California, Featured

The 12 Best Things To Do In San Diego

November 13, 2023

Perfect weather year-round, a great food and beer scene, endless outdoor activities, awesome surf spots: There are endless things to do in San Diego.

‘America’s finest city’ has around 17 miles of beautiful coastline.

It is actually the oldest city in California and one of the furthest south, close to the border with Mexico.

Today, you’ll learn about the top 12 things to do in the city and around the area.

12. The San Diego Museum of Art

To begin our list, we’ll start in a museum so that you can really understand the history and the feel of the city.

The Museum of Art is a brilliant facility for the culture of the place.

The structure itself is quite iconic basing itself on the University of Salamanca. It boasts art from all over the world, but most from Latin America and Spanish works.

There is always some kind of entertainment going on in the museum, whether it’s a cocktail night or a live performance. It is a museum not to be missed.

11. The Maritime Museum

Being a key city on a busy coast, San Diego’s water also has a huge amount of history and stories.

At this museum, you can see all kinds of sea vessels from army ships to pirate ships.

Sometimes, you can even get on the ship while it goes out to sea for a few hours.

The worlds oldest sailing ship, ‘The Star of India’ still resides here in beautiful, brilliant condition.

For those who love their ‘Sea History’, you can also visit the USS Midway which was the crown jewel of the US Navy for 47 years.

This is one of the best things to do in San Diego if you’re interested in maritime history and exploring historic ships and submarines.

10. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

With its rugged coastline and jaw dropping panoramic views, the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a must see for all walkers, drivers, photographers and those who enjoy a good view.

68 acres in size and stretching a mile and a half down the coastline, sunset cliffs features dramatic cliffs and caves.

It’s a surfers paradise because of its waves. From the top, you’ll see whales out at sea if you’re lucky.

Those walking or driving by the coast can stop at any time and pop in to some of the restaurants and bars around.

Point Loma Ecological Park, conveniently located adjacent to this area, offers an opportunity to enjoy natural beauty right within the city.

9. Petco Park

Petco Park is a baseball stadium home to the San Diego Padres baseball team.

This place is a must-visit if you’re in San Diego, whether the team is playing a game or not.

If you get a chance to watch the team play a home match, be ready for an absolute party for most of the day. Bars close to the stadium will be full early and there will be a festival feel in the air.

If you can’t make it to a game, a visit to the stadium is worth it for the museum and stadium tour too.

Here you get to see the history of the team and the stadium and get a chance to hit a home run.

If you are lucky, the stadium may be hosting something completely different such as a concert or a rugby 7’s tournament!

If you do get a chance to go to a game though, you simply must. America’s national game in a brilliant American city, another must see.

8. Wine Tasting Tours in San Pasqual or Ramona Valley

You can be forgiven if you thought that only Northern California has vineyards. Some outstanding wines come from San Diego County.

Towards the northern area of San Diego, in particular by the San Pasqual and Ramona valley, there are small family owned wineries which offer a wide array of wine tours and tastings.

Don’t limit yourself to just the wineries, this area is also home to outstanding restaurants and breweries.

7. Torrey Pines Nature Reserve

Just north of the city, you will find the famous Torrey Pines Nature Reserve.

This is quite a residential area with beautiful beaches and some world famous golf courses.

However, it is wonderful for hikers and fans of wildlife with some incredibly diverse examples of flora and fauna.

Home to America’s rarest pine tree and numerous bobcats, foxes and raccoons, from the cliffs you can see humpback and grey whales at the right time of year.

A brilliant learning place for the whole family is Birch’s Aquarium with over 380 species of fish and ocean dwellers.

You can also visit Torrey Pines Paragliding where you can sit and grab a coffee and watch the paragliders, or give it a go yourself!

Torrey Pines is one of the most Torrey Pines is one of the most beautiful nature spots in California and definitely one of the best things to do in San Diego for nature lovers!

6. Day Trip to Tijuana

Despite being in an incredible city, you can visit Mexico from San Diego all in a day trip.

As long as you bring your passport, you are good to cross the border into the city of Tijuana for quite an authentic Mexican experience.

Eat and drink taco’s and tequila! The tour guides here are super friendly and highly recommended by those who go on the trips.

You can go on a full brewery tour here or spend an afternoon discovering Tijuana. Find the right trip for you and organize with tour guides.

Not only a visit to San Diego but Mexico too.

5. Seaport Village

Seaport Village, nestled by the San Diego harbor, is a vibrant hub where one can savor the local atmosphere.

With its plethora of cafes, shops, and restaurants, it’s perfect for those looking to experience the city’s festive spirit, complete with street performers and waterfront sky bars.

4. Little Italy

For a taste of European charm, a short stroll takes you to Little Italy.

Here, authentic Italian cuisine awaits, from freshly made pasta to wood-fired pizza, all set amidst quaint streets that echo with Mediterranean flair.

3. Gaslamp Quarter

A visit to San Diego isn’t complete without immersing yourself in the nightlife of the Gaslamp Quarter.

Known for its dynamic party scene, this district offers an array of bars, clubs, and global dining options.

It’s an area that captures the more sophisticated side of San Diego’s social life, making it an ideal spot for an evening out.

2. San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is one of the biggest and best in the country.

It requires pretty much a full day but is so worth it as zoo experiences go.

This one is extra famous because of its colony of certain animals that it successfully nurtures. Both giant panda’s and koala colonies live in the Zoo and they have been sustainably built. They are the biggest colonies of their species outside of China and Australia.

Apart from these two, San Diego Zoo has pretty much every animal you can think of.

From polar bears to gorillas and harpy eagles to komodo dragons, it really is an outstanding zoo with species from everywhere.

The Frozen Zoo even contains frozen specimens of tissue and genetic material that are used for research on and breeding of endangered species.

1. La Jolla – Town and Beach

La Jolla stands unrivaled as our top recommendation in the list of best things to do in San Diego!

Its beach is one of the most picturesque, famous and popular ones in the country.

San Diego being so far south is a place where people specifically travel to for the beach.

Surfing, swimming, water sports and other water activities. The town itself is a small beach side area with a lot of cool cafes, shops and restaurants.

La Jolla Shores, the town’s main beach, is excellent for families and individuals alike.

There’s so much to do right at the seaside. The waters are calm, the shoreline is long and there’s a beautiful boardwalk.

When they’re not kayaking through sea caves along the coast, adventure seekers can snorkel with leopard sharks at La Jolla Shores or among the garibaldi fish at La Jolla Cove.

There is also a beautiful coastline trail for the hikers among you and usual free summer concerts and outdoor movie nights, since the weather is so beautiful all year round.