San Diego Things to Do – Attractions & Must See

San Diego Things to Do

San Diego is a vibrant city where there’s always something to do. From dinging to shopping to surfing to just relaxing on the beach, here are the best attractions and things to do in San Diego.

Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego is 16 blocks of historic buildings, museums, restaurants, stores, art galleries, and entertainment venues. If you only have time to visit one San Diego neighborhood, make it the Gaslamp Quarter. It gets its name from the gas lamps that lit the streets and buildings in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Balboa Park

Balboa Park is a massive scenic park in the middle of San Diego. It’s filled with family-friendly things to do, such as visiting a rose garden and museums or grabbing a quick lunch at the Balboa Park Visitor’s Center. On Sundays, the park is home to many free events, from live musical acts to flower shows.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is more than 100 years old and is one of the only places in the world to see Giant Pandas. While it’s on the pricey side, the San Diego Zoo has an extensive animal collection that makes it well worth it. There are more than 3,500 rare or endangered species, including cheetahs, lions, tigers, giraffes, and elephants. The San Diego Zoo also has beautiful botanic gardens throughout the park.

U.S.S. Midway

The U.S.S. Midway is an aircraft carrier turned museum. It was built in 1955 and in use until 1992, so it has a long and storied past that the tour guides are happy to tell you all about. The U.S.S. Midway also has aircraft on display throughout the ship, and veterans will share their stories from serving aboard it.

Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego is about 10 minutes outside of the city center. The architecture is a mix of American with Mexican and Spanish influences, and the atmosphere is laid-back and relaxed. People come to Old Town San Diego to explore the shops, restaurants, museums, history homes, and highly rated theaters.

La Jolla

La Jolla is the place to go to enjoy San Diego’s natural beauty and get in some shopping. You can get up close and personal for views of the scenic cove and cliffs, and there’s a large seal population that calls La Jolla home.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about San Diego things to do.