26 Impressive Sightseeing Places and Fun Things to Do in San Diego, California


San Diego is a city in the California State of the United States of America. The city sits on the southern coast of the state and faces the Pacific Ocean. Some of the most fun things to do in San Diego, California are along the coast of the city. It has pristine beaches, cliffs, and a natural reserve. You will come across some of the most beautiful things to see in San Diego on the coast. These sights include sea caves, rock formations, wave cliffs, forests, and so on.

You can also come to the coast to enjoy wonderful sunset views, picnics, nature trails, beach activities, and adventure activities. It is also one of the best places to visit in San Diego, California for scuba diving, boat cruise, whale-watching tours, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and more. On the other hand, popular San Diego activities in the cities include shopping, entertainment, leisure, food tours, and amusement.

The city is best known for its amusement parks and entertainment venues. The city’s zoo is among the largest in the country. It is popular among San Diego tourist attractions for the animals, interactive activities, and safari experience. You will also come across a lot of theme parks during San Diego vacation. The city has Lego Land, SeaWorld Marine Park, Aquariums, Water Parks, and many more.

The next largest bunch of San Diego attractions comprise museums. The city has museums dedicated to natural history, maritime history, anthropology, art, culture, automobiles, science, and more. You can also check out museums about the city and famous people who lived here during San Diego sightseeing.

Once you have explored the urban jungle, you can also enjoy wonderful natural landscapes during San Diego travel. Just outside the city, you can explore mountains, forests, canyons, and coastal terrains.

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Top 26 Tourist Places to Visit in San Diego, California in 6 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Day 1

1. San Diego Zoo

This zoo is considered the best Zoo in the world. It has more than 37,000 animals from 650 species. The zoo is divided into different segments based on types of wilderness. Some of the highlight animals of this zoo include elephants, lions, tigers, bears, deers, crocodiles, cheetahs, wolves, and more. Though the zoo is best known for fun things to do in San Diego, California. You can watch animals feeding and even interact with a few of them. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour this zoo.

I suggest you should get your 1 Day Pass Ticket to San Diego Zoo in advance.

San Diego Zoo

2. Natural History Museum

Also known as “The Nat”, this museum focuses on various natural sciences including zoology, botany, biology, geography, and many more. You will see fossils of dinosaurs, exhibits concerning climate change, skeletons of different animals, and more. It is one of the best places to visit in San Diego, California for family tourists. The Nat has interactive exhibits and activities for children. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket to Natural History Museum in advance.

Natural History Museum

3. Museum of Us (Museum of Man)

This anthropological museum focuses on the evolution of mankind and civilization. The museum has exhibits pertaining to different parts of the world. But it specifically focuses on the early history of western Americas. You will find many interesting things to see in San Diego concerning the evolution of native American cultures. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

Museum of Us

4. Automotive Museum

This museum exhibits the collection of Briggs Cunningham, a well-known race car driver, and automobile collector. Some of the highlight vehicles of this collection include Louis Mattar’s 1947 Cadillac, 1928 Studebaker, Model 30 Touring, 1925 Bentley, and 1990 Ferrari Testarossa. It is one of the most popular San Diego tourist attractions. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this museum.

I suggest you should book your Ticket to Automotive Museum in advance.

Automotive Museum

5. Air & Space Museum

This museum outlines the history of human flight. You will see life-size airplanes and space crafts. It is one of the most fascinating San Diego attractions. The collection includes Apollo 9 Command Module, Fokker D.I., Sopwith Pup, Fleet Model 2, Albatros D. Va, and Boeing GPS-12 Satellite. You will need about an hour from San Diego sightseeing to tour this museum.

Air & Space Museum

Day 2

1. Gaslamp Quarter

This quarter is spread over 16 blocks and has 94 buildings from the Victorian era. You can admire the classical architecture, signboards, and designs. It used to be the hub of gambling dens and saloons during the 1880s. The area is also known for many cool things to do in downtown San Diego. You will find entertainment venues, restaurants, cafes, shopping stores, art galleries, and more. It will take you 30 to 45 minutes to explore this area.

Here I am suggesting a couple of Top-Rated Tours that you should try in the Gaslamp Quarter

Gaslamp Quarter

2. USS Midway Museum

This maritime and aviation museum is housed in the USS Midway aircraft carrier. This aircraft carrier was the largest of its kind during the second world war. You can tour many rooms of the carrier to see how the soldiers lived during that time. It is one of the most interesting  San Diego tourist spots for its guided audio tours and flight simulator exhibits. You need 2 hours to tour this museum.

I suggest you should get your Skip-the-Line Ticket for USS Midway Museum in advance.

USS Midway Museum

3. Maritime Museum

This museum has the largest collection of historical naval vessels in the world. It is one of the most fascinating places to go in San Diego. Some of the highlight ships in the collection include Star of India, HMS Enterprise, Californian, and more. The museum also has different exhibits concerning sailing, steam engines, maritime exploration, and so on. You will need an hour from San Diego travel to tour this museum.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket for Maritime Museum in advance.

Maritime Museum

4. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

This park looks into the history of Old Town San Diego. The majority of the buildings in the area were built during the 1800s. It is one of the most important historical sites to explore during San Diego vacation. You will feel that you are transported to the Wild West while exploring this place. You will need 2 hours to explore this historical park when you visit San Diego.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Day 3

1. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Spread over 68 acres, this nature park opens to the great Pacific Ocean. The park has varying coastal topography. It has beaches, caves, cliffs, rock formations, and more. It is also popular for hiking, swimming, and other outdoor San Diego activities. It is also one of the best sunset points in the city. You will need about 2 hours to explore this place.

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

2. SeaWorld San Diego

This park is an oceanarium, marine park, and theme park. It is best known for animal shows featuring seals, dolphins, killer whales, and so on. SeaWorld also has several animal interaction activities. Among them, the Beluga Whale experience is a must-do in San Diego. You will need about 2 hours to enjoy this park.

I suggest you should get a Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket of SeaWorld in advance.

SeaWorld San Diego

3. Mission Bay Park

Spread over 4,200 acres, this is the largest man-made marine park in the USA. Half of the park is a saltwater lagoon. The park is known for a variety of top things to do in SB, California. You will find beaches, green spaces, sports facilities, swimming pools, clubs, and more. You can also enjoy windsurfing and water skiing at Mission Bay. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying several San Diego activities in this park.

Mission Bay Park

4. Belmont Park

This historical amusement park has been around since 1925. You get to enjoy a few rides that have remained operational since the park’s birth. It is one of the best places to visit in San Diego, California to let loose. The park has thrill rides, games, roller coasters, themed areas, restaurants, and more. You will need at least 2 hours to enjoy this park.

I suggest you should get an Unlimited Ride Pass of Belmont Park in advance.

Belmont Park

Day 4

1. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala

Built-in 1769, this is the first mission church in California State. It is widely considered the birthplace of Christianity in the USA. It is one of the most important historical things to see in San Diego. The church has a small museum that sheds light on its history. You will need 20 to 30 minutes to visit this church.

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala

2. Mount Soledad

This hill is home to several San Diego tourist attractions. You will see the Easter Cross, Korean War Memorial, Dr. Seuss Childhood House, and so on. Though it is best known for panoramic views of the city. You will need about an hour to explore the hill and its tourist spots.

Mount Soledad

3. La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve (La Jolla Cove)

This oceanside reserve and park is popular for a variety of San Diego activities. It is one of the finest points for scuba diving, swimming, and snorkeling. The park of this reserve has green spaces, picnic areas, viewpoints, and more. The Cove of this park has one of the best beaches in San Diego. You will need at least an hour to enjoy this place.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of Sea Cave Kayaking.

La Jolla Cove

4. Birch Aquarium

This aquarium houses more than three thousand aquatic animals belonging to 380 species. You will see sea horses, whales, jellyfish, sharks, rays, and several other marine animals. The complex also has wave pools where you can interact with certain animals. It is among the most popular San Diego attractions for family tourists. You will need about an hour to explore this place.

Birch Aquarium

Day 5

1. San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Spread over 1,800 acres, this park gives you a wildlife safari experience in the middle of the city. The park has 300 different species of animals including tigers, buffalos, giraffes, lions, and many more. It is also home to several species of birds native to different parts of the world. Different parts of the park recreate different natural environments. The animals are enclosed in environments that are similar to their native lands. This safari is one of the best things to do in San Diego. You will need 2 to 3 hours for this safari.

I suggest you should get a 1 Day Pass Ticket to San Diego Zoo Safari Park in advance.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

2. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Spanning 2,00 acres this natural reserve has a canyon, beaches, cliffs, streams, a lagoon, and other landscape features. It is one of the best places to go in San Diego for hiking and camping. Three of the most popular trails in this reserve are Guy Fleming Trail, Beach Trail, and Razor Point Trail. The reserve is also known for its amazing viewpoints. You will need about 2 hours to explore this area.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

3. Cabrillo National Monument

This monument is dedicated to Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. It marks the spot where he first landed on the US West Coast. This park has several San Diego tourist spots including a lighthouse, museum, WWII historical sites, and more.  You will need about an hour to tour this park.

Cabrillo National Monument

4. Old Point Loma Lighthouse

This lighthouse was built in 1855 and is part of a military base. Though the lighthouse pre-dates the encampment. This lighthouse was used to guide ships into the bay during the second world. After restoration, the monument recreates the life of a lighthouse keeper during the 1980s. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this historical monument.

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

5. The San Diego Museum of Art

This museum exhibits historical artworks and artifacts. The oldest exhibit of this museum dates back to 5000 BCE. You will works of European masters as well as American artists. The museum exhibits artworks by Giambattista Pittoni, Gustav Klimt, William Meritt Chase, Otto Dix, and many more. You will need an hour from San Diego travel to tour this museum.

The San Diego Museum of Art

6. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

The science center educates, engages, and entertains people with its interactive exhibits and shows. The complex has IMAX Dome, a Planetarium, and Eight Galleries featuring more than 100 exhibits. These galleries focus on different streams of science and technology. You will learn about physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy and so on. You will need about an hour from San Diego sightseeing to explore this place.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

Day 6

1. Balboa Park

This cultural park has museums, art galleries, gardens, sports facilities, clubs, and entertainment venues. It is home to the Comic Cone Museum, Museum of Photographic Arts, Railroad Museum, and many more. It also has a Japanese Garden, Botanical Garden, Zoro Garden, and so on. It has some of the coolest things to do in SD, California. It also has several venue centers for visual arts, performance arts, music concerts, sports, and more. You will need 4 to 5 hours to tour this entire park.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Walking Tour of Balboa Park.

Balboa Park

2. LegoLand

This amusement park is centered around the theme of legos. It has games, rides, thrill rides, roller coasters, entertainment venues, and more. Some of the highlights of LegoLand include the Deep Sea Submarine Adventure ride, Ninja Training game, Dragon Coaster, and Lego Movie World. It is one of the fun places to enjoy during San Diego vacation. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to explore this amusement park.

I suggest you should get your 1 Day Ticket Pass to LegoLand in advance.

LegoLand

3. Boat Cruise / Whale Watching Cruise

There are a variety of boat tours you can enjoy when you visit San Diego. Among these whale-watching cruises, sunset sailing and harbor cruise are the most popular. You can also enjoy the waves in yachts, speedboats, wooden boats, and so on. Any tour requires at least an hour of time.

There are different types of Boat Cruise Tours in San Diego. Here below I am suggesting some of the Top Rated Boat Cruises and Whale Watching Cruise Tours:

Boat Cruise / Whale Watching Cruise

If you are looking for more places to see in San Diego, check out the sections below. We have put together an exhaustive list of attractions and activities you can enjoy in downtown San Diego and around the city.

Things to do in San Diego

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in San Diego

  1. USS Midway Museum
  2. Cabrillo National Monument
  3. San Diego Museum of Art
  4. Old Town San Diego State Historic Museum
  5. San Diego Air & Space Museum
  6. San Diego Natural History Museum
  7. Maritime Museum of San Diego
  8. Whaley House Museum
  9. Museum of Us
  10. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
  11. The New Children’s Museum
  12. Old Point Loma Lighthouse
  13. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
  14. San Diego Model Railroad Park
  15. Museum of Photographic Arts
  16. Mingei International Museum
  17. San Diego History Center
  18. Timken Museum of Art
  19. Spanish Village Art Center
  20. Star of India
  21. San Diego Automotive Museum
  22. St. Soledad Memorial Veterans Memorial
  23. Balboa Theatre
  24. California Tower
  25. Junipero Serra Museum
  26. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
  27. Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
  28. Old Town San Diego

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in San Diego

  1. La Jolla Underwater Ecological Park
  2. Torrey Pines State Reserve
  3. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
  4. Children’s Pool La Jolla
  5. Mission Trails Regional Park
  6. Cowles Mountain
  7. Potato Chip Rock
  8. Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve
  9. Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave
  10. Lake Hodges
  11. Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
  12. San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and Nature Center
  13. Border Field State Park
  14. Lake Murray
  15. Annie’s Canyon
  16. Cleveland National Forest
  17. Anza-Borrego Desert Park
  18. Joshua Tree National Park
  19. Salton Sea
  20. Mt. San Jacinto State Park

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in San Diego

  1. San Diego Zoo
  2. Balboa Park
  3. Hotel del Coronado
  4. SeaWorld San Diego
  5. San Diego Zoo Safari Park
  6. Cabrillo National Monument Park
  7. Birch Aquarium
  8. Belmont Park
  9. Petco Park
  10. La Jolla Shores Park
  11. Fleet Science Center
  12. Japanese Friendship Garden
  13. San Diego Botanical Garden
  14. Torrey Pines Gold Course
  15. Waterfront Park
  16. Sesame Place San Diego
  17. Chicano Park
  18. Fiesta Island Park
  19. Orfila Vineyards and Winery
  20. Living Coast Discovery Center
  21. Ellen Browning Scripps Park
  22. Giant Dipper Roller Coaster
  23. Presidio Park
  24. Coronado Ferry Center
  25. Grand Del Mar Court
  26. Bernardo Winery
  27. Fletcher Cove Beach Park

Shopping in San Diego

  1. Seaport Village
  2. Gaslamp Quarter
  3. Fashion Valley
  4. Little Italy
  5. Old Town
  6. Horton Plaza
  7. La Jolla
  8. Liberty Public Market
  9. Westfield UTC
  10. Coronado Ferry Center
  11. Hillcrest
  12. Las Americas Premium Outlets
  13. Balboa Park
  14. Liberty Station

Beaches & Islands in San Diego

  1. La Jolla Cove
  2. Coronado Beach
  3. Windansea Beach
  4. Sunset Cliffs
  5. Black’s Beach
  6. La Jolla Shores Beach
  7. San Diego Bay
  8. Torrey Pines State Beach
  9. San Elijo State Beach
  10. Dog Beach
  11. Silver Strand State Beach
  12. Tourmaline Surf Park
  13. Mission Beach Boardwalk
  14. Cardiff State Beach
  15. Swami’s Beach
  16. Del Mar Dog Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in San Diego

  1. Hiking
  2. Trekking
  3. Scuba Diving
  4. Snorkeling
  5. Boat Cruise
  6. Whale Watching Cruise
  7. Camping
  8. Wildlife Safari

Sightseeing in San Diego

  1. Seaport Village
  2. Old Town
  3. Coronado Island
  4. Coronado Bridge
  5. Fiesta Island
  6. Soledad Mountain
  7. Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
  8. Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier
  9. Camino de la Costa
  10. Ocean Beach Pier
  11. North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
  12. Port of San Diego

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in San Diego

  1. Little Italy
  2. Dija Mara
  3. Point Loma
  4. Wrench and Rodent
  5. Herb & Wood
  6. Jeune et Jolie
  7. Ironside Fish & Oyster
  8. Campfire
  9. Bencotto
  10. George’s at the Cove
  11. Kettner Exchange
  12. Menya Ultra
  13. Davanti Enoteca
  14. Wayfarer Bread & Pastry
  15. Juniper & Ivy
  16. Tuetano Taqueria
  17. Buon Appetito
  18. Fort Oak
  19. Civico 1845
  20. Tribute Pizza
  21. Extraordinary Desserts
  22. Isola Pizza Bar
  23. Cucina Urbana
  24. Pappalecco
  25. Cori Pastificio Trattoria

Where to Stay in San Diego?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in San Diego. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in San Diego.

Luxurious Hotels

  1. Sheraton La Jolla Hotel
  2. Fairmont Grand Del Mar
  3. Pantai Inn
  4. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
  5. Paradise Point Resort & Spa
  6. La Jolla Shores Hotel
  7. San Diego Mission Bay Resort
  8. La Valencia Hotel
  9. Ocean Park Inn
  10. Pacific Terrace Hotel
  11. Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
  12. Bahia Resort Hotel

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Humphreys Half Moon Inn
  2. The Pearl Hotel
  3. Blue Sea Beach Hotel
  4. The Shoal La Jolla Beach
  5. Omni San Diego Hotel
  6. Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown
  7. Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Central
  8. Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina
  9. Horton Grand Hotel
  10. Old Town Inn
  11. San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
  12. The Bay Club Hotel & Marina

Budget Hotels

  1. Surestay Hotel by Best Western – San Diego/pacific Beach
  2. Found Hotel San Diego
  3. Lucky D’s Hostel
  4. Best Western Seven Seas
  5. HI San Diego Downtown
  6. Ramada by Wyndham San Diego Sea World Area
  7. Days Inn by Wyndham San Diego Hotel Circle
  8. Hotel Iris
  9. Motel 6 San Diego Near Seaworld
  10. Hotel Aqua Mar
  11. Riverleaf Inn Mission Valley
  12. Mission Bay Inn San Diego

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in San Diego

How to Reach San Diego?

By Air

The city is served by San Diego International Airport. The airport is located about 8 km northwest of the city. You can get direct flights to visit San Diego from Toronto, Vancouver, Boston, Honolulu, San Jose, El Paso, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, London, Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas, Seattle, Tokyo, San Francisco, Calgary, Washington DC, and several other cities. You can get a bus, shuttle buses, and cabs to get from the airport to the city.

By Road

There is only one Amtrak route that connects to San Diego. The Pacific Surfliner route connects the city to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angles, and Anaheim.
You can also get direct buses to visit San Diego from several cities in the USA. But, if you are traveling from far away, you should first head for the train station. If you can’t get a direct train to San Diego. You can also use the Amtrak station in Los Angeles for San Diego travel. Both cities are connected by trains and buses.

If you are planning to reach San Diego by road, you should head for highway routes I-5, I-8, or I-15.

By Water

You can visit San Diego as part of several cruise tours. You can get frequent cruises from Los Angeles and Baja in Mexico.


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