75 Incredibly Fun Things to Do in San Diego

San Diego is one of the most popular destinations in California, and if you are visiting or living here then there are tons of amazing things to see and do. There are beaches to explore, delicious foods to try, cool history to discover, and plenty more unique, delightful, and incredibly fun things to do in San Diego and San Diego County!

Whether you’re interested in exploring the outdoors with hiking, kayaking, or surfing or if you’re interested in seeing historic sights, cool hotels, the best neighborhoods, or even amusement parks…there is definitely something exciting for you to do in San Diego and you are certain to find it on this list. So go ahead and start planning your next San Diego adventure with these 75 best things to do in San Diego!

1. Go Whale Watching

Going whale watching is one of my favorite things to do in California, and if you’re looking for cool things to do in San Diego then you should definitely add this to your list!

San Diego is the perfect place to go whale watching as it is always in season here. During different times of the year you’ll see different types of whales, but you will always have the possibility to see some type of whale on your whale watching cruise.

Of course, just because there’s always the possibility of seeing whales doesn’t mean you actually will see them…but if you’re lucky, you’ll at least catch a glimpse of a gray or blue whale! And no matter when you go, it’s practically guaranteed that you’ll see other incredible creatures like dolphins and seals or sea lions.

There’s nothing quite like being out on the water and searching for these magnificent animals, and it is definitely an experience you will never forget. So go ahead and book your whale watching tour now and enjoy this exciting opportunity in San Diego!

2. Take a Bus Tour of Old Town and Beyond

If you’re interested in San Diego’s history, then one of the best things to do in San Diego is take a tour of Old Town! While the Kumeyaay people lived in this region well before any European settlers, Old Town is often called the “birthplace of California” because this is the site of the first Spanish settlement on the U.S. west coast.

Interested in hearing the stories of Old Town and discovering the sights here and throughout San Diego? Take a Hop on Hop Off Bus tour to discover the best sights throughout the city while learning more about the history and stories that have shaped this place into what it is today. You can choose from 12 different stops on the route, and can get on and off at these stops whenever you like…which is perfect for visitors who want to learn more about San Diego while also having an opportunity to explore the best points of interest up close!

3. Visit the USS Midway Museum

One of the top things to do in San Diego is visit the USS Midway, the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century (which has now been converted into a museum). This historical naval aircraft is fascinating and imposing at the same time, so be sure to come and explore it for yourself!

With years of service between 1945-1992, the USS Midway just missed participating in World War II by one week but did play key roles in the Cold War. On your visit here, you’ll have the chance to explore over 60 exhibit areas including the engine room, the galleys, the sleeping quarters, and the flight deck. There is also an impressive collection of aircraft aboard to see while you’re here.

If you’re interested in US military history or simply curious about this huge aircraft carrier that is permanently docked in the San Diego harbor, then this is a stop you won’t want to miss while visiting San Diego. You can get your admission ticket online to skip the ticket lines and start exploring this marvel of naval history!

4. Hike up Cowles Mountain

One of the things I love about San Diego is that there are typical city things to do, but there are also plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy as well. One of the outdoor things to do in San Diego is to hike Cowles Mountain—the highest point in the city of San Diego.

You’ll find this urban hike is popular no matter the time of day, but on the whole it’s a fairly easy hike which makes it a good choice if you are looking for a relatively short hike that will give you excellent view of the city. It’s a 3-mile round trip out and back trail with some elevation gain that will get your hear pumping, but shouldn’t be too difficult for most people.

And once you make it to the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views! I particularly enjoy hiking this trail at sunset to watch the sun go down and then see all the city lights start to blink on as it gets dark. So if you’re looking for fun things to do in San Diego, this short hike would make an excellent addition to your list!

5. See the Hotel del Coronado

While you’re in San Diego, there are a few iconic San Diego attractions you will not want to miss. One of these is the Hotel del Coronado! Although it’s a hotel, this should definitely be one of the places you see even if you don’t plan to stay the night at the Hotel Del.

This historic beachfront hotel is a treat to see and over the years has definitely become an attraction in its own right. It first opened back in 1888 and was the largest resort hotel at the time! Since its opening, it has hosted presidents, celebrities, and plenty of other famous people (including Cary Grant, Thomas Edison, Madonna, Brad Pitt, Obama, and more!)

Today, the Hotel Del still sprawls across the beachfront on Coronado and is an impressive sight to see. You should be sure to wander through the lobby and explore the restaurant options at the hotel, as well as enjoying the beach in front of the hotel. Be sure to look for the sand castle of the day (with the day’s date on it) that should be on the beach there as well.

If it’s in your budget, the Hotel Del is one of the best hotels in San Diego and is a lovely place to stay the night! But even if you choose not to stay here, you’ll still want to stop by and see this incredible historic hotel and all it has to offer.

6. Visit Cabrillo National Monument

Another exciting thing to do in San Diego is go to Cabrillo National Monument on the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula. This park offers beautiful views of San Diego and is also an important historical site!

Cabrillo is named after Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, who was the first European to set foot on what we now call the West Coast of the United States. He landed here at Cabrillo National Monument on September 28, 1542. However, the park doesn’t simply commemorate this fact but also has other features to recommend it.

The historic Old Point Loma Lighthouse is one place you’ll want to explore during your visit to discover more about the keepers and their families (like the fact that some of the keepers’ children had to row across the bay for school!). In its 36 years of operation, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse had 11 principal keepers and 22 assistant keepers which was a very high rate of turnover. This is a cool place to see and explore as you learn more about the lighthouses here at the park!

However, one of my favorite parts of the park are the stunning Cabrillo tide pools. On your visit, you should definitely make your way to the lower portion of the park to experience these incredible tide pools and search for the little sea creatures that you are likely to find. But be sure to time your visit to the tide pools at low tide so you can actually see them!

As a part of the national park system, you will have to pay to enter Cabrillo National Monument…but it is definitely worth it! If you plan to visit any other national parks or monuments within a year (like Joshua Tree, which you can easily visit on a day trip from San Diego), then I highly recommend getting an America the Beautiful annual pass. Purchasing a pass allows you to enter as many national parks and monuments as you like within the year, and if you visit 3 or more parks then you have already made your money back and more. It’s not hard to do when there are so many incredible national parks just within California!

But whether you choose to buy the annual parks pass or not, a visit to Cabrillo will be a wonderful choice during your time in San Diego. You’ll find plenty to enjoy and experience while you explore this gem of a park!

7. Kayak the La Jolla Caves

When you’re looking for the best San Diego activities, you simply must add kayaking to the list! And while there are plenty of amazing places to kayak in San Diego, one especially bucket-list worthy place is at the La Jolla Caves.

Part of what makes going kayaking at the La Jolla Caves so fun is that you paddle through the La Jolla Ecological reserve, where you may see creatures including leopard sharks, sea lions, and maybe even dolphins. There are seven caves here that you can see on your kayaking tour, and if the weather is good then you can even go into the largest cave (Clam’s Cave) while you are kayaking!

Unless you’re confident in your kayaking and navigation skills, it’s likely best to kayak with a guide to help you explore the best of this part of La Jolla’s ocean. This is a pretty incredible place to see and is one of the more memorable and unique things to do in San Diego while you’re here, so be sure to add this to your San Diego things to do list!

8. Visit the San Diego Zoo

If you’re looking for the most popular things to do in San Diego, then look no further than visiting the San Diego Zoo! This world-famous zoo is a popular San Diego attraction for visitors and locals alike, and is a fun place to visit if you are interested in seeing hundreds of different species or are curious about the Zoo’s conservancy efforts at home and across the globe.

During a visit to the San Diego Zoo, you can easily spend the whole day exploring and discovering the amazing diversity of the animal world. Whether you are interested in elephants, giraffes, and lions or more unusual creatures, you are sure to be amazed at the variety of incredible animals to see here. (Seeing the polar bears is one of my favorite things here!)

If you plan to spend the whole day at the Zoo, it’s best and cheapest to buy individual zoo tickets. However, if you are pressed for time and only visiting for part of the day and then want to visit other San Diego attractions, then you will find buying a Go San Diego Card to be a far more cost-effective option. This card offers admission to 35+ popular places in San Diego for one price, so if you are visiting with limited time like only one day in San Diego then this is definitely a good choice for you.

But whether you spend the whole day or only part of the day at the San Diego Zoo, you will soon discover what makes this such a popular place to visit. Both children and adults alike will love seeing all the incredible animals here at the park!

9. Go to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

While the San Diego Zoo is the more popular choice for visitors to San Diego because it is located in downtown, locals know that the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (40 minutes from downtown San Diego) is another excellent choice of zoo-like attraction…and may be even more fun with its safari-like setup!

The Safari Park (formerly known as the Wild Animal Park) is run by the same organization as the San Diego Zoo and has many of the same animals as the Zoo, but the point where it differs the most is in its open-space setup rather than having each animal in its own enclosure.

As the “Safari” part of its name indicates, this park is far more like going on an actual safari because many of the animals (the ones that can safely be together) are allowed into the same large environment. Visitors can take a tram ride safari to see these animals as they roam the hills, although you never know what animals you may see as some might be hiding if they feel like it!

There are also some more traditional-style enclosures/areas that you can walk to, although in general the enclosures are all larger than typical zoo enclosures would be. You’ll also discover some cool shows on offer, including the Cheetah Run where you can see a live demonstration of just how fast a Cheetah can go!

If you like, you can also take some more up close and personal safaris during your visit, although these will cost extra to participate in and tend to be quite expensive. But on the whole the Safari Park is a fun place to visit and is great for kids (or adults) who may be interested in seeing animals and learning more about wildlife conservation efforts. Grab your Safari Park tickets ahead of time to skip the lines and start exploring all that this fun place has to offer!

Want to visit both the Zoo and Safari Park? Buy a combined 2-day parks ticket!

10. Explore Birch Aquarium

Another fun idea of what to do in San Diego is visiting the Birch Aquarium. This aquarium is the outreach center for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and offers over 60+ habitats to explore as well as insight into the cutting-edge research of the Scripps Institution.

Birch Aquarium’s mission is to help people understand and protect the ocean side of our planet, so if you’re looking for an incredible experience with a side of education and science then this is the place to go! Admission to the aquarium is included with the Go San Diego Card, and if you find you want to experience more of San Diego with the experts from the aquarium there is also a guided whale watching tour you can take with them.

While you’re at the aquarium, you’ll enjoy exploring interactive exhibits and discovering all sorts of amazing creatures (many of them rescued) including Leopard Sharks and a Loggerhead Sea Turtle. You’ll also see other animals native to Southern California, including the Garibaldi (our state fish) and a Giant Black Sea Bass.

Beyond these attractions and the colorful reef fish you’ll see, you can also enjoy seeing the anemones, sea cucumbers, and sea stars at the living tide pools. There’s also a pretty spectacular Giant Pacific Octopus that you won’t want to miss!

And if you’re looking for even more unusual things to do in San Diego, consider joining up with one of the behind-the-scenes tours at the aquarium to discover how scientists here are breeding and caring for seahorses. You’d be hard pressed to find something like this anywhere else!

With insight into the conservation efforts of the Scripps Institution as well as plenty of colorful and fascinating sea creatures to discover, a visit to the Birch Aquarium is one of the most unforgettable things to do in San Diego! You’ll have a fantastic time seeing all there is to explore.

11. Take a Hornblower Cruise of the San Diego Bay

While you’re in San Diego, you’ll want to experience the best that the city has to offer. And to do this, you should definitely go on a Hornblower cruise of the San Diego Bay!

Hornblower Cruises are a classic San Diego cruise experience, so if you have the time and inclination this is a fun way to see part of San Diego by boat! If you’re looking for romantic things to do in San Diego, then this is a perfect choice…but it’s also fun for families and friend groups and even to do solo while you’re here.

There are plenty of options for cruises to take, whether you simply want to experience the sightseeing or if you want more of a luxurious experience. Some of the most popular options include going on a champagne brunch cruise or the Sights and Sips Sunset Cruise. But whichever cruise option you choose, this will be one of the best ways to experience San Diego and will be a great memory for years to come!

12. Play the 25th Street Musical Bridge

If you’re looking for the more unique things to do in San Diego, then you simply must stop by the 25th Street Musical Bridge. This bridge, also known as the Crab Carillon Musical Bridge, is exactly what it sounds like—musical!

The 25th Street Musical Bridge was created by artist Roman de Salvo, who had the idea to create a bridge that plays a tune when you hit the rails of the bridge in order. So now this bridge plays the tune “Crab Carillon,” which was written for this art installation by an SDSU music instructor.

The bridge plays the same tune no matter which direction you walk in, so all you have to do is show up (with something to hit the rails) and then hit each one as you walk across the bridge. Although it won’t be a tune you recognize, it is still clearly musical and who can argue with the fun of hitting the railings?

This public art installation is a fun and quirky San Diego attraction, so when you’re in the area it is certainly worth checking out. I guarantee it will leave you with a smile on your face!

13. Eat at Phil’s BBQ

Of all the best things to do in San Diego, some of the best of the best include food. San Diego has a thriving restaurant scene with a great diversity of foods to try from around the world, but when you’re wondering where to eat in San Diego you might want to try a classic—Phil’s BBQ!

Phil’s BBQ is pretty much a landmark in San Diego, and since the food is absolutely delicious this is clearly a well-earned description. This BBQ restaurant also nearly always has lines wrapping around the building during lunch or dinner hours, so you’ll need to be prepared for a bit of a wait. But the wait will be worth it!

Everything here is delicious, but a few of my favorite options include the Baby Back Ribs and the El Toro Sandwich. But no matter what you order, you will definitely leave feeling happy and full and most certainly ready to come back and eat at Phil’s again whenever the opportunity arises!

14. Wander through Seaport Village

There are lots of neighborhoods and areas to see in San Diego, but if you’re looking for shopping and dining then you will likely want to at least stop by Seaport Village. This shopping complex is about as cute as places come, and is the perfect place to take a stroll and explore!

When you’re looking for aesthetic shopping or dining experiences, Seaport Village is definitely the place to go as it sits right on the waterfront and boasts over 50 shops, some cool galleries, plus around 13 eateries to enjoy. There is also frequently live music here throughout the week, which definitely adds to the ambiance!

Whether you’re looking to shop or just to window shop (or even just to stroll somewhere pretty), then Seaport Village is the stop for you! With such a cute setting, this is also a popular place for photography of couples, families, etc. so it’s a great place if you’re looking for some new portraits as well! But however you choose to explore and whatever you choose to do, this is a great place to wander and enjoy the San Diego waterfront.

15. Visit Belmont Park

Another fun place to visit while looking for things to see in San Diego is Belmont Park. This beachside amusement park is perfect for those who like the combination of beach and fun rides like roller coasters…and let’s be honest, who wouldn’t like this combination?

While there are lots of rides to choose from here, one of the most famous rides is the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. This roller coaster is made out of wood and was first opened in 1925. And it still works today (with plenty of upkeep over the years, of course), so you can enjoy riding this fun and historical attraction while you are here!

Part of the fun of Belmont Park is that there’s no fee to enter, so you can wander through and see the rides and decide which ones you want to enjoy. Then you can purchase tickets individually or as part of a combo ticket (you’ll also find an all-access combo pass included with the Go San Diego Card).

Whether you ride a ton of rides or simply want to come and enjoy the scene, Belmont Park is one of the most fun San Diego tourist attractions and beloved by locals as well. So be sure to add this to your San Diego sightseeing list!

16. Explore Sunny Jim Sea Cave

When you’re wondering what to see in San Diego, lots of the most important things to do include something to do with the beach or the ocean. And so I would be remiss not to mention the Sunny Jim Sea Cave!

This sea cave is actually one of the many La Jolla caves, but unlike the others this one is only accessible by land. If you’ve already been kayaking here in La Jolla then you may have already seen some of the other caves, but this is still a fun and slightly kitschy stop to enjoy!

To access Sunny Jim Sea Cave, you should go to The Cave Store where you’ll pay to enter ($5 for adults). Then you make your way through a tunnel that’s 100+ years old and down for some nice views through the cave’s opening out onto the ocean.

There’s not much more to this activity than the descent to the cave, but it is a fun experience and quite popular as something you should try at least once in your life. And the view through the cave opening plus the fun of experiencing this old tunnel into the cave definitely makes it worth visiting!

17. See a Baseball Game at Petco Park

For sports lovers, there are few San Diego points of interest more salient than Petco Park. And particularly if you love baseball, then this is the place to go!

Petco Park is San Diego’s resident baseball park and the home of the San Diego Padres. It’s a pretty amazing ballpark, so it’s worth a look while you’re here. In fact, some people even call it “architecturally magnificent” and “the world’s best ballpark in America’s finest city.” These may be slight exaggerations (or maybe I’m just blind, not being a particularly avid baseball fan…), but it is a pretty impressive stadium and a great place to watch a game while you’re here!

18. See the Seals at the Children’s Pool

One of my favorite things to do in San Diego is see the seals at the Children’s Pool in La Jolla. There are actually many places to see seals and sea lions in San Diego, but this is one of the most popular and is the perfect place to go!

The Children’s Pool in La Jolla is a small pool area cordoned off from the rest of the ocean by a concrete breakwater. This seawall was originally constructed to allow children to swim and play in the shallow water here without fear of being swept out to sea, but it wasn’t long before the seals realized the gem that the humans of San Diego had created and decided to take it for themselves.

Today, the seals love laying all around the Children’s Pool and using the shallow and safe waters as the perfect place to birth their pups. And today people also love to visit here to watch the seals sunning themselves and playing in the water!

If you want to see the newborn baby seals, then visiting here between December and May is the perfect time to come. This is a fun San Diego attraction for people of all ages, so be sure to visit and be sure to walk out on the seawall as well to get the best views of the seals!

19. Visit Balboa Park

Balboa Park is one of the top San Diego attractions, so a visit here should definitely be on any San Diego visitor or San Diego native’s list of things to see!

Considered an urban cultural park, Balboa offers over 1,200 acres to explore with beautiful open spaces plus some fun things to do including visiting the museums and gardens on the premises. Some of the museums and gardens are included on this list of the best things to do in San Diego, but there are plenty to choose from so you might like to take a look at the complete list of things to do in Balboa.

Balboa is also, in fact, located adjacent to the San Diego Zoo…so trips to the Zoo and Balboa are easy to combine, especially if you are limited on time in the city. With so many cool things to see at Balboa and the surrounding area, you’ll have plenty of things to do to fill up a full day of exploring both indoors and outdoors here!

20. Ice Skate at the Beach in the Winter

Some of the best things to do in San Diego only happen at certain times of the year, and the Skating by the Sea event is definitely one of them! If you love ice skating and you love the beach, then this is an activity you won’t want to miss.

Skating by the Sea is an event put on by the Hotel del Coronado every year, usually from the end of November to early January. The Hotel Del sets up a fun ice rink on the beachfront in front of the hotel, and you can enjoy this activity or chill around the rink’s lounge with fire pits and snacks.

Some of the proceeds from this event also benefit Make-A-Wish San Diego, which adds just one more reason to enjoy this Christmastime event. This is a favorite San Diego Christmas tradition and one of the best things to do in San Diego in December, so go ahead and add it to your calendar now. After all, who hasn’t dreamed of going ice skating with a spectacular view of the ocean?

21. Go Surfing at La Jolla Shores

What’s more “California” or more “San Diego” than surfing? That’s a rhetorical question, as there really isn’t much at all that tops surfing in San Diego!

If you’ve ever wanted to try surfing, now is the time to do it! You can rent a surfboard to go out on your own, or if you want to learn or refresh your skills you can take surf lessons at La Jolla Shores. This is a great way to get tips and advice from expert surfers on everything from beginning techniques to surf etiquette!

Anyone 12+ can participate in these surf lessons, while if you have kids under 12 who would like to try they are welcome at these surf lessons. This is a fun way to get into the San Diego lifestyle and participate in this fun (but somewhat challenging) activity. You will certainly make memories to last a lifetime!

22. Try Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream

Looking for desserts to try in San Diego? Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream deserves a spot on any list of things to do in San Diego, especially for those with a sweet tooth.

Hammond’s is a popular ice cream shop with three locations in San Diego: Pacific Beach, North Park, and Point Loma. They’ve long been drawing the loyalty of locals and visitors alike and have been winning many best restaurant and best of San Diego awards across the eyars.

However, it’s not just the ice cream that draws people here in droves. It’s also the way they serve their ice cream! While you can get normal sized ice cream offerings here, they are also home to the original ice cream flights. These ice cream flights (think beer flights, but tastier) allow you to try a lot of different flavors in small cones. You can get flights in sets of 6 or in one gargantuan flight of 32. But if you do this (especially the 32 option) make sure you bring a friend or two to help you eat all the ice cream!

With such a fun presentation of their cones as well as delicious ice cream, it’s no wonder that Hammond’s is so popular here in San Diego. So be sure to pop in and try some of their hundreds of flavors—you won’t regret it!

23. Ride the Coronado Ferry

While exploring Coronado and the Hotel Del is fun, half the fun is also how you get there! You can reach Coronado by car, but it’s even more fun to take a ferry ride over to the island instead. After all, this is San Diego so you’ve got to be on the water as much as you possibly can!

Taking the ferry allows you to enjoy the scenic 15-minute ride across the bay, but this is also a fun activity because you’ll be riding on the oldest working wood ferry in the United States!

There are two ferry routes, one that departs from Broadway Pier on the hour and the other departing from the Convention Center each half hour. You can purchase tickets at either departure location, or if you prefer you can go on a combined ferry ride with a tour of Coronado.

While Coronado has plenty of fun things to do once you reach it, in this case it really is all about the journey. If you want to experience a slice of history on the oldest working wood ferry in the US while seeing delightful views of the bay, then this is an activity not to miss while in San Diego!

24. Visit SeaWorld San Diego

Like the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego is another popular attraction in San Diego that many visitors and locals enjoy. If you are interested in all sorts of marine creatures, then this is a fun place to go!

With dolphins, otters, and other cuddly creatures plus an incredible shark exhibition and touch pools for stingrays and smaller sea creatures, there is plenty to enjoy on your day trip to SeaWorld. There are also some adorable penguins, which are one of my favorite things to see while here.

SeaWorld also offers some education shows as well as training sessions that the public can watch to see how humans, dolphins, and other creatures interact. Sometimes the animals don’t want to perform so the trainers let them sit it out, but usually (the dolphins especially) are eager to chatter away and do their tricks. While you’re here, it’s also fun to visit the animals during feeding times to see them up close!

You can purchase one day admission to SeaWorld or if you’re getting a 3+ day Go San Diego Card then admission is included. However you decide to visit, your time here will be both educational and exciting!

25. Go to San Diego Farmers’ Markets

One of the benefits to living in San Diego is all the fresh locally-grown produce, so locals and visitors alike will enjoy visiting some of the best Farmers’ Markets around the city to buy fresh produce or discover local wares.

There are Farmers’ Markets all over San Diego, but if you’re looking for some of the best or most famous then consider stopping by the Little Italy Mercato on Wednesdays or Saturdays, the Hillcrest Farmers’ Market on Sundays, or the La Jolla Farmers’ Market on Sundays.

While you’re enjoying the market, be sure to browse all the delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade items like jams and preserves, plus all the incredible food from local restaurants. Often, you’ll find free samples being handed out…so go ahead and give it a try and you just might find your next favorite food! And whichever market you visit, you are sure to enjoy your time and discover more of what makes San Diego such an amazing place to live and explore.

26. Cross the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge

When you’re looking for tranquil places or romantic things to do in San Diego, one spot you won’t want to miss is the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge.

This bridge is a hidden footbridge that was built over 100 years ago in 1912, and it offers gorgeous views of the valley below. It’s a tiny bit scary to walk across (especially if the wind is causing it to swing) but it is worth it for the serene and romantic setting!

While I wouldn’t suggest you go far out of your way to see the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, it’s not far from Balboa Park so can easily be combined with other sightseeing options. If you’re looking for a hidden gem in San Diego, then this is a good place to choose to add to your San Diego itinerary!

27. Hike at Torrey Pines State Reserve

If you love hiking, then going hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve is one of the best things to do in San Diego! This beautiful stretch of the coast at the 2,000 acre reserve offers several enjoyable hikes with views of the ocean to enjoy.

Before you visit, check out some of the best trails in the park to discover which places you want to hike. Nearly all the hikes provide amazing scenic vistas over the cliffs, but my personal favorite, the Beach Trail, also takes you down to end your hike on the beach below.

While you’re here you might also enjoy exploring the Torrey Pines State Beach below the reserve, but whether you hike or enjoy the day at the beach as well this is a delightful place to explore some of the best outdoor scenery San Diego has to offer!

28. Eat Lunch or Dinner at C Level

San Diego offers a lot of lovely waterfront dining options, but one of my favorites is C Level/Island Prime. You can dine in style here while savoring the gorgeous views over the water and of San Diego!

Although C Level is quite expensive, this is one of the best dining opportunities in San Diego with classic ocean views, so I highly recommend it! The food is also delicious no matter what you choose, although one of my favorites is their Lobster & Fontina BLT Sandwich. It’s simply to die for!

29. Visit the Chicano Park Murals

If you love murals and public artwork, then you will definitely need to visit the Chicano Park Murals while you’re in San Diego. This is one of the coolest things to do in San Diego, and the vibrant and stunning murals you’ll see here will amaze you!

Chicano Park is in Barrio Logan, beneath the San Diego to Coronado Bridge. There are tons of murals here so you can easily spend a lot of time marveling at each one, and in fact this is the largest collection of outdoor murals in the country! So if you have time on your visit to San Diego, this is definitely a sight worth seeing.

30. Watch the Big Bay Boom on July 4th

One of the best parts about visiting San Diego for holidays throughout the year is all the exciting events that happen. And one of the best things to do in July in San Diego is definitely to attend the annual July 4th fireworks show!

This Independence Day fireworks show is called Big Bay Boom and is actually Southern California’s largest fireworks show. What makes it even more cool, however, is that the fireworks are launched from four barges out on the San Diego Bay. This means you can see multiple fireworks shows going off at one time, while each barge’s fireworks complement the others’ fireworks as well.

There are tons of places to go to watch this spectacular, including Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Coronado, the Embarcardero, and even watching from a boat on the water! But no matter where you choose to watch from, show up early to get the best seats. This is definitely an amazing sight to watch and the perfect way to get into the spirit of July 4th!

31. Go on a Grunion Run

Of all the activities in this city, one of the most unusual things to do in San Diego is definitely going on a Grunion run. This is about as “local” San Diego as it gets, and in fact this is also an activity that many locals aren’t aware of…but it’s a pretty spectacular sight nonetheless!

So what is a Grunion run? When I tell people about Grunion runs, they usually think I’m pulling their leg. But I’m not. This San Diego tradition involves going out on the beach in the middle of the night during the season when certain small fish (named Grunion) come up on the beach.

The Grunion season typically runs from March through September, although the summer months tend to have the highest quantities of fish while the other months may have fewer. Runs happen after full or new moons, so if you’re interested in seeing this phenomenon for yourself you can check out this Grunion schedule to see what dates they may show up.

If you’re lucky, you’ll visit on a good day (it’s usually best on the second or third consecutive days of a run) and will find the beach filled with shiny, silvery fish as they shimmer in the moonlight. If you’re unlucky, you may see none at all or just one or two. You just never know, and that’s part of the fun!

If you have a California fishing license, then you can try to catch and then cook and eat the Grunion (note: those under 16 do not need a license for catching Grunion). But according to California law, you can only take what you can catch by using your bare hands (no fishing gear allowed). Be sure to only take the fish you can use as well, as it is both unlawful and unethical to let the fish go to waste by taking more fish than you need.

On the whole, this experience is an exciting adventure and a very local thing to enjoy. If you’ve never seen a Grunion run before, then there’s no time like the present to start planning to experience this extraordinary phenomenon!

32. Snorkel at La Jolla Cove

If you’re looking for the best water activities in San Diego, then going snorkeling at La Jolla Cove should be at the top of your list! This is one of the best places for both snorkeling and kayaking, and this is the perfect activity for anyone interested in the marine life of San Diego.

On a snorkeling tour of La Jolla, you’ll get to experience seeing some cool underwater rock formations plus plenty of marine and plant life (including sea lions, Garibaldi, and sea stars!). This area of the coast is teeming with all sorts of amazing things to discover in both the La Jolla Caves and in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve!

You won’t find a better place to go snorkeling in San Diego, but if you’re interested in both kayaking and snorkeling then you can take a combined tour of the La Jolla Caves to experience the best of both worlds. No matter what marine life you end up seeing on your tour, this experience easily exceeds all expectations!

33. Hear a Concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion

Music lovers and history lovers alike will find that visiting the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is one of the most interesting things to do in San Diego. This organ stands in the middle of Balboa Park, and is a beautiful pavilion as well as a fun place to go for concerts!

What makes this organ so unique is that it has 5,017 pipes in 80 ranks…making it the largest outdoor organ in the world! Plus, this organ has been delighting listeners since December 31, 1914 when it was first unveiled by Woodrow Wilson as he touched a telegraph key on his presidential desk…which lit the Pavilion’s 1,644 bulbs and set off fireworks. Not a bad way to start off this organ’s 100+ year career!

If you time your visit right, you can still hear masterworks played on this organ today. The Spreckels Organ Pavilion hosts organ concerts every Sunday at 2pm, plus often on Monday nights during the summer. Be sure to check the calendar of events to make sure a concert is happening when you want to go.

And thanks to the John and Adolph Spreckels’ insistence when gifting the organ, the music here is a gift to the people of the world so concerts are always free. So there’s really no reason not to stop by and hear this beautiful history-making organ played in concert while you’re in San Diego!

34. Visit the San Diego Air & Space Museum

Of all the interesting things to do in San Diego, there are a lot of museums that are worth a look if you are interested in specific topics. One of these that you might want to check out is the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

As the name implies, this museum is focused on aviation history and space exploration with a heavy dose of science as well. The museum’s collections include historic aircraft and spacecraft from across the world, including the actual Apollo 9 Command Module and the only real GPS satellite to be on display anywhere in the world. There are also plenty of other interesting artifacts to see as well, including some objects relating to the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart, Neil Armstrong, and more!

With plenty of exciting things to see including some hands-on exhibits, a trip to the San Diego Air & Space Museum is a fascinating way to explore more about aviation history. If you’re interested in this topic, then this San Diego museum is a place you won’t want to miss!

Local tip: San Diego residents can visit Balboa museums for free on certain Tuesdays of the month!

35. Watch Sunset at Sunset Cliffs

San Diego sunsets are some of the best in the world, so you definitely need to see at least one while you are here. There are plenty of exciting things to do in San Diego, but very few can top the beauty of experiencing the sun set over the ocean.

With so many beautiful outdoor spaces around the city, you are spoiled for choice on where to watch the sun go down. But one of my favorite places for sunset in San Diego is at Sunset Cliffs.

As the name itself implies, this is the perfect place to go as the evening draws near. I recommend strolling along the top of the cliffs and watching as the ocean and the cliffs themselves start to glow orange with the setting sun. Locals often bring a picnic or enjoy doing yoga here, while beach-goers enjoy the sand and waves below.

There’s no real right or wrong way to enjoy the sunset here at Sunset Cliffs, so show up and explore or simply find a place to sit and relax and enjoy such a gorgeous sight!

36. Watch a Horse Race at the Del Mar Racetrack

If you’re interested in horses and horse racing, then your San Diego things to do list should certainly include the Del Mar Racetrack. This racetrack first opened in 1937, and has been used on and off ever since…most recently being remodeled and consistently used since the early 1990s.

This thoroughbred racing track is an exciting place to go watch matches (including some major meets), and it also offers stadium seating and track-side dining options as well. But the history of this track is almost more fun than the actual horse racing, and will certainly make you want to visit!

The Del Mar Racetrack is known for its slogan “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” and Bing Crosby was a part owner in the founding days of this racetrack. You can hear a recording of his song of the same name as the slogan here, which he used to promote the racetrack.

Another notable event took place on August 12th, 1938 when the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club hosted a winner-take-all match between Charles S. Howard’s famous horse Seabiscuit and a colt named Ligaroti. This was the first nationwide radio broadcast of a Thoroughbred race as well, and Seabiscuit won by a nose!

Whether you’re interested in seeing this historical site for yourself or simply want to watch a race, visiting the Del Mar Racetrack is a fun activity for all ages. You can check out upcoming races and purchase tickets here for your time in San Diego!

37. See the “Fallen Star” at UCSD

There are plenty of interesting art installations across San Diego, but if you’re looking for some of the more unique San Diego sights then you should add the “Fallen Star” to your list of things to see.

This art installation is on the campus of the University of California San Diego, and is an interesting sight to see! It’s a small house attached to the top of Jacobs Hall that looks like it’s been dropped from the sky and landed at an angle on the roof.

“Fallen Star” was created by artist Do Ho Suh, and this artwork explores the ideas of home and cultural displacement. In order to fully appreciate this work, you should be sure to visit it on a Tuesday or Thursday from 11am-2pm when it is open for public viewing. And yes, this means you can go to the top of Jacobs Hall and actually explore inside the fully-furnished interior when you visit!

It’s a little bit disorienting to see from the ground and even more when you enter inside and find the floor at a different angle than the rest of the house, but it is still a super cool art installation and a fascinating place to visit. And you can rest assured that the house does conform to California earthquake codes, so you’ll be perfectly safe inside (even if it doesn’t feel like it!).

You can discover more about this artwork and the meaning behind it here, and be sure to visit and go inside to explore while you’re here! It’s an unusual thing to do in San Diego, but is cool and impressive to see in person.

38. Wander Through the Japanese Friendship Garden

Looking for more sights to see in Balboa Park? Visiting the Japanese Friendship Garden is a great idea, as this is a beautiful Japanese-style garden and one of the best things to see in San Diego.

This garden is an expression of friendship between San Diego and our sister city of Yokohama in Japan. With this garden, the Japanese Friendship Garden Society of San Diego strove to create a traditional Japanese garden space in order to engage, inspire, and educate people from all backgrounds about the culture and legacy of the Japanese people.

While the climates of Yokohama and San Diego differ and not all the plants grown in the garden are of Japanese origin, this garden does utilize centuries-old Japanese techniques for gardening and adapts them to San Diego’s climate. On the whole, this creates a space filled with serenity and simplicity where you can simply wander and enjoy your time in this beautiful garden!

Some of the features you’ll see here include koi ponds, sukiya-style buildings, and stone arrangements. There is also a cherry tree grove consisting of 200 cherry trees, which is beautiful to see in the spring when they are blooming!

It does cost a small fee to enter the Japanese Friendship Garden (except for San Diego residents on the 3rd Tuesday of every month), but you’ll also find it included on the attractions of the Go San Diego Card. Regardless of the cost, if you’re looking for a relaxing place in the heart of San Diego then this is definitely the place to go to experience some serenity and enjoy the beautiful Japanese garden setting!

39. Hike Mount Soledad

If you’re curious about more places to hike, see the sunset, or simply see amazing views over the city, then hiking Mount Soledad is another thing you should add to your San Diego activities list.

Mount Soledad is a prominent landmark in San Diego, known for its huge white cross at the center of the park and for the war memorial at the foot of the cross that honors Korean War veterans.

However, it is also most well known for its sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean and downtown, and you’d be hard pressed to find a better place for views like these! Whether you’re here in the middle of the day or to watch the sunset, you won’t be disappointed!

40. Go Paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport

Curious about adrenaline-inducing activities in San Diego? Look no further than the Torrey Pines Gliderport! This is a simply gorgeous location for paragliding or hang gliding, with the beautiful cliffs and ocean below.

The history of this site is nearly as fascinating as the paragliding is exciting—it boasts over 100 years of flying history and is one of the most historic aviation sites in North America. One of the important moments that happened here includes Charles Lindbergh establishing the first gliding distance record along the cliffs of Torrey Pines!

But whether you’re interested in flight lessons and certifications, tandem flights, or more, this is the perfect place to go paragliding, hang gliding, or flying remote control models or gliders. And whether you’re already a flight enthusiast or just looking to start, this is an excellent place to visit!

And even if you (like me) are not super into adrenaline rushes like flying here would give you, the Torrey Pines Gliderport is still an interesting place to visit and watch as others swoop through the sky and float along the cliffs. There’s nothing quite like seeing such a sight!

41. See the La Jolla Murals

Another fun public art project to see are the murals of La Jolla, which you’ll find (unsurprisingly) in La Jolla. These are fun and vibrant murals that change occasionally, so even if you’ve been before then you might find something new when you go again!

This project started in 2010 and is overseen by the Athenaeum in La Jolla, with a committee commissioning different artists to create the murals…and each work stays up for at least 2 years. This is a fun project, and you get the bonus of exploring La Jolla while you’re on the hunt for the murals as well!

If you’re interested in looking for the La Jolla Murals, then you can grab a map and go on your own if you like. Alternatively, you could join up with a free tour of the murals that leaves from the Athenaeum at 5:30 pm on the last Wednesday of every month. Be sure to call the Athenaeum at 858-454-5872 if you wish to join so you have your reservation in place!

42. Visit the San Diego County Fair in Summer

For those who love fairs and fairgrounds, going to the San Diego County Fair during the summer is a must-do! The San Diego County Fair is an epic month-long affair that locals love and visitors enjoy as well.

This fair has a different theme every year (2020’s theme is superheroes), but you’ll also find all sorts of typical fair things to enjoy. This includes animal showings, all sorts of contests to enter, some super exciting concerts, plenty of fairground rides, and of course lots of delicious food and drinks to enjoy!

Kids and adults alike will enjoy a visit to the San Diego County Fair, so if you’re here during the summer this is one thing to do in San Diego that you won’t want to miss!

43. See a Show at the Old Globe Theatre

While San Diego has tons of beaches, outdoor hikes, and even exciting things to do in the city, it also has a thriving arts and culture scene that you’d be remiss not to explore. So one of the things you should definitely do in San Diego is watch a play at the Old Globe Theatre!

This is one of the best theaters and theater troupes in San Diego, and is actually a complex of different theaters all located together in Balboa Park. The main building of the Old Globe Theatre is modeled after Shakespeare’s Globe in London, while there is also an outdoor theater and a 250-seat in-the-round theater here as well.

The Globe puts on around 15 productions throughout the year, ranging from Shakespeare plays to classic musicals to modern shows. There is also an iconic summer Shakespeare Festival that first started in 1949 and continues to happen every year, so if you’re around for this then be sure to get your tickets early!

But no matter what type of show you see, experiencing a play here at the Old Globe is an exciting activity in a wonderful location. Be sure to check out current and upcoming events to see what shows you might like to attend!

44. Go to December Nights in December

If you’re in San Diego during the holidays, then you’re in luck as there are so many fun things to do in San Diego in December! One of these things you’ll want to do is go to December Nights at Balboa Park.

December Nights is an annual holiday festival and is a lot of fun for both residents and visitors. Each year, over 350,000 attendees gather here to experience the magic of the season in this beautiful setting!

There’s delicious food, tons of concerts and entertainment, some fun shops to explore, as well as many museums opening their doors for free. In fact, the whole event is free to attend and fun for people of all ages! So if you’re looking for a cool event to experience while you’re here, this is a great time to gather with all the locals and enjoy the holiday spirit.

45. Get Ice Cream at Salt & Straw

Looking for a tasty treat? Getting ice cream at Salt & Straw is definitely one of the best things to do in San Diego! They’re ice cream is delicious and may just be my favorite ice cream ever.

While Salt & Straw originated in Portland, they’ve since opened up a few more stores along the west coast of the U.S. and San Diego’s Little Italy is lucky enough to be one of the places they’ve opened in. Part of what makes this ice cream shop so special is that they integrate with the communities wherever they open, frequently incorporating products from local artisans, farmers, and chefs into their ice cream menu.

This means that even though there are multiple locations, the ice cream you find in San Diego may be entirely different flavors from the ones in Portland…and the flavors change each month! But they also have a stable classic menu of ice cream that is beloved in each location, and I have to say that their sea salt ice cream with caramel ribbons from this menu may just be my all-time favorite to get here.

When you’re looking for ice cream in San Diego, this is definitely a great choice. Plus, you can grab your ice cream and stroll through Little Italy which is one of the cutest neighborhoods in San Diego. It’s a win-win!

46. Visit Presidio Park and the Junípero Serra Museum

Presidio Park is an interesting and beautiful place to visit while in San Diego, and the Junípero Serra Museum on the site is likewise a fascinating place to see. While this area was originally home to the Kumeyaay people, it is also a site of historical interest as the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast.

The Presidio was a historic fort built on this site in 1769 and this land was also the site of the first California mission, although the mission soon moved a short distance away in 1773. With this fort and mission as the first permanent settlement on the West Coast, it soon became the base of operations for the Spanish colonization of California.

Although there are no historical structures remaining from this time in the Park today, you can spend some time visiting the Junípero Serra Museum (built in the Mission style in 1925 and often inaccurately referred to as “The Presidio”). This museum features information about San Diego’s founding as well as displaying archaeological finds and historic objects from this site. There are also some interesting educational materials and programs about the indigenous, Spanish, and Mexican heritage here in San Diego.

So if you’re interested in the history of the various people groups of San Diego across the ages, this is a fascinating place to visit and learn more. As a beautiful park and grounds, however, it is also a lovely place to visit and explore!

47. Go to San Diego Comic Con in July

Another seasonal thing to do in San Diego is go to San Diego Comic Con in July. This is an iconic San Diego event (and iconic internationally as well) so if you want to go you need to purchase your tickets really far in advance or you’ll be paying a lot to purchase a resell ticket.

SDCC is the perfect annual event for those who love comic books as well as films and science fiction or fantasy literature. Here you’ll discover a giant exhibit hall, an extraordinarily large programming schedule, hands-on workshops and programming, film screenings, the Will Eisner Comic Industry awards, plus a costume competition with prizes and trophies. There’s also an art show, autograph area, special guests…and, well, you name it and it’s probably there!

If you’re into comics, films, etc. then this is an activity not to miss in San Diego. And even if you don’t wish to pay to attend or weren’t able to get a ticket, you can still dress up and join all the crowds of people in downtown San Diego. It’s such a fun time to be in the city!

48. Explore the San Diego Botanic Garden

For those interested in plants and gardens, visiting the San Diego Botanic Garden is a treat. This garden was officially opened to the public in 1970 (originally called the Quail Botanical Gardens) and has been a delightful place to go ever since!

With 37 acres to explore, this botanic garden offers a variety of landscapes include bamboo groves, desert gardens, California native plants, Mediterranean landscapes, fruit gardens, and more. The scenic trails through the gardens are gun to explore as you discover all 29 of the themed gardens here.

In fact, the San Diego Botanic Garden was even called one of the “Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Traveling For” by the American Gardens Association. So when you are near North County San Diego then you should definitely make the time to stop by and see this incredible place!

49. See the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights in December

One of the best things to do in San Diego to celebrate Christmas is join in on some of our fun traditions—especially the tradition of holding a Christmas parade of boats! The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a fun activity for the whole family to see, and is something you should be sure to experience if you’re in San Diego in December.

This fun parade is put on by the San Diego boating community and has long been a holiday tradition in the area. In fact, it’s going on 48+ years now! Each year has a different main theme, but one thing you can be sure is that there will be dazzling lights and the event will certainly be entertaining.

More than 100,000 San Diego residents and tourists turn out to experience this event where 80+ decorated boats will parade down the bay. It’s free to attend, so all you have to do is show up and get a bayfront seat to experience it for yourself!

50. Get Dessert at Extraordinary Desserts

Dessert lovers will rejoice about this next essential thing to do in San Diego: visit Extraordinary Desserts! This dessert shop can be found in two locations, Little Italy and Banker’s Hill, and both places will certainly satisfy your sweet-tooth cravings.

Extraordinary Desserts is well-known and beloved throughout San Diego for their stunning and delicious gourmet desserts. From cakes, to cupcakes, to cookies and brownies, to tarts, pies, cobblers, and more, you’ll find any type of sweet you’re looking for here in both full and mini sizes (called Petit Desserts). Their Shangri-La Cake and their Dulce de Leche Cake are particular fan favorites, with the latter even being featured on Food Network’s show “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”

So obviously you can’t visit San Diego without taking the time to stop by this fantastic bakery! It’s been called showstopping for a reason, so no matter whether you’re looking for a dessert for an event or simply want a bite of something sweet then this is definitely one of the best things to do in San Diego.

51. Go to the Miramar Air Show in September

For aficionados of flight or of military planes, going to the Miramar Air Show is one of the things you should definitely do if you’re in San Diego in September. This air show is held annually at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and is a spectacular display of airplanes both flying and on the ground!

The Miramar Air Show is an impressive three-day event and is actually the largest military air show in the United States. Over 700,000 people attend every year! Of course, the Blue Angels are definitely the big highlight of the show, but you can see lots of other cool airplanes and shows while you’re here as well…making this a fascinating and exciting event to attend while in San Diego.

52. Explore the Haunted Whaley House

When visiting San Diego, you’ll definitely need to take some time to check out the place that Travel Channel’s America’s Most Haunted called the number one most haunted house in the U.S. This House, called the Whaley House, is located in Old Town San Diego and is open for the public to visit.

The Whaley House is an excellent example of 19th century Greek Revival architecture, and has plenty of reasons to visit besides its haunted status. This is a place of definite historical importance, as the site was used for various important purposes including as a granary, for the County Court House, as the first commercial theater, as a ballroom, a school, and even a polling place.

The Whaley House was also (obviously) the home of Thomas Whaley and his family, which is how this historic site got its name. It was designed by Whaley himself and was the first two-story brick building in San Diego. But as a site for hangings before the Whaley family built here, and with the shadow of Violet Whaley’s suicide hanging over the home, this site soon became known as a haunted house.

This supposedly haunted place has brought forward many stories about paranormal occurrences across the years, but regardless of whether it is haunted or not it is certainly worth a visit if only for its historical value. So while you’re in San Diego, be sure to stop by—and of course, keep your eyes open for ghosts!

53. Visit the San Diego Firehouse Museum in Little Italy

Wandering through Little Italy provides a host of interesting and fun things to do, but one that you should definitely seek out is a visit to the San Diego Firehouse Museum.

This cool museum is housed in Old Fire Station 6, which is over 100 years old and is the city’s oldest firehouse. The museum itself has been housed here since 1962, and features firefighting equipment and memorabilia that dates all the way back to the late 1800s.

Some of the items you’ll see on display include fire buckets, firefighting devices, alarms, and even vintage fire engines including La Jolla’s first fire engine and a horse-drawn steamer.

The San Diego Firehouse museum is open Thursdays and Fridays from 10am-2pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4pm, so if you have the time while exploring Little Italy then this is a delightful place to stop in and learn more about the history of firefighting in San Diego and beyond!

54. Shop at Fashion Valley Mall

One of the big draws of San Diego is all the incredible places to shop, but if you’re looking for one of the best places to go then you should definitely make time to go to the Fashion Valley Mall.

Fashion Valley is an upscale, open-air shopping mall that is about as luxurious as shopping experiences come. It is also, in fact, the largest mall in San Diego and one of the largest in California!

There are tons of luxury and designer brands who have set up shop here as well as huge (and amazing) versions of common mall stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Bloomingdale’s. A few other cool shops you’ll find here include a huge Apple store and a Tesla store where you can stop by to see new cars. There’s a whole list of amazing stores to explore, so take a look and then start planning your visit!

If you’re looking to actually buy clothes, purses, shoes, electronics, etc. then this is a great place to come. And if you’re just interested in window shopping, then there really is no better place to go than here. There are plenty of comfortable seating areas throughout the open air parts of the mall, and in the colder months they even have fireplaces set out to keep you warm. You’ll feel like you’ve entered a completely different world full of luxury, so this is a stop not to miss when in San Diego!

55. Climb the California Tower

Want to see the best views of San Diego? Then climbing the California Tower in Balboa Park just might be the place for you!

The California Tower is an iconic sight in San Diego that you can see from miles away. It’s part of the San Diego Museum of Man and was constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition (the same exposition that unveiled the Spreckels Organ to the world).

This tower is beautiful to see, with its intricate ornamentation, carvings, and colorful tile on the tower and the nearby domes. It was designed by Bertram Goodhue, who was inspired in the design by the Spanish-Colonial churches in Mexico. You can definitely understand his inspiration source when you see this gorgeous tower!

The tower itself is nearly 200 feet tall, and visitors can climb to the top on a 40-minute guided tour that also explains about the history of Balboa Park. At the top, you’ll find 360° views including everything from the Pacific Ocean to the mountains in the east and more!

Be sure to book your ticket in advance and show up 10-15 minutes early for your tour so you don’t miss it! This is a special opportunity to climb this iconic and historic tower, so it is something you will certainly enjoy while in San Diego.

56. Experience the Gaslamp Quarter Nightlife

For those who love the nightlife scene and being the life of the party, a trip to the Gaslamp Quarter will definitely be in order.

This is the perfect neighborhood for visiting high-energy clubs, going to bars, going dancing, and more. If you’re looking for a lively evening scene, then this is the perfect place to go for a night out.

If you’re looking for a slightly more subdued but still fun evening, I recommend visiting Little Italy for romantic evening settings or North Park for more hip experiences. But whether you’re looking for clubbing, bars, or romantic evening activities San Diego has it all!

57. Visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego

With San Diego’s culture and community so caught up in things to do with the ocean, it’s no surprise that there are a lot of ocean-related things to do in San Diego that you should see. And one of these is the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

This museum was established in 1948 and has a reputation worldwide for restoring, maintaining, and operating historic ships. In fact, it preserves one of the largest collections of historic sea vessels in the U.S.!

Some of the highlights of the Maritime Museum include seeing the world’s oldest active ship, the Star of India, as well as visiting the many fascinating exhibits currently on offer at the museum.

If you’re interested in the history of sailing and in seeing some pretty incredible ships, then this is definitely the place to go. You’ll find plenty to enjoy, experience, and learn during your time at this cool museum!

58. See the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá

Of all the historic sites in San Diego, the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá is perhaps one of the most significant and as such is a place you should definitely go. This mission was the first of the 21 California Missions, which makes this location often called the “birthplace of Christianity” on the U.S. west coast.

The San Diego mission was founded in 1769 a little ways away at the Presidio, but moved to its present-day location only a few years later. Today, a visit here allows you greater insight into more than two hundred years of California history, as well as insight into the Kumeyaay who occupied this land before the Spanish colonization efforts began.

You’ll also discover more about Father Junípero Serra who was entrusted with the mission of establishing the missions in California, and his work here at the San Diego mission in the early days and when he returned to oversee its moving to its new site in the early 1770s. There is a ton of history throughout the years to discover about this location, including its life as a mission and its life after it changed hands and the bricks were taken to build some of the ranchos in nearby areas.

However, in 1931 the history came full circle and architects worked to discover what the mission would have looked like in the early 1800s. They then worked to restore the mission into this form, and now it is once again an active Catholic church and a destination for visitors to explore.

With such a varied history and such importance to the history of California, a visit to the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá is a must while you’re in San Diego. You’ll leave with a much greater understanding of California’s history across the years, as well as leaving in awe of this beautiful building!

59. Explore the Liberty Public Market

While in San Diego, another spot you’ll enjoy visiting is the Liberty Public Market. This public market is a large hall with many different restaurants inside and is located at Liberty Station.

Liberty Station is a development area that used to be a Naval Training Center but now hosts fun shops, wonderful places to eat, and more. The Liberty Public Market is one of the best places to go inside, particularly if you’re looking for a lot of different food options near one another or for a place where different members of a friend group or family can get different types of food if they like.

This bustling market offers a lot of hip bars and eateries as well as some classic choices. And you can wander through it to choose any food your heart desires! There are often small seating areas located near the various restaurants, with some larger spaces indoors and outdoors for groups as well. If you visit, the ramen shop and the crepe shop are two of my favorite places to eat so I highly recommend these!

60. Visit the San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Those who love model trains (or models of any kind, or trains, or tiny things) will adore visiting the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, which is one of the cutest things to see in San Diego.

This model railroad museum is one of the world’s largest operating model railroad museums, with huge model layouts depicting various places in the US including Tehachapi Pass and parts of San Diego, Arizona, and more.

Whether you’re specifically fascinated by model trains and collecting or simple want to see some of the most fun sights in San Diego, a trip to this museum is a great idea. Especially since the model trains here still work and run along the tracks, this is one of the best stops for kids and adults alike!

61. See the Palomar Observatory

While there are lots of things to do in San Diego City, there are just as many incredible things to do in San Diego County as well. One of the things that is worth the journey from the city is going to Palomar Observatory on Palomar Mountain.

Palomar Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned by the California Institute of Technology. There are several telescopes in operation here, but the largest one–the Hale Telescope–is the reason to visit. This 200-inch telescope is huge and has been in operation since 1948. For around 45 years, it was even the largest telescope in the world!

When you visit the observatory today, you can explore the museum on site that tells about the history of Palomar Observatory as well as the biggest discoveries made here. But even better, you can also walk into the public areas of the Hale Telescope to see this enormous telescope for yourself and get a feel for what it would be like to work here and look at the stars every night.

If you love astronomy, looking at the night sky, or simply fantastic feats of engineering, then Palomar Observatory is a must-see sight in San Diego. Plus, it’s free to visit so there’s really no reason not to come here and get a greater understanding and appreciation for the night sky and all the work scientists do to learn more about it!

62. Eat Pie in Julian

One of the best things to do in San Diego County is visit Julian–a cute town known for its mining history and for its apple trees and pie. No visit to San Diego would be complete without stopping by this most essential of San Diego county towns!

While Julian originally had a huge mining influence and was known for its mines, today it is most well known for its apple trees and pies. People love to come apple picking here in the fall, but anytime of year is the perfect time to come and eat delicious pie. There are two main shops where you can get some great pie: Mom’s Pies and the Julian Pie Company.

Both of these offer delicious pies, and while apple is the staple I personally find I love their berry pies even more. So start planning your trip to Julian today to experience the best of this small town and eat all the pie you can!

63. See the Pumpkins at Bates Nut Farm in the Fall

Another San Diego tradition is to go pumpkin picking at Bates Nut Farm. This San Diego County farm is an iconic place to visit all year round, but you’ll find it especially festive and crowded during the fall.

Bates holds fall activities and plants a huge pumpkin patch each year, so local residents and visitors alike can come and choose a pumpkin or simply enjoy the fall atmosphere and take pictures with the biggest pumpkins on offer! This is the perfect place for a fall day out, whether you are visiting with kids, with friends, or on your own.

64. Hike to Potato Chip Rock

Interested in going on the most iconic hikes in San Diego? If so, then you need to add Potato Chip Rock to your list right now!

Potato Chip Rock is perhaps the most iconic hike in San Diego County. This hike takes anywhere from around 2-4 hours to hike, depending on which route you take, but it is worth it when you get to the top and see the famed Potato Chip Rock for yourself.

This rock is a natural attraction that has been drawing tourists and locals to its side for years, as it is a thin rock outcropping that looks nearly identical to a potato chip! While it looks like it might break at any moment, it is actually quite secure and has withstood lots of people standing and sitting on top of it for many years.

This hike is great if you want to experience some of the beauty of the outdoors in San Diego, but it’s also a perfect place to take silly pictures while on Potato Chip Rock itself. It’s a fascinating geologic formation to see up close and as such is clearly the perfect place to go hiking in San Diego!

65. Relax at the Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens

If you’re looking for tranquil and relaxing things to do in San Diego, then a visit to the Meditation Gardens in San Diego County’s Encinitas is a nice idea. These meditation gardens are owned by the Self-Realization Fellowship spiritual organization here, but you don’t have to be a part of their religion to visit and enjoy this serene spot.

Wandering the grounds here leads you to plenty of beautiful vistas (include overlooking the ocean) and you’ll also find some gorgeous plants, quiet places to sit, as well as some fun koi ponds with enormous koi in them.

While the gardens themselves are on the small side, this is a wonderful place to go if you enjoy quiet outdoor spots to reflect or read. You’ll be surprised by the level of peace and quiet here, as well as by the beauty of the gardens surrounding you!

66. Visit the California Wolf Center

When you want a more unusual thing to do in San Diego, then visiting the California Wolf Center is a great idea! This center is dedicated to caring for wolves and returning the wild wolves to their natural habitats, and it is open to the public to visit and tour!

If this sounds interesting to you, then you are welcome to visit and meet the ambassador wolves here at the center while you learn about this center’s efforts to return the recovering wolves into the wild. You do need to make reservations to visit and tour this facility, but it is a fascinating way to learn more about wolves and the work being done to ensure they can live in the wild and helping humans learn to behave responsibly with the wolves’ habitats.

There is also a gift shop on site if this interests you, but on the whole this is a unique thing to do in rural San Diego County that you would never expect! It’s a fun stop, and can be easily combined with a trip to Julian to eat pie, so this will be an unforgettable experience in San Diego.

67. Enjoy the Carlsbad Flower Fields in the Spring

The Carlsbad Flower Fields are one of the most popular San Diego destinations during the spring, both for locals and for tourists. And with good reason—when the fields are full of blooms, it truly is a sight to see!

The Carlsbad Flower Fields are usually open between March and May, although the middle of these months and April tend to be the best depending on how early and how long the ranunculus are in bloom. But there are fifty acres of flowers here, so you’ll see a sea of color when you arrive!

This is definitely one of the top sights to see in San Diego in the spring, so if you’re lucky enough to be nearby during these months then you should definitely head over to San Diego County’s Carlsbad to experience this incredible sight!

68. Explore Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Another breathtaking place to go hiking in San Diego is at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. This park is filled with incredible hikes and things to do, so it is definitely worth the driving time to get here.

Some of the most popular things to do in this park include hiking Stonewall Peak and hiking Cuyamaca Peak (San Diego County’s second highest point at 6,512 feet). Both of these mountain hikes offer stunning views and are simply all around gorgeous!

There is also an old mine in the park as well as a small mining museum where you can learn more about the mining operations in the area, and if you’re interested in camping there are some nice campsites here to enjoy.

So if you’re wondering about great places to go hiking and exploring, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Cuyamaca State Park. You’ll find plenty to occupy you for a whole day or even longer, with so many incredible hikes to discover as well!

69. See the Statues at Anza Borrego State Park

There is quite a variety of different landscapes in San Diego and San Diego County, and if you’re interested in desert places then going to Anza Borrego State Park could be an excellent thing to do!

This park is filled with hiking trails (including a really cool slot canyon that you can hike through if you’d like!) but there are also just some nice desert drives where you can enjoy epic views, and this is especially true when all the wildflowers are in bloom in the spring!

But one other unusual thing to see in San Diego are all the metal sculptures scattered throughout the desert here. There are tons of them, in shapes of dinosaurs, dragons, elephants, and so many more. These sculptures seem somehow both out of place and entirely like they belong, so if you’re interested in seeing them for yourself then you should go on a desert scavenger hunt to find them all.

This desert area is a fun place to visit, but with the sculptures it becomes an even more exciting adventure that you won’t want to miss!

70. Discover Rancho Guajome Adobe

Like the California missions, ranchos were an essential part of California’s history. So while you’re in San Diego, you should definitely stop by and visit some of the best. And one of the best to see is the Rancho Guajome Adobe!

This rancho is a 19th-century adobe hacienda and a well-preserved example of the Spanish-Mexican colonial style of architecture. It boasts 22 rooms with 7,000 square feet and has two courtyards, a chapel, and even an arcaded veranda.

Besides the beautiful architectural style, this adobe is surrounded by 112 acres of open space where you can spend the day exploring. Picnicking, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding are just a few of the activities you can enjoy while you’re here!

So whether you’re interested in the history of this adobe hacienda or simply looking for a nice place to spend the day outdoors, a trip to Rancho Guajome Adobe is the perfect way to spend a memorable day in San Diego!

71. Meet Camels at the Oasis Camel Dairy

Another unique thing to do in San Diego is go to the Oasis Camel Dairy and meet the camels they raise here. If you’ve never been to a camel dairy before, then this will definitely be an unforgettable activity!

The Oasis Camel Dairy is open to the public on their Open Farm Days or you can request a private tour, and while you’re here you’ll get to see mother camels raising their calves in the large, open pastures.

It is illegal in the United States to sell camel milk for drinking, so instead this camel dairy uses the milk to create soaps, lotions, bath bombs, lip treatments, and other skincare products…which you can, of course, buy in their shop. All the products in their Camel Milk Skin Care Line are created and produced right here on their family farm.

After visiting Oasis, you will definitely know more about this fascinating industry and also will definitely have fallen in love with these sweet camels. It’s also a fun place to get unique San Diego gifts for family and friends!

72. Hike in the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

If you’re looking for easy hiking spots in North County San Diego, then the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve is a good place to go. This 784-acre reserve offers around 11 miles of trails to explore, with plenty of beautiful California scenery to enjoy.

The Elfin Forest consists primarily of native plant communities, including oak riparian, oak woodland, chaparral, and coastal sage scrub. There is also a bubbling creek through part of the reserve that adds a charming touch to the trails you explore!

While this is a great place to go hiking, it’s also a beautiful picnic place or a great place to go horseback riding or mountain biking too. The scenic views are gorgeous, so no matter what you do here you will definitely enjoy your time outdoors!

73. Marvel at the Superbloom in the Spring

When California gets lots of rain, the spring blooms are simply spectacular. And when this happens, we call it a superbloom…and this is definitely one thing you simply have to see if you’re around when it’s happening!

Some of the best superblooms are poppies or wildflowers that grow across the hills or in the deserts. This usually happens between March-May and the most spectacular years see thousands and thousands of people descending on the fields to experience this natural phenomenon.

Those in San Diego should consider visiting the poppies at Lake Elsinore, or if you’re interested in desert wildflowers then Anza Borrego State Park is the perfect place to go. Regardless of your destination, be sure to be conscientious and kind to both your fellow flower-seekers and to the flowers themselves. Please don’t walk off the trails or trample the flowers as this ruins the flowers not only for the current year but also for years to come!

But wherever you go to see the flowers during a superbloom or even just in the spring, you are sure to be delighted by the vibrant colors. This really is San Diego nature at its best!

74. Explore Rancho Buena Vista Adobe

Another cool adobe you might want to visit is the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe in San Diego County’s city of Vista. This rancho was originally built in 1845 and is part of one of many local Mexican land grants from the 1840s.

This adobe has had 12 different owners across the years (including a connection to Hollywood movie stars and producers!), and throughout the years as undergone many changes. Today, you can visit the adobe in its most recent preserved form now that it is owned by the city of Vista.

If you wish to visit, Rancho Buena Vista Adobe offers tours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10am-1:30pm. Each tour lasts 45 minutes and will help you understand more about the history of this beautiful adobe. And whether you’re interested in the history or just want to see a beautiful place (in fact, it’s even a wedding venue!), then Rancho Buena Vista Adobe is the place to go!

75. Go to LEGOLAND California

The final attraction on our must-see San Diego list is LEGOLAND California. This amusement park is a super fun place to go for kids and for adults who love LEGOs as well, as the whole place is completely devoted to this iconic brick toy.

There are exciting rides (including some interactive ones) as well as LEGO sculptures throughout the park. One of my favorite things to see here is Miniland USA, which is a replica of many famous cities, buildings, bridges and more…all built out of LEGOs! You can see the Golden Gate Bridge, Las Vegas, and even Grand Central Station from New York here in Miniland and it is pretty spectacular.

On the whole, this is the perfect place to visit for those who love LEGO in all its forms. You will definitely be laughing and enjoying yourself all day, so if you loved playing with Legos as a kid, then this is definitely a place to go while you’re here…and if you have kids, it’s an even more essential stop during your time in San Diego! So grab your tickets and go today!

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