The 18 Best Things to Do in San Diego, From Art Museum Visits to Scenic Hikes
Some may scoff at its nickname—"America's Finest City"—but when it comes to things to do, San Diego offers more than just temperate weather year-round. Yes, as befitting any city in Southern California, there are pristine beaches; but there's also a vibrant arts scene; food and music that embrace the diversity of cultures here; and a rich military history that lend San Diego its distinct charm. As for that temperate weather—well, it means it's easy to get outside and enjoy some of the country's best hiking, biking, and surfing spots. Whatever has brought you to town, be sure to stop by the places on this list, a roster of the best things to do in San Diego.
Read our complete San Diego travel guide here.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Courtesy Lisa FieldactivityTorrey Pines State Natural Reserve
A short 30-minute drive outside of downtown San Diego, this 1,750-acre oceanfront reserve promises sweeping ocean views for hikers. (See our favorite San Diego area hikes, here.) The reserve is dedicated to preserving its namesake tree, the Torrey Pine, and surrounding wildlife, but travelers and locals come for the miles of trails through pine forests and sandstone canyons, and the 4.5-mile Torrey Pines State Beach. Torrey Pines is no hidden secret, but there's a reason crowds flock here. Plans to go are easy to make: The reserve is open 365 days a year, from sunrise to sunset, and all entering cars must pay an admission fee, which ranges from $10-$25 (or free with a California State Parks Vehicle Day Use Pass), depending on whether you park in the the North or South Beach parking lots. Keep in mind the visitors center is currently closed and guided hikes aren't offered at the moment.
Nicholas VeneziaactivityMuseum of Contemporary Art San Diego — Museum Review
$This local institution devoted to showcasing modern art is perched right across from the Pacific Ocean in the tony coastal community of La Jolla just outside San Diego, and recently reopened its doors after an extensive $105 million overhaul. This is the flagship location for the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (there is a second location downtown), and the building was originally designed by architect Irving Gill as a home for philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps–it was later converted into a museum in 1941. Today, MCASD has more than 4,000 pieces from renowned and emerging artists in its collection. If you’re pressed for time, be sure to check out what’s on display in the special exhibition gallery, as well as the paintings by Andy Warhol.
GettyactivitySan Diego Zoo
The world-renowned San Diego Zoo spans 100 acres and houses more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals. Plan to spend at least a half-day at the zoo to get the full experience, which includes shows and animal presentations. During the summer, Nighttime Zoo event series allows visitors to stay later into the evening. There are plenty of restaurants throughout the park where parents can recuperate with a much-needed afternoon beer.
GettyactivityTorrey Pines Golf Course
The iconic Torrey Pines Golf Course is known for its two 18-hole championship courses that sit on a cliff overlooking the Pacific. From the scenery and challenging greens to the prestige factor, this course is a bucket-list destination for avid golfers—Tiger Woods has clinched career-defining wins here, and the word is former President Obama has teed off here, too. Every January, it hosts the Farmers Insurance Open, one of the top events in the PGA Tour, and the U.S. Open was held here in 2021. There's diverse terrain, ocean views, and hang gliders usually floating around holes 12 and 13 on the south course.
GettyactivityBelmont Park
Amusement parks can be kitschy, indulgent, and a little cheesy—and at Belmont Park, we embrace it. The ocean-adjacent mini amusement park is hard to miss as you drive west on Mission Bay Drive, thanks to the towering Giant Dipper, a 2,600-foot-long roller coaster that soars above the park and offers ocean views. If you're ready for more, have a go on other classics like the Tilt-a-Whirl, zipline, or bumper cars. For lower-octane pursuits, there's also an arcade and carousel.
activityBalboa Park
Balboa Park is the cultural heart of San Diego, filled with world-class museums, restaurants, and beautiful greenery. The lush, 1,200-acre urban oasis is also home to nearly 30 museums and cultural centers, plus the world-famous San Diego Zoo. There are more than a dozen attractions in the park, each with its own events and special exhibitions.
activityLa Jolla Cove
Luxuriate in SoCal splendor in the upscale seaside village of La Jolla Cove, a quick 20-minute drive from downtown San Diego. Wind through Prospect Street to browse shops like the iconic Warwick’s, the nation's oldest family-run bookstore, or dine with an ocean view at high-end restaurants like seafood-centric George’s at the Cove. Walk along seaside Coast Boulevard for primo photo ops of the cliffs, stopping at the Children’s Pool to watch sunbathing seals camped on the rocks. Head to Peter Lik fine art gallery for awe-inspiring landscape photography. And, if you need to, recharge your battery at Ellen Browning Scripps Park, a grassy area ideal for picnics and watching the sunset. Fun fact: It's the most-photographed place in San Diego.
GettyshopLittle Italy
This quaint neighborhood is the place to go for charming Italian restaurants and bakeries, wine bars, and boutique shopping. The main thoroughfare along India Street is home to trusty favorite Italian spots like Barbusa, Buon Appetito, and Civico 1845, but the neighborhood has made room for several non-Italian restaurants in recent years, such as Ironside Fish & Oyster, Juniper & Ivy, and Queenstown Public House. There's also a popular farmers market on Saturdays. The nightlife scene in Little Italy draws people in their thirties and forties.
GettyactivityMission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá
There are 21 missions dotting the California coast, and San Diego lays claim to the first. Established in 1769, Mission San Diego de Alcalá is the physical representation of Christianity's birth on the West Coast. Even today, you can worship here—it's an active parish with Mass held daily—but even if you aren't a practicing Catholic, the mission is still a sight to behold, with white stucco walls, Spanish roof tiles, and grand archways. It stands on a hill overlooking Old Town with gorgeous views.
activityPetco Park
Petco Park is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening in San Diego, but the appeal doesn't stop at baseball. The stadium was named the best MLB ballpark to watch a game at by USA Today in 2022, and is among the few in the nation with a water view–it's a stone's throw from San Diego Bay. Hop heads will love the stellar local craft beer options: there are more than 40 different varieties poured at stalls and restaurants around the stadium. And with more than 50 dining options, Petco Park's culinary appeal stretches far beyond hot dogs. Many local restaurants run operations in the stadium, including Carnitas’ Snack Shack, Hodad’s, and Grand Ole BBQ. Some notable eateries that opened here in the past year include famed soup dumpling purveyor Din Tai Fung, Sambazon (acai bowls), Jack in the Box (the company was founded in San Diego) and San Diego’s Finest Hot Chicken.
Elyse Butler/GettyactivitySunset Cliffs
Set atop jagged, postcard-worthy sea cliffs, San Diego's aptly named Sunset Cliffs neighborhood rewards visitors with panoramic ocean views. Hands down San Diego's most popular spot at dusk, Sunset Cliffs attracts a crowd nightly for its serene, picture-perfect views. Part of the neighborhood overlaps with Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, a 68-acre reserve known for its sea caves, rock arch formations, and extremely steep bluffs. Follow a path along the cliffs for a scenic walk, while making note of the sprawling homes nearby. Head up the hill to the nearby Little Lion Café for a healthy, Cali-bistro fare to-go or dine on their small patio. Or grab classic French dessert with a Cuban twist—like passion fruit caramels and a mango cheesecake—at Chef Vivian Hernandez-Jackson's excellent neighborhood patisserie Azucar and head to the water for a sweet sunset.
GettyactivityDel Mar Racetrack
The Del Mar Racetrack is a spectacle for high rollers and casual gamblers alike, with lightening-fast horse races that'll get your heart pumping. The track is open Thursday through Sunday, holding about eight to 12 races daily. There are 30 minutes between races to place your bets or refill your drink. In general, it's mostly adults here, but during the track's non-racing hours, the venue holds special events like food truck festivals and concerts that can bring a more diverse age range. General admission tickets are $8.
activityUSS Midway Museum
This 971-foot-long floating museum is the best way to learn about and honor San Diego's significant naval community. The decommissioned aircraft carrier is one of the most popular attractions in San Diego. Visitors can get a taste of navy life by visiting the plane-packed flight deck, sprawling hangar bay, mess hall, and berthing. The museum hosts about 400 active-duty military events annually—including reenlistment, retirement, and change-of-command ceremonies—which are all open for the public to observe.
Tashka/GettyactivityCabrillo National Monument
This nature preserve and historic site at the edge of the Point Loma peninsula is one of the most picturesque spots in San Diego. It’s about 20 minutes from downtown, with the scenic ocean views starting from the moment you drive in. Once you park at the visitor center, you’re treated to panoramic views of San Diego Bay, downtown, Coronado, and the naval station on North Island. On clear afternoons, you can see all the way to Tijuana, Mexico. The park spans 140-plus acres, and there’s plenty of outdoor activities here from hiking trails to exploring tide pools, or just enjoying the views from one of the many overlooks. Cabrillo National Monument is a landmark where several milestones in San Diego’s modern history converge.
Michael Snell/AlamyactivityThe Whaley House Museum
The Whaley House Museum has been called one of the most haunted houses in the United States. The two-story Greek Revival-style home was built by businessman Thomas Whaley in 1857, and the Whaleys experienced several tragedies after moving into the home, including the deaths of two of their children. The property was already rumored to be haunted before the home was built since the grounds were once an execution yard, and paranormal activity is said to occur in the house to this day. A guided evening tour is the way to go here. Being in the home after sundown adds to the spine-tingling effect, and the guides–who are dressed in Victorian-era clothing–are enthusiastic storytellers. The details they share about the neighborhood’s history, the Whaley family, and the tragedies that happened on the property makes it all engaging and brings the house to life.
Barry Winiker/GettyactivityBarrio Logan
One of California's 14 Cultural Districts, this historic, artsy neighborhood is rooted in Mexican and Chicano cultures. The most obvious proof is Chicano Park, the neighborhood's collection of more than 80 outdoor murals painted onto the concrete girders of the Coronado Bridge. The larger-than-life portraits depict iconic cultural figures, like revolutionary Emiliano Zapata and Aztec goddesses. Many of the hip, modern businesses that have landed are still rooted in the community's culture. There's Por Vida for coffee, Border X Brewing for Mexican-inspired craft beers like a horchata brew, Salud! for street tacos that garners long (long) lines, and Simón Limón, which sells beauty and home goods. And for old-school flavor and some of the best Mexican food in San Diego, don't miss a meal at Las Cuatro Milpas, but get there early—they usually sell out by lunchtime.
activityCoronado
The dreamy city of Coronado is an island (technically, a peninsula) stronghold of hotels, resorts, and beach-front restaurants. Make the short, two-mile journey over one of San Diego’s most recognizable structures, Coronado Bridge, or take the ferry to get there. The main business district, which hugs Orange Avenue, is filled with shops, restaurants, and family-friendly hangouts like MooTime Creamery, so it's a popular spot for families. And, of course, the famous Hotel Del Coronado continues to be a draw.
AlamyactivityCedros Avenue Design District
Take a stroll down the palm tree-lined Cedros Avenue Design District in sunny Solana Beach to shop at eclectic local independent boutiques, galleries, and home goods stores. With more than 85 shops jam-packed into a petite two-and-a-half blocks, this condensed district can be easily traversed within an afternoon. But you might want to spend more time: there's plenty of local art to catch at the galleries, along with great stores for clothing, and a fantastic farmers market on Sundays.
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