The 16 Best Things To Do In San Diego
San Diego is an underrated location but it offers many fun and unique things to do, here are 16 of the best ones!
Often called “a dumpster”, “the worst destination in the U.S”, or simply “a crappy and boring city” on Hollywood productions and among North Americans, San Diego is everything but that. The eclectic ambiance, beautiful beaches, breathtaking landscapes, fancy malls, and amusing attractions are some of the things that make this west coast city one of my favorite ones.
I can say from personal experience that every time I’ve visited San Diego I’ve had an amazing time and made many long-lasting memories; every time I leave I want to go back as soon as possible. If you’re thinking about giving a chance to the so-called “America’s Finest City” here’s a list of the 16 best things to do in San Diego!
What To Do In San Diego
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a youthful area to lay under the sun, enjoy the beach, have some drinks, and surf.
Also known as P.B among locals, this beach is the most popular one in San Diego. Here you’ll find everything from local restaurants to boutiques, shops, grocery stores, and clubs. Pacific Beach has many things to do for everyone regardless of age.
By day the calm beach will be waiting for you to have a fun time with family, friends, your significant other, or by yourself, and restaurants such as Armonía Kitchen, PB Poke Place, Poké Chop, and Pueblo (where you’ll find exquisite Mexican food) will delight your palate with savory meals. At night, bars and clubs such as Maverick’s, El Prez, and Backyard Kitchen and Tap are the ideal spots to spend a fun night out.
Mission Beach
Just a few blocks away from Pacific Beach you’ll find Mission Beach, a very similar yet completely different beach in San Diego.
If P.B is considered by many as a hectic area then I can’t imagine how Mission Beach is perceived. The beach area of M.B is as pretty as P.B, but the main difference is the wild and crazy environment that Mission Beach has, here I witnessed day drinking, street fights, and very odd characters just to mention a few things. Let’s just say that if you want some entertainment and a frenzied experience then Mission Beach is where you’ll want to be.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach, also called O.B., is located about 15 minutes away by car from Pacific Beach and Downtown San Diego. This is a picturesque and bohemian neighborhood where you’ll definitely experience a classic SoCal beach vibe. Here you’ll cross paths with surfers, hippies, sunbathers, and peculiar characters in the streets and beach. At the Ocean Beach Pier, a popular spot to fish (duh) you’ll be able to admire beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Nearby on Newport Avenue, you can take a stroll and discover restaurants, beachwear shops, taquerias, smoke shops, organic groceries, and brewpubs.
On Wednesdays from 4 to 8 PM you can enjoy the Ocean’s Beach Farmers Market, between Cable and Bacon streets also on Newport Avenue. I recommend visiting the Farmers Market by 6 or 7 because that’s when it looks prettier and the cool atmosphere has already started. In addition to the market, you can also check out the drum circle next to the beach, where not only do people play drum music but they also do tricks with fire and other instruments.
La Jolla
Home to gorgeous landscapes, scenic trails, golf courses, and the Torrey Pines Natural Reserve, La Jolla is undoubtedly the best neighborhood in San Diego.
This fancy area is known to be the neighborhood where people with very high incomes live in. Here you will find carefully designed homes, expensive cars, cozy and posh boutiques, and restaurants. La Jolla is also one of the coolest places for animal and nature enthusiasts since it's where many sea lions of all ages live or stop by at La Jolla Cove. And at La Jolla Village you can take a stroll and stop at one of the luxurious establishments or restaurants.
This district is definitely a must-visit destination in San Diego.
Sunset Cliffs
As its name says, Sunset Cliffs are the ultimate location to watch the iconic San Diego sunsets.
This coastal community in Point Loma is an iconic spot where couples, friends, families, and solo visitors go to admire the unique sunsets the Californian skyline offers. You can bring a blanket, snacks, and a drink, or even plan a whole special picnic to spend a unique afternoon.
Little Italy
For all things Italian Little Italy is without a doubt the place to be. This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood is full of restaurants, bars, and pubs that offer a wide variety of flavors and options. Additionally, you can find clothing boutiques, ice cream shops, music venues, and even arts and crafts stores.
This is one of my favorite places to go to when I'm in SoCal, everything from its picturesque and aesthetic architecture to its fun and cool ambiance makes it a must-visit place in San Diego. On Saturdays (8 AM - 2 PM) and Wednesdays (9:30 AM - 1:30 PM), you can walk along Little Italy's Farmers Market, and buy fresh produce, handmade products, colorful flowers, and more while you enjoy the beautiful view from 600 W Date. I have a San Diego Little Italy vlog where you can see a bit of what happens around there, click here to watch it!
A highlight of Little Italy is that you can walk a couple of blocks and discover Waterfront Park, a colorful area with sculptures, fountains, and areas for kids.
Gaslamp Quarter
This vibrant downtown district it's known for its nightlife. On Gaslamp Quarter the youthful crowd is drawn to clubs, cocktail lounges, and dive bars. If you want to participate in something other than a hectic night out then you can attend a music concert or play at the Spreckels and Balboa Theaters. You can also stop at the different chain and independent businesses in the area.
Kissing Sailor Statue
The kissing sailor statue is an iconic photo spot right next to the USS Midway Museum where couples, families, and solo visitors can snap a romantic or quirky photo.
USS Midway Museum
This historical naval aircraft museum is located in Downtown San Diego at Navy Pier. The Museum, which consists of the aircraft carrier Midway. The ship houses an extensive collection of military aircrafts.
San Diego Zoo
(source: pexels)
Located in Balboa Park the San Diego Zoo houses 12,000 rare and endangered animals and over 45o species and subspecies on its 100 acres. It receives over 4 million visitors per year from the U.S and other countries, mind-blowing, right?
This worldwide attraction gives entertainment to visitors of all ages, so it doesn’t matter if you’re 20 or 40, it’ll still be fun. Tickets for adults are $67 and $57 for children if you buy them at the zoo, if you decide to get them online you’ll get a $2 discount on each, what a deal hahaha.
If you’re an animal enthusiast or just someone who wants to tour this emblematic San Diego attraction then you must go to the San Diego Zoo. Just be sure to get there as early as possible (they open from 9 to 9) because past the opening hours lines tend to get SUPER long, I’m not exaggerating.
Hillcrest
Travelers looking for an LGBTQ area in San Diego will love Hillcrest, the city’s queerest neighborhood. This small yet vibrant place welcomes everyone to its restaurants, clubs, bars, thrift shops, and coffee shops for a calm morning or afternoon or a crazy night out.
My favorite spots here were Buffalo Exchange, a really cool thrift store where you can make outstanding finds if stock is currently good (it can be a bit pricy for second-hand clothing but they carefully select their pieces so you’ll probably find better things compared to some Goodwill locations in San Diego), Bluestocking Books, a store with new and second-hand books and a couple of other things, Common Stock, a restaurant with tasty meals, and La Vecindad, an exquisite and authentic Mexican taquería.
Windansea Beach
This stretch of coastline in La Jolla neighborhood is one where teens and adults can enjoy a fun time, I say teens and adults because the time I was there, waves were too crazy for kids to dive in. This spot is especially popular among surfers since they can find lots of good waves to ride.
Children’s Pool La Jolla
The Children’s Pool in La Jolla is one of my favorite spots in San Diego because who doesn’t love cute sea lions and natural beauty?
Walking along the stretch rock road you can watch the ocean on one side and lots of adorable (but smelly) sea lions. It’s a really beautiful feeling to be so close to nature while still respecting their space. If it’s crowded or not depends will depend on the season of the year and the time of the day you visit.
La Jolla Cove
As it name says it, this cove located in La Jolla is a small beach surrounded by cliffs, and at times sea lions. Here you can take a dip in the clear Pacific waters and lie under the sun.
Popular among scuba divers, snorkelers, and swimmers La Jolla Cove is part of a protected marine reserve. If you’re not convinced yet by the photos on the internet of this cove then trust my words when I say that it’s totally worth visiting it, its natural beauty, landscapes, and crowd make it an appealing place to visit. You may even witness someone being chased by a sea lion, at least I did, and it was hilarious.
Fashion Valley
This upscale mall, the largest mall in San Diego and one of the largest ones in California offers 2 floors full of businesses of all kinds such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Vans, Apple, Urban Outfitters, and Victoria’s Secret among others.
You won’t only be able to buy your favorite things in this open-air mall but you can also grab some food or simply walk around. The architectural beauty and shopping choices make this the best mall in San Diego.
Balboa Park
This 1,200-acre park is truly one of the most breathtaking and mesmerizing attractions in San Diego. Balboa Park has over 10 museums full of art, culture, and history, the San Diego Zoo, and different gardens among others.
The park is extensive living proof of San Diego’s rich history mixed with the modern. If you want to explore as much as you can of the park you’ll probably need a couple of days, but if you only want to walk around the Museum Of Man, the San Diego Museum of Art, the lily pond, and a couple of other museums along the main road, El Prado, then a morning or afternoon here should be enough.
Liberty Public Market
This market hosted in an old naval building has different trendy bars, eateries, and specialty food and drink vendors. The Liberty Public Market also features extensive and gorgeous gardens where you can eat, have a picnic or lay down to read.
It’s not as a popular spot as others in San Diego but it’s definitely a cool place to visit if you get the chance.
Ready To Visit San Diego?
If these 16 things to do in San Diego sound appealing then it’s time to start planning your trip, you’ll surely enjoy it! Thanks for reading.
If you’d like for someone to plan your dream San Diego trip you’re in the perfect place, as I’m a professional travel planner who can help you with that. Feel free to email me at booking@sabrinagold.com or hire me via Fiverr by clicking here.
San Diego is an underrated location but it offers many fun and unique things to do, here are 16 of the best ones!
Often called “a dumpster”, “the worst destination in the U.S”, or simply “a crappy and boring city” on Hollywood productions and among North Americans, San Diego is everything but that. The eclectic ambiance, beautiful beaches, breathtaking landscapes, fancy malls, and amusing attractions are some of the things that make this west coast city one of my favorite ones.
I can say from personal experience that every time I’ve visited San Diego I’ve had an amazing time and made many long-lasting memories; every time I leave I want to go back as soon as possible. If you’re thinking about giving a chance to the so-called “America’s Finest City” here’s a list of the 16 best things to do in San Diego!
What To Do In San Diego
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a youthful area to lay under the sun, enjoy the beach, have some drinks, and surf.
Also known as P.B among locals, this beach is the most popular one in San Diego. Here you’ll find everything from local restaurants to boutiques, shops, grocery stores, and clubs. Pacific Beach has many things to do for everyone regardless of age.
By day the calm beach will be waiting for you to have a fun time with family, friends, your significant other, or by yourself, and restaurants such as Armonía Kitchen, PB Poke Place, Poké Chop, and Pueblo (where you’ll find exquisite Mexican food) will delight your palate with savory meals. At night, bars and clubs such as Maverick’s, El Prez, and Backyard Kitchen and Tap are the ideal spots to spend a fun night out.
Mission Beach
Just a few blocks away from Pacific Beach you’ll find Mission Beach, a very similar yet completely different beach in San Diego.
If P.B is considered by many as a hectic area then I can’t imagine how Mission Beach is perceived. The beach area of M.B is as pretty as P.B, but the main difference is the wild and crazy environment that Mission Beach has, here I witnessed day drinking, street fights, and very odd characters just to mention a few things. Let’s just say that if you want some entertainment and a frenzied experience then Mission Beach is where you’ll want to be.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach, also called O.B., is located about 15 minutes away by car from Pacific Beach and Downtown San Diego. This is a picturesque and bohemian neighborhood where you’ll definitely experience a classic SoCal beach vibe. Here you’ll cross paths with surfers, hippies, sunbathers, and peculiar characters in the streets and beach. At the Ocean Beach Pier, a popular spot to fish (duh) you’ll be able to admire beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Nearby on Newport Avenue, you can take a stroll and discover restaurants, beachwear shops, taquerias, smoke shops, organic groceries, and brewpubs.
On Wednesdays from 4 to 8 PM you can enjoy the Ocean’s Beach Farmers Market, between Cable and Bacon streets also on Newport Avenue. I recommend visiting the Farmers Market by 6 or 7 because that’s when it looks prettier and the cool atmosphere has already started. In addition to the market, you can also check out the drum circle next to the beach, where not only do people play drum music but they also do tricks with fire and other instruments.
La Jolla
Home to gorgeous landscapes, scenic trails, golf courses, and the Torrey Pines Natural Reserve, La Jolla is undoubtedly the best neighborhood in San Diego.
This fancy area is known to be the neighborhood where people with very high incomes live in. Here you will find carefully designed homes, expensive cars, cozy and posh boutiques, and restaurants. La Jolla is also one of the coolest places for animal and nature enthusiasts since it's where many sea lions of all ages live or stop by at La Jolla Cove. And at La Jolla Village you can take a stroll and stop at one of the luxurious establishments or restaurants.
This district is definitely a must-visit destination in San Diego.
Sunset Cliffs
As its name says, Sunset Cliffs are the ultimate location to watch the iconic San Diego sunsets.
This coastal community in Point Loma is an iconic spot where couples, friends, families, and solo visitors go to admire the unique sunsets the Californian skyline offers. You can bring a blanket, snacks, and a drink, or even plan a whole special picnic to spend a unique afternoon.
Little Italy
For all things Italian Little Italy is without a doubt the place to be. This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood is full of restaurants, bars, and pubs that offer a wide variety of flavors and options. Additionally, you can find clothing boutiques, ice cream shops, music venues, and even arts and crafts stores.
This is one of my favorite places to go to when I'm in SoCal, everything from its picturesque and aesthetic architecture to its fun and cool ambiance makes it a must-visit place in San Diego. On Saturdays (8 AM - 2 PM) and Wednesdays (9:30 AM - 1:30 PM), you can walk along Little Italy's Farmers Market, and buy fresh produce, handmade products, colorful flowers, and more while you enjoy the beautiful view from 600 W Date. I have a San Diego Little Italy vlog where you can see a bit of what happens around there, click here to watch it!
A highlight of Little Italy is that you can walk a couple of blocks and discover Waterfront Park, a colorful area with sculptures, fountains, and areas for kids.
Gaslamp Quarter
This vibrant downtown district it's known for its nightlife. On Gaslamp Quarter the youthful crowd is drawn to clubs, cocktail lounges, and dive bars. If you want to participate in something other than a hectic night out then you can attend a music concert or play at the Spreckels and Balboa Theaters. You can also stop at the different chain and independent businesses in the area.
Kissing Sailor Statue
The kissing sailor statue is an iconic photo spot right next to the USS Midway Museum where couples, families, and solo visitors can snap a romantic or quirky photo.
USS Midway Museum
This historical naval aircraft museum is located in Downtown San Diego at Navy Pier. The Museum, which consists of the aircraft carrier Midway. The ship houses an extensive collection of military aircrafts.
San Diego Zoo
(source: pexels)
Located in Balboa Park the San Diego Zoo houses 12,000 rare and endangered animals and over 45o species and subspecies on its 100 acres. It receives over 4 million visitors per year from the U.S and other countries, mind-blowing, right?
This worldwide attraction gives entertainment to visitors of all ages, so it doesn’t matter if you’re 20 or 40, it’ll still be fun. Tickets for adults are $67 and $57 for children if you buy them at the zoo, if you decide to get them online you’ll get a $2 discount on each, what a deal hahaha.
If you’re an animal enthusiast or just someone who wants to tour this emblematic San Diego attraction then you must go to the San Diego Zoo. Just be sure to get there as early as possible (they open from 9 to 9) because past the opening hours lines tend to get SUPER long, I’m not exaggerating.
Hillcrest
Travelers looking for an LGBTQ area in San Diego will love Hillcrest, the city’s queerest neighborhood. This small yet vibrant place welcomes everyone to its restaurants, clubs, bars, thrift shops, and coffee shops for a calm morning or afternoon or a crazy night out.
My favorite spots here were Buffalo Exchange, a really cool thrift store where you can make outstanding finds if stock is currently good (it can be a bit pricy for second-hand clothing but they carefully select their pieces so you’ll probably find better things compared to some Goodwill locations in San Diego), Bluestocking Books, a store with new and second-hand books and a couple of other things, Common Stock, a restaurant with tasty meals, and La Vecindad, an exquisite and authentic Mexican taquería.
Windansea Beach
This stretch of coastline in La Jolla neighborhood is one where teens and adults can enjoy a fun time, I say teens and adults because the time I was there, waves were too crazy for kids to dive in. This spot is especially popular among surfers since they can find lots of good waves to ride.
Children’s Pool La Jolla
The Children’s Pool in La Jolla is one of my favorite spots in San Diego because who doesn’t love cute sea lions and natural beauty?
Walking along the stretch rock road you can watch the ocean on one side and lots of adorable (but smelly) sea lions. It’s a really beautiful feeling to be so close to nature while still respecting their space. If it’s crowded or not depends will depend on the season of the year and the time of the day you visit.
La Jolla Cove
As it name says it, this cove located in La Jolla is a small beach surrounded by cliffs, and at times sea lions. Here you can take a dip in the clear Pacific waters and lie under the sun.
Popular among scuba divers, snorkelers, and swimmers La Jolla Cove is part of a protected marine reserve. If you’re not convinced yet by the photos on the internet of this cove then trust my words when I say that it’s totally worth visiting it, its natural beauty, landscapes, and crowd make it an appealing place to visit. You may even witness someone being chased by a sea lion, at least I did, and it was hilarious.
Fashion Valley
This upscale mall, the largest mall in San Diego and one of the largest ones in California offers 2 floors full of businesses of all kinds such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Vans, Apple, Urban Outfitters, and Victoria’s Secret among others.
You won’t only be able to buy your favorite things in this open-air mall but you can also grab some food or simply walk around. The architectural beauty and shopping choices make this the best mall in San Diego.
Balboa Park
This 1,200-acre park is truly one of the most breathtaking and mesmerizing attractions in San Diego. Balboa Park has over 10 museums full of art, culture, and history, the San Diego Zoo, and different gardens among others.
The park is extensive living proof of San Diego’s rich history mixed with the modern. If you want to explore as much as you can of the park you’ll probably need a couple of days, but if you only want to walk around the Museum Of Man, the San Diego Museum of Art, the lily pond, and a couple of other museums along the main road, El Prado, then a morning or afternoon here should be enough.
Liberty Public Market
This market hosted in an old naval building has different trendy bars, eateries, and specialty food and drink vendors. The Liberty Public Market also features extensive and gorgeous gardens where you can eat, have a picnic or lay down to read.
It’s not as a popular spot as others in San Diego but it’s definitely a cool place to visit if you get the chance.
Ready To Visit San Diego?
If these 16 things to do in San Diego sound appealing then it’s time to start planning your trip, you’ll surely enjoy it! Thanks for reading.
If you’d like for someone to plan your dream San Diego trip you’re in the perfect place, as I’m a professional travel planner who can help you with that. Feel free to email me at booking@sabrinagold.com or hire me via Fiverr by clicking here.
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