Things to do

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

One of the wildest stretches of land on the Southern California coast. 1,500 acres of land are as they were before San Diego was developed. Networks of trails atop the bluffs are great for family walks and for joggers. See the Torrey Pine tree which is endemic to San Diego (this is the only place in the world it grows), and incredible ocean views.

Balboa Park

Not just any park. Most of the buildings on the 1,000+ acres were originally constructed in 1915-1916 for a fair touting San Diego as the first US port for boats traveling north after passing through the newly built Panama Canal. Magnificent Spanish Colonial Revival buildings house 15 museums, The Old Globe Theatre, and the Botanical Building- one of San Diego's most iconic landmarks- to name a few.

Birch Aquarium

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Birch Aquarium features the groundbreaking work of Scripps Oceanography and UC San Diego scientists as well as conservation breeding programs and interactive exhibits. Birch Aquarium’s mission is to connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet, which it achieves through engaging hands-on learning opportunities for more than 500,000 guests each year.

Downtown

Check out Altitude Sky Lounge, a roof top bar in the Gaslamp Quarter where we had our first kiss. It has a cool view of the baseball stadium and you can see into Mexico. We recommend making reservations ahead of time for dinner in Little Italy or the Gaslamp. You can catch the Little Italy Famers market on Saturday morning or take a tour of the USS Midway - an aircraft carrier turned museum.

Coronado Island and The Del Coronado Hotel

Coronado Island has San Diego Bay and a view of downtown on one side and a famous white sand ocean beach on the other. On the bay side there is a small ferry landing with nearby restaurants and shops geared toward tourists (kayak rentals available). The ocean side boasts many beautiful historic homes and the famous Del Coronoado Hotel. McVey loves walking up and down the shorelines and it was on one of these walks that she decided to move to San Diego.

Torrey Pines Gliderport

Beautiful overlook with free parking. For the daring- you can take a tandem paragliding flight off the bluffs and over the world famous Black's Beach below. Black's Beach is clothing optional btw, and a great hike as there is a very steep switchback staircase to reach the sand.

Mission Bay - kayak, paddle board, jet ski

Rent kayaks, stand up paddle boards, or jet skis at either Mission Bay Sport Center or Mission Bay Aquatic Center. If you roller blade or bike there is a 12 mile loop around the Bay, or you can simply enjoy a walk in the park.

USS Midway Museum

San Diego Harbor Cruises

San Diego Zoo