Check out our list of the top 20 things to do in San Diego
While it might not be as popular as Los Angeles, San Diego is still a very famous and important city on the west side of the United States and in the state of California. It’s famous for its long stretch of beaches and because it’s so close to the Mexican border. It was the first site to be visited by Europeans back in the day and has developed into an important city in an economic, military, trade and of course touristic aspect. We have collected a list of the top 20 best things to do in San Diego if you happen to come here.
- Balboa Park
Located in the downtown of San Diego, the Balboa Park is the cultural hub of the city. Not only it is large and beautiful in itself, but there are countless museums and other popular buildings as well here. The Spanish-Renaissance architecture and the more modern museums make it a very diverse experience, not to mention the different styled gardens. Take a stroll, have a picnic, rent a bicycle or just visit the museums. The sheer number of things you can do here make coming here one of the best things to do in San Diego.
2. San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is world-famous both because of its variety of animals and the number of endangered species that are located here (around 3500 animals). Giant pandas, giraffes, elephants, polar bears, and koalas, just to name a few, are all located here. You can go on the different pathways and see many exciting and interesting exhibitions, not to mention the aerial tram that offers an even greater point of view.
3. San Diego Safari Park
If you didn’t have enough of the animals at the San Diego Zoo, or just want to see something different, go to the San Diego Safari Park. You can view some of Africa’s most beloved animals including lions, elephants and cheetahs roaming free in large habitats. There’s also meerkats, zebras, gorillas and bald eagles, just to name a few. There are other features as well, like ziplines and rides.
4. Torrey Pines State Reserve
The Torrey Pines State Reserve aims to preserve a part of San Diego and California just like it was when they first discovered the area. The topography and land is untouched by humans here, and many wildlife and flora are found within the reserve, including bobcats, foxes, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, rabbits, cacti, coastal chaparral, and the rare Torrey pine. Trails and pathways offer different views and experiences throughout the reserve.
5. Coronado Beach
While not exactly in the city, the Coronado Beach is a hugely popular beach area near San Diego. Swimming, sunbathing and other kinds of beach activities await you, but even if you don’t want to do that, you just walk along the long shore enjoying the picturesque scenery. During winter there is even a chance to ice skate near the beach, not to mention all the restaurants and bars nearby.
6. USS Midway Museum
Due to the military history of San Diego you can see countless bases and ships throughout the city, especially around San Diego Bay. The USS Midway Museum offers an inside look into the history of the city in this aspect. The USS Midway is the longest-serving American aircraft carrier of the 20th century, having played host to 225,000 sailors over the course of its life. It has numerous exhibits both inside and on top of the ship and almost 30 aircrafts from the World War era.
7. Unconditional Surrender
The Unconditional Surrender is the name of a series of large sculptures, one of which is located at the harbor near the USS Midway Museum. It resembles the world-famous photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt, V–J day in Times Square, when a US sailor suddenly kissed a woman during the celebration of the unconditional surrender of Japan after World War II. The sculpture if worse seeing at least once, as it is very iconic and beautiful.
8. Cabrillo National Monument
The Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542, marking the first time a European set foot on the west coast of the US. The statue is quite wonderful in itself, but the view around the area is perhaps even more beautiful, making it a popular tourist spot.
9. Gaslamp Quarter
The Gaslamp Quarter is a district of San Diego that’s most well known for its variety of entertainment opportunities. The Victorian-style buildings house shops, art galleries, theatres and trendy restaurants, not to mention plenty of bars and clubs. Events and festivals are also held here quite often. If you want to have fun then coming here is definitely one of the best things to do in San Diego.
10. Maritime Museum of San Diego
While the USS Midway Museum focuses on the modern era of the military history of the city, the Maritime Museum of San Diego is dedicated to the older eras. You can tour all types of historic vessels, from sailing ships to submarines, including the world’s oldest active ship, the Star of India. Some of them can even set sail sometimes if you arrive at the right time. If you are interested in ships then this is the place to go, as you can learn a lot about the workmanship behind them.
11. SeaWorld San Diego
Just like its name suggests, the SeaWorld San Diego is an amusement park in San Diego focusing on the sea life of California and the surrounding area. Dolphins, California sea lions, California otters and sea turtles await the visitors, not to mention the many performances and rides, both wet and dry. Other animal exhibits include an underwater shark viewing tunnel and the penguin habitat, featuring nearly 300 penguins.
12. Mission Beach and Pacific Beach
Mission Beach and Pacific Beach are two very popular beaches in San Diego that actually make up one big shore. Mission Beach is the more calmer part of it with more homes than hotels at the boardwalk, while Pacific Beach is a bit more crowded usually. However, they are both excellent in providing countless beach activities including surfing, sunbathing, swimming, volleyball, bars, arcades, amusement parks, restaurants and much more. It’s a great place if you want to have a break or just stroll alongside the beach.
13. Sunset Cliffs
Next to the Cabrillo Monument, the Sunset Cliffs offers another spectacular view of the ocean. The sandstone cliffs and untouched flora along with its stunning ocean views make for an unforgettable walk both during the day and at night. Of course one of the best times for coming here is during sunset, as its name suggests. Surfers also come here a lot thanks to the big waves that are usually here.
14. Harper’s Topiary Garden
Harper’s Topiary Garden is found at a home in San Diego. Edna and Alex Harper wanted to create something unique from their bushes, so the couple has tenderly shaped and trained their foliage into over 50 different creations, many inspired by their travels around the world. The suburban garden museum includes pyramids, elephants, a dinosaur, a surfer, a buddha and much more.
15. San Diego Museum of Man
The building of the San Diego Museum of Man is part of the “California Quadrangle,” and is a brilliantly ornate, almost church-like structure with a beautiful tall tower containing an electronic carillon and chiming clock. It mainly focuses on anthropology and has a great collection of Native American and Ancient Egyptian artifacts and objects.
16. Fallen Star
The Fallen Star is a little blue house that pokes out over the campus of UC San Diego, seven stories high. It is the 18th piece in a series of permanent public art installations at the university by a Korean-born artist. The house can be quite frightening for many due to it being at the edge of the high building, but it’s worth seeing at least from the outside thanks to its uniqueness.
17. Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
Located in the residential Bankers Hill neighborhood, the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge is supported by cables embedded in massive concrete slabs beneath the soil. Due to its nature even the wind can blow it and make it move somewhat, so definitely keep away from it if you are afraid of heights. If you are not, then it’s a great experience and shouldn’t be missed.
18. Women’s Museum of California
The Women’s Museum of California is dedicated to the history of women and the achievements they made. It aims to make people realize how important they are and to commemorate famous women throughout history. For that, they also have a Hall of Fame next to the other exhibitions.
19. Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge
The Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge is famous for its quite unique 60 degree angle. It is 170 m long which makes in one of the longest self-anchored pedestrian bridges in the world. It goes above six lanes of traffic, and due to its location, the view of the city is also great. Photographers come here often for both the interesting look of the bridge and the view itself.
20. USS Recruit
The USS Recruit is often dubbed the “USS Neversail” due to its nature of being only a training ship built on land. The mock vessel was commissioned in 1949 to be a perfect scale replica of a Dealey-class destroyer escort, save for the engine and screw, making it the first ship commissioned by the Navy that would never reach water. Today it is out of use, but it still stands in its original location.
