San Diego

Travel Guide

Ocean Beach showing general coastal views and a coastal town
Japanese Friendship Garden which includes a park
San Diego which includes swimming and a sunset as well as a small group of people
Balboa Park which includes a pond
San Diego showing a city

On the sun-drenched Pacific coast, this Southern California city provides great beaches, a famous zoo, historic sites and exciting nightlife.

San Diego is one of the most populated U.S. cities, but its laid-back lifestyle and pleasant open spaces give it a crowd-free feel. Bring the family to enjoy zoos, parks and beaches or have a romantic holiday with winery tours, great food and cultural evenings.

In Balboa Park near downtown, the famous San Diego Zoo has giant pandas, koalas and more than 3,500 animals in natural habitats, as well as 700,000 exotic plants. See more wild animals or even spend the night at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park north of the city. Enjoy marine animals and rides at SeaWorld®.

Along the ocean northwest of downtown is La Jolla. Hike past craggy trees in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and watch for whales beyond the shoreline. Play at the renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course or visit the beaches along this peninsula to swim and watch sea lions.

In San Diego Bay, tour the USS Midway Museum, a retired aircraft carrier with 29 planes from World War II to Desert Storm as well as exciting flight simulators. A few blocks north is the Maritime Museum of San Diego, with restored tall ships from the days of early explorers.

San Diego has more than 70 miles (110 kilometres) of beaches for snorkeling, swimming, surfing and watersports. Enjoy the sands of Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and Windansea Beach.

The city has abundant cultural attractions including more than 15 museums and performance venues in Balboa Park. Attend first-run and popular touring plays at La Jolla Playhouse.

Visit the Gaslamp Quarter to view historic Victorian homes and sample San Diego’s fine dining and exciting nightlife. See a professional baseball game at Petco Park or let the kids enjoy interactive exhibits at the New Children’s Museum.

Fly into San Diego International Airport or drive along the scenic coastal highway and stop to view the Pacific Ocean. Visit some of the county’s 100 wineries. End your days with sunsets at Cabrillo National Monument or La Jolla Cove.

Where to stay in San Diego

US Grant Hotel

Downtown San Diego

4.5/5(138 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife, fascinating museums and beautiful waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Diego. Top attractions like Petco Park and Port of San Diego are major draws. Catch the metro at Civic Center Station or Civic Center Station to see more of the city.

Downtown San Diego
Pacific Beach Park showing a sandy beach

Pacific Beach

4/5(13 area reviews)

The stunning beaches and fantastic nightlife are just a few highlights of Pacific Beach. Make a stop by Mission Bay or Pacific Beach while you're exploring the area.

Pacific Beach
Fun facts: 
✔️San Diego imports 168 million gallons of water a day. ✔️San Diego produces the most avocados in the United States. 

#LifeAtExpedia #HitTheBeach #JulyTheme

Mission Beach

If you're spending some time in Mission Beach, Mission Bay and Mission Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Mission Beach
Gaslamp Quarter showing night scenes, a bar and street scenes

Gaslamp Quarter

Cosy bars interesting history and top sights from Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House to Harlem of the West Sites – discover Gaslamp Quarter, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Gaslamp Quarter
Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

Ocean Beach is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Dog Beach and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.

Ocean Beach
Default Image

Mission Bay

If you're spending some time in Mission Bay, Mission Bay and Mission and Pacific Beaches are top sights worth seeing.

Mission Bay
Paradise Point Resort & Spa

Paradise Point Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
1404 Vacation Rd San Diego CA
The price is RM936 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
RM936
RM1,285 total
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,474 reviews)
The location is very beautiful. The property sits on the water and has great views. The rooms are good size. The food was just ok, the location of the restaurant and bar are again very pretty . We waited 40 minutes one night to get some bread and a salad. We kept getting other people’s orders that ...

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2026

Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Best Western Seven Seas

Best Western Seven Seas

3 out of 5
411 Hotel Circle South San Diego CA
The price is RM323 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
RM323
RM371 total
1 Apr - 2 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,333 reviews)
Good location. Clean. Security on site.

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2026

Best Western Seven Seas
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

4 out of 5
207 5th Ave San Diego CA
The price is RM929 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
RM929
RM1,268 total
1 Apr - 2 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and a nightclub. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,432 reviews)
Friendly staff, clean room, enjoyed the food at Mary Jane's. We enjoyed the outdoor balcony space. There were loud events every night we were in town which we could hear clearly in the room. This didn't bother us, but could bother others. The layout of the queen suite is a little odd with the placement ...

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2026

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sentral Gaslamp Quarter

Sentral Gaslamp Quarter

4 out of 5
502 10th Avenue San Diego CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and a 24-hour fitness centre. Popular attractions Petco Park and Port of San Diego ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (798 reviews)
Overall, the stay was fine and the location was good with a Starbucks and grocery (old fashioned term) store right down the street. The code used for all the doors was kind of a pain because it was six digits that at certain times you have to use at the front door, on the elevator, and at your room. ...

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2026

Sentral Gaslamp Quarter
Marriott Vacation Club®, San Diego

Marriott Vacation Club®, San Diego

3.5 out of 5
701 A St San Diego CA
Stay at this business-friendly condo in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,044 reviews)
This place was lovely and very kid friendly. Our daughter loved the pool and had a blast. There were a few things that caught me off guard though: 1. The facility is also a timeshare place and they were pushing this option. 2. There were a lot of homeless people living on the surrounding streets ...

Reviewed on 23 Mar 2026

Marriott Vacation Club®, San Diego
Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel

2.5 out of 5
819 University Ave San Diego CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (323 reviews)
Room was clean and adequate. Check-in was quick and easy with on-site parking for a reasonable additional charge. There were notes about freeway/construction noise, but I didn't find them to be at all disturbing, more of a distant white noise that was drowned out by the sound of the AC if you have ...

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2026

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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