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!
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
Tips and Tricks to Surviving Disneyland with Kids A solo trip to Disneyland with just the kids? You mean visiting the happiest and most crowded place on Earth WITHOUT an…
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…
Cabin Lodging in California
There’s something romantic about a cozy cabin lodging. Waking to the sounds of the birds singing, exploring the tranquil forest environment, sharing a bottle of wine by the open fire….
Car Seat Options for Plane Travel
How to Travel with a Car Seat If you’ve traveled with small children, you know the headache surrounding car seats. We have 3 small children, and car seat logistics are…
Honeymoon on California’s Coronado Island
Coronado Island offers honeymoon couples and other romantics a great beach experience right off the coast of San Diego. The perfect southern California weather, with an average temperature of 70…
San Diego’s Famous Landmarks
Growing up in San Diego, I was able to gain some knowledge of the local landmarks – places and things that, in some way, represent the spirit and character of…
San Diego Ice Skating Rinks
Where to go ice skating in San Diego In such a mild, warm climate as San Diego’s, where you can pretty much do any outdoor activity year round, ice skating…
Visiting La Jolla’s Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium at Scripps in San Diego The Birch Aquarium, which is smaller and more intimate than some of its larger and more well-known cousins, is a place where you…
Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista, CA
Exploring the Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista The Living Coast Discovery Center (Chula Vista Nature Center), located on Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge on beautiful San Diego Bay,…
Best San Diego Holiday Activities
Spending the Christmas holiday season in San Diego has its benefits: the weather is usually mild – in fact December is one of the sunniest months of the year. Which…
Free Things to Do in and Around San Diego
Tough economic times make for some imaginative ways to entertain yourself or your family, especially to find things that cost, well, nothing. Luckily, we live in San Diego and we…
Balboa Park’s December Nights
December Nights Activities Granted, San Diego has a lot going for it. But when it comes to the holiday season, there is one thing our fair city lacks: snow. So…
Best Pacific Coast California Hikes
The Pacific Ocean, which delineates northern California’s western border, is one of the most spectacular oceans in the world. The Golden State isn’t shy about promoting this natural tourist attraction,…
Monterey California Vacation Guide
Where to Stay And Things To See In Monterey If driving down California’s famous coastal Highway 1 is on your must-do list, then Monterey is as good a final destination…
Gilroy Gardens Theme Park – Review
Gilroy, California is located about an hour and a half south of San Francisco and about 20 miles north of San Jose. It is probably best known for agriculture, specifically…
Northern CA Amusement Parks and Water Parks
All right, so not every kid wants to spend a week’s worth of vacation time checking out educational exhibits. For some families, theme vacations mean theme parks — complete with…
Northern CA Coast Road Trip on PCH
Pacific Coast Highway – Northern California Coast Itinerary The iconic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), which runs over 600 miles of California’s rugged and magnificent coasts, was first constructed in the…
Central Valley California Road Trip
Northern California’s Central Valley region, sometimes called the Great Valley, is a 400-mile stretch of flatlands that runs from north to south between the Sierra Nevada range and the western…
Capitol Park Attractions in Sacramento
California State Capitol Park Sacramento is a city unlike any other, a place where — in a single day — you can watch the Golden State’s government in action, learn…
Explore Sonoma County Wine Country
Sonoma County Family Vacation Guide Sonoma marks the southwestern edge of California’s best-known Wine Country, sharing a border with Napa County to the east. Napa may still be a bit…
Explore Napa Valley Destinations
Napa Valley Vacation Guide Grapes have been growing in Napa County since long before there were vintners, but the Native Americans who first called the area home never did figure…
Lake Tahoe Tourist Attractions
Lake Tahoe Vacation As if it were unfair for one state to have all the beauty, Lake Tahoe is divided by the California-Nevada state line, which runs through the middle…
Alcatraz Island
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area includes Alcatraz Island, a name that conjures up images of infamous inmates such as Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, two of the…
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.