Things To Do
San Diego Zoo
A 100-acre zoo and wildlife park in Balboa Park world-famous for its open-air, cageless exhibits. This is about a 10-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
SeaWorld
SeaWorld San Diego is a theme park located in Mission Bay Park. It is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, public aquarium, and marine animal rehabilitation center. This is about a 15-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
LEGOLAND
Legoland California Resort is a theme park, miniature park, and aquarium in Carlsbad based on the Lego toy brand. This is about a 45-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Disneyland
I'm not here to patronize you. You’ve heard of Disneyland. This is 1.5-2 hours from downtown San Diego (depending on traffic).
Los Angeles
One time I saw Jackie Chan and I said, "You're Jackie Chan!" and he said, "Yes, I am Jackie Chan." This is 2-3 hours from downtown San Diego (depending on traffic).
Seaport Village
Seaport Village is a waterfront shopping and dining complex adjacent to San Diego Bay in downtown. The complex houses more than 70 shops, galleries, and eateries on 90,000 square feet of waterfront property. This is about a 5-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
San Diego Whale Watch
Dive into a 3-hour whale-watching cruise. Enjoy live commentary from our certified marine naturalists and experience a tour filled with whales, dolphins, sea lions, and birds! Choose from cozy indoor or refreshing outdoor seating. Winter is the best time to see gray whales! This is about a 15-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway was the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century. Named after the climactic Battle of Midway of June 1942, Midway was built in only 17 months but missed World War II by one week when commissioned on Sept. 10, 1945. Midway was the first in a three-ship class of large carriers that featured an armored flight deck and a powerful air group of 120 planes. This is about a 10-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Maritime Museum at Star of India
The Maritime Museum of San Diego, established in 1948, preserves one of the largest collections of historic sea vessels in the United States. Located on San Diego Bay, the centerpiece of the museum's collection is Star of India, an 1863 iron barque. This is about a 10-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Whaley House Museum
San Diego’s famed Whaley House is widely regarded as America’s Most Haunted House and is a historical landmark. This is about a 10-minute drive from downtown San Diego and is in Old Town.
Old Town Trolley Tours
The tour is designed so that you can hop on and off and explore on your own at any time. Our fleet of orange and green trolleys travel frequently throughout San Diego and over the iconic San Diego-Coronado Bridge to Coronado on a continuous 25-mile loop visiting various neighborhoods with 11 destination stops. This is about a 5-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
San Diego Seal Tours
On your 100-minute, fully narrated SEAL Tour, wind your way through picturesque San Diego streets before splashing down for a cruise through the waters of San Diego Bay! This is about a 5-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is made up of more than 1,000 acres and offers 15 museums, various gardens, arts and international culture associations. This is about a 10-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá
This is the first mission in California, founded on July 16, 1769 by Spanish friar Junípero Serra. This is about a 15-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park
The Giant Dipper is a historical wooden roller coaster located in Belmont Park, a small amusement park in the Mission Beach area. Built in 1925, it and its namesake at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are the only remaining wooden roller coasters on the West Coast. This is about a 15-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is known for its lively bars and restaurants, shops, and beachfront views. This is about a 15-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Ocean Beach Pier
At 1,971 feet, Ocean Beach is believed to be the longest concrete pier in the world! This is about a 15-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Cabrillo National Monument
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo climbed out of his boat and onto shore, becoming the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. Cabrillo National Monument not only tells the story of this 16th-century exploration but also houses a wealth of cultural and natural resources. This is about a 20-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
La Jolla Tide Pools
La Jolla Tide Pools are a series of natural saltwater pools that are located along the rocky coastline of La Jolla. The pools are formed during low tide when the water recedes, and visitors can explore them to observe the marine life that lives there. The tide pools are part of an ecological reserve, so visitors are not allowed to remove anything from the area. This is about a 20-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
La Jolla Cove
It’s pupping season, so please be respectful of the seals & sea lions! This spot gets crowded when baby seals are involved! This is about a 20-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
1,500 acres of land are as they were before San Diego was developed — including the maritime chaparral, the rare Torrey pine, miles of unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds. Check out stunning overlooks, walk a peaceful trail, or exercise in a clean, beautiful environment. This is about a 30-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
San Diego Botanic Garden
San Diego Botanic Garden features 37 acres, 29 gardens, and 5300+ plant species and varieties, representing 15 regions of the world. This is about a 30-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Hotel del Coronado
The Hotel Del is a historic beachfront hotel in the city of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay. A rare surviving example of an American architectural genre—the wooden Victorian beach resort—it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. It is the second-largest wooden structure in the United States. Marilyn Monroe's 1959 film Some Like it Hot was filmed here! More importantly, The Del's biggest accolade is that it is also where Tom DeLonge of the world renowned, prestige band Blink-182 got married. ;) Sam and I will also officially take our vows on the beach in front of The Hotel Del; 90% because I've wanted to get married there since I was 9 years old, and 10% because Tom DeLonge did it. Oh! Right. This is about a 15-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Hillcrest
The LGBTQIA+ neighborhood in San Diego. Hillcrest offers a mix of ethnically diverse restaurants, nightclubs and acclaimed wine bars. You'll also discover home decor shops, distinctive boutiques, the Uptown District shopping plaza, and the country's only openly gay brewery, Hillcrest Brewing Company. This lively stretch also hosts one of the largest farmers markets in San Diego from 9AM – 2PM on Sunday. This is about a 10-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Old Town San Diego
Old Town is the oldest settled area in San Diego and the site of the first European settlement in California. It features 19th-century homes and businesses, including adobe ranch homes, a schoolhouse, and a graveyard. Old Town State Historic Park has more than two dozen buildings that depict life from the early Mexican-American period of 1821-1872. The park also includes museums, shopping, and restaurants. This is about a 10-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Gaslamp Quarter Downtown
In 1867, the city installed around 50 gas lamp street lights to light up this new modern part of the town. The city kept the Victorian atmosphere for most of this area, including the signature Gas Lamp Street lights designs, hence its name. Today, the Historic Gaslamp Quarter is known for its great abundance of shopping, entertainment, and nightlife. This is in downtown San Diego.
Better Buzz Coffee
A San Diego based coffee chain that’s worth the line. (psst…get a “best drink ever”)
Extraordinary Desserts
Just go. And if they have cheesecake? Get that. This is about a 5-minute drive from downtown San Diego.