No visit to San Diego would be complete without exploring all the popular San Diego Things to do. See our San Diego Visitor’s Guide for many options for San Diego Activities, San Diego Attractions, Restaurants in San Diego, and San Diego Shopping. It’s impossible to feature every San Diego Attraction, San Diego Activities, San Diego Restaurants, and more, but we’ve created the next best thing by combining the top selections for you to view prior to your visit to San Diego. Whenever you visit San Diego – you’re likely to have a few questions:
- What are the best San Diego Restaurants?
- What are the best San Diego Activities and San Diego Attractions?
- What is the best San Diego Shopping?
- What is the next ‘can’t miss’ San Diego Event?
Things to do in San Diego & California Travel Guides
We update the information on our San Diego Visitor’s Guide throughout often so before any visit to San Diego, come back and learn more about our featured San Diego Things to do!
Historic Landmarks in Hollywood
Hollywood Historic Landmarks Hollywood, home to one of the world’s most famous signs, symbolizes style and fashion, arts and culture to millions around the world. Griffith Park, the Hollywood Entertainment…
The Shops at Heavenly Village
In the heart of South Lake Tahoe, at the base of the Heavenly Gondola, lies an entire village dedicated to your entertainment. The Heavenly Village is the perfect place to…
Lake Tahoe Skiing
Downhill Skiing Tahoe How can something as small as a snowflake create such an amazing impact in our lives? One day you are hiking down a mountain, and the next…
Tahoe Family Fun
Things to do with the Family in Lake Tahoe All year, Lake Tahoe brings out the kid in all of us. Tahoe is a limitless outdoor playground for all ages,…
Tahoe Area Museums And Education Centers
Most people come to Lake Tahoe to enjoy the great outdoors, but the area also has a surprisingly large number of museums, some of which are located outside. For example, the…
Snowmobiling Tahoe
Carve thru the powder-filled meadows, around frozen lakes, and along lake view ridges to summits overlooking Lake Tahoe, surrounded by tall pines and aspen groves. The best backdrop for your…
Snowboard Tahoe
Snowboarding is a winter sport in which a rider descends a snow-covered slope while standing on a board attached to his or her feet and wearing a special boot set…
South Lake Tahoe
When you arrive at South Lake Tahoe, prepare to be stunned by the amazing beauty of the area’s stellar landscape. From the crystal clear waters of the largest Alpine lake…
North Shore of Lake Tahoe
In the good ole summertime, North Lake Tahoe is the place to go for those in the know. You’ll find easy access to wide sandy shores and discover hidden beaches…
Best Attractions in San Diego
Top 10 San Diego Attractions San Diego is a wonderful city to visit with beautiful landmarks, rich history, friendly people, a relaxed environment and weather that makes it feel like…
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a desert reserve in the perimeter of San Diego County, but also neighboring Imperial and Riverside Counties. It’s located within the Colorado Desert and…
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is one of San Diego’s most scenic and photographed beaches. It is also considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Southern California….
Torrey Pines State Reserve
The Torrey Pines State Reserve is a national park in the proximity of San Diego in California. It is eight kilometers of wilderness right on the California coast with many…
Cabrillo National Monument
The Cabrillo National Monument is located at the Southern side of Point Loma in San Diego. It is one of the city’s most scenic attractions, and provides a breathtaking view…
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a great escape and a fun place for families in San Diego. It is a popular local attraction located right on Mission Beach. Belmont Park is a…
Best San Diego Hotels
Top 10 Hotels in San Diego San Diego is a wonderful place to visit with a lot of great attractions to choose from and gorgeous weather year-round. As one of…
Best San Diego Nightlife and Party spots
Top 10 nightlife venues in San Diego San Diego is a fun, vibrant town with tons to do and see. It’s a great place to go to amusement parks, shop…
Best San Diego Restaurants
Top 10 Restaurants in San Diego San Diego is a fun town to visit with tons to do and see. It has world-famous attractions and because it’s close to the…
Best San Diego Shopping
Top 10 Shopping Destinations in San Diego San Diego is a wonderful place to visit with its gorgeous weather, relaxed lifestyle and many world-renowned attractions. It’s the perfect city to…
Best Tours of San Diego
Top 10 Tours in San Diego San Diego is known as America’s Finest City for good reason. This spectacular city, located on the scenic Pacific Ocean is a dream to…
Best Art in San Diego – Museums and Galleries
Top 10 Art Destinations in San Diego San Diego is a colorful, vibrant city full of things to do, top-notch attractions, gorgeous beaches and superb weather. It’s a great place…
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park is a perfect destination for those who like nature but prefer to stay close to shopping, restaurants, and city conveniences. Its close proximity to Palm Springs…
Death Valley National Park, California
Death Valley National Park definitely lives up to its name. It is one of the hottest and driest places on earth. Take your time to see different sections of the…
Top 4 Los Angeles Ice Cream Shops
In Los Angeles, they take our ice cream very seriously. With just one quick Yelp search you’ll quickly understand what I am talking about. From more classic spots like Yogurtland…
Point Fermin Lighthouse, San Pedro CA
Visit Point Fermin Lighthouse For many years the Point Fermin Lighthouse has been at the top of my list as “one of the places I need to visit.” I have…
Disneyland With Kids Survival Guide
Enough said. Well, almost, a lot of people with children will visit “The happiest place on earth”. I, am not a huge fan. But, I do enjoy the rollercoaster and…
Guide to Craft Beer in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown L.A. Arts District Craft Beer Guide The revitalized Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles is one of the most exciting neighborhoods in L.A., with new lofts, galleries, restaurants and…
Los Angeles Plaza Historic District
Los Angeles Plaza Historic District (El Pueblo de Los Angeles). Sound familiar? I doubt it. But what if I mentioned Olvera Street? I bet you would know exactly what I…
Lost LA: 7 Historic Mansions You Need To Visit
Historic Mansion Tours in Los Angeles From pop-up museums to food events and everything in between it easy to get distracted with all the new and exciting things happening in…
San Francisco Vacation Guide
Top Attractions in San Francisco Northern California‘s best-known metropolis was once known as the “City of Flags” — a fitting moniker given the diversity of people who make up San…
San Diego Restaurants
This amazing coastal city is known for having the best Seafood Restaurants on the west coast, of course, but along with fulfilling the demand to create the freshest, most innovative seafood creations, chef’s from around the world are coming to San Diego to open San Diego Restaurants to respond to every culinary desire.
San Diego Nightlife
When you visit San Diego be sure to plan on spending some time in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and experience all the excitement and entertainment to be had at the many live music venues, Sports Bars, Comedy Clubs, San Diego Rooftop Bars, Dinner Theaters, San Diego Bars and Nightclubs.
San Diego Attractions
Whether you’re planning a visit to San Diego for a day or a week you’ll never run out of fun and exciting things to do or see. San Diego is the ideal destination city for exploring miles of coastal shorelines, theme parks, boating, and many other San Diego Attractions.
San Diego Shopping Guide
Among the most popular activities for visitors to San Diego is San Diego Shopping! San Diego is considered the ‘Shoppers Paradise of the Southwest’ for a reason, our beautiful coastal city is home to many top brands, boutique shops, high fashion, and outlet shopping.
San Diego Activities
San Diego is often referred to as, ‘America’s Most Beautiful City’ and along with that is a near endless list of exciting things to do in San Diego, both outdoor activities like visiting San Diego Beaches, exploring the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park, or one of the many other San Diego Activities.
San Diego Events
San Diego is often referred to as ‘America’s Most Beautiful City’ so it is no surprise that this coastal city is a top choice for San Diego Events, Conventions, and San Diego Trade Shows. Many hotels are located just blocks from the San Diego Convention Center, the premier meeting venue for San Diego Events.
About San Diego
San Diego, the third-largest metro area in Southern California, is the economic center of the Carlsbad, San Marcos, and San Diego metropolitan region. Home seekers and tourists alike are attracted to San Diego for a diverse and delightful experience. Unmatched for its cultural offerings, surfing beaches, parklands, and urban amenities, San Diego is outstanding. The city is also headquarters for the U.S. Navy’s Eleventh Naval District.
While San Diego is the eighth-most populous U.S. city, it has numerous natural pocket parks and scenic hilly terrain. Running through the city’s middle is the San Diego River creating a lush river valley and dividing the city into northern and southern regions. Within the city is the open space preserve of Mission Trails Regional Park. Its geography of craggy canyons, green hills, and rocky trails offers wonderful mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking opportunities.
Visitors and residents enjoy attractions including San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and San Diego Wild Animal Park. An impressive historical site is Mission San Diego de Alcala. Numerous street fairs and music fests are held annually. After an event, you can indulge in some of the most diverse restaurants any city can offer.
Top 10 Things To Do In San Diego
San Diego is one of the great cities in California that you must visit sometime in your life. There are so many things there to do and see there that it is simply amazing. Here is our list of the top ten things to do in San Diego on your vacation.
- Balboa Park – The largest cultural park facility in San Diego that encompasses 15 museums, garden areas, performing arts facilities, and the San Diego Zoo.
- Downtown San Diego – Sometimes referred to as Center City is located in the heart of San Diego’s business district. It is considered one of the most upcoming areas in the western part of the United States.
- Sea World – One of the most popular attractions in San Diego offering different rides, attractions, and shows for the whole family.
- Torrey Pines State Reserve – A jewel of nature encompassing 2,000 acres of undeveloped and unspoiled land on the Southern California coast.
- Become a connoisseur at the famous wineries located in San Diego’s North Country. You can find large wineries that allow tours and also smaller mom and pop wineries.
- San Diego Zoo – Taking the “Journey Into Africa” tour within the zoo can provide you with a little taste of what Africa, the 2nd largest continent, has to offer.
- Gaslamp Quarter – A historical area in San Diego comprised of two and a half miles filled with Victorian-style buildings, over 100 restaurants, arts and entertainment scenes, theaters, and nightclubs.
- Coronado Municipal Beach – This is one of the Travel Channel’s selections of their top 10 beaches. It is a family-friendly beach with a postcard picture setting.
- Mission Beach – This is a great place for all walks of life. It seems though that it is becoming a little more of a residential area, however, it is still a must-see.
- Torrey Pines Golf Course – A premier golf course in the San Diego Area with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.
San Diego Beaches
The best beaches in San Diego..
It actually depends, what are you looking for in a beach. Do you want a small beach with an amazing cliff? (Sunset Cliffs) Do you want a popular beach close to food and drinks. (Pacific Beach) Do you want a large parking lot, so as to easily park the car? (Mission Beach, park across the street in the park) Do you want more of an exclusive beach? (Coronado) Most likely you will want to go to the nearest available beach, but if you have time, there are many to comb. If you want to go somewhere that is close to places to eat, so close you can walk from the beach, or if you’re looking for a beach you can be left alone to relax with your family. Those could be two different places.
Pacific Beach is amazing, it is a long wide beach that is in CLOSE proximity to bars and restaurants, it is literally steps away from a fantastic burrito. But, it can get busy. I mean you may be right next to a few thousand other folks playing catch, throwing Frisbee’s and having BBQ.’s Coronado beach is more of an area where you can sit down and the kids can play on the sand without having one person close by. Carlsbad Beach is awesome and has a walking and jogging trail. Mission Beach is always fun. Ocean Beach, is where you want to go if you’re on the hippy side of things. Keep in mind this is Southern California, not Miami. It can get cold fast when the sun goes down. Go to the beach early. This is a desert climate, when the sun goes down expect it to cool down FAST. Not a good time to be wearing a swimsuit. Bring a backpack, put a sweatshirt and pants in there and you’ll be fine.