Top Things to Do in San Diego: Attractions, Beaches, Parks

Explore the Top Attractions in San Diego

Known for its idyllic climate, beautiful beaches, and lively downtown, San Diego is one of California's top vacation destinations. With an endless array of things to see and do, it can be hard to narrow down exactly what to add to your San Diego itinerary. From historic sites and scenic vistas to family-friendly attractions and exciting nightlife, San Diego has something for everyone. Here are some of the best things to do in San Diego to make the most of your visit.

Marvel at the Views at Sunset Cliffs

One of San Diego’s most scenic natural landmarks, Sunset Cliffs offers incredible ocean views from its dramatic sandstone bluffs. Watch the waves crash against the rocky shoreline and see surfers catching waves below. The most popular section is near Ladera Street, where you'll find secluded coves tucked into the cliffs that are perfect for sunbathing. Be sure to visit during sunset when the cliffs glow in beautiful golden hour light.

Stroll Through Balboa Park

Known as the “crown jewel” of San Diego, Balboa Park is a must-visit. This massive urban park is home to renowned museums like the San Diego Zoo and the Fleet Science Center as well as beautiful gardens. Spend an afternoon wandering through the manicured grounds, exploring architecturally stunning Spanish-Renaissance style buildings, admiring the Botanical Building’s 2,100 permanent plants, and discovering unique public art installations around every corner.

Relax at the Beach in La Jolla

With its postcard-worthy coves tucked into sandstone cliffs, La Jolla is one of the prettiest stretches of coastline in California. Head to La Jolla Shores for its wide sandy beach great for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. At La Jolla Cove, you can watch seals and sea lions lounging on the rocks. Or explore the tide pools teeming with marine life during low tide at WindanSea Beach. Don’t miss the chance for incredible ocean views along Coast Walk between La Jolla Cove and the Children’s Pool.

Soak Up the Sun at Mission Beach

For classic Southern California beach vibes, spend a day soaking up the sun at lively Mission Beach. Stretching for two miles between the ocean and Mission Bay, this wide sandy beach has a festive boardwalk lined with activity rentals, shops, restaurants, and bars. Play beach volleyball, go stand-up paddleboarding, or build sandcastles on the shore. Then refuel with a burger and shake at one of the boardwalk eateries.

Explore Old Town San Diego

Step back in time with a visit to Old Town, the birthplace of San Diego. Cobblestone streets are lined with historic adobe buildings housing shops, restaurants, museums and art galleries. Wander through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to see period-furnished historic homes and reconstructed buildings from the early 1800s. Don't miss lively Casa de Estudillo with folklorico dance performances every Saturday. Then browse the colorful handicraft stalls at Fiesta de Reyes plaza.

Marvel at Sea Life at Birch Aquarium

Part of UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the excellent Birch Aquarium is home to more than 60 habitats of colorful fish, swaying kelp forests, playful otters and leopard sharks. Get up close to diverse marine life like seahorses, jellies and coral reef ecosystems from around the world. Time your visit for the twice-daily feeding shows at the Shark Shallows tank. And don't miss the chance to pet small sharks and rays in the touch pools.

Tour the USS Midway Museum

Step aboard the USS Midway Museum, a massive decommissioned aircraft carrier docked in San Diego Harbor. Take the self-guided audio tour through the ship to see the narrow sleeping quarters, engine room, galley, and expansive flight deck. Check out over 60 exhibits showcasing naval aviation history. Highlights include the Pilot Ready Rooms, Admiral's War Room, and aircraft like F-14 Tomcats and A-4 Skyhawks. Make sure to climb up to the bridge for panoramic harbor views.

Ride the Trolley to Little Italy

San Diego's charming Little Italy neighborhood is one of the city's top spots for strolling, shopping, and al fresco dining along its pretty pedestrian streets. The most scenic way to arrive is aboard an iconic San Diego Trolley, getting off at the Little Italy stop. Then spend the afternoon browsing boutiques, galleries, and specialty food shops along India Street and Kettner Boulevard. Fuel up with pizza or pasta at one of the many Italian cafes and trattorias before catching the trolley back downtown.

Hike Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

For awe-inspiring coastal views, hike through the 2,000-acre Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, home to the rare Torrey pine tree. Follow the Guy Fleming Trail along sandstone cliffs with panoramas over the Pacific Ocean and famed Torrey Pines Golf Course. Or challenge yourself climbing up the steep cliffs on the Broken Hill Trail for hard-earned ocean vistas. Keep an eye out for whale spouts offshore during winter and spring.

Visit Harbor Island and Shelter Island

These scenic manmade islands on San Diego Bay offer beautiful waterfront walking trails, gardens, and marinas dotted with bobbing boats. Meander along the shoreline promenade of Harbor Island and watch cruise ships come and go. On nearby Shelter Island, don't miss the beautifully landscaped Point Loma native plant garden showcasing coastal vegetation.

Where to Stay in San Diego

With endless lodging options, choosing where to stay in San Diego can be tricky. Here are some of the top neighborhoods and areas to consider for your San Diego getaway:

Downtown

For easy walking access to attractions like the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and waterfront, stay downtown. Luxury high-rise hotels offer scenic views. Boutique options provide a trendy hotel experience. And you'll find major chains like Marriott and Hyatt situated conveniently downtown.

Mission Bay

Positioned on a thin peninsula between Mission Bay and the ocean, Mission Beach is a lively base for water sports enthusiasts. Mid-range resorts and motels line the beachfront boardwalk overlooking Belmont Park amusement park.

La Jolla

This posh coastal neighborhood north of downtown offers luxurious oceanfront accommodations atop the cliffs of La Jolla Cove. But less pricey options are available farther from the water around Prospect Street and Girard Avenue.

Old Town

For a historic retreat, book one of Old Town's small inns, like the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant. You'll be steps from Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and San Diego's origins.

Coronado

This resort island across the bay from downtown provides a tranquil escape with its own attractive beach. The landmark Hotel Del Coronado offers luxurious historic accommodations and seaside cottages.

Best Times to Visit

With its sunny Mediterranean climate, San Diego enjoys pleasant weather year-round. But the best times to visit are:

September to November

Fall brings warm sunny days with cooler nights, smaller crowds, and lower lodging rates after summer vacations end. September and October still see remnants of summer heat.

March to May

Spring offers similar comfortable temperatures as fall but with wildflower blooms and longer daylight hours. Whale watching season goes through April.

Getting Around San Diego

San Diego is very spread out, so it's best to have a car for efficient exploring. But the city does have decent public transportation options including:

Trolley

San Diego's light rail trolley system offers fast service to downtown tourist areas like the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and Old Town from outlying neighborhoods.

Bus

Buses cover San Diego proper as well as routes to nearby towns and attractions like SeaWorld, the beach communities, and Mexico.

Coaster

The Coaster train offers an easy way to travel north along the coast from downtown to Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside.

Water Taxi

For scenic harbor cruises, water taxis ferry riders between downtown, Coronado, Harbor Island, and Shelter Island.

Day Trips from San Diego

If you have more time to explore Southern California, San Diego makes a great home base for exciting day trips like:

Tijuana, Mexico

Just across the border, Tijuana offers Mexican market shopping and tasty local tacos and Baja cuisine. Don't miss Avenida Revolución for bars, curio shops and cultural attractions.

Anza-Borrego Desert

For a scenic escape from the city, drive east to explore 600,000 acres of cactus-dotted desert wilderness perfect for hiking, 4WD adventures, stargazing and wildflower spotting in spring.

Temecula Wine Country

About 60 miles north, the Temecula Valley boasts over 40 wineries offering tastings and vineyard tours with beautiful vineyard valley panoramas.

Palomar Mountain

Drive an hour northeast to Palomar Mountain State Park for hiking through shady oak and conifer forests, scenic overlooks, and the landmark Palomar Observatory and its giant telescope.

The Best of San Diego

With so many things to see and do, San Diego truly offers an incredible variety of attractions and activities to suit all interests. Be sure to spend time strolling along the vibrant waterfront downtown, exploring Balboa Park's gardens and museums, sunbathing at the beautiful beaches, and hiking the scenic Torrey Pines trails. From historic sites and family-friendly attractions to romantic cliffside sunsets and exciting nightlife, San Diego has it all. Enjoy this amazing Southern California destination!

FAQs

What is the best area to stay in San Diego?

The Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and Downtown areas put you close to top attractions like Balboa Park, Petco Park, the waterfront, and the convention center. Mission Beach and Pacific Beach offer classic beach vibes. La Jolla provides upscale lodging near pretty coves and cliffs.

What is the cheapest way to get around San Diego?

San Diego has a good public transportation system. The MTS Trolley and Bus system offers an affordable way to reach key sights like Old Town, Little Italy, and Mission Beach. Riding the ferry to Coronado is also cheap.

What is there to do in San Diego when it rains?

Fortunately San Diego gets little rain. But on gray days head indoors to top museums like the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, San Diego Museum of Art, Fleet Science Center, and Birch Aquarium. Catch a Padres baseball game at Petco Park.

What is the best month to visit San Diego?

San Diego enjoys mild weather year-round. September to November and March to May are peak seasons with comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds than summer. Watch for gray whales during winter and spring.

What are the top day trips from San Diego?

Popular day trips include Tijuana, Mexico for culture and tacos, Temecula Valley Wine Country, the desert scenery of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Mount Palomar Observatory to see the giant telescope.