water high up into the sky, while the surfers hung out in the water waiting for the perfect wave to ride in.
6. La Jolla Shores Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,697 reviews
Mile-long beach features gentle waves during the summer months, making this spot a prime spot for novice scuba divers.
Reviewed By lisavG7902AD - San Diego, United States
Traveling to San Diego and want the perfect, iconic beach experience? This is it. Originally named the Strand, this is a very long, white sand beach. That said, there is mica in it which clings to your skin. A great beach for children of all ages with designated swim and surf area overseen by a great group of life guards in a tall lifeguard tower. Parking is usually difficult and hard won. Know how to parallel park. There's a large but woefully inadequate parking lot for this very popular beach. If you are able, take the bus. The beach is bounded by low wall and wide sidewalk bordered by a large grassy area with famous Torrey Pines providing some shade and a great picnic area. Thanks to La Jollan Mary Coakley, there's a wonderful children's playground and glass art installation, a mural of the National Undersea Park just off of the Shores, at the south ends well as bathrooms adjacent to the playground and just north of the tower. Continue to walk south long the beach and to you'll come to the private La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. A strip of beach close to the hotel is private but long the beach is public. The little cluster of public buildings in this area comprises the community of The Shores. Here you'll find convenience store for drinks and snacks. La Jolla Kayak if you'd like to rent a kayak and go out on the ocean (do this!!!) and several great restaurants for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The north end of the beach is noted for Scripp's Pier and there you'll find beach volleyball, and a bigger break again with designated areas for surfing and one for swimming and bodysurfing overseen by a second lifeguard tower, There are no facilities or stores at this end but SIO (Scripp's Institution of Oceanography) has a cafeteria style restaurant just off the beach (walk up the stairs by the tower).
7. Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,449 reviews
Reviewed By vchristen - Roy, United States
The views are worth the drive, the memorial is a great tribute to our nations veterans. Watch the traffic on the drive up .. the locals are rude and drive like they are at Indy
8. Torrey Pines Gliderport
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,437 reviews
Reviewed By ddeckerdds - San Diego, United States
Awesome to see the hangliders and parasailers flying above 200-300 foot cliffs with Blacks Beach below. Cute little snack bar/cafe to eat at.
9. Children's Pool
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,342 reviews
It was supposed to be a children's pool, but the harbor seals took over and it's a main tourist and local attraction. Great picture spot.
Reviewed By gregm75460 - Niagara Falls, Canada
This was such a cool spot to visit. Seeing the seals in their natural habitat was amazing. There were several times in which the seals were within a few feet of us. There is a really cool cave store nearby. My family enjoyed walking through the tunnel to a sea cave opening. Only downside was a slightly foul odour in the area.
10. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,075 reviews
Reviewed By 34regisk - Arcadia, United States
Have you ever seen movies with a spectacular sunsets on a Clif? Or listen to to songs about California beaches with amazing sunset? Probably these movies or songs were filmed or written about Sunset Clif Natural Park in San Diego, California. Sunset Clif Epitomizes California beaches and sunset views. This is what California is all about, sunsets and beaches. Sunset Clif Natural Park is a 3 miles of cliffs stretching south from the Ocean Beach pier to the tip of Point Loma, forming the jagged side of the peninsula that cradles San Diego Harbor. Far below them, waves crash against the rocks, transforming eroded surfaces into rivulets and miniature waterfalls. Beyond the shoreline, the sea wrinkles out to a vast horizon, reflecting the most spectacular sunsets in the county. We have been coming to San Diego many times but never had a chance to visit this place. Oh Boy! We have been missing out. The sunset view here are the best in California. No wonder there are so many people just park their cars or SUVs and open their car doors or the hatches to watch the sunset while sipping on a cup of hot coffee. What a life! The Park also has a walking path although many parts of the walkway have been eroded so be careful walking around here. The best time to get here to see the sunset during winter time is around 3:30 and walk the whole path. Then get yourself situated at the Clif at Pappy's point. Search on map to get exact location. To see the open Ceiling Cave, you have to get the the time table of low tide info from the Tide Surf forecast site. You don't want to stuck down there with the high tides. Getting there is easy. You begin by heading to the Sunset Cliffs Blvd in Point Loma. Park between Hill Street and Monaco Street. We really enjoyed our times here. The sunset views were unforgettable.
