Blog

We independently test and review all hotels, products and services. If you buy or book through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn More

Must Try 7 Best Things to Do in San Diego California

What's In The Guide?

San Diego is a really special place because it’s where California was born and where Europeans first came to the Western United States. It’s a city that almost everyone loves Diverse Mark Team have experienced a lot of best adventures here but we pick these best Things to Do in San Diego California when you go there San Diego Bay is a great place because it has nice weather and a relaxed vibe. It also has a lot of history with the military. San Diego has this super big ship called the USS Midway  and it’s like the boss of all museum ships.

If you’re in San Diego  you might feel like a surfer because it has such a chill vibe and there are lots of beaches to enjoy. If you have a family, the beaches in Coronado and La Jolla are some of the best in the whole country. Just north of the border San Diego has a bit of Mexico in its yummy food and lots of cool stuff to see at places like Balboa Park.

Let’s Explore things to do in San Diego California

  • Embarcadero
  • Point Loma
  • La Jolla
  • Food and Drink
  • San Diego Old Town
  • San Diego Zoo
  • Whale Watching

Embarcadero

Embarcadero

In San Diego  the harbour area is great for walking because there are shops, cool things to see and places to eat. You can see Coronado Island across the bay.

A big part of the Embarcadero is things floating on the water like the USS Midway and old ships from the San Diego Maritime Museum.This is also where you can hop on boats to tour around the harbour and even head out into the ocean to try and catch a glimpse of whales swimming around. When it gets really hot kids can have a blast playing in the water fountains at Waterfront Park and exploring the fun playgrounds.

In November there’s a big party with lots of food and wine at the Embarcadero.And in the summer from late June to early September you can enjoy listening to the San Diego Symphony Orchestra at Bayside Summer Nights.

Point Loma

Point Loma

On the west side of San Diego Bay there’s a long rocky area that’s awesome to check out. It has interesting shapes, exciting history and views you’ll always remember.

Later we’ll talk about some cool places on Point Loma. But back in 1542  it’s where the first European expedition landed on the West Coast of America. Point Loma has been watched over by the military since the 1800s because it protects the harbour’s west side.

At Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery which used to be a military base there are over 100,000 graves. You’ll also find sad memorials like the USS Bennington Monument remembering an accident that happened in 1905.

If you go to the marina you can join trips to watch whales. And at Osprey Point people like to climb rocks and fish by the water.

La Jolla

La Jolla

La Jolla is a fancy neighbourhood by the ocean. It sticks out into the Pacific and is surrounded by water on three sides.

La Jolla is all about fancy eating cliffs with caves  and small beaches where seals and sea lions relax. We’ll go to La Jolla a lot on this list checking out the famous Torrey Pines and its State Reserve beaches and golf course.

In La Jolla, it feels like you’re in Europe with its nice cafes, adorable shops, small houses and many stairs.

Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla Point has a pretty view of the California coast. In summer you can hear concerts outside  and on the Fourth of July you can see fireworks there.

Stop by the Legends Gallery on Prospect Street to see art by the famous former La Jolla resident  Dr. Seuss.

Food and Drink

Food and Drink

Because of San Diego’s history with Spain and its closeness to Mexico  the food here is fantastic. You can find some of the tastiest fish tacos  carne asada and enchiladas around.In San Diego the food is awesome because they use super fresh stuff like avocados, tomatoes  and fruit that’s grown nearby. They even invented the California Burrito with fries and carne asada. Oscar’s Mexican Seafood is famous for its yummy fish tacos and ceviche with four spots in the city. And if you love beer you gotta check out Toronado pub with 56 kinds on tap plus the award-winning Societe and Ballast Point breweries.

San Diego Old Town

San Diego Old Town

San Diego Old Town is where the first European settlers came in California. It has old buildings from the 1800s.Close by Presidio Park marks the place where people first built homes in 1769. Every year, festive events like Fiesta Navidad Cinco de Mayo and Día de Muertos in November make Old Town San Diego lively and colorful.It’s like the whole place comes alive with vibrant decorations, music and people enjoying themselves.It’s a time when everyone comes together to celebrate and honour traditions adding a special touch to the neighbourhood’s atmosphere.

San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo

Instituted by the healer Harry M. Following his captivation by the resounding bellow of a lion at the Panama-California Exposition in 1915, the San Diego Zoo garners accolades as one of the foremost in the globe  accommodating in excess of 650 distinct species.

This was among the first zoos to make enclosures without cages. They made the first ever lion home surrounded by a moat in 1922. 

You can avoid the heat and explore on a guided bus tour that goes through most of the park or take the Skyfari tram from 1969. Like the best zoos, the habitats match the animals’ natural homes. There’s an African rainforest with gorillas, big bird cages where birds can fly freely and Arctic areas for polar bears.The San Diego Zoo is one of just four zoos in America with Giant Pandas. They’re in the Panda Trek area. The Giant Panda Discovery Center has cool exhibits that let you experience how these animals sound and smell.

Whale Watching

Whale Watching

From December to April the California Gray Whale moves from Northern Alaska to Baja California to have babies in warmer weather passing by San Diego.At this time you can go to the Embarcadero for a whale watching boat ride  which lasts up to four hours.

During this comfortable ride with seats inside and outside  someone smart from the San Diego Natural History Museum will be there  telling you cool stuff about these large ocean animals.

Unfortunately you might  see big sea animals and if you don’t you’ll get a free ticket for another boat trip.

However a multitude of pinnipeds and coastal cetaceans shall assuredly grace your vision whilst revelling in the splendour of San Diego county’s resplendent Pacific shores from aboard the vessel.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Start typing to see posts you are looking for.
Shop