Things to do in San Diego

Activities, attractions and tours

Ocean Beach showing general coastal views and a coastal town
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
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Top places to visit

1. San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo welcomes around 5 million visitors every year, and it’s easy to see why. Spanning a huge site, the zoo houses about 4000 animals from over 650 different species and subspecies. All of these creatures live in realistic habitats, with most exhibits out in the open air.
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San Diego Zoo which includes zoo animals

2. SeaWorld

Ever since it first opened in 1964, SeaWorld® San Diego in Mission Beach has drawn kids and big kids alike. Visitors come here to get closer to the amazing marine animals on show. Why not head over to Dolphin Point where you can feed and even train the performing bottlenoses—these intelligent mammals love to do tricks. It is even possible to arrange to get into the water with the impressive beluga whales, but make sure you book in advance.
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beautiful creatures

3. Mission Bay

Spend summer days enjoying the calm waters and gorgeous scenes of Mission Bay, a saltwater lagoon just north of downtown San Diego. This 4,200-acre (1,700-hectare) bay features pristine beaches, water sports for all ages and park attractions that bring summer to life.
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Mission Bay featuring a sandy beach

4. Mission Beach

The first holiday homes were built along the shore at Mission Beach all the way back in the 1920s. The resort boomed in the 1960s with new developments re-invigorating the place. And ever since then the visitors have not stopped returning to lounge beneath the West Coast sun and wander along the boardwalk by the beach where street performers and artists, rollerbladers and skateboarders keep the atmosphere lively.
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Mission Beach featuring a bay or harbor, general coastal views and a beach

5. Balboa Park

Spanning a vast space of 486 hectares, the huge Balboa Park contains an incredible and eclectic wealth of attractions. Home to gardens and trails, museums and galleries, theatres and restaurants—not to mention its own world-famous zoo—the park is a popular spot, frequented by visitors and locals alike.
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Balboa Park which includes a pond

6. Petco Park

Experience America’s favorite pastime in San Diego’s Petco Park. Enjoy stunning views of southern California as you watch a baseball game, concert or other sporting event. The park is named after San Diego-based pet supplies retailer Petco.
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Petco Park

7. USS Midway Museum

The USS Midway was once the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the US Navy, in operation from 1945 all the way up until the early 1990s. And since its reincarnation as a museum in 2004, the 296-metre craft has housed an extraordinary military history museum. Nowadays it attracts over 800,000 visitors every year, who come to see its remarkable exhibits.
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Mighty USS Midway - an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, the lead ship of its class. Commissioned a week after the end of World War II it is now a museum ship

What to do in San Diego

Popular places to visit

San Diego Zoo showing a pond, zoo animals and landscape views

San Diego Zoo

4.5/5(47 reviews)

One of the largest zoos in America housing around 4000 creatures, San Diego Zoo offers an enchanting and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

San Diego Zoo
San Diego Convention Center

San Diego Convention Center

4/5(18 reviews)

During your trip, find out what's happening in San Diego Convention Center, a top convention centre in San Diego. Experience the area's fascinating museums and entertainment choices.

San Diego Convention Center
Bayside Skyride at Sea World, San Diego, CA

SeaWorld

4/5(14 reviews)

A fun family favourite, where you can get up close to the local marine life, enjoy fun rides and be wowed by the performances.

SeaWorld
Mission Bay featuring a sandy beach

Mission Bay

4.5/5(31 reviews)

Mingle with eccentric locals at bohemian beaches, soak up the sun on a Jet Ski and fish from marshy islands at San Diego’s premier water park.

Mission Bay
Triton's Restaurant inside Disney Wonder. #lifeatexpedia

Port of San Diego

4.5/5(34 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in San Diego with a trip to Port of San Diego. Wander the seaside and beautiful beaches in the area.

Port of San Diego
Mission Beach featuring tropical scenes, street scenes and a beach

Mission Beach

4.5/5(61 reviews)

A seaside village and a popular spot for holiday-makers for over a century, which today still retains its antique charm.

Mission Beach
Balboa Park which includes a pond

Balboa Park

4.5/5(80 reviews)

One of America’s largest urban green spaces, Balboa Park is an exciting spot packed with art, culture, and a world-renowned zoo.

Balboa Park
Petco Park

Petco Park

4.5/5(17 reviews)

Purchase a hot dog and watch the San Diego Padres, California’s southernmost Major League Baseball team, play on their home field.

Petco Park
SanDiego_HotelCircle_6270979_004

Hotel Circle

3.5/5(7 reviews)

Hotel Circle is just one of the places to see in San Diego, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Hotel Circle

Areas of 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
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
Pacific Beach Park showing a sandy beach

Pacific Beach

4/5(13 area reviews)

Relax in beachside cafés in the morning, surf clean breaks in the afternoon and dance with a youthful club crowd at night at this coastal San Diego strip.

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

Gaslamp Quarter

The historic heart of San Diego has a fascinating history, and today is a thriving hub for food, retail and entertainment.

Gaslamp Quarter
Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

With a secluded sunbathing beach, swimming-only beach, special surf beach, volleyball beach and dog beach, San Diego’s “OB” sure takes beaches seriously.

Ocean Beach
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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
Coronado Beach featuring a beach and tropical scenes as well as a small group of people

Coronado

Clustered rocks in El Cajon, California

El Cajon

Panoramic view from Mesa Trail overlooking Santee, with dry hills and distant mountains under a clear sky

Santee

#BeachBound follow me on insta #parttimetravelnerd

Solana Beach

Aerial view of residential subdivision houses

Chula Vista

Aerial View of the San Diego Suburb of El Cajon, California

La Mesa

Ripe lemon on tree - California

Lemon Grove

Panoramic view of New Melones Lake, a reservoir on the foothills of Sierra Mountains; California

Lakeside

Frequently asked questions

Is San Diego worth visiting?
From shopping to history and outdoor adventures, there are loads of great things to do in San Diego. Don't forget to enjoy the area's mix of cool sights, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in San Diego?
Begin your day with a visit to San Diego Zoo and Mission Bay. Then, explore other parts of San Diego for a quick bite and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in San Diego?
The top tourist attraction in San Diego is San Diego Zoo, so don't forget to include it on your agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in San Diego?
You can easily tour popular attractions like San Diego Zoo, Mission Bay and Coronado Beach with a three-day break in San Diego. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stick around longer and check out San Diego County.
Is San Diego a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, San Diego is a great destination to tour on foot. Wander between San Diego Zoo and Coronado Beach. Then take a stroll around Downtown San Diego, located 0.32 kilometres from the centre, and Columbia, which is about 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in San Diego with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all the family, we've got some fabulous ideas for what to do in San Diego with kids.

What to do in San Diego for adults?
Whether you're an avid foodie, culture enthusiast or outdoor explorer, there are lots of things to do in San Diego for adults including Bay City Brewing Co. And Hotel Circle.
Are there free things to do in San Diego?
One of the top ways to find free things to do in San Diego is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can experience without reaching into your pocket. Mission Bay is one sight that doesn't have an entrance fee.

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