California is a popular travel destination, but it has so much more to offer than a simple trip to the Hollywood sign or a jaunt down the walk of fame.
San Diego contains all of the best the state has to offer. It has beautiful beaches, packed museums, unique neighborhoods, and more. It’s a vacation destination that’s relaxing, enlightening, and exciting all at the same time.
Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more on what makes this city, and many other destinations across the planet so special and worth visiting. Watch our video to learn about the best things to do in San Diego, California.
Rady Children’s Ice Rink
This rink in Liberty Station is open from 10 am-10pm except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tickets last all day, so you can stay as long as you want, and all proceeds of ticket purchases go to benefit the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
AxeVentures
Book online or walk-in for an ax-throwing coaching session. The North Park Rage Room is the perfect place to release stress by smashing objects with a crowbar or baseball bat. Enjoy Dark Light Nights on Thursdays after 6 p.m.
The Farmers Table
This establishment offers the Barn Yard Bloody Mary. It’s not your ordinary drink; it serves 4 or more and contains a bitcher of booze, skewers of bacon-wrapped shrimp, Mexican street corn, mozzarella stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, short ribs, andouille sausage, grilled and pickled vegetables, blue cheese stuffed olives, bacon covered in barbeque sauce, and an entire roasted chicken. If you’re not ready for something so massive, you can enjoy tamer drinks such as the Tijuana Maria that contains a bacon-wrapped hot dog, Mexican street corn, and pickled vegetables.
South Bay Drive-in Theater
You won’t have to sacrifice quality at this retro spot; its 3 100-foot screens are all picture-perfect. A $10 adult ticket or $1 kid ticket gets you access to a daily double-feature. You can also get email coupons for savings at the cash-only snack bar.
Manchester Grand Hyatt
This beautiful hotel offers a luxurious stay and has a special feature on top that makes it stand out. The Rooftop Cinema Club lets you watch a movie while sitting on comfortable deck chairs and listening through wireless headphones. You can also take in the view or enjoy craft brews, themed cocktails, and upscale food. There are 2 screenings every Sunday-Wednesday and 3 every Thursday-Saturday.
Coronado Ferry Landing
Buying a cheap $7 one-way ticket to take a 15-minute ride on the Coronado Ferry to this spot is a worthwhile trip on its own. Once you get there, you can shop, eat, ride your bike, try stand-up paddleboarding, and more.
Silver Strand Bikeway
This 18-mile trail starts at the Coronado Ferry Landing and goes to Imperial Beach. You’ll see views of the Pacific Ocean and pass by the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
This is the first of the 21 missions fashioned along the San Diego coast. It was built in 1769 to represent the birth of Christianity there. It’s still an active parish that holds mass every day. It’s also an architectural wonder with white stucco walls, a Spanish roof, and grand archways that are worth seeing even if you’re not religious.
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market
This is far from the only farmer’s market in San Diego, but it is one of the best. It’s open for preorders from 5 pm on Thursdays to 7 pm on Fridays, allows for curbside pickup on Saturdays from 10:30 am-1:30 pm., and offers additional seafood from 8 am-3 pm on Saturdays.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
This spot takes up 1,750 acres of beautiful oceanfront space. Its primary purpose is to protect the Torrey Pines it’s named after (the rarest pine tree in America) and the wildlife that live within and around them. It features over 3,000 of these beautiful trees, and the only other place in the country they’re found is on Santa Rosa Island in Santa Barbara. You’ll also find one of California’s last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges. The reserve is open all year and admission is $10-$25. You can visit the 4.5-mile Torrey Pines State Beach or walk over 8 miles of trails, but guided hikes aren’t available for now, and the visitors center remains closed due to the ongoing pandemic.
Belmont Park
This small amusement park sits by the ocean. It’s been in operation since 1925 and has become a can’t-miss attraction since then. The first thing you’ll see when driving by is the 2,600-foot long roller coasted called the Giant Dipper. Another can’t-miss coaster is the spinning Beach Blaster. There are also other classic rides such as the Tilt-a-Whirl, a zipline, bumper cars, and a carousel. You can also enjoy the park’s snack stands or restaurants, watch its shows, or relax at its indoor pool and fitness center The Plunge at Fit.
Petco Park
This stadium hosts the San Diego Padres and is one of the only ones in America to offer a water view. It has a sandstone exterior with palm trees all around. If it’s not a game day, you can still drink at the Stone Brewing Company beer garden on the upper deck or enjoy one of over 50 dining options. You can also pay $25 for a pre-game tour or, on non-game days, shell out $20 for adults or $17 for seniors or children to schedule a tour. It’ll take 80-minutes to see the press box, dugout, Hall of Fame, and other highlights.
Like and subscribe to ViewCation for all the can’t-miss spots in the state of California. Keep watching to learn about more of the best things to do in San Diego, including museums, neighborhoods, beaches, restaurants, and more.
The Old Globe
As the name suggests, this spot was built to resemble Shakespere’s Old Globe theater in London. It contains 3 seperate theaters. The Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage has over 580 seats, the round Sheryle and Harvey White Theater has 250 seats and lets you get up close to the actors, and the Lowell Davies Festival Theater is outdoors.
USS Midway Museum
This museum honors San Diego’s contribution to the navy in every way, even through its construction. It’s a decommissioned aircraft carrier turned into a 971-foot floating museum. It has over 29 restored aircraft and 60 exhibits and attractions that include a flight deck, hanger bay, mess hall, berthing, and more. The museum also offers audio-guided tours and hosts 400 annual active-duty military events, all of which are open to the public.
Maritime Musem
This spot serves as another look into San Diego’s naval history. It hosts sailing ships, submarines, and the world’s oldest active ship The Star of India. You can even ride the California, a vessel known as the Official Tail Ship of California.
Torrey Pines Golf Course
This spot contains 2 18-hole championship courses. It’s a historic spot for golf-lovers after hosting both Tiger Woods and former President Obama. The challenge and prestige is only matched by the courses’ beauty.
Del Mar Racetrack
This track hosts 8-12 races Wednsedays through Saturdays with 30 minutes between each of them. It also holds events such as food truck festivals and concerts during non-racing hours. Tickets are only $6.
SeaWorld San Diego
Check out the underwater viewing tunnel, penguin habitat, or Wild Artic ride and exhibit. You’ll see dolphins, sea lions, otters, sea turtles, and more. If you want to see them in action, go find a show. You can also enjoy rides such as the Man Ray Coaster, the Journey to Atlantis, and the Ship Wreck Rapids. Send your children to the Sesame Street Bay of Play.
San Diego Zoo
This spot’s 100 acres house over 3,7000 rare species. You can spend over half a day here viewing them all and experiencing its shows and animal presentations. Come in the summer for the Nighttime Zoo series that let you stay later. You can also enjoy the zoo’s various restaurants and drink spots.
Cabrillo National Monument
This statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European explorer to sail the California coast, was built in 1542. Standing by it provides access to beautiful views. If you want to learn more about the history behind it, take a ranger-guided tour of the statue and the nearby Old Point Loma Lighthouse.
Unique Neighborhoods
In Little Italy, you’ll find popular Italian spots such as Barbuda, Buon Appetito, and Civico 1845 along India Street. You can also try other restaurants such as Ironside Fish & Oyster, Juniper & Ivy, and Queenstown Public House. Visit on Saturdays to enjoy a farmer’s market and come late for the hot nightlife scene.
The city of Coronado is technically a peninsula. It sits only 2 miles from Coronado Bridge and contains shops, restaurants, family-friendly areas, and the famous Hotel Del Coronado.
Sunset Cliffs is an equally charming neighborhood that takes up 68 acres and is 1.5 miles long. It features sandstone cliffs, beautiful vegetation, secluded beaches, the Sunset Cliffs National Park, and more.
The Cedros Avenue Design District has over 85 shops in its 2 ½ blocks as well as several galleries, clothing shops, and a farmers market on Sundays.
Barrio Logan is one of California’s 14 Cultural Districts. Chicano Park has over 80 outdoor murals painted on the Coronado bridge that depict important Mexican and Chicano figures. It also contains modern businesses such as Por Vida, Border X Brewing, Salud, and Simon Limon. You can also enjoy Mexican food at Las Cuatro Milpas as long as you get there early before they sell out.
The seaside neighborhood of La Jolla is so packed with attractions that you’ll never run out of things to do.
Visit La Jolla Shores Beach to swim, snorkel, or catch a glimpse of its leopard sharks. Next to it is the La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve with 2 artificial reefs that house a range of wildlife. La Jolla Cove is also nearby, and this ecologically protected beach is a perfect place for new snorkelers to practice. Children’s Pool Beach is made for young family members and also serves as a haven for seals.
Best San Diego Restauraunts
San Diego has plenty of stops for foodies.
Mitch’s Seafood is the best place to get one of the locals’ favorite foods; fish tacos. Dine inside, enjoy the outdoor area on the dock, or eat while you traverse the harbor. The Friendly offers a unique burger known as The Dirty Flat Top. It’s a toasted white bun, 2 grilled patties, a slipe of American cheese, a garlic aioli, and sauteed onions. You can also get pizza University Heights, try the flavors of Riviera Maya at Camino Riviera, get Southern Florida and French fusion cuisine at Black Radish, or try the diverse offerings at Market on 8th.
Liberty Public Market
A former navel training building has been turned into this charming market. You can sample all sorts of food here. Make sure not to miss the Venissimo Cheese stand, the steamed buns and Pan-Asian food at Bao Bar, or the raw seafood at Fishbone Kitchen. You can also find stalls that offer non-edible items, such as the jewelry at Kai & Skye or the candles at Bella Vie Candles.
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