San Diego has become my second home (yes, Toronto will always be my first home!) and it wasn’t hard for me to fall in love with this beautiful city. Not only is the weather beautiful all year ’round (averaging at 75 degrees F like, all the time!) but there is tons to do, see, eat, and more! Situated on the Pacific Coast, this once sleepy, little Military town has exploded in popularity, making it a vacation destination for Californian’s and tourists alike. With a famous zoo, park, and beautiful beaches, it’s not hard to believe that everyone is flocking to this famous Southern California city.
Looking for things to do in sunny San Diego? Look no further than my list below where I’m giving you places to see, things to do, and places to eat!
10 Things to do in San Diego
1. Hike Torrey Pines State Reserve
One of the first things I ever did in San Diego was hike Torrey Pines and it’s my favorite hike ’til this day! Offering stunning mountainous and beach views, it’s number one on this list for a reason! The views are truly incredible and the trail offers many opportunities to snap away beautiful memories. Even more, the trail itself is quite a simple one to hike. It should take you approximately 45 minutes to hike the whole trail with a slight incline at the start of the trail. Treat yourself to a dip in the Pacific at the end – the trail leads you right to the beach so, why not! Should you feel hungry afterwards, Flower Child in Del Mar (a short drive away) is a yummy and, not to mention, healthy place to fuel up!
2. Explore Balboa Park
Certainly my favorite park here and there are plenty of reasons why! Not only can you bask in the beautiful nature and walking paths (make sure you make your way all the way down the main path to the rose garden – not to be missed!) but, there are several museums to explore here as well. Whether you’re a science buff or art history is more your thing, the options seem endless (with museum entry fees being pretty reasonable!). Feeling hungry? El Prado is a great and, might I add, delicious restaurant for a park pit stop. I can’t go on without mentioning my love of the historical buildings situated here – brings a stunning and unique charm to the park.
3. Make new furry friends at the San Diego Zoo
As if Balboa Park wasn’t cool enough, it’s also home to the world famous San Diego Zoo! What’s truly special about this zoo is not only does it house over 3,000 animals but, it also paved the way for cageless, open concept animal exhibits for our furry friends. It’s wonderful to see the animals happy, healthy, and well taken care of! Explore the zoo by foot, hop on the the free guided bus tour, or catch a view of the zoo from above on the Skyfari – an overhead gondola lift. Due to it’s popularity, I would suggest making your visit a later one, when the animals are more likely to be out and about!
4. Cross the bridge to Coronado Island
Across the San Diego Bay, you’ll find charming Coronado Island. Nicknamed The Crown City this island was once mainly habited by active military and their families however, nowadays, the island has come to be a resort town (which is exactly what it’s original intention was!). Whether you choose to drive over the famous Coronado Bridge or take the short ferry ride over from San Diego Bay, you’ll definitely want to make a visit to Hotel Del Coronado (their famous resort) with beautiful, historical interiors and take in their gorgeous beach. Beer lover? Look no further than Coronado Brewery. Side note: San Diego is known as the craft beer capitol of the US! Another great advantage about being in Coronado is the beautiful, panoramic views of the San Diego skyline – my fav!
5. Shop Seaport Village
Adjacent to San Diego bay, you’ll find San Diego’s popular waterfront shopping and dining complex. Taking a walk along this spot is one of my favorite things to do here! Not only can you take in the beautiful views of the Bay but, there are tons of shops to explore from clothing, jewelry, and even an entire shop dedicated to hot sauce. There are also several vendors lining the waterfront should you be interested in something more local. If shopping is not your thing (I really hope that’s not the case!) then continue west along the Bay where you’ll find yourself at the famous Kissing Statue, a memorial dedicated to Bob Hope, and the famous USS Midway carrier (now turned into a museum for your exploration).
6. Take in the nightlife in Gaslamp
I live right in the heart of Gaslamp so I can’t give you a list of San Diego greats without mentioning my active neighborhood! Situated in downtown San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter is most known for it’s endless bars, restaurants, clubs, theaters, and more! Also home to Petco Park where you can catch a Padres game (it’s really about the fun atmosphere here!). South of the famous ‘Gaslamp sign’ you’ll find the San Diego Convention Center – not only the busiest spot for weekend or weekly conventions but, home to the famous Comic Con! At the end of the day, there are many places to visit, new cocktails to try, or a new restaurant opening in the neighborhood that keeps Gaslamp bustling every single day!
7. Share a meal in Little Italy
Take in the yummy smells and happy people with full bellies in San Diego’s Little Italy! With tons of restaurants to tantalize your taste buds, you can also enjoy live music in the square or bare the long line at Salt and Straw for a taste of the best ice cream! Craving a new cocktail? The espresso martinis at 1920’s glam-themed Born and Raised are outstanding! (so is the restaurant itself!). Be sure to check out the Little Italy Mercato on Wednesdays and Saturdays for farmer’s market delights! Another fav of mine? The food market just off of the main square – a vibrant, upscale, cafeteria-like market offering delicious bites from tacos, Maine lobster, thin crust pizza and more. There’s also a big bar to get your cocktail on. I love the smells and vibrant buzz from this popular spot.
8. Eat all the tacos in North Park
I quickly fell in love with North Park as it so reminds me of the neighborhood I grew up in Toronto. Situated north of Balboa Park (hence the name North Park), I love the chill vibe that emanates from this hipster neighborhood. They also offer an awesome farmer’s market every Thursday evening if you’re down to taste and explore the local best of the best. Are tacos more your thing? City Tacos is the place to be! Their yummy and unique combinations of meats and toppings amid homemade tortillas are the best in the city hands down!
9. Be boujee in La Jolla
Famously known for it’s rugged coastline (and famous inhabitants!), La Jolla offers posh boutiques, restaurants, and one of California’s largest water reserves. Take a dip in La Jolla cove and wave hello to the many seals and sea lions that hang out here on the daily. Great kayaking tours are also offered here that not only take you through the caves of the cove but, give you a little history and architectural lesson on the region (like where Dr. Seuss once lived!). Looking for a place to dine with exceptional views? You’ll want to check out Duke’s, a Hawaiian-inspired dining experience with a huge back terrace offering stunning views of the cove!
10. Bask in the sun on the beach
You can’t visit San Diego without indulging in a beach day in one of the many beautiful beaches offered here. The great thing about the beaches here (besides their beauty) is you have many options to suit your needs:
Looking for a party vibe? Pacific Beach (or PB for short) is your jam for a younger crowd with endless bars and restaurants to keep you entertained when you’ve reached your sun and ocean limit;
Would you rather chill out with your favorite furry friend? Ocean Beach (or OB for short) is the place to be offering a laid-back vibe with a dog friendly beach!;
Interested in the best family beach? Coronado Beach has you covered with it’s beautiful sands and clear water (my personal fav!) catering to your needs;
Are you down to get your surf on? Tourmaline Beach (towards the end of PB) is surfer central!
Is there something missing on my list of things to do in San Diego that you want to share? Let me know in the comments section below!
