While it may not have the reputation of a bigger coastal city like Los Angeles or Seattle, there are still many great things to do in San Diego. What’s great about San Diego is that the crowds aren’t as big, the traffic isn’t nearly as bad (looking at you Los Angeles!) and the weather is always pretty darn great.
These are the seven unmissable things to do in San Diego.
Best things to do in San Diego
How do these rankings work?
1. San Diego Zoo
You haven’t been to San Diego without visiting their world-famous San Diego Zoo. It is one of the largest zoos in the USA and showcases over 3,500 beautiful, rare and endangered animals spread out over 100 acres.
At this zoo, you can walk along the different paths, take a guided bus tour or better yet, take the aerial route and use their gondola that goes directly above and across the zoo.
2. Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a large public park that is just a great place to spend a day going for a walk or renting a bike and riding around. The park features green, lush gardens, amazing Renaissance-inspired architecture and a few museums to check out.
Balboa Park is a great way to spend a relaxing day in San Diego while leisurely taking in the many sights here.
3. USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum pays homage to San Diego being a large military city with bases in and around the city. Aside from that, this museum is truly one-of-a-kind and offers guests 60 different exhibits and 30 repaired aircraft that have been used in countless wars and battles before.
One of the coolest things here is the “Unconditional Surrender” statue, which is actually outside of the museum. Come take a picture with this statue that shows a sailor kissing a nurse to celebrate the end of World War II.
4. Gaslamp Quarter
The Gaslamp Quarter is the charismatic and lively heartbeat of San Diego and is a must visit. Spread out over 16 city blocks, the Gaslamp Quarter has restaurants, shopping, entertainment and plenty of charm and character to go around.
Come to this 150 year old neighbourhood for San Diego’s premier nightlife destination and to have a great time.
5. Belmont Park
Belmont Park is an amusement park and has one of the scariest wooden roller coasters in the world. Appropriately named the “Giant Dipper,” this wooden coaster was built in 1925 and is still running today. On this coaster, you get high up where you can see the Pacific Ocean before you come zooming down back to ground level.
Come to Belmont Park and pay the $6 just to ride the “Giant Dipper”. Then enjoy the rest of the day at the park.
6. La Jolla
La Jolla is San Diego’s best beach town and with the beautiful oceanfront scenery with the cliffs overlooking the ocean, it’s great for a visit. In La Jolla you can also rent a kayak and a surfboard and catch some of the Pacific Ocean waves.
Come to La Jolla if you want to do some water sports or just to hang out on the beach. Great spot for some epic pics!
7. Legoland
Legoland California is a great park to go if you have a young family. This park features lots of rides, games and different lego-interactive games for great family fun.
You could spend the entire day at Legoland and still not see everything. Whether you’re here for your kids or for your own nostalgia, you’re guaranteed to have a fun-filled day here.
