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Famous for its ideal climate, 70 miles of beautiful beaches, and some of the world’s best zos, museums, and theme parks, there’s an endless number of fun things to do in San Diego.
Jun 7, 2024 · The best things to do in San Diego, California, include exploring Balboa Park, eating authentic Mexican food in Old Town, and relaxing on the shores of La Jolla.
- Why Visit San Diego, CA?
- Transportation: How to Get to San Diego, CA
- Transportation: How to Get Around San Diego, CA
- 30+ Exciting Things to Do in San Diego – Downtown San Diego
- Things to Do – Beyond Downtown San Diego
- Where to Stay in San Diego, CA
- Annual/Local Events in San Diego, CA
- Essential Packing List: San Diego, CA
There are so many reasons why you should visit San Diego. Where do I even start? 1. Simply amazing weather all-year-round. With very few rainy days in the year, you can bet there will be decent to amazing weather during your visit. In the winter months, the weather ranges from the 40s (low) to mid-60s (high). Summers are wonderfully warm, with aver...
There are a few different ways to get to San Diego, CA. All of them make traveling to San Diego pretty darn convenient. The transportation method you choose depends on your where you’re coming from and what your budget is. Coming from out of state or internationally? 1. Fly into San Diego International Airport(SAN). Flights may likely be a bit more...
Drive – Having a car to explore San Diego is crucial if you want to get out and explore past the downtown area. There are lots of freeways in SD and the sights you want to see may have some decent...Public Transportation – San Diego and its surrounding areas have affordable public transit systems that include trolleys, buses, trains, and shuttles. Find more about each of these transit systems...Rideshare Apps – San Diego is serviced by both Uber and Lyft. Download your preferred app and easily request a ride to and from your destinations. (I like Lyft.)Downtown San Diego is sprawling with sights, sounds, culture/history, attractions, restaurants, and bars. So let’s start there!
Now that you’ve gotten the downtown activities out of the way, let’s see what else the rest of San Diego has in store for you. I’m excited for you. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much there is to do beyond downtown SD!
Where To Stay in San Diego for First Time Visitors: Downtown San Diego
Downtown San Diego is great for first-timers simply because of its proximity to everything. Being minutes from the airport and with easy access to public transportation, you’ll get a great intro to SD by staying in this area. The prime location puts you within a few blocks of the Gaslamp Quarter, home to some of the city’s best dining, shopping, and entertainment. A few blocks west of downtown is the Waterfront and Seaport Village. A few blocks northeast of downtown lies Balboa Park, where so...
Where To Stay in San Diego for Families: Mission Bay or Coronado
You will most likely be hitting the beach when you’re in San Diego. If you’re looking to be by the beach, check out Mission Bay or Coronado. Mission Bayhas sandy shores, picnic areas, a calm bay, water sport opportunities, and harbor cruises. It’s also close to SeaWorld. 1. For a more luxurious stay – 1.1. The Catamaran Resort & Spa– You can expect tropical landscaping and elegant decor. Every room has a patio or balcony, and with a pool, jacuzzi, and bike rentals, these amenities make this h...
Where To Stay in San Diego for a Romantic Getaway: La Jolla
A stay in La Jolla grants you sweeping coastline views, stunning beaches, and a beautiful mountain backdrop. Not only will you have lots of shopping, beaching, swimming, and snorkeling opportunities, but you’ll get to enjoy some pretty amazing sunsets. 1. La Valencia Hotel– A beautiful Mediterranean-style hotel that offers luxurious accommodations, lush tropical courtyards, Spanish mosaics, and ocean views. 2. Lodge at Torrey Pines– Offers expansive public spaces with modern furniture and fir...
San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair(February) – 2 day festival celebrating Chinese New Year; eat traditional food, shop for Chinese handicrafts, enjoy live entertainment.Smartphone UV Sanitizer and Charger | Our phones gather all the grime and bacteria we touch throughout the day, and then they are stored in warm, dark places like purses and pockets, which make for...First Aid Kit | It’s always good to carry a first aid kitaround with you when traveling. Road trips make it easier to do this since all you need to do is toss it in the trunk!Hiking Boots | If you plan on hiking, bring well broken-in boots with good ankle support and good traction. My all-time favorites are the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Boots. They’re one of the lightest bo...Hiking Socks | If hiking, make sure you have a good pair of cushioned wool hiking socks. For extra toe protection and to prevent blisters from developing from skin-to-skin contact, go with a pair o...- Head to San Diego's many beaches, which are consistently ranked among the top in the nation. The beaches are all free to the public, to swim, body surf or hang ten.
- Visit La Jolla Cove and witness magnificent sunsets over the ocean. The Cove, a spectacular pocket beach nestled into La Jolla's rocky bluffs, was ranked No. 10 in Tripadvisor's Best Beaches Awards for 2023.
- Stroll along San Diego's Embarcadero for hours of free entertainment, shopping and more. Enjoy a laid-back day of hanging out in the grass and watching the many passing yachts and ships on picturesque San Diego Bay, or take in the sights from one of the many bay-view benches and walkways.
- Explore the sprawling Gaslamp Quarter, a nationally recognized historic district and the lively epicenter of San Diego's Downtown. Check out such landmarks as the Davis-Horton House, the area's oldest surviving structure, which was brought around Cape Horn from Maine in 1850 and reassembled here.
- The Secret Swings. The Secret Swings are hidden amongst the trees above Scripps Pier on the hillsides of La Jolla. By taking a small hike up from Expedition Way, you’ll be able to sit on a handmade seat (like a bench chair or tire swing) with a stellar ocean view.
- The Spruce Street Suspension Bridge. In Banker’s Hill, you can conquer your fear of heights and give the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge a visit. Made in 1912, it rests above the treetops and moves from side to side as you walk along it.
- The SS Monte Carlo Shipwreck. Just below the water’s surface in Coronado, with a visibility that varies depending upon the year, lies the Shipwrecked SS Monte Carlo.
- The Meditation Gardens. The cliffside Meditation Gardens in Encinitas are free and open to the public. They rest on the grounds of the Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat and Hermitage – where you can explore the flowers, koi ponds and the Birds of Paradise all while finding your ultimate beach-side zen.
With so many ways to spend the day - including numerous parks, breweries, restaurants, sporting events, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and of course, beautiful beaches - it can be hard to decide how to spend your time. To help you out, we've curated a list of the top 26 fun activities and attractions around the city.
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Jun 27, 2024 · 1. Balboa Park. Attractions. Park Laurel. Photograph: Joanne DiBona. San Diego is not short of beautiful parks, but Balboa is the undisputed king of them all.
