Fun Things to Do in San Diego
In this article, I discuss the 28 best fun things to do in San Diego. The Perch at San Diego's shorelines makes it an exciting and peaceful retreat for adventurers as well as those looking to relax. Whatever you are, San Diego's location on the ocean is perfect for adventure lovers.
Whether it is to walk on sandstone cliffs in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, or surf at Coronado Island beaches.
01. Sunset Sail Tour Around San Diego Bay
The trip to sail around San Diego Harbor at sunset is an amazing trip for me! Swimming peacefully at the sea creates unbeatability for viewing renowned sunsets and shows off the most recognizable landmark such as the Coronado River skyline and Coronado Bridge. Our trip also showed dozens of raccoons, sea lions and even an unexpected pod of dolphins.
02. Stroll through the gardens of Balboa Park
Balboa Park provides everything from parks to museums to puppets! This multi-dimensional space contains almost 2,000 acres and offers many different attractions for visitors to visit. Moreover, for people who want to explore more, the garden will be an attractive option.
Pass by the beautiful glass domes of the botanical house that contains nearly 200 tropical species. Next stroll through the Japanese friendship garden, an elegant spot packed with Koi lakes, classic buildings and imposing cherries blossoms during springtime.
03. Watch Sunset from Point Loma
The peninsula of Point Loma is a peninsula extending over the Pacific and separates Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. Although tiny, the neighborhood offers many attractions. Point Lomana features the Cabrillo National Monument that honors Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first African European born in California. The Cabrilla national monument is also known to provide stunning views of the city's bay.
04. Visit the amazing Birch Aquarium
Bring the whole family out for an underwater adventure at Birch Aquarium which is home to hundreds of marine creatures. Several species can flourish in over 60 different aquariums and hours will pass.
Meet invasive sea-dragons, sea horses and pipefish in a museum exhibit in one of the biggest habitats in history. This habitat is a perfect environment for seadragon breeding – only some aquariums are in use globally. Keep your eyes open for the exhibition, showing a group of tiny blue-pinguins building their nests.
05. See wild animals roaming free at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego Zoo Safari Park has 1,800 acres of land and offers over 3,000 animals to roam freely. Choose your Safari style and experience to explore Savanna habitat with a freestanding truck, safari trolley or zip line.
You will also be able to observe your favorite animals daily activities while learning about conservation initiatives at the park. What about an overnight sleepover with wildlife? Show some interesting facts about the sun up Cheetahs before the park opening hours.
06. San Diego Air and Space Museum
How do we get an accurate view of our planets? At the San Diego Air and Space Museum, this is not only possible, but it features are standard. This museum provides various images, videos, displays, exhibits, and models which celebrate science and technology. There is an extensive library that displays replica aircraft and spaceships.
The galleries commemorate the names of pilots, astronauts and other significant figures in the world of engineering. There are a number of interactive portals that let you view an astronaut on a mission and take selfies!
07. Visit the Carlsbad Flower Fields
Since 60 years Spring flower gardens have transformed the hillside into a bright, colorful explosion created from giant Tecolota Ranundcuus flower beds for the last 60 years. I'm pretty sure this is a beautiful place to celebrate the spring time in San Diego.
Please see our website for updated information, because fields are only accessible during the spring.
08. Have a blast at Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a historic beachfront amusement park with one-way access to adrenaline-fueled beaches. The beachfront area was a favorite place to visit amongst locals and guests and was a great place for relaxation, fun, dining.
The park's centerpieces include the 2,800 feet tall giant slide and the plunge pool, the biggest saltwater pool in the world when it opened in 1925. Take a ride on a range of exciting activities including rollercoasters, bumpers and zero-gravity rides before taking the ice cream and stroll along the beach.
09. Peruse the works at the San Diego Museum of Art
For more information, visit the San Diego Museum's Museum of Arts and see the work displayed. Founded in 1926, the collection has over 20,000 pieces representing movements and artists from the most diverse worlds. Browse the artwork of O'Keef, Dali and Tamayo. Among them is a huge collection of art and sculptures. For artists who obsess about art and newcomers, it is unbeatable.
10. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located northwest of Lajolla and is The Reserve offers incredible views to the Pacific and trails to explore giving you a feeling for where San Carlos's Chaparrals were when the land became settled. When it isn't available for hikers to see the views with no walking, they may take an easy trip to the reserve to view the view just outside the central parking lot.
11. Check Out the Balboa Museums and Fleet Science Center
Besides stunning views and architectural styles, Balboa Park also includes 17 museums and cultural centres. My personal favorites include Fleet Science Center which in childhood sparked our fascination with science and The National Parks of California. Find out my comprehensive guide to some of San Diego's most famous museum destinations.
12. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego, the birthplace of Cali, is home to a lively Latina community. There are also indigenous tribes of Kumeyaays who lived there 900 years before Spanish arrived. The city has lots of fun activities in the Old City of San Diego.
There are local craft shops, Mexican restaurants, and a number of interesting historical buildings here. If you're into history, Oldtown is an attractive historic area that is well worth exploring. This page lists all the Historic sites in Old Town San Diego.
13. Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Has anyone ever heard of the huge pipe organ in the open air? Spreckel's organ pavilion offers daily outdoor organ performances. It is possible to bring an umbrella to enjoy the 5,000 pipes played on picnic blankets while listening to various songs.
It's also not restricted to sounds like organs. The instrument mimics everything from pianos to classical horn, and gives you a vibrant performance from a full-time band that is actually an urban-employed organist.
14. Discover Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, one of San Diego's true coastal gems
Guests can enjoy a spectacular sunset on San Diego's best vantage point on an over a mile-long cliff overlooking the ocean. Sunset Cliffs Nature Park is a hillside, 68 hectare park offering countless possibilities for a relaxing vacation.
Tackle a variety of hiking paths (including sleeping overnight), play in the seawaters for an hour to try fishing and enjoy a relaxing view over the landscape. Enjoy your swimming holes and explore the sea caves at low tide.
15. Watch a live play at the Old Globe Theatre
This award-winning theater has an impressive standing height of over 75 years in Balboa Park. Designed in memory of Shakespeare's Globe, an iconic play theatre in England, San Diego's Old Globe shows epic dramas and performances throughout the ages, since the building began in 1935.
View original Broadway productions, Shakespeare classics and some great modern works by writers and exceptional directors. Look at upcoming events, pick your favourite performances, sit back & relax!
16. Mission Beach Boardwalk
The Mission Beach Boardwalk is an interesting and free activity in San Diego, California and is certainly a must-do on Mission Beach. The Boardwalk brings everything San Diego has to one place – Sunshine. I actually found this boardwalk only a few months ago when I visited San Diego but I quickly fell in love with the local atmosphere.
It is possible to walk or run along the walkway to see Mission Beach or to rent a cruiser bike to feel like an authentic Californian. Walk or drive into Belmont Park then ride on a Giant Dipper roller coaster after completing an exercise for the day.
17. San Diego Padres Game at Petco Park
If you travel to San Diego you always want a baseball game because Petco Park has such a special atmosphere downtown. Baseball is not an enjoyable sport to most individuals, especially those who haven't grown up watching or participating in baseball in their youths.
The real experience is totally different when the Petco Park is in operation. The Padres lack the fans they have when compared to the Dodgers / Giants LA Dodgers. Petco Park is an elegant modern stadium to watch an upcoming match, right on the sea and in the center.
18. Dive with colorful fish at La Jolla Cove
In its vicinity San Diego is a marine playground for humans and animal lovers and its water is warm but not icy. La Jolla Cove is filled with marine life and is one of the best places to go diving.
It is one of the La Jollan Waterparks and combines kelp forests and rock areas where most visitors go snorkeling. Keep an eye on Garibaldis damselfish, bright orange with heart-sized tail. Many divers have argued that the crabs bite! Swim with lion sharks (which are okay) and sea turtles.
19. Experience life at sea by visiting the USS Midway Museum
Discover the most visited floating ship museums and get to know more than 50 years of World History at once! Over 60 exhibits offer a selection of short films based on historical events and hyper-realistic aircraft simulators.
Find out how it works on an airplane and see a real flight deck exhibit. Look at pilot's ready rooms for information about carriers' flying operations. Take a closer look at the plane's cockpit and the cabin where captains live and command.
20. San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge
The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a saltwater marsh offering urban refuge to the local wildlife. Numerous paths make the San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge a quiet place for hiking. Keep your footprint clean. Seasonal tours are available for more educational experiences.
21. Hit The Ocean Beach Farmers Market
The Ocean Beach farmer's market is unlike the farmer's market that I have ever visited and satisfies the hippie vibe that is common in the area. The market is mostly comprised in two buildings and contains several shops selling food products and other items.
It makes a special event since it begins late into the evenings, but often goes down on the Boardwalk where dancers sing, flaming toss and create art. Its very good place for dinner and entertainment every Wednesday.
22. Browse through Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market
How can I find some tasty snacks? Take the Little Italy Mercato which contains the best food and beverages California offers. Every Wednesday and Saturday it offers everything from fruits and vegetables, to olive oil and local seafood and local honey. This place offers many souvenir shops that feature a variety of unique artwork by local artists. Sample everything in a very cool place.
23. Swim with Leopard Sharks in La Jolla
How can you find something exciting to do in La Jolla? Every year thousands of leopard sharks enter La Jolla for breeding and laying eggs, sometimes for 6 months or more. You can snorkel with a shark in a city during their stay, usually between the early part of June and the beginning of September /October.
Generally, the highest concentrations are found in August. And leopard sharks are very aggressive but totally harmless. You can hire a snorkel at a La Jolla store or take your friends on a guided tour.
24. Bet on horse racing at Del Mar Racetrack
After exploring the Gaslamp Village or Old Town, finish the afternoon by visiting DelMar Race Track, where regular horses race in this area. The racing track attracted thousands in spectator traffic from 1937 to 1937 for the last 10 decades. The event at Delmar runs between Tuesdays and Saturdays, and is typical from mid-July to early September in the year.
Grab a sandwich and Mexican food in a track-side restaurant like Corona Beach House Stretch Run Grill and Veranda Cafe. Try Del Margarita Strawberry Stir-Up, Summer Breeze or any of the famous drinks that you have at the restaurant.
25. Take a Trolley Tour of San Diego's Top Attractions
Book Trolley Tours Here: Older trolleys in San Diego give you fun ways of getting around San Diego and Old Town. When you book a one-day visit, you can see a variety of important attractions in South San Francisco including the many mentioned above, and an experienced guide can tell you more about the historical significance of each location.
26. Party the night away in the Gaslamp Quarter
Let’s just relax. It can really be fun and relaxing if you have a night out at a pub crawl with your friends. In downtown San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter provides an ideal spot for nightlife and has pubs, bars and restaurants to boot.
Barleymash is a trendy Barley-based restaurant with contemporary styling and a bar menu stocked with American favorites, including beer and a bar. During the party go upstairs to Ginger’s where you get cocktail drinks that are essential to last the night.
27. Trek through Mission Trails Regional Park
Mission Trails Regional Park covers over 8000 acres and is renowned for providing excellent hiking trails for all ages. This park is only 20 minutes from the downtown city. The mission trails in Philadelphia provide visitors with a chance to visit both the historical and cultural aspects of the town, as well as the outdoor spaces to go hiking and sailing. Visit the exhibits featuring artists at Parks World Visitors Center that welcomes more than 80,000 visitors annually.
28. Sunset Sailing Cruise
Sunset sailing trips in the San Diego Bay are a great way for adult couples to relax in a peaceful date night. From Shelter Island, you will walk along San Diego Bay listening to music. With beer and snacks provided, you're sure to dream of adventures. It can hold up to six persons and offers an intimate sailing experience. It should be booked early as the trip is quite popular.
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