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San Diego isn’t just a beach town where the weather’s always perfect (though that’s a welcome bonus). It’s also a city with unique neighborhoods that are steeped in history, culture, nature and local talent — which is apparent in every attraction and activity there is to do and see in “America’s Brightest City.”
Whether you’re planning a family vacation, scoping it out for a girls’ trip or are returning to an old favorite to see what’s new, there are undoubtedly at least a few places on this list that will get your travel bug buzzing. And because we know it can be overwhelming, we did all the work for you to find the most raved-about places in San Diego that will make your vacation complete.
Looking for an easy breezy beach day? Check. How about a day of learning at a museum? Double check. Need a bite to eat or a place to stay? We’ve got you covered. There are theme parks that will fulfill your kids’ wildest dreams, animal encounters that will make you feel like you’re on the other side of the world and natural sights you won’t believe until you see them for yourself. As for entertainment, you could see shows and concerts for a week straight and still have some left.
It was difficult to narrow down 40 must-visit places, because San Diego is that bustling and colorful. If you’ve never considered a SoCal trip before now, you’ll want to add it to your list after this.
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Meet animals at the San Diego Zoo.
More than 12,000 rare and endangered animals live at the San Diego Zoo, which is why it’s often ranked as the number one zoo in the world. The expansive, 100-acre park is filled with activities for the whole family — including special experiences, like the Discovery Cart Tour and Early Morning Cheetah Experience.
Spot sea lions at La Jolla Cove.
La Jolla Cove is a breathtaking spot loved by tourists and locals alike. The secluded area makes it great for family swimming and relaxation, and the nearby La Jolla Village is bustling with places for a post-dip bite. It’s perhaps most popular for its adorable resident sea lions — but local tourism asks visitors to take photos from a distance.
Catch a thrill at Belmont Park.
Quintessential theme park family fun awaits at Belmont Park in Mission Beach. The waterfront attraction boasts all the nostalgia with classic rides, arcade games and attractions, like laser tag and mini golf.
Enjoy a quiet morning surfing at Windansea Beach.
Surf’s up at this quaint, quiet and relatively small beach — ideal for catching waves due to its rougher currents. It’s also a beautiful place to catch the sunrise, but we wouldn’t recommend swimming due to some rocky spots and seasonal terrain changes.
Cozy up with s’mores at Campfire.
About 35 minutes outside of San Diego, this cozy restaurant in Carlsbad brings the outdoors in with rustic decor and wood-fired fare. And yes, s’mores are on the menu! Reservations are recommended.
Travel back in time at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Prepare to be taken aback by your first sight of the giant Foucault pendulum, which provides visual proof of the Earth’s rotation as it swings to and fro. Onward, you’ll find captivating exhibitions, including animal photography, skulls, skeletons and a live lab full of nature’s infamous creepy crawlies.
Play fetch at Dog Beach.
If you’re traveling with a furry friend, they’ll have essentially entered heaven’s gates upon pawing into the sand at San Diego’s Dog Beach. It’s a sanctuary for pups and “pawents” alike, where the four-legged friends can roam leash-free.
Treat your kids (and inner child) to Legoland.
Adults will have just as much fun as kids at Legoland, so it’s worth the 30-minute drive from San Diego. The magical place is exactly what it sounds like: a land full of colorful 3-D adventures, including rides, shows, movies and even an aquarium.
Boat around the San Diego Bay.
Whether you’re interested in a casual day cruise, a kayak adventure or a fishing excursion, there are plenty of boat rentals and facilities to make your dream come true. And the views will be totally worth it.
Root for the Padres at Petco Park.
It’s hard not to enjoy America’s National Pastime with city skyline views like those beyond Petco Park. Plus, the ballpark food is classic, and perfect weather is pretty much guaranteed — the only thing that isn’t is a Padres win.
Hike among rare coastal Torrey pines.
The Torrey pine grows only in San Diego and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara, which is why the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a protected area. But visitors can still bask in its natural beauty while getting some steps in. Pro tip: To maintain preservation, no food is permitted on the reserve, nor are dogs, smoking or amplified music.
Explore undersea ship wreckage.
Wreck Alley is a stretch of scuttled ships for divers to explore — the most popular and advanced dive being the HMCS Yukon, a Canadian destroyer escort that’s 366 feet long and 40 feet wide with six decks and over 100 compartments. The venture is recommended to advanced divers only, but beginners can scuba dive or snorkel at one of the city’s other popular dive sites.
Fill up on fried chicken at The Crack Shack.
All these activities are sure to leave everyone famished, and at The Crack Shack, a family-friendly menu meets quality locally sourced ingredients to please the entire crew. The casual joint offers chill outdoor seating, craft cocktails, beer and good vibes.
Stay at Hotel del Coronado.
This oceanfront resort was built in 1888 and has since been deemed a National Historic Landmark. It’s known for its pristine amenities, easy access to the city and past guests, including presidents, princes, socialites and glamorous celebrities. It’s also widely believed to be the inspiration for the Emerald City in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, because the author spent many winters there.
Soak up the sun at Mission Bay Park.
If you’re looking for a full-on beach day, complete with nothing but sunbathing, swimming and the occasional picnic snack break, Mission Bay is the place. It boasts 27 miles of shoreline, 19 beaches and eight designated swimming areas.
Hop aboard at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
If anyone in the family has an affinity for ships, the Maritime Museum should top your list. It’s known for restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels, including Star of India, the world’s oldest active ship. Public tours are available.
Savasana at Sunset Cliffs yoga.
Various local yoga studios and teachers offer classes at Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach — a destination made for resetting and reconnecting while the rhythmic sound of crashing waves repeats beneath you.
The most visited state park in California, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is living history, featuring 17 museums, preserved historic buildings, the Old Town Market and more. It’s known as the birthplace of California and marks its first Spanish settlement, where San Diego was originally established before being relocated to today’s downtown.
Meet aquatic wildlife at Birch Aquarium.
An extension of the ocean it overlooks, Birch Aquarium hosts 60 habitats for fishes and invertebrates from around the world. Reservations are currently required.
Catch a super bloom at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Visitors flock to Anza-Borrego every spring in hopes to admire the violet radiance of a regular wildflower super bloom. Due to low precipitation, park officials say the bloom may not be as widespread in 2023 as it has been in years past. It still may be worth it to see the few that do pop up though.
Stroll Sesame Street at Sesame Place.
How to get to Sesame Street is via San Diego, apparently! And it is indeed a place where the air is sweet. The kids theme and waterpark is nothing short of magical, where little fans can go on rides, engage interactively on a real-life Sesame Street and even say hi to (and take a pic with) Big Bird and Cookie Monster.
Museum hop at Balboa Park.
Embark on a San Diego seal tour.
The city is known for its abundance of seals and sea lions, and you can ensure your family sees some by booking a seal tour, which cruises through the San Diego Bay by boat to visit all of the sun bathers’ frequented spots.
Perfect your wave riding at Tourmaline Surfing Park Beach.
Whether you’re an avid surfer or can be entertained by watching the pros refine their craft, Tourmaline Surfing Park Beach is worth stopping by. It’s known as San Diego’s surfing mecca and is also frequented by windsurfers, kite boarders and the like.
Chow down and play arcade games at Smokey & The Brisket.
Retro game room vibes and old-fashioned in-house smoked barbecue — what more could you ask for? After you’re done kicking the kids’ butts in Pac-Man, grab them a Shirley Temple (and yourself a beer) at the bar — it’s a repurposed 1960s Dodge A100 van.
Take in the city skyline at Cabrillo National Monument.
Cabrillo National Monument honors Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to step foot on the West Coast, and the site offers expansive views of the San Diego skyline. The nearby Old Point Loma Lighthouse is also a popular tourist destination.
Stay at the newly renovated Mission Bay Resort.
Lounge under your own private cabana, dine in luxury and enjoy newly renovated furnishings at the San Diego Mission Bay Resort, which also offers plenty of fun for the family, including board games, ping pong and bonfire s’mores.
Take a sea turtle selfie at the Living Coast Discovery Center.
At Living Coast Discovery Center, learn how the nonprofit supports endangered species and how a compost garden works. You can also visit rescued turtles at Turtle Lagoon (and take a selfie with Emerald, the Atlantic Sea Turtle) and book wildlife encounters with an eagle, raptor and more.
Frolic the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.
Like something straight out of Alice in Wonderland, the Flower Fields boast a historic 50 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that bloom in sync every spring, creating a magnificent rainbow of jaw-dropping color — and one can only imagine the perfumed air! The 2023 season begins in March, and the flowers are in bloom for six to eight weeks.
Fly through the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Air & Space Museum has a collection of artifacts, Wright glider reproductions, a real rocket engine and plenty of aircrafts to enjoy — like a replica of Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, pictured here, on display in the museum’s Rotunda.
Peruse the Arts District at Liberty Station.
Got an eye for art? An appreciation for local artisans? The Arts District has it all, from the yarn you’ve been meaning to pick up to high-profile masterpieces worth bidding on. Even if you don’t shop, it’s worth experiencing.
Experience military history at the USS Midway Museum.
It’s not just a ship, and not just a museum…it’s both! In 2004, the decommissioned USS Midway was donated to the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum and became the museum it is today, featuring more than 30 restored aircrafts and nearly 10 acres of exhibits and displays to explore.
Take a fun history lesson at the California Surf Museum.
Whether or not you’ve ever picked up a board, the history behind the recreational activity is a culture all its own, showcased at the California Surf Museum.
Eat Japanese souffle pancakes at Morning Glory.
The Instagrammable interiors are enough reason to wait out the brunch lines at Morning Glory, but the real reason everyone goes is pancakes. They’re not just any pancakes, they’re the fluffiest ones you’ve ever laid eyes on or tasted.
See a show at Lamb’s Players Theatre.
This not-for-profit theatre is a great place to catch a couple hours of entertainment for the whole family. Plus, the auditorium has some real historic character.
Choose from one of four different types of excursions — sunset, educational, adventure or private — and hop on board to see blue whales, grey whales, humpbacks, fin whales, minke whales and many types of dolphins.
Stay at La Jolla Shores Hotel to be in the center of everything.
Many of San Diego’s most popular attractions are in or around the La Jolla neighborhood, which makes staying there super convenient. La Jolla Shores can take that experience to the next level with its beachfront views (look at that sunset!) and true chill SoCal energy.
Venture into wildlife habitats at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Make the zoo a two-day trip and visit its separate Safari Park, which feels like it’s on another planet. You can choose from all different types of safaris to see jungle animals lurk among their habitats, including cart safaris and custom safaris.
Take in a peaceful view at Mushroom Beach.
A hidden gem of La Jolla beaches, this small spot is a bit of a challenge to navigate, but it offers a peaceful view of rippling tide pools and rocks that have eroded into captivating mushroom shapes that stick out above the water’s surface.
End your evening at Station Tavern.
You can’t really go wrong with upscale pub food. There’s even a veggie burger on the menu for plant-based eaters, and the atmosphere is an ideal way to end an evening.
Kayla Blanton is a freelance writer who reports on all things health and nutrition for Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and Prevention.
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