Things to Do in San Diego
A harbor city of museums, beaches, a famous zoo and an aircraft carrier you can walk aboard.
See top-rated activities »About San Diego
San Diego sits in the far southwest corner of the country, with Mexico just beyond its southern suburbs and a deep natural harbor that has made it a Navy town for more than a century. The weather is famously steady, and the city spreads across mesas and canyons to a coastline of very different beaches. Downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter keeps its Victorian commercial blocks full of restaurants and bars, Little Italy has a weekend farmers market and the Embarcadero waterfront runs past cruise ships, tall ships and the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier that served from 1945 to 1992 and now holds a large museum of naval aviation.
Balboa Park, just north of downtown, is the city's cultural center. Its ornate Spanish Revival buildings were built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and now house art, history, science and natural history museums, gardens and theaters along the pedestrian El Prado. The San Diego Zoo occupies the park's north side; its sister Safari Park, with open field enclosures, is about 35 miles away in Escondido. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park preserves adobe buildings from the Mexican and early American periods, near the spot where Mission San Diego de Alcala was first founded in 1769.
The beaches each have their own character. La Jolla, a wealthy seaside community within the city, has sea lions and harbor seals on the rocks at La Jolla Cove, sea caves to explore by kayak and the cliffs of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve to the north. Mission Beach and Pacific Beach are the busy, young beach towns with a boardwalk, and SeaWorld sits on Mission Bay. Across the bay from downtown, Coronado is reached by a high, curving bridge or a short ferry, and its wide beach is backed by the Hotel del Coronado, a red-roofed Victorian resort that opened in 1888. On the tip of Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument marks the 1542 landing of the first European expedition on this coast and looks back over the whole harbor.
Don’t Miss
Seventeen museums, gardens and theaters in Spanish Revival buildings from the 1915 exposition, connected by the El Prado promenade.
A large hillside zoo of canyons and habitats in Balboa Park, with a guided bus tour and an aerial tram.
A retired aircraft carrier with restored aircraft on the flight deck, self-guided audio tours and former crew as docents.
Restored adobes, shops and museums that recall San Diego in the Mexican and early American eras.
A statue, a restored 1855 lighthouse, tide pools and the best overview of San Diego Bay.
A small cove in a protected marine area, with sea lions on the rocks and snorkeling in calm weather.
An 1888 Victorian beach resort on Coronado Beach; its lobby, shops and beachfront are open to visitors.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in San Diego
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
TiqetsTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 31, 2026. Best in SoCal may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your time in San Diego
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy. A travel specialist will put together hotel, activity and travel options for you — free, with no obligation.
Get free trip quotes »San Diego — FAQ
How many days do you need in San Diego?
Three days covers Balboa Park and the zoo, the downtown waterfront and the Midway, and a beach day in La Jolla or Coronado. Add a day for SeaWorld, the Safari Park or LEGOLAND.
Can you take a cruise from San Diego?
Yes. The cruise terminal on the downtown Embarcadero has sailings to the Mexican Riviera and Baja California, plus seasonal Hawaii and Pacific coast voyages. See our cruise links under Plan Your Trip for options.
Where can you see seals and sea lions in San Diego?
At La Jolla Cove and the nearby Children's Pool beach in La Jolla. Keep your distance and follow posted rules, since the animals are protected and the Children's Pool beach closes during pupping season.
More of Southern California
