The city of San Diego and the greater San Diego County are home to beautiful beaches, popular attractions, hiking trails and many more adventures.
Many people come to the city to enjoy SeaWorld’s exhibits and shows or the world-famous San Diego Zoo, but there is much more to explore around town.
You can spend days visiting the museums at Balboa Park, take a sunset dinner cruise in the harbor, or climb aboard an Aircraft Carrier.
Or if you prefer, you can visit the Cabrillo National Monument, hike through Torrey Pines State Park or go on the Sunset Cliffs trail for stunning views of the ocean.
And if you have more time you can drive away from the city to enjoy San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido or Lego Land in Carlsbad.
Plan your visit to San Diego at the official website here.
A brief history
Even though some Native American tribes lived in the area for thousands of years, San Diego has the distinction of being the first area of California to be discovered by Europeans.
Since the first discovery by Juan Cabrillo in 1542, the area changed hands several times. First, it was a Spanish territory. Then it was claimed by Mexico after Mexican independence from Spain. Finally, it became a US territory in 1848 after the American Victory in the Mexican–American War.
The city started to flourish when the US Navy became interested in its great natural harbor and its location.
Interesting Facts: The top employer in the city is the United States Navy.
Read more about San Diego’s history at Wikipedia.
Where to stay
Your decision on where to stay depends on many factors like what are you planning to do, your budget, and your arrival time.
If you are planning to mainly explore downtown, then you should consider one of the hotels right in the Gaslamp Quarter or downtown waterfront. Some of the best choices are the Marriott Marquis Marina, Hilton Bayfront, and Grand Hyatt. For a budget hotel in or close to downtown, you can try Porto Vista, Wyndham Bayside, or Westin.
If your main goal is to visit SeaWorld, then try the Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Masson Bay or the Bahia Resort. For budget choices, try places like Holiday Inn Express, Wyndham Garden, or Travel Lodge SeaWorld.
Read more about where to stay here.
Things to do in San Diego
There is plenty to explore without leaving town. You can take a stroll in the Gaslamp Quarter with plenty of shops and restaurants, rent a bike and ride along the bayfront, visit SeaWorld, go on a cruise or spend a day at Balboa Park.
Build your own discounted San Diego Go Card Here - Multi-attraction Pass.
Gaslamp Quarter
One of the best ways to get to know a city is just to get out and walk around. And one of the best walks in San Diego is in the Gaslamp Quarter.
This is an area of about 16 city blocks with a major shopping mall anchoring one corner.
You can start your walk at the Westfield Horton Plaza mall. The mall itself is a destination for shoppers and gawkers alike due to its unique architecture.
Right outside the mall, there is a small park with a nice fountain and statues of the San Diego founding fathers.
The quarter streets are named by letters and numbers. You can explore any of the streets, but the main thoroughfare is 5th avenue. This street is the longest stretch and has the most shops, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Interesting Facts: Did you know that San Diego was home to everyone’s favorite wacky children’s author, Ted Geisel – more frequently referred to as Dr. Seuss?
The quarter is especially beautiful at night when all the Gaslamps are let and the streets are bustling with people and the music is blaring from the nightclubs.
Tip: The best way to enjoy San Diego attractions is by getting a go-city card. Build your own here.
If you plan to dine at the quarter, try La Puerta Mexican restaurant, Greystone the Steak House, or Meze Greek Fusion.
La Puerta is famous for its street tacos. They also have a great surf & turf burrito. Happy hour is very busy and loud but you can expect good prices.
At Greystone, you can’t go wrong with any of the meats. Try the New York Steak or Filet Mignon. If you are hungry, try the short ribs tacos for starters. The place is a little pricey, but if you go during happy hour, you will get to try different cuts at reduced prices.
My favorite is Meze Greek Fusion on Sixth Street. This restaurant offers authentic Greek cuisine with a California flair. Meze means small plates, but the menu offers full meals for every appetite. For starters, you must try the Lentil Soup, Baba Ghanosh, Dolma or Fiery Fetta Dip. For the main meal try the Lamb Chops or traditional Greek favorites like Falafel or Gyro plates. And finally, don’t skip the Baklava for dessert.
For Japanese cuisine lovers, stop at Ramaki on the edge of the Gaslamp Quarter where you can get some great Raman, Poke, and Sushi.
For a dessert or a snack, you must try Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. Their ice-cream flavors on waffle cones are to die for. Once you are done with your dessert, you can go shopping for a collection of chocolates for your family and friends – or indulge yourself.
If you keep walking down 5th avenue you will reach the waterfront where you will find the Convention Center, some of San Diego’s iconic hotels, Seaport Village and the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier.
Seaport Village
Seaport village is about a 20-minute walk from the Gaslamp Quarter. Close enough to include it in the same walk.
The village resembles an old harborside town with its unique shops and casual dining places. You can also enjoy fine dining at 4 waterfront restaurants.
Seaport also hosts some unique events like Surfin Santa Arrival and Busker Festival. Many restaurants book live music events. My favorite is the Bit of Greece at the Greek Islands Café.
One caution! The village is a tourist trap. Shop at your own risk.
Interesting Facts: San Diego has the most ideal climate with temperatures averaging 70 all year long
In spite of that warning, you can still have lots of fun. Browse through the shops. Try a few things like flying a kite or face painting. Enjoy the street performers.
The Headquarters are right across the street from Seaport Village. It is a new plaza with more boutique shops and dining options. You can find known places like the Cheese Cake Factory, Starbucks, or Sunglass Hut. Or discover new places like Gelato Paradiso, Geppetto’s Toys, and Lori L. Fine Art Gallery.
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier
A few steps away from the Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, or the Cruise terminal, you will find this must-see attraction – a real Aircraft carrier!
The USS Midway was the longest-serving Navy aircraft carrier – active from 1945 to 1992. After its long military service, it is now berthed in San Diego harbor and opened to the public since 2004.
Before you even get on this magnificent ship, you will be amazed by its size and design. As you approach its berth, you will be wondering how this behemoth could float – let alone carry crew and airplanes.
After you get your tickets ($20 adult), you will climb some steep stairs to reach the hanger deck. This is where the aircraft were stored and maintained before launching. The deck was huge with many types of fighters on display.
The hanger deck also has a row of flight simulators. There are 2 types to choose from Air Combat and Flight avionics. It is a neat way to pretend you are on a mission launched from the carrier.
The admission price includes a free audio tour. If you decide to use it, you will get 2-minute audio clips about various marked locations throughout the ship. You don’t really need the audio. There are a lot of volunteers at the important spots with a lot of valuable information. Many of the volunteers are retired navy sailors.
From the hanger deck, you can go up to the flight deck where the planes launch or land. More planes and helicopters were on display. You can inside some of them and explore.
From the flight deck, you also have a great view of San Diego and the Bay. On the port (left) side, you can see a nice statue of the famous sailor kissing a nurse at the end of WWII.
If you go down from the hanger deck you will come across the galley where food is prepared, the mess deck – where the enlisted eat, the laundry, sickbay, the brig, and a fire station.
Tip: If you are claustrophobic you may want to avoid the lower decks. It is very cramped and stuffy in places.
If you have more time, you can watch videos about the carrier, try your hand with knot-tying, climb on some bunks, get inside cockpits, go to jail or take one of the guided tours. See more adventures here.
Balboa Park
This is a sprawling 1200-acre park full of open spaces, gardens, hiking trails, and lots of museums. The park is also home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
In 1915, the parklands were used to host the San Diego Panama-Pacific International Exposition which celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal and lasted for 2 years. Later many of the park's buildings were recommissioned as museums.
You can spend a day just walking around and exploring the history and architecture, picnicking in the green zones, riding a mini train, going on a carousel, or visiting the International Village.
But you will need several days to experience the variety of museums. The park has an amazing collection of museums like "Air and Space", "Science Center", "Natural History" and "Museum of Art".
Downtown Historic Trolley Tour
One of the best ways to explore the city of San Diego is by taking the historic old town trolley. You can jump on and off the trolley at any of the 10 stops throughout the day.
Interesting Facts: The first drive-in restaurant in the United States was opened in San Diego by the man who later founded Jack in the Box in 1951.
Along the way, the driver will share with you interesting San Diego history and tips about places to see and things to do.
You can start your tour at any of the 10 stops along the route, but the main starting point is at Old Town San Diego.
Some of the other important stops are the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado Island, and Balboa Park.
Waterfront Park
Twelve acres of land were set aside for this beautiful waterfront park. The park offers picnic areas, clean bathrooms, and a small water park where kids can get wet and have a blast.
When the kids get tired of water play they can have more fun in the modern playground.
If you did not bring your own picnic, they have a small cafe where you can get some snacks and drinks.
The park is right across from the Embarcadero and behind the County Center building in Little Italy.
The water park opens from 11 am to 7 pm while the main park has longer hours.
After the park, the whole family can walk to Little Italy on India street, do some shopping or dine at one of the restaurants.
Cabrillo National Monument
At the tip of Point Loma Peninsula, the monument commemorates the explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who was the first to set foot on the west coast of North America.
This park has a museum, movie theater, tide-pool exploration and a stunning view of San Diego harbor and downtown skyline from a high vantage point.
If you are interested in the tide pools, make sure to check the low tide schedule. See official website for more details.
Also at the highest point of the park, you will find the Point Loma Lighthouse. It was closed down in 1891 because it was always shrouded in fog due to its height. A newer one was built at a lower elevation.
The park is also close to the "Maritime Museum of San Diego", so you can make a side trip to visit the museum.
SeaWorld
Sea World is the only park in which you can get up close and personal with sea creatures and get an education while having fun. You can meet Shamu the killer whale, watch the Dolphins play their tricks, visit the sharks in their natural habitat, go to the North Pole on an icy safari and peek at the Penguins – and you get all that fun for a bargain.
Shows that you shouldn’t miss are Orca Encounter; Sea Lions Live; Dolphin Days; A trip to Wild Arctic; Shark encounter. For thrill-seekers, try one of the rides: Journey To Atlantis; Manta; Shipwreck Rapids, and Wild Arctic (the ride).
Read the full SeaWorld review here.
Outside of Town
On the outskirts of the city of San Diego or further inland, you can find many more attractions and adventures. Visit the beaches at La Jolla, go to Lego Land and the flower fields in Carlsbad, or go on a Safari in Escondido.
For even more activities, go mine for gold, hike, camp, or picnic in the mountains at Julian.
Interesting Facts: San Diego County is home to the most missions in the country. Take the mission trail to visit Mission San Diego de Alcala, Mission San Luis Rey, Mission San Antonio de Pala and Mission Santa Ysabel.
Build your own discounted San Diego Go Card Here - Multi-attraction Pass.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is located in San Diego County close to the city of Escondido. It spans 1800 acres of land and is stocked with 2600 animals from 300 species. It is also home to thousands of plant species – some of them in a protected preserve.
The main attraction is a vast open area with free-ranging animals that vary from the fierce lions to the tame Giraffes. The only way to enjoy this vast flora and fauna is to join a Safari. More the on Safari options later.
Read the full SD Zoo Safari Park article here
La Jolla – Beaches and Hiking
La Jolla is a little town on the outskirts of San Diego with nice beaches, hotels, golf courses, a state park and the famous University of California, San Diego.
No one knows for sure where the name originated, but some say it means the place with holes – referring to the many caves and coves on the shoreline. Others say it means the Jewel. In either case, is a jewel on the beach and it is full of caves and coves – making it a very interesting place to visit and explore.
Tip: Alcohol is not permitted on any of San Diego beaches. So leave your beer behined.
So spend some time at La Jolla Shores beach or go snorkeling at La Jolla Cove. If you prefer you can go hiking at Torrey Pines State Preserve or even learn how to Glide at the Glider Port.
