Location: San Diego
Top Things to do in San Diego
Top 5 State Parks in San Diego, California (CA)
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. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,643 reviews
Historic site in downtown San Diego that recreates life in the Mexican and early American periods of 1821 to 1872.
Reviewed By Enjoy4790 - San Diego, United States
I love Old Town San Diego I've been going to Old Town since I was a couple weeks old we have always had our family parties in Old Town even when I moved far away whenever I would come back to visit San Diego I would go to Old Town there's so much to do so much to see many different men Mexican restaurants lots of shops on the weekends they have the craft festivals they have live music in Old Town free live music shows they also have a live theater called the Signet they have many surrounding hotels or you can just stay in Hotel Circle and then you will be really close to Old Town actually there's hundreds of hotels that are very close to Old Town San Diego but in Old Town you really want to experience the Mexican food not every Mexican restaurant is good my top recommendations are going to Casa Guadalajara or El Agave Mexican Restaurant there's a few other good ones but then there are many that are well below average as far as the shopping there's a lot of cute unique boutiques and then there's many Mexican owned little shops that have some fabulous jewelry stores old town is in the center of San Diego just about 8 minutes from SeaWorld, it's about 8 minutes from the airport it's about 8 minutes from downtown San Diego it's about 11 minutes from La Jolla it's about 16 minutes from Del Mar so it's really Central....... Another really nice thing about Old Town is many of the people that work in the shops around the Old Town Park and in the restaurants wear "time period Clothing" which is really special and then in the restaurants they wear authentic true Mexican dresses and clothing and then they have a "live show" in "fiesta de los Reyes" so it is live Mexican style dancing and singing and the show is seven days a week and it's free and so that's really enjoyable but the restaurant it's connected to called "fiesta de los Reyes" is really bad as far as the food and the service is even worse but if you are willing to put up with that it's in a beautiful setting so if you don't really care about service and you don't really care about having a nice meal then go ahead and eat there because there's so much to do right around that area but then over at Casa Guadalajara where I recommended for you to go to lunch or dinner the shopping over there will blow you away ats, some of the best shopping in all of San Diego and the lady that owns Casa Guadalajara she owns all the shops around it, it's called "Bazaar del Mundo" and it's a two-level shopping area it's so worth seeing, the most beautiful clothing and true authentic elegant Mexican apparel and dishes and Gourmet Foods and material and shoes and jewelry it's really worth seeing✨
2. South Carlsbad State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
RV campgrounds and uncrowded beaches are what you will find along this popular recreation area in San Diego.
3. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,745 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 MKTBE - Topeka, United States
Torrey Pines State Beach Park is an amazing place to spend a beautiful, sunny Spring afternoon in San Diego. There is a $15 parking fee if you drive in, but we parked on nearby Torrey Pines Road and enjoyed the area at no cost. Though the sun was bright, the cool ocean breezes made it perfect for an afternoon adventure.The hiking trails are heavily trafficked, moderate hikes with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, Seaside Cliffs, and surrounding foliage. After taking numerous gorgeous photos, there are beach stairs to access the beach and a pleasant beach stroll back to the parking area. During these crazy COVID-19 times, we can regain our sanity enjoying the beauties of this glorious world we live in!
4. Border Field State Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By invertpaleo - New York City, United States
Border Field is a large State Park which consists of many kinds of different natural wild habitats: freshwater riparian, salt marsh, estuary, ocean beach habitat, and others too. Any naturalist would have a blast here, whether you are most interested in birds, plants, or other taxa. There is not much shade, so I would suggest you avoid the hottest part of the day or wear a wide-brimmed hat. I would also recommend you take lots of water and a packed lunch. Border Field is your chance to see a big chunk of the coast with essentially no development whatsoever -- a rarity in the over-developed coastline of San Diego County.
5. Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By Computernana - West Bloomfield, United States
I wrote about this canyon back in 2017 when I discovered the trail to the hidden water fall. That trail leads to a hidden gem. I notice others have written about "easy hike for beginners" or "dog friendly" This preserve has trails and surprises for everyone. I have done in-depth hiking on many of the different trails now. Tunnel trail, Cardiac hill, waterfall, pond, etc etc. I see walkers, bikers, dogs, wildlife. Wildlife usually includes snakes and cayotes, but, recently there was a mountain lion in the area. Keep your children and pets near you and you wont have any problems. Some walks are flat, others have slight to steep hills. So pick you challenge level and enjoy the area. I love the area. There are a few posted maps of the trails. But once you are walking signage is not so good. I often have to ask a biker or other hiker for help. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. I guess I have gotten to know the area a little better, because, I was able to help some walkers recently. There are many trail heads. Make sure you look at some markings where you park and enter the trail. I often enter at one area and leave by another. I love loops rather than back tracking and have found I can do different loops in this preserve. You can do a couple of miles or many miles in this preserve. I have walked as short as and hour and as long as 4-5 hours. Just enjoy. I have walked with family, friends, the dog, and solo. Wear appropriate walking apparrel. Have fun be safe.
