What to do in San Diego, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

San Diego
San Diego
San Diego
San Diego
San Diego

San Diego Attractions

This city by the sea is a coveted vacation destination for anyone with wanderlust. San Diego has it all: natural beauty, a buzzing nightlife, plenty of food, and more adventure sports than you can tackle in one trip. Whether you’re hoping to soak in some sun on the beaches or eat your way through the Gaslamp District, travelers of all types can find fun things to do in San Diego, CA. From the mountains to the sea, San Diego activities appeal to the heart of anyone eager to experience Southern California.

Areas & Neighborhoods

San Diego neighborhoods cover the gamut of city attractions and vibes. From historic sites in Old Town to trendy wine bars in South Park, all visitors will feel right at home in America’s Finest City.

North Park — This central neighborhood is teeming with new restaurants and trendy craft breweries. It’s also quite walkable, so you can park near 30th Street and University Avenue and trek until you find a place that looks appetizing.

Balboa Park — Balboa Park has more than a dozen museums and plenty of public gardens. It’s also home to restaurants, event venues, and the San Diego Zoo.

La Jolla — Whether you want to hit up some of the more hidden-away patches of sand along the San Diego coastline or check out trendy boutiques, La Jolla is a good pit stop for your itinerary. Of course, you can also jump off a cliff during a hang-gliding session here.

Hillcrest — This gay-friendly neighborhood is full of local coffee shops, lots of nightlife, and unique eateries. You’ll be sharing the sidewalks with plenty of San Diegans, but the vibrancy of the area makes the crowded conditions well worth it.

East Village — Sitting east of the famous Gaslamp District , East Village is the place to go if you want to catch a San Diego Padres™ game or attend a free community event for bloggers. It’s also within walking distance to many downtown clubs and restaurants.

What to See in San Diego

Before you get busy with water sports and other active pursuits, check out some of the fun things to see in San Diego. Go to the Cabrillo National Monument to view the best panoramic scene of the city and then head down the mountain to look at sea life in the tide pools. Watch the sunset from the shores of Coronado in front of the famed Hotel Del Coronado, or spend time on just about any other local beach. Attending the Old Globe Theater is a relaxing way to end your day, or you can watch the nightly fireworks going off over SeaWorld® in the summer months.

Things to Do & Attractions in San Diego

While a day at the beach is practically obligatory here, fun things to do in San Diego also include visiting the world-famous zoo , hiking Torrey Pines State Reserve, and meandering through sensory pleasing farmers markets in nearly every neighborhood. San Diego amusement parks also abound, ranging from the oceanfront rides at Belmont Park in Mission Beach to LEGOLAND® in North County. Cap off any day with dinner in the Gaslamp District or a sunset cocktail at La Jolla Shores. You’ll find that San Diego has activities up its sleeve for all types of visitors.


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What to do in San Diego


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Explore areas of San Diego

US Grant Hotel

Downtown San Diego

4.5/5(716 area reviews)

Cultural and financial hub, Downtown San Diego boasts the Symphony, Opera, theaters, museums, and historic sites like Gaslamp Quarter. Enjoy diverse shops, dining, nightlife, and convenient public transport options.

Downtown San Diego
Belmont Park showing rides and a garden

Mission Beach

Spanning nearly two miles of oceanfront, this sandbar community offers sunbathing, surfing, and beach volleyball, with nearby attractions like Belmont Park's Giant Dipper Roller Coaster and SeaWorld in Mission Bay Park.

Mission Beach
Pacific Beach Park showing a beach

Pacific Beach

4.5/5(82 area reviews)

Boasting a lively nightlife scene, Pacific Beach offers miles of sandy shores, a bustling 3.2-mile boardwalk, and attractions like Crystal Pier and Kate Sessions Park. Enjoy local shops, bars, and eateries along the vibrant walkway.

Pacific Beach
Gaslamp Quarter showing signage, night scenes and street scenes

Gaslamp Quarter

Downtown San Diego's historic district boasts Victorian-era buildings, now housing vibrant restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Stroll from Broadway to Harbor Drive, and 4th to 6th Avenue, admiring the newly installed gaslamps at Market Street.

Gaslamp Quarter
Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach

4/5(8 area reviews)

Ocean Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Ocean Beach Pier and Dog Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of San Diego.

Ocean Beach
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park featuring general coastal views, a coastal town and rocky coastline

Point Loma

4/5(209 area reviews)

This seaside hilly peninsula offers marine recreation, yachting, and whale watching. Explore Cabrillo National Monument, Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Enjoy local shops and eateries at Liberty Station and Point Loma Village.

Point Loma

 

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Day trip destinations from San Diego