San Diego Attractions | San Diego Things to Do

Top Attractions in San Diego

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.

Choose from exciting San Diego Attractions like; San Diego Zoo, Whale Watching Tours, SeaWorld, San Diego Museums or 100’s other exciting San Diego things to do. See our brief list of the ‘Best of the Best’ San Diego Things to do below and come see why, San Diego is often called, ‘America’s Most Beautiful City’.

California LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND California

LEGOLAND California offers 128-acres of interactive family fun with attractions, rides, live shows, restaurants, shopping and beautiful landscapes decorated with LEGO structures small and large. With more than 15,000 LEGO…

Best Attractions in San Diego

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

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

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

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

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 San Diego

Belmont Park

Belmont Park, located in sunny San Diego, is one of the best amusement parks in the area. This Park has something for everyone, with plenty of activities for the entire…

Famous Landmarks San Diego

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…

Birch Aquarium La Jolla

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…

Chula Vista Nature Center

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,…

Free Things to Do in and Around San Diego

Free Things to Do in and Around San Diego

Having fun in San Diego doesn’t always require a lot of money. In fact, many things to see and do here are absolutely free. With 70 miles of beaches, picturesque…

San Diego piers

San Diego County Piers

If you haven’t been to the piers around San Diego, I urge you to take a walk out to the end and see the characters who fish from them and…

Mission Hills

Mission Hills – Secret Gardens and more

History is the reason why Mission Hills is so impeccably put together. Cruising through the neighborhood’s windy streets, which overlook San Diego Bay and Old Town, there are six styles…

SeaWorld San Diego

San Diego SeaWorld

If you have kid’s you’ll want to go to Seaworld. It is a very popular place for families they have entertaining show’s and…the Whale. (Shamu) For kid’s it is a…

Coronado Island San Diego

Coronado Island Attractions

Fun, Easy Day Trip: San Diego’s Hotel del Coronado & Beach Enjoy Coronado Island’s attractions via a world-class bridge. The iconic Hotel del Coronado is on a top U.S. beach…

Balboa Park Museums

San Diego’s 17 Balboa Park Museums

Where else can you find 17 museums – and a world-famous zoo – within a short walk and many, many tourist attractions? Balboa Park is a unique and fantastic cultural…

old town san diego

Old Town San Diego

Visit Old Town San Diego is a top tourist activity The Historic District San Diego Park recreates life from 1821 to 1872 in both the early American and early Mexican…

Petco Park

Petco Park

Watch Padres Game at Petco Park San Diego When you visit San Diego, there are many exciting San Diego Things to do. If you have the opportunity to visit when…

San Diego Bay Tour

Best Things To Do in San Diego Bay

San Diego Bay Attraction Guide One of San Diego’s greatest resource is its bayfront. Ideally located within the city’s downtown, the bay is San Diego’s calling card: a picture postcard…

Balboa Park Museums

San Diego Museums – Balboa Park

Balboa Park Museums – Things to do in San Diego When you visit San Diego, you have many San Diego Attractions to choose from. One of the most popular things…

San Diego Symphony

San Diego Symphony

Attend the San Diego Symphony year-round The San Diego Symphony is one of the top San Diego Attractions offering a rich and varied musical calendar throughout all of the seasons…

san diego zoo

San Diego Zoo

Visit one of the most popular San Diego Attractions – The San Diego Zoo The world-famous San Diego Zoo is a must for any Southern California adventure! The Zoo is…

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park 34 miles north of the San Diego Zoo in Escondido, visitors have a rare opportunity to witness 3,500 animals representing 429 species roaming…

Balboa Park

San Diego’s Balboa Park

Top 10 Best Things to do in Balboa Park Whether you want to visit a San Diego Museum, take your family on a walk through a beautiful park, or listen…

Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

Gaslamp Quarter is one of San Diego’s historic neighborhoods. It is a popular area of approximately 16 blocks which has some of the city’s best shopping, dining and nightlife. The…

Coronado Bridge & Seaport Village

San Diego’s Seaport Village

Seaport Village San Diego One of the top Things to do in San Diego San Diego’s Seaport Village combines the best in waterfront shopping, dining, and overall family entertainment. The…

uss midway museum

USS Midway Museum Guide

San Diego: The USS Midway Museum San Diego Hotels are located within minutes of San Diego Bay and San Diego Attractions like the USS Midway Museum. One of the top…

little italy san diego ca

San Diego Little Italy

Little Italy in San Diego is rapidly evolving as an inner-city neighborhood ideal for living, shopping, dining, and visiting. Little Italy has beautiful views of the bay, art and cultural…

LEGOLAND California

Buy One Day, get the Second Day Free! Buy Now and Save! A 120+ acre park geared specifically towards youngsters ages two through 12. With rides, interactive attractions, shows, and building projects, Legoland mixes education, adventure, and fun in this first park of its kind in the U.S.

LEGOLAND California is a 128-acre park geared specifically towards youngsters ages 2 – 12. With rides, attractions to activate, shows, and building projects in all six themed “blocks,” LEGOLAND Park mixes education, adventure, and fun in this first park of its kind in the United States. It’s a land of surprises around every colorful corner, with both whimsical and astonishingly accurate LEGO brick models, lively music and a chance to let everyone’s imagination run free. It’s LEGOLAND, it’s Real Family Fun! There are only three other LEGOLAND parks in the world — LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark marked its 30th anniversary in 1998; LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London opened in 1996, and LEGOLAND Deutschland, in Günzburg, Germany.

LEGO SPORTS CENTER

In addition to featuring the newest NBA and NHL-themed LEGO Sports Build & Play Toys and attractions, the sports area at LEGOLAND will also offer football and soccer-related activities geared towards youngsters. Soccer fans will have the chance to test their skills as they kick for speed and accuracy. Life-sized NBA players constructed entirely out of LEGO bricks will tower over young guests shooting baskets at hoops of various heights. Kids can compare the size of their handprints to those of famous sports heroes. Other activities include a quarterback pass and an Extreme Sports Show during the summer season, while a newly revamped Sports Diner will energize hungry young athletes.

Little Italy

San Diego’s Little Italy is one of the many Little Italy’s scattered about the United States, and the neighborhood is one of the top tourist attractions in San Diego. The various Little Italy districts in the U.S. have symbolized the contributions that Italians have made to American culture, and now serve as a gathering place for those who want to preserve Italian heritage.

USS Midway Museum

At the USS Midway Museum, you can experience life at sea without ever leaving the Port of San Diego. Imagine surrounding yourself with the sights and sounds, and the day-to-day routine, of America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier. When you’re wondering what to do in San Diego that’s fun, educational, and close to the beautiful waters that San Diego is known for, consider spending a few hours at the USS Midway Museum.

Seaport Village

One of the most fun things to do in San Diego is to visit Seaport Village, a charming seaside multi-use center on the San Diego Bay. Seaport Village is a great place to go Shopping in San Diego, dine at fabulous San Diego Restaurants, and even hear live music. At Seaport Village, you can attend fun Annual Events in San Diego and simply enjoy the beautiful scenery of sunny San Diego.

Gaslamp Quarter

Most San Diego visitors want to explore San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, which some say is the historic heart of San Diego. The Gaslamp Quarter is a 16-1/2-block neighborhood in downtown San Diego that is filled with exciting San Diego Bars, trendy Clubs in San Diego, and great San Diego Restaurants. The Gaslamp Quarter is a top San Diego Attraction because it’s hip, trendy, energetic, historic, and picturesque at the same time.

Balboa Park

One of the most exciting attractions in San Diego is Balboa Park. Balboa Park is much more than a park, however, as you know if you’ve been there before. It is one of the top things to do in San Diego, featuring several botanical gardens, 15 major San Diego Museums, renowned performing arts venues, and the famous San Diego Zoo.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park used to be known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Regardless of its name change, however, it is still one of the top attractions in San Diego offering fun for all ages. The Safari Park features 1,800 acres of habitat for wildlife and stunning creatures inside, and it sits just a short drive from downtown San Diego.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is one of the San Diego Things to Do that most tourists consider a must-visit. The Zoo is renowned across the country as a premier facility for education and entertainment and offers opportunities to view rare animals and beautiful flora. The San Diego Zoo sits in San Diego’s Balboa Park, which is one of top San Diego Attractions in its own right. Within moments of downtown, you’ll be able to spy.

Among the 4,000 animals representing 800 species are some of the rarest wildlife in the world, including koalas and giant pandas (and the only panda cub in the U.S.). Located in beautiful Balboa Park, the 100-acre World-Famous San Diego Zoo was founded by Dr. Harry Wegeforth in 1916. This colorful and extremely enterprising San Diego physician started the collection with 50 animals gathered from various local menageries.

Today, the San Diego Zoo cares for over 3,800 animals of 800 different species. Its collection of animals, as well as its plant collection of over 6,500 species, is acknowledged as one of the finest in the entire world. GUIDED BUS TOUR – is a 40-minute guided bus tour covering about 75 % of the Zoo. Additionally, Guided Bus Tour riders will have access to the Express Buses. These Express Buses will be double or single decker buses, which will have green signs on the sides, allowing these guests to hop on and off at 5 different stops throughout the Zoo.

They will go by the Stops every 20 minutes or less. The Express Bus is mainly for quick transportation around the Zoo. Also available is a 35-minute Spanish language Guided Bus Tour every day at 11 a.m. Spanish tours are available at other times for groups of twenty or more with advanced notice. Tours in French are also available with advanced notice. SKYFARI AERIAL TRAM – Take an airborne shortcut over the treetops to the other end of the Zoo and enjoy spectacular views of the Zoo and surrounding Balboa Park (children under 8 must be accompanied by adults).

San Diego Symphony

The San Diego Symphony performed its first concert on December 6, 1910, and 100 years later it still entertains San Diego visitors and residents with outstanding musical concerts and productions. Attending the San Diego Symphony is one of the top San Diego Things to Do, as tourists are presented with a wide range of performances that cover a broad spectrum of musical genres.

San Diego Museums

When you visit San Diego, you have many San Diego Attractions to choose from. One of the most popular things to do in San Diego is visiting San Diego Museums, and there are more than 90 museums to choose from in this exciting vacation destination.

San Diego Beaches

There are many exciting things to do in San Diego, but visiting San Diego Beaches is, perhaps, the biggest draw for most tourists. San Diego Beaches are picturesque and offer many opportunities to play in the surf and sand – California style! The weather is nearly perfect year-round in San Diego, which is why San Diego Beaches are a top San Diego Attraction. Come and explore almost 70 miles of pristine coastline that give San Diego visitors a chance to sunbathe, swim, canoe, kayak, snorkel,..

San Diego Bay

San Diego Bay is one of the San Diego Attractions that promises adventure and entertainment for the entire family. One of the most exciting things to do in San Diego is getting out on the blue waters of the bay or relaxing on the shoreline’s beaches and in the tourist facilities.

Petco Park

Petco Park is one of the top San Diego Attractions, offering San Diego visitors and residents a chance to enjoy San Diego Padres Baseball in a beautiful open-air ballpark. Watching a Major League Baseball game at Petco Park is one of the most fun San Diego Things to do, and at this new ballpark, you’ll be able to see your favorite Padre players within moments.

SeaWorld

There’s no place in the world like SeaWorld San Diego. Where else can you touch and feed dolphins, count the teeth on a shark and come face-to-face with a polar bear? Brave the waves on the Shipwreck Rapids adventure ride. Venture into the tail-chasing, ruckus-raising world of your pet in SeaWorld’s new show…

San Diego Attractions FAQ’s

Q: San Diego Hotels: How close is A San Diego Hotel to the San Diego Zoo?
A: Downtown San Diego Hotels are located just over 2 miles from the San Diego Zoo and other top attractions in San Diego.

Q: San Diego Attractions: What are some of the top attractions in San Diego located near Luxury San Diego Hotels?
A: Guests at Luxury San Diego Hotels will find many top San Diego Attractions located nearby. Some of the popular attractions in San Diego located near Luxury San Diego Hotels include the San Diego Zoo, Seaport Village, Little Italy and the San Diego Symphony.

Q: Attractions in San Diego: We’re staying at a Downtown San Diego Hotel and are wondering how far it is to Seaport Village and other popular Things to do in San Diego.
A: Downtown San Diego Hotels are conveniently located near some of the most popular attractions in San Diego such as Seaport Village. Seaport Village is less than 2 miles from downtown.

Q: What to do in San Diego with Kids: Are there any San Diego Attractions for kids located near Downtown San Diego?
A: Yes! If you’re staying at a Downtown San Diego Hotel and wondering What to do in San Diego with kids, you will find many San Diego Attractions that are perfect for visitors of every age. Downtown is located less than 3 miles from the San Diego Zoo and less than a mile from San Diego Zoo Safari Park. These are just two of the many nearby San Diego Attractions that kids will love.

Q: Things to do in San Diego: We are staying A San Diego Hotel and we love spending time outdoors. Are there any nearby San Diego Attractions that will allow us to enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather?
A: Definitely! When staying at a San Diego Hotel, one of the best features is the weather. You’ll find many things to do in San Diego that allow you to spend time outdoors. Some outdoor San Diego Attractions include Seaport Village, The San Diego Zoo and, of course, the beautiful San Diego beaches.

Q: What to do in San Diego: What are some of the most popular San Diego Museums located near Downtown San Diego Hotels?
A: Exploring popular San Diego Museums is a popular answer to What to do in San Diego. Many top Museums are located near San Diego Hotels. Nearby San Diego Museums include San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, Whaley House Museum and Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

Q: San Diego Museums: Is the USS Midway Museum located near Downtown? Also, is this San Diego Attraction appropriate for young visitors?
A: The USS Midway Museum is one of many San Diego Museums located near Downtown San Diego Hotels. The USS Midway Museum is less than 2 miles from downtown, a popular Downtown San Diego Hotel. This San Diego Museum teaches visitors about life at sea using sights, sounds and some hands-on features making it a wonderful choice for families with children.

Q: We love the beach, but we also want to explore other San Diego Attractions, such as Museums in San Diego, during our upcoming stay at a Downtown San Diego Hotels. What are a few of the Attractions in San Diego that first-time visitors should include on their itinerary?
A: There are many San Diego Attractions that first-time visitors should consider during a stay at a Downtown San Diego Hotel. Museums in San Diego, such as the San Diego Air & Space Museum and the USS Midway Museum are great choices. Other must-see San Diego Attractions include the San Diego Zoo, Seaport Village and the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter.

Q: San Diego Zoo: We are staying A San Diego Hotel and are excited to visit several of the top San Diego Attractions. How much time should we set aside for a visit to the San Diego Zoo?
A: The San Diego Zoo is a top San Diego Attraction for guests staying at A San Diego Hotel. Visitors should allot at least 4 or 5 hours, but many stay much longer at this popular San Diego Attraction.