Best places to visit in San Diego: top attractions you don't want to miss

Best places to visit in San Diego: top attractions you don't want to miss

From the La Jolla caves to the legendary zoo and Balboa Park’s museums, explore San Diego’s highlights with this roundup of the best places to visit.

San Diego has something for everyone, with must-see places from the attractions of Balboa Park to the bustling nightlife of the Gaslamp Quarter. You can start the day in one of the city’s museums, spend an afternoon exploring sea caves or lying on the beach, and end it with a romantic night at its most iconic hotel. 

History lovers can discover wartime tales at the USS Midway Museum or uncover colonial secrets at the Old Town Historic Park. Beer lovers won’t want to miss SD’s blossoming craft beer scene, the San Diego Zoo will delight nature lovers, and art lovers will be spoiled for choice too.
Ready to explore America’s Finest City? Here are 20 places that deserve a place on your itinerary.

Best places to visit in San Diego for history

USS Midway Museum

1. USS Midway Museum

This colossal aircraft carrier was the symbol of the US Navy for decades. Docked on the shores of Navy Pier, you can explore its captivating decks, bridge, and war rooms with a USS Midway Museum entry ticket. It's a true must-visit for amateur war historians and gearheads alike.

Highlights:

The USS Midway can be fully explored, from bow to stern. You can even get hands-on with thrilling flight simulators.

Address and opening hours:

910 North Harbor Drive, CA 92101. Open daily, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Natural History Museum

2. Natural History Museum

Nestled in the leafy confines of Balboa Park, this family-friendly museum is packed with towering dinosaur skeletons and interactive exhibits to kindle young minds. Travel through 75 million years of history with a Go City Explorer Pass, where you can pick and choose from over 40 choices, including the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Highlights:

The building itself is a treat of 19th-century architecture. It's not all stuffy taxidermy and curiosity cabinets; check out the immersive 2D and 3D film showings.

Address and opening hours:

1788 El Prado, CA 92101. Open Monday to Thursday 10.00 AM-7.00 PM, Friday 10.00 AM-10.00 PM, and Saturday to Sunday 10.00 AM-5.00 PM.

San Diego Harbor

3. San Diego Harbor

With its resident sea lions and gorgeous waterfront, San Diego's harbor offers picture-postcard views. Book a harbor cruise to pass its storied ships as you traverse the bay under Coronado Bridge, a San Diego architectural landmark that connects the city to the Coronado Island.

Highlights:

Enjoy unparalleled 360-degree views from the deck of a luxury ship. Keep your camera handy for iconic shots of San Diego's skyline.

Address and opening hours:

Meet at 990 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101. Tour times vary.

Old Town Historic Park

4. Old Town Historic Park

Explore European settlement history at the spot first colonized by the Spanish in 1769. Lovingly restored colonial and 19th-century buildings provide a snapshot of life in old-world San Diego. Start at the historic Robinson-Rose House as part of a hop-on hop-off narrated trolley tour.

Highlights:

You can travel in style on an iconic San Diego trolley before exploring the earliest stage coaches and carts in Old Town San Diego.

Address and opening hours:

4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110. Open daily, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Hotel del Coronado

5. Hotel del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado may well be the city's most fabulous building. Its over-the-top style of fantasy timber and circular turrets pops against the San Diego beachfront. This historic coastal gem was built in 1888 and quickly became a symbol of Southern Californian splendor. Check out this elegance from the opulent Rotunda and bar.

Highlights:

You can view treasures from the hotel's star-filled history at the free-to-visit Ice House Museum. Daily Legendary Tours are available to book that take you further behind the scenes.

Address and opening hours:

1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118. Hotel open 24/7. Museum open daily, 10:00 AM-5.00 PM.

Best places to visit in San Diego for art

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

6. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

A glittering chapel of contemporary art, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) houses one of America's most exciting collections. Suitable located in a renovated baggage facility opposite Union Station, you can enjoy access with a Go City All-Inclusive Pass or visit for free every third Thursday of the month after 5:00 PM.

Highlights:

Where to start? The museum boasts stellar contemporary photography collections with pieces by Amy Adler and Cindy Sherman.

Address and opening hours:

1100 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101. Open 6:00 PM-9:00 PM Thursday-Friday, 2:00 PM-9:00 PM Saturday, 1:00 PM-8:00 PM Sunday. Closed Monday-Wednesday.

San Diego Museum of Art

7. San Diego Museum of Art

With a European and particularly Spanish bent, the San Diego Museum of Art is a world heavyweight. With works by Goya, Matisse, and Rivera, you'll be struck by the ornamented door on entry. Its Spanish Colonial Revival style is not unlike something you'd find in Salamanca.

Highlights:

Besides its Old Masters and Modernist European artworks, the museum offers exceptional Asian collections. Discover fine silk and ink paintings by Motonobu, Goyo, and more. Entry is included with a Go City All-Inclusive Pass.

Address and opening hours:

1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92102. Open 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Monday-Tuesday, closed Wednesday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Thursday-Saturday, 12:00 PM-5:00 PM Sundays.

Museum of Photographic Arts

8. Museum of Photographic Arts

Rounding out San Diego's trinity of top art institutions, the Museum of Photographic Arts traces the history of the medium for the daguerreotype to 80s snap cams. The museum stretches the still photography brief with a fantastic series of film screenings in its theater.

Highlights:

Big crowd-pleasers like Ansel Adams' Californian landscapes sit beside temporary exhibitions with a more contemporary focus.

Address and opening hours:

1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, United States. Open Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Best places to visit in San Diego for families

La Jolla caves

9. La Jolla caves

Kids over 5 will love making a splash in La Jolla's caves and cove. Search for crawling crabs among tide pools and snorkel with sea turtles at La Jolla Underwater Park. Nowhere else will provide such exciting interactions with marine life.

Highlights:

Your fun kayak and snorkel tour glides you past playful sea lions through serene and safe sea caves only accessible by the water.

Address and opening hours:

San Diego, CA 92037, United States. Experience times and dates vary.

Balboa Park

10. Balboa Park

San Diego's sprawling Balboa Park is both a mecca of museums and ornate gardens. Let your kids run wild among botanical treasures or slide to their heart's content at 1 of 3 Balboa playgrounds. Get to know this vast central park with a fun Balboa Park scavenger hunt, perfect if you’re visiting with kids.

Highlights:

Balboa Park is an all-in-one center for families, offering live open-air performances at Organ Pavilion and a wealth of delightful eateries. The top option for little ones includes a delightful retro carousel and the San Diego Zoo.

Address and opening hours:

Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92104, United States. Open 24/7. Attraction open times vary.

San Diego Zoo

11. San Diego Zoo

Often ranked among the world's very best zoos, a San Diego Zoo day ticket is the perfect family day out. Its 7.5 acres span Arctic exhibits with swimming polar bears and dusty African ecosystems with playful baboons. Get close to Galapagos tortoises during feeding hours.

Highlights:

There are some truly magical moments to enjoy here, from the always-fun paddling penguins to a monkey trail that takes you high into the canopies.

Address and opening hours:

2920 Zoo Dr, CA 92101. Open Monday to Thursday 9:00 AM-6.00 PM and Friday to Sunday 9.00 AM-9.00 PM.

Petco Park

12. Petco Park

Got a budding batter in the family? Go behind the scenes at America's number one ballpark on Petco Park Stadium tour. You can check out the clubhouse, sit in the dugout, and walk through the Padres Hall of Fame.

Highlights:

Live as a star player for the day as you explore Petco up close. You'll get 10% off Padres memorabilia in the Petco Park store.

Address and opening hours:

100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, United States. Tour times and dates vary.

Sesame Place

13. Sesame Place

Make a splash at Sesame Place, a Sesame Street-themed amusement park with water rides and parades. A trip to Sesame Place is the perfect immersion experience for little ones, offering lighthearted rides, like an Elmo-themed rocket ship, and delightful restaurants, including Grover's Grill.

Highlights:

You can walk along Sesame Street with all its trademark props and shops, meeting your favorite characters. Settle down for story time with Big Bird himself.

Address and opening hours:

2052 Entertainment Cir, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Open Monday-Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, Saturday-Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

SeaWorld San Diego

14. SeaWorld San Diego

San Diego's premier aquarium gets you up close to everything from majestic dolphins to clapping sea lions. Kids love the penguin encounter exhibit that accurately simulates the cold terrain of deep Antarctica. Enjoy a wealth of marine-related fun with a SeaWorld San Diego entry ticket.

Highlights:

SeaWorld is home to rides and attractions that blur the line between aquarium and theme park. Ride the Shipwreck Rapids and soar above the park on the Bayside Skyride

Address and opening hours:

500 SeaWorld Dr., CA 92109. Open daily 10:00 AM-9:00 PM.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

15. San Diego Zoo Safari Park

This sister park to the San Diego Zoo in northern San Diego County offers a wilder experience up-close with nature. Drive through a spellbinding open-range park of 1800 acres, spotting lounging lions and grazing giraffes in their element. Your San Diego Zoo Safari Park ticket gets you into the park and out from behind the wheel with stunning aerial walkways.

Highlights:

Get immersive with this African-style safari, where you can spot rare and majestic creatures like the great California condor.

Address and opening hours:

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027. Open daily, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Best places to visit in San Diego for culture

Gaslamp Quarter

16. Gaslamp Quarter

Once the center of 19th-century San Diego's illicit gambling dens and wild saloons, the Gaslamp Quarter is now a glittering cultural hub. Bustling bars and up-scale shops have revitalized the region while preserving and renovating its old-school charm. Delve into its dark past in the buzzy present with a Gaslamp Quarter ghost tour.

Highlights:

This area is rich in folk and ghost tales, so settle in for the evening to follow murder mysteries and the Gaslamp Quarter's seedy secrets.

Address and opening hours:

868 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 9210. Tours times and dates vary.

Little Italy

17. Little Italy

This pretty neighborhood is packed to the rafters with exceptional urban wineries, bakeries, and Italian restaurants. Established by Sicilian immigrants from the 19th century, it was once the tuna capital of the West Coast. Today, its homely Italian eateries rub shoulders with hip bars. Discover its cultural charm and find out why Little Italy is also one of the most romantic things to do in San Diego.

Highlights:

You'll walk through the modern Piazza della Famiglia, home to a tiled fountain centerpiece, before sampling a slice at the iconic Landini’s Pizzeria.

Address and opening hours:

Little Italy, San Diego, CA 92101. Tour times and dates vary.

North Park

18. North Park

Renowned as San Diego's hippest neighborhood, North Park is where trends are set and established. It’s a mecca for cutting-edge coffee houses and fashionable indie boutiques, with regular street fairs, markets, and parties to attend. It's also attributed to kickstarting California's craft beer boom, so sample the best brews with a craft brewery tour with tastings.

Highlights:

Discover San Diego's favorite tipple, the hop-heavy West Coast IPA, straight from the source. The tour includes up to four brewery visits.

Address and opening hours:

North Park, San Diego, CA 92104. Tour times and dates vary.

Carlsbad Village

19. Carlsbad Village

A little gem on the Pacific Coast, Carlsbad Village is a favorite among San Diegans for its picture-postcard beach houses, stunning boutiques, and spectacular coastline. Tour this top beach retreat with a Carlsbad Village food tour, where you'll sample tacos, gelato, and local wine.

Highlights:

Carlsbad exudes a laidback vibe that's perfect for a lazy afternoon. Sample recipes have been passed on over generations, to enjoy culinary history with every bite.

Address and opening hours:

2897 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Tours start at 11:30 AM.

Mission Beach

20. Mission Beach

For a slice of the city's laidback culture, head to one of its favored beach spots. Mission Beach is an absolute stunner. Its boardwalk bustles with energy from skaters and joggers, while the beach beckons surfers and sunbathers with its white and pillowy sands.

Highlights:

Grab a cocktail at a tiki bar and test your hand at surfing with one of the rental hubs along Mission Boulevard.

Address and opening hours:

Mission Beach, San Diego, CA 92109. Open 24/7.

FAQs

How many days should I spend in San Diego?

San Diego benefits from extended visits when you can tick off the tourist spots and leave time to relax and soak up the atmosphere. A full week will give you the ideal highlights tour, while longer visits will unlock the treats of San Diego County.

What is the best time of year to visit San Diego?

San Diego benefits from year-round sunshine and fine weather. As a result, you can enjoy the bounties of its glittering coast throughout the year. The weather does cool in the fall and winter seasons, so why not head inland for hikes? Some seasons do provide extra treats, from whale watching in winter to the blooming wild parks of spring.

How do I get around San Diego?

San Diego's downtown area is best traversed with its iconic trolleys. For those heading beyond this tight central hub, buses and trains connect to communities along the coast. A car is ideal for exploring inland San Diego County

What are the best neighborhoods to visit in San Diego?

San Diego's eclectic neighborhoods span family-friendly coastal districts like scenic La Jolla and bustling people-watching havens like Pacific Beach. The Gas Lamp Quarter is a tourist's dream with excellent nightlife, bars, and restaurants. Elsewhere, Hillcrest and North Park are popular with hipsters, while Little Italy offers delightful eateries beyond Italian fare.

What are the best places to go shopping in San Diego?

La Jolla is a fine shopping hub for indie art and designer boutiques. Pacific Beach is more coast-oriented, with surf shops and tourist essentials. There are also plenty of dedicated shopping centers, like Fashion Valley in Mission Valley, the largest mall in the city.