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Top Things to Do in San Diego California
If you are planning a trip to San Diego California and looking for the best things to do, see and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. San Diego has great weather, 260+ days of sunshine, 70 miles of coastline with 33 beaches, spectacular hikes, a relaxed atmosphere, and 130+ craft breweries. I am lucky to call this home. You will find a huge city park, a world-famous zoo, a beachfront roller coaster, boardwalks, piers, seals, whales, surfing, craft beer, and California burritos. Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal San Diego California bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your San Diego California trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!
Things to Do in and Around San Diego California
Attend surf school
Ride a horse on the beach at Surfside Ranch
Bike the 24-mile Bayshore Bikeway around San Diego Bay
Shop for souvenirs at Seaport Village
Check out the Star of India at the Maritime Museum
Tour the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier
Photograph the Unconditional Surrender Statue
Take a walk along the Embarcadero
Play in the waterfront fountains
Eat at Kansas City BBQ, where Top Gun was filmed
Browse the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Little Italy
Have a rooftop cocktail at the Nolen or Altitude Bar and enjoy the views
Take a Segway tour through the Gaslamp District
Bar hop in the Gaslamp Quarter
Jet ski around San Diego Bay
See the city lights on a night trolley tour
Explore the Birth of California at Old Town
Eat a churro at La Panaderia or 3Ten ChurroBar
Have dinner on the patio at Casa Guadalajara
Walkthrough the haunted Whaley House
Take an Old Town Ghost Tour
Check out the 25th Street Musical Bridge
Plan a DIY foodie tour through North Park
Take the early morning panda tour at the San Diego Zoo
Explore Balboa Park
Watch a performance at the Old Globe Theater or listen to the Spreckles Organ
Take a cruise around San Diego Bay
Catch a Padres game at Petco Park
Have a cocktail at the Top of the Hyatt for panoramic views
Explore Barrio Logan’s Chocano murals and Chicano Park
Eat a Monte Cristo Donut at the Donut Bar
Hop the ferry to Coronado and ride the merry-go-round on the landing
Take a gondola ride through the Coronado Cays, BYOW
Rent a Cabanette on Hotel Del Coronado Beach and watch the ‘Sand Castle Man’ at work
Hang out at Black’s Nude Beach
Hike Cabrillo Point’s Bayside Trail for views of San Diego’s coastline
Watch the whales migrate from the overlook station near the old Point Loma Lighthouse
Explore the tide pools at Point Loma
Watch the sunset from Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma
Drink a Mai Tai and enjoy views of the bay at Bali Hai
Browse the Liberty Station Arts District outdoor art and galleries
Ride a bike along the Mission Bay Boardwalk
Take a dolphin-watching cruise
Paddleboard, kayak, jet ski or fly a kite at Mission Bay
Take a yoga class on the beach
Go grunion hunting
Ride the Big Dipper wooden roller coaster in Belmont Park
Take a walk along the Pacific Beach Boardwalk
Eat a shrimp taco and drink a vodka Red Bull slushie at PB Shore Club
Go fishing on Pacific Beach Pier
Have a beer on the roof of the Pacific Beach Ale House and watch the sunset
Go to morning (6-10 am) happy hour at the Silver Fox in Pacific Beach
Eat a California Burrito and fish tacos
Take a craft brewery tour on the Hops Highway
Watch the sunset from Mount Soledad
Explore the coral reefs at Scripps Birch Aquarium
Paraglide off the cliffs at Torrey Pines Gliderport
Kayak the La Jolla Coves
Watch the seals at the La Jolla Children’s Beach
Shop for souvenirs at the Cave Store and explore Sunny Jim Sea Cave
Get some sun at La Jolla Shores Beach
Wander the boutiques and galleries of La Jolla Village
Snorkel with the leopard sharks at La Jolla Cove
Watch the waves crash against the windows during High Tide Breakfast at the Marine Room
Hike the trails in Torrey Pines State Park and photograph the ocean during golden hour
Play a round of golf at Torrey Pines
Mountain bike or rock climb at Mission Trails Park
Try your luck at Viejas Casino
Feed a lion at Lions, Tigers, and Bears
Rent a convertible and cruise the Pacific Coast Hwy
Watch a horse race at the famous Del Mar Race Track
Check out a polo match at Del Mar’s San Diego Polo Club
Take a hot air balloon ride
Listen to music at the Belly Up Tavern
Visit the San Diego Botanic Garden
Go stargazing at Palomar Mountain Observatory
Spend a day on Temecula’s De Portola Wine Trail
Hike to Cedar Creek Falls
Dig for gems at Oceanview Mines
Relax in the garden of Stone Brewing
Take the Caravan Safari at San Diego Wild Animal Park
Winery hop on Historic Highway 94
Swim with otters at Nurtured by Nature
Visit the California Wolf Center
Hike to Potato Chip Rock
Visit the tasting rooms of Ramona’s Wine Country
Hike to Three Sister’s Falls
Head to Julian for apple pie
Check out the Sky Art in the Anza-Borrego Desert
Hike the waterfall in Los Penasquitos Canyon
Be sure to check the San Diego California Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
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Southern California Travel Guide
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San Diego Attractions and Day Tours
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