Discover the 13 best things to do in San Diego. The city is full of beaches, museums, parks and many unmissable attractions for your trip.
1. Visit Balboa Park in San Diego
How about enjoying more than 15 attractions in one place? Balboa Park is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in San Diego. Scattered around its beautiful gardens are several of the city’s must-see museums, such as:
- San Diego Museum of Art;
- San Diego Air & Space Museum;
- San Diego Museum of Natural History;
- Timkem Museum of Art.
A day’s visit will give you an insight into much of the culture of California and the rest of the world.
2. Have fun at Sea World San Diego
Famous for its enchanting marine animal shows, Sea World San Diego is a great option for a family outing in the city. The park offers extreme attractions as well as peaceful activities, such as feeding penguins.
The variety of entertainment at the park has made it an absolute hit, making it one of the most visited in California.
3. Stroll around Coronado Island near San Diego
Coronado Island is one of the best places San Diego has to offer. There are so many things to do there, from swimming on the area’s refreshing beach to visiting the Coronado Historical Museum, which tells the story of the island.
In addition, the island’s must-see is Orange Avenue, a boulevard that brings the best of Coronado’s entertainment, with stores, restaurants and art galleries.
- Important tip: San Diego is a city with many tourist attractions, such as museums and tours. That’s why our tip is to always buy your tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
4. Relax on San Diego’s beaches
Relaxing on San Diego’s beaches is a must for any tourist. And the city has unique beaches to suit all tastes. Those who prefer a beach with white sand, refreshing and which offers contact with marine animals, can enjoy La Jolla Beach.
Sports enthusiasts, on the other hand, will certainly prefer Ocean Beach, a beach geared towards physical exercise. Finally, if you want a lively place with beautiful people and nightlife, don’t miss Pacific Beach.
5. Shop a lot in San Diego’s malls
Shopping in the United States is always great. One of the main reasons is its malls and outlets, which sell the products we love at unbeatable discounts. So, during your trip you need to visit Las Americas Premium Outlet, with more than 120 stores selling brands such as Nike, Guess, Calvin Klein and many others.
The Fashion Valley Mall, on the other hand, has Nordstrom, Macy’s, Apple Store, Gucci and Forever 21. It also has many movie theaters.
6. Explore San Diego’s zoos
In San Diego, there are two great ways to get in touch with animals and have a lot of fun. The first is to visit the San Diego Zoo Safari, where the animals are free to roam in an environment that simulates their natural habitat. There are more than 3,000 species for you to get to know up close.
The other way is to visit the San Diego Zoo, the city’s zoo which houses the animals in cages in the traditional way. Both tours of the city are great for taking the whole family.
7. Visit the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego
An unmissable tip for your night out in San Diego is to enjoy the Gaslamp Quarter, an area full of trendy bars and restaurants in the city. There, you’ll enjoy the tastiest dishes and many excellent drinks to the sound of great music.
8. Get to know Legoland park near San Diego
Opened in 1999, Legoland park is an absolute hit with children. There are an average of 1.5 million visitors throughout the year, who enjoy the park’s more than 60 themed attractions.
Best of all, they’re all made of Lego. It’s a real paradise for fans of the toy. There, children can enjoy the Legoland Express, Playtown, Swabbies Deck – Pirate Shores and many other attractions. You can even build a robot out of Lego.
The park has an excellent infrastructure to welcome its visitors, offering toilets, snack bars, restaurants and official product shops.
9. Visit the Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego
One of San Diego’s historic sites is the Point Loma Lighthouse, an old lighthouse dating back to the 19th century. It is located next to the Cabrillo National Monument, a monument that honors Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the pioneering European explorer to California.
So if you’re looking for a cultural and historical tour, a visit to these two monuments is ideal for you.
- Important tip: to make the most of your trip to San Diego, staying in the best areas is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main areas, the hotels and how you can save a lot on accommodation.
10. Explore San Diego’s Old Town
Walking around the Old Town area is a great way to enjoy San Diego for free. The area has a unique style that makes you feel like you’re in another era.
The local architecture preserves the historical context of the area, which was home to the country’s first group of European settlers. So a stroll through the area gives you the feel of the Old West from classic movies. You can also enjoy the bars, stores, restaurants and museums of Old Town.
11. Have fun at Belmont Park in San Diego
How about some family fun during your trip? Belmont Park is the ideal attraction for anyone who wants a fun-filled day in San Diego. After spending all your energy on the famous Giant Dipper roller coaster, take the opportunity to relax in the gastronomic and commercial hubs of the area.
Belmont Park is free for visitors and only requires paid admission to its rides.
12. Visit the USS Midway Museum in San Diego
The USS Midway Museum is one of the city’s most original tours. It is a floating museum moored in San Diego Bay.
From 1945 to 1992, it served as an aircraft carrier for the US Navy. In 2004, it was transformed into a museum displaying more than 60 military items. A visit to the museum is made all the more charming by an audio guide from the former sailors who served on the USS Midway, who give their engaging accounts.
13. Dance a lot in a San Diego nightclub
Enjoy the best of San Diego’s nightlife in one of the city’s nightclubs. There you’ll find everything from the most sophisticated to the most affordable. A great suggestion is to dance a lot at Winstons Beach Club or FLOAT Rooftop Lounge, an incredible bar located inside a hotel, offering a cinematic view of the Gaslamp Quarter.
Save money on your trip to San Diego:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to San Diego cheaply, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your San Diego tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in San Diego. You will find out the best areas and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
