14 Best Things to do In San Diego – A Tourist’s Guide
San Diego is a great city to visit, so I decided to go there. I wanted to know what the best things to do in San Diego are so I searched google to find out. Now that I know all about the best things to do in this city, I’ve decided to write a helpful article to help you know what to do in San Diego.
There are many great things to do in the city of San Diego, such as visit museums, restaurants, etc. Here is a list of the best things to do in San Diego:
- Balboa Park
- San Diego Zoo
- Hotel del Coronado
- Belmont Park
- La Jolla Cove
- SeaWorld San Diego
- Pacific Beach
- Mission Beach
- San Diego Museum of Art
- San Diego Whale Watch
- Gaslamp Quarter
- Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
- Cabrillo National Monument
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Now I’ll talk about these destinations in more detail.
1. Balboa Park
Balboa Park is definitely a must-see sight in San Diego. There are so many great things to do here. This 1,200-acre park is home to The Old Globe Theatre, a big outdoor pipe organ, a cluster of international houses representing 32 cultures, and 15 major museums, including a train museum.
You could easily spend an entire day strolling through and exploring the lush gardens and historic. Since you have an awful lot of land to cover, it’s definitely worth signing up for a segway or walking tour to see it all.
2. San Diego Zoo
Within Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is home to an astonishing amount of wild animals, from big cats to Komodo dragons (which are lizards, not actual dragons). And there’s a pretty solid reason why it’s described as one of the best zoos in the world.
The San Diego Zoo pioneered the concept of open-air, cageless exhibits to recreate more natural animal habitats, and remains one of the few zoos outside of China to house giant pandas.
You can also partake in one of the animal experiences and fulfill your dream of becoming a keeper for a day, or enjoy a sunrise stroll where you can see everything that happens before the zoo opens.
You can also visit this zoos sister San Diego Safari Park, to get even closer to the African and Asian animals.
3. Hotel del Coronado
Famous for its peaked red roof, classic Victorian architecture, and serene ocean vistas, Hotel del Coronado is an iconic San Diego landmark that puts on a legendary Sunday Brunch in its Crown Room overlooking the ocean.
You can enjoy a Socal Benedict while you stay in this hotel. This was once the playground of Hollywood biggest stars, on-screen and off. The hotel was also backdrop for the gender-swapping hijinks of Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot.
4. Belmont Park
With a lovely old-style look and feel, the historic Belmont Park certainly makes for a fun day out thanks to its roller coasters and rides, attractions, and eateries.
Since 1925, the beachfront amusement park has been one of Mission Beach’s main draws and can be reached in just fifteen minutes from downtown San Diego.
Although it is home to some charming carnival rides such as a carousel and bumper cars, the park’s standout sight is its iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster which is now a National Historic Landmark.
Aside from shooting along its wooden tracks and taking in the ambience, guests can try Belmont’s newer features which include ziplines, escape rooms, and laser tag.
5. La Jolla Cove
Hemmed in by some spectacular sea cliffs, the small and scenic La Jolla Cove is one of the most picturesque and photographed places along the Californian coastline. Part of a marine life refuge, it offers up all kinds of excellent activities and lies just twenty minutes’ drive northwest of the center.
As well as lounging on its lovely beach, visitors can swim, snorkel, and kayak about its waters. Just north of the cove are some sea caves to explore with seals and sea lions sometimes spotted sunning themselves on the surrounding rocks.
There are also quite a few cafes and restaurants nearby with fabulous viewpoints dotted along the top of the cliffs.
6. SeaWorld San Diego
With more than 130 million visitors since its opening in 1964, SeaWorld is the leading tourist attraction in San Diego and one of the most popular marine-life parks in the world.
Through shows, displays and enclosures people can learn about the world’s oceans and the creatures that inhabit them such as dolphins, killer whales, walruses, penguins and Polar bears.
Rides include a flume roller coaster, rafting through the Shipwreck Rapids and a simulated helicopter ride to experience the Wild Arctic.
7. Pacific Beach
Just North of Belmont Park, you can find the popular Pacific Beach which is actually connected to Mission Beach by a three-kilometer-long boardwalk. Much livelier than its southern neighbor, the beachside town is renowned for its nightlife and boasts one of the best bar scenes in San Diego.
While lots of college students and young adults head here for its many clubs and party atmosphere, families also visit for its lifeguard-supervised swimming areas and excellent amenities.
In addition to strolling along its bustling boardwalk or the peaceful Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach has some great surf spots for you to check out and countless shops and restaurants in the center of town.
8. Mission Beach
If you’re after some sun, sea, and sand instead, then you can’t beat the lively seaside town of Mission Beach which lies just fifteen minutes northwest of the center.
Set on a sandbar between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay, it offers a wealth of outdoor activities and is known for its beachside bars and happening nightlife scene.
Connected to Pacific Beach by its gorgeous golden sands and long and bustling boardwalk, Mission Beach is a great place to relax and unwind with lots of other attractions and entertainment options lying nearby.
Besides Belmont Park you can find SeaWorld San Diego and Tiki Town Adventure Golf with fun watersports also being on offer.
9. San Diego Museum of Art
This is a great art museums that you definitely love, especially if you like painting. This museum has so many exhibits and paintings, you could spend a few hours admiring them.
The San Diego Museum of Art has a nationally renowned permanent collection that includes Spanish and Italian old masters, as well as 19th-century American paintings and sculptures. They also throw some of the best after-hours parties in the city.
10. San Diego Whale Watch
This is definitely one of the best things you can possibly do in San Diego: Whale watching. You can go whale watching in San Diego anytime. And you can not only whales, but sea otters and other sea creatures that may come up to the surface sometime.
The San Diego Whale Watch has a very friendly crew. They will not only show you sights of whales and dolphins, but you will also be treated to an educational experience from the Marine Biologists onboard as they tell you all about the animals that visit San Diego waters.
11. Gaslamp Quarter
Gaslamp Quarter is a great place to go in San Diego. It is also the heart of downtown San Diego. It has activities for any occasion and is the perfect spot for a romantic date night, birthday celebration, bachelor/bachelorette party, bar hopping, or even simply dining out with the family.
With a plethora of restaurants to pick from, from quick bites to fine dining, there are endless ways to satisfy your taste no matter what you are looking for.
You can also choose from a wide variety of entertainment options, including bars, clubs, cigar lounges, comedy shows, live music performances, and even rooftop escapes to avoid the crowded and busy streets.
This is a one stop shop where everything is within a five minute walking distance and will surely make your night unforgettable.
12. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
The first and grandest of the California missions is Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, founded by the Spanish in 1769. The Basilica—nestled down in stunning Mission Valley near the San Diego River—is a beautiful and serene place to visit.
History buffs can make reservations for a tour, attend mass in the original chapel, visit the mission’s museum and stroll the oldest known cemetery in California.
13. Cabrillo National Monument
Sitting proudly amongst the astonishing cliffs of Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the historic moment when Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay under the Spanish flag in 1542.
The monument boasts spectacular 360-degree views of San Diego Bay, downtown and the surrounding region.
On a clear day, you can even see the hills of Tijuana, Mexico. Once you’ve taken in the incredible vista, check out the quaint exhibit hall next to the monument, which is dedicated to the Cabrillo’s life.
14. San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, located near Escondido, is one of the best attractions in San Diego when traveling with kids.
The 1,200-acre zoo has more than 300 species of animals, especially those that are endangered in the wild, concentrating on breeding them and then reintroducing them back into their wild native habitat.
Visitors can take a tram tour of the zoo or see it from above via a hot-air tethered balloon. Other activities include watching a cheetah run at up to 70 mph, a petting zoo, walking among the lemurs and visiting an aviary. San Diego Zoo Safari Park is one activity that appeals to everyone.
