This hip and eclectic neighborhood is brimming with breweries, cocktail bars, and specialty coffee shops. North Park is a hipster's dream destination. This edgy, lively neighborhood has a reputation for amazing beer and cocktails. You won't want to skip Modern Times' North Park Flavordome or Mike Hess Brewing Company. It's also a culinary hotspot, playing host to summer camp–themed restaurant One Door North and two of the city's most popular taco shops: City Tacos and Lucha Libre.
The 1,200-acre park packs in 16 world-class museums, 65 miles of trails, botanical gardens, great dining, and the San Diego Zoo. During a day in Balboa Park, you can learn about the history of flight at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Ascend the almost 200-foot California Tower for great views of the surrounding neighborhoods. Wander through the Japanese Friendship Garden, dedicated to the sisterhood between San Diego and Yokohama, Japan. And if you're in town at the right time, catch the Shakespeare Festival at the Old Globe Theatre.
More than 30 independent artisans and food-and-beverage vendors compose Liberty Public Market in Point Loma. From a classic San Diego fish taco to fried-oyster po-boys, empanadas drenched in chimichurri sauce, squid ink pasta, artisanal cheeses, and French crème puffs, the market shows off San Diego's culinary diversity. Insider tip: Sample some local craft brews, wines, and cocktails as you stroll through—if you visit during happy hour, some vendors feature a food or drink special.
The park's rides and attractions are primarily focused on younger kids (the under-12 set), but older children and adults will find a lot to love too. You won't want to miss a wander through Miniland USA to admire the intricately detailed replicas of major cities (and denizen minifigures going about their tiny business) or taking a submarine ride to spot underwater LEGO treasure on the Deep Sea Adventure.
There's no substitute for a trip to the original SeaWorld theme park, where dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine dwellers will capture your heart and roller coasters will deliver thrills. SeaWorld San Diego is a zoo, an aquarium, a theme park, and a research facility all wrapped into one 200-acre property in Mission Bay. It's home to thousands of sea creatures, from majestic sea turtles and gentle manta rays to intimidating sharks and impressively large beluga whales.
Spread across 100 acres of Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is your chance to meet more than 12,000 animals who live and play in a variety of natural enclosures. You'll encounter some familiar creatures—lions, penguins, koalas, monkeys, and even polar bears—and you will likely meet some you've never even heard of, like the mongoose-like fossa, the prancing klipspringer, and the gold-colored takin. And, of course, don't miss an opportunity to spot the majestic California condor. You'll do a lot of walking here, but if you're in need of a break, hop on one of the many Kangaroo buses that traverse the park
Home to top restaurants, craft breweries, boutique shopping, and a large farmers’ market, San Diego’s Little Italy is a mix of rich cultural experiences and a thriving culinary scene.
Jewel of San Diego,” then it's more than fair to say that La Jolla Cove is the jewel of that jewel. There are two ways to get to it—walk down the stone stairs from Ellen Browning Scripps Park on the bluffs above, or kayak in. Once you've arrived, you'll find a small beach where you could spend hours watching sea lions frolic and play. You can also clamber through a bootlegger's tunnel to a secret sea cave, go on a kayak tour, or dive in for a snorkel to see if you can spot leopard sharks or California’s state fish, the bright orange Garibaldi.
With a retro amusement park, a sprawling boardwalk, and a vast stretch of sand, Mission Bay is a truly classic California beach experience. Mission Beach lies on a two-block-wide peninsula that's bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by the calm waters of Mission Bay. The boardwalk runs nearly two miles along the length of the beach, and a leisurely stroll or bike ride will connect you to everything Mission Beach has to offer.
By day, the Gaslamp Quarter a good place to stroll, peruse an array of boutiques and souvenir shops, and enjoy lunch on an outdoor cafe patio. By night, the vibe shifts slightly–rooftop bars and clubs come alive and beckon those who want to enjoy the city's best nightlife scene
You can drive or take a ferry to this postcard-perfect paradise situated just across San Diego Bay from downtown. Coronado's timeless vibe has drawn celebrities for more than a century. Between its beaches, water sports, restaurants, posh lodgings, and the shops and galleries that line its beach boardwalk, its perfect for both a family day trip or a relaxing weekend getaway.