What to do in Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

A residential area with houses, roads, and surrounding greenery.
A pier extending into the ocean with the sun setting in the background.
An aerial view of a residential area with houses, green spaces, and a lake.
A building with a tiled roof, a balcony with a lattice design, and a clock tower.
A golf course with multiple ponds, surrounded by residential areas and dense greenery.

Rancho Santa Fe Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Rancho Santa Fe has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Rancho Santa Fe is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Rancho Santa Fe to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Rancho Santa Fe Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Rancho Santa Fe.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Rancho Santa Fe attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

Beaches & Bluffs San Diego's Ultimate Coastal Driving Tour

Beaches & Bluffs San Diego's Ultimate Coastal Driving Tour

CA $21
per traveller
Beaches & Bluffs San Diego's Ultimate Coastal Driving Tour
Learn to Stand Up Paddle Board in La Jolla

Learn to Stand Up Paddle Board in La Jolla

CA $48
per traveller
Learn to Stand Up Paddle Board in La Jolla
Solana Beach: Surfboard Rentals

Solana Beach: Surfboard Rentals

CA $35
per adult
Solana Beach: Surfboard Rentals
Solana Beach: Beach Cruiser Full-Day Bike Rental

Solana Beach: Beach Cruiser Full-Day Bike Rental

CA $55
per adult
Solana Beach: Beach Cruiser Full-Day Bike Rental
Heritage Park & Old Town Walking Ghost Tour in San Diego

Heritage Park & Old Town Walking Ghost Tour in San Diego

CA $58
per adult
Heritage Park & Old Town Walking Ghost Tour in San Diego
Incredible Slot Canyons to the Pacific

Incredible Slot Canyons to the Pacific

CA $82
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Incredible Slot Canyons to the Pacific
Private Surf Lesson Solana Beach Ride the Waves Fletcher Cove 2hr

Private Surf Lesson Solana Beach Ride the Waves Fletcher Cove 2hr

CA $152
per adult
Private Surf Lesson Solana Beach Ride the Waves Fletcher Cove 2hr
Salem Puzzling Adventure

UCSD Art Tour Puzzling Adventure

CA $48
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
UCSD Art Tour Puzzling Adventure
Solana Beach: Private Surf Lesson with Board and Wetsuit

Solana Beach: Private Surf Lesson with Board and Wetsuit

CA $166
per adult
Solana Beach: Private Surf Lesson with Board and Wetsuit
See all activities in Rancho Santa Fe
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

Top places to visit

1. LEGOLAND® California

LEGOLAND® California Resort is a kid’s dream come true with more than 60 rides, shows and attractions based around the famous click-and-build toy. The amusement park, LEGO®-themed hotel and water park are located in the oceanside town of Carlsbad, 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of San Diego.
Learn more
A miniature cityscape with various buildings and a small pond.

2. San Diego Zoo

Prepare to be amazed and enchanted by the diversity of animal life on display at San Diego Zoo, which welcomes 5 million visitors a year. The 100-acre (40-hectare) site is home to around 4,000 animals from more than 650 species and subspecies. Most exhibits are open air, and designed to be as close to the natural habitats of the animals they house as possible.
Learn more
A zoo entrance with a panda sculpture, ticket booth, and people.

3. Mission Bay

Spend summer days enjoying the calm waters and gorgeous scenes of Mission Bay, a saltwater lagoon just north of downtown San Diego. This 4,200-acre (1,700-hectare) bay features pristine beaches, water sports for all ages and park attractions that bring summer to life.
Learn more
A beach with sailboats, people relaxing, and a 'Boat Rentals' sign.

4. SeaWorld

SeaWorld® San Diego, located in trendy Mission Beach, has been pleasing crowds ever since it opened in 1964 and is a must for anyone traveling with children. Kids and adults alike flock to the many exhibits offering opportunities to interact with marine animals. Touch, feed and give training signals to the performing bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Point. With prearranged permission, you can even don a wetsuit and jump into the water with the majestic beluga whales.
Learn more
An orca performing a jump in a pool.

5. Mission Beach

People have been coming to Mission Beach to top up their tans since the 1920s, when the first holiday homes were built along its shores. Development increased in the 1960s and today this is a thriving, affluent oceanfront suburb. Thankfully, though, it hasn’t lost its old-fashioned charm. Stroll along the boardwalk that runs the length of the beach and enjoy the relaxed, carnival atmosphere courtesy of street performers, roller bladers and skateboarders, and the occasional artist selling jewelry or other crafts.
Learn more
A beach with palm trees, boats, and a clear blue sky.

6. Balboa Park

This is one of the largest urban parks in the United States, and one of the most diverse in the world. You could spend a week exploring its 1,200 acres (486 hectares) of walking trails and gardens, museums and galleries, theaters, restaurants, and world-famous zoo. This wealth of year-round entertainment makes it a popular location for both locals and tourists.
Learn more
A historic building with ornate architecture and a reflective pond with lily pads.

Recommended things to do in Rancho Santa Fe

Number of things to do
47
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
UC San Diego Campus Campus Adventure: CA $15
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Rancho Santa Fe

Stay near popular Rancho Santa Fe attractions

Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery

8.0/10 (3 reviews)
You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery during your travels in Rancho Santa Fe. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area, or seek out the surfing spots.
See properties

Where to stay in Rancho Santa Fe

Find the best Rancho Santa Fe areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Rancho Santa Fe
Learn more about Rancho Santa Fe

Covenant

Covenant might not have many top sights, but Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery and Del Mar Horsepark are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Bridges

While there might not be top attractions in Bridges, you can explore the larger area and discover places like La Costa Golf Courses - North and South and Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Rancho Santa Fe

A coastal area with buildings on a hillside overlooking the ocean.

San Diego

A beach at sunset with a cliff and a lifeguard tower.

Solana Beach

A coastal cityscape with a beach, ocean waves, and a clear sky.

Encinitas

A park with a playground, picnic tables, and barbecue grills.

Escondido

A sandy beach with scattered rocks and seaweed, a calm sea, and a cliff with vegetation and palm trees.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Frequently asked questions

Is Rancho Santa Fe worth visiting?
From retail therapy to outdoor activities and history, there are loads of fun things to do in Rancho Santa Fe. Don't forget to experience the area's blend of awesome sights, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Rancho Santa Fe?
Moonlight State Beach and Torrey Pines State Beach are two great places to kick-start your getaway adventures. Remember to check out the retail and dining options in Rancho Santa Fe while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Rancho Santa Fe?
Moonlight State Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Rancho Santa Fe and deserves a spot on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Rancho Santa Fe?
You can easily tour top attractions like Moonlight State Beach, San Elijo State Beach and Del Mar North Beach with a three-day escape to Rancho Santa Fe. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stay a little longer and venture to San Diego County.
Is Rancho Santa Fe a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Rancho Santa Fe is a great place to visit on foot. Have fun wandering between Ranch Santa Fe Golf Course and Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery. Then take a stroll around Covenant, located 2 kilometres from downtown, and Bridges, which is about 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Rancho Santa Fe with kids?
If you are after attractions and activities for all ages, take a look at these awesome ideas for what to do in Rancho Santa Fe with kids.

What to do in Rancho Santa Fe for adults?
Stone Brewing and Bernardo Winery are just two of the things to do in Rancho Santa Fe. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Rancho Santa Fe?
From relaxing in parks to wandering around exciting neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to discover free things to do in Rancho Santa Fe. If you need inspiration, ask for tips from a local tour guide. Moonlight State Beach is a top spot for anyone looking to save on their travelling adventures.