Things to do in San Diego

Things to do in San Diego

1. DoDowntown

   Amici Park

   A small park in Little Italy, notable for its bocce (a popular sport in Italy) courts. You can also find Italian recipes engraved onto the sidewalk plaques and tables around the park.

2. DoMission Beach-Pacific Beach

   Belmont Park

   A seaside amusement park located near the southern end of Mission Beach, Belmont Park is a landmark with a number of shops, restaurants, an arcade, and a bunch of rides. The big attraction is the Giant Dipper, a historic roller coaster that is one of the only two remaining oceanfront roller coasters still operating on the west coast. Also popular is The Plunge, a historic indoor heated swimming pool that continues to be the city's largest indoor pool. Among the other rides is a FlowRider (a simulated wave attraction which you can bodyboard on), an antique carousel, bumper cars, slides, pendulum rides, tilt-a-whirl, and a trampoline.

   Open April–December, hours vary by season and day of week; typically 11AM-8PM·General admission free, ride tickets $1 each (rides take anywhere from 3-6 tickets each); unlimited ride passes available

3. DoLa Jolla

   Black's Beach

   Set against high cliffs, Black's Beach is the largest nude beach in the country. There are two parts of the beach. There is the southern part in the City of San Diego, where nudity is not allowed (although this rule is rarely enforced), and the northern part in Torrey Pines State Park, where clothing is purely optional. Black's Beach has one of the most powerful beach breaks in Southern California, making it a popular, but dangerous, surfing spot. To get down to the beach, you have three options. First, you can walk from La Jolla Shores, which is a long stretch. Second, you can go to the Gliderport and take a breathtaking path on the side of the cliff that goes straight down. Don't come in high heels, although it's a safe enough path for surfers to run by you with their surfboards. The top is a great spot to watch the sunset! Third, you can drive along the cliffs north from the Gliderport. Park in the last allowable spot, and take another breathtaking path down. The second path is less beautiful but takes you farther towards the unexplored parts of the beach. The second path forks at the very bottom of the cliff. If you take the fork, which goes into the canyon, you will arrive via a twisty path at the bottom of a hidden waterfall which is home to hummingbirds. It's a few hundred feet in and well worth the walk. The full moon drum circle goes on here each month. Look for it on a rainbowgathering website. It starts at dawn and goes till dusk. People bring tents and sleeping bags, though most go back up the cliffs. This is a no alcohol event, but feel free to bring wood, a drum, juice and a trashbag to clean up.

4. DoDowntown

   Children's Park

   An unusual park with lots of grassy hills, shade trees, and a large water feature. Unfortunately, this park is usually occupied by homeless, so it wouldn't be a safe destination for children.

5. DoPoint Loma-Ocean Beach

   Dog Beach

   At the northern end of Ocean Beach, dog lovers can bring their pets along for a romp in the waves or a swim in the flood channel.

6. DoDowntown

   Embarcadero Park

   Also known as the Marina Park, Embarcadero Park is split into two parts, north and south, which shelter the marina. Very pleasant, with lots of trees, grass, and good views of the harbor. You can access the north park by walking through the Seaport Village shopping center, and you can reach the south park by going around the back side of the convention center.

7. DoMission Beach-Pacific Beach

   Fiesta Island

   This island in the middle of Mission Bay hosts the Fiesta Island Time Trial Series, hosted by the San Diego Bicycle Club. Competitors meet up to see who can ride the quickest 20k or improve the most. Single riders, tandems and teams are all welcome, and the event also hosts triathletes and world class road race athletes. There is always a waiting list for these trials, so early registration is vital if you want to take part in this very exciting aspect of cycling in Mission Bay Park.

8. DoDowntown

   Gaslamp Quarter Park

   A small square next to the Gaslamp Quarter trolley station with a small water fountain. Good views of the convention center.

9. DoBalboa Park-Hillcrest

   Hillcrest Cinemas

   Part of the Landmark Theaters chain, this theater showcases many independent and foreign films.

10. DoDowntown

    Horton Plaza Park

    A historic square just north of the shopping center of the same name. A large fountain marks the center of the park.

11. DoLa Jolla

    La Jolla Country Club

    Private members-only club. Strict attire, cell phone, and tipping guidelines.

12. DoLa Jolla

    La Jolla Cove

    A very popular beach for swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling, set against beautiful sea cliffs. In 2026, it was ranked by TripAdvisor as no. 1 in the United States and no. 7 in the world. The bluffs above the beach are grassy, making a great spot for picnics. Keep in mind that La Jolla Cove is part of the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, so fishing, scavenging, or "swimming devices" (surfboards, boogie boards, inflatable mattresses, etc.) are not allowed. You may also find a very large number of sea-birds and animals flying, walking and lazing around the area in the daytime.

13. DoLa Jolla

    La Jolla Shores

    In north La Jolla, this beach has some of the gentlest waves of any beach in San Diego. The beach is notable for being near the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus and it contains the Scripps Pier. This is one of the only beach boat launching areas in La Jolla, so it's a popular spot for kayaking and surfing.

14. DoNorth

    Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

    A large park stretching several miles between the I-5/I-805 intersection and I-15, just south and roughly parallel to SR-56. There is very beautiful scenery which can be explored via the system of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. The park also contains a few historical landmarks, including the Rancho de los Penasquitos, one of the oldest surviving homes in the region, dating back to 1823. Tours of the house are available every Saturday at 11AM.

    Tue-Sat 9AM-5PM·Free

15. DoNorth

    Marian Bear Memorial Park

    It's in the San Clemente Canyon along SR-52 from I-5 to I-805. This large park contains some very scenic trails.

16. DoBalboa Park-Hillcrest

    Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater

    A popular venue for renowned puppeteers, with an indoor theater holding many performances during the year. A favorite for children.

17. DoLa Jolla

    Marine Street Beach

    A local beach with some rough and dangerous surf. This is a great spot for body surfing and body boarding. No facilities are available here.

18. DoMission Beach-Pacific Beach

    Mission Bay Aquatic Center

    The aquatic center rents catamarans and other watercraft, as do several other franchises around the bay. Instructional lessons are available. The western half of the bay is "sail only" (powerboats 5 mph no wake) during the daytime.

19. DoMission Beach-Pacific Beach

    Mission Bay Playground

    There are many playgrounds in the city, but this one is easily one of the best. For starters, it's a huge playground, with several elaborate play structures (one is built to resemble a pirate ship) and lots of elements for kids to explore. It's on the edge of Mission Bay and surrounded by expansive lawns perfect for kite-flying and playing sports.

20. DoMission Beach-Pacific Beach

    Mission Beach

    This beach is one of the calmest, easiest places to ocean swim in San Diego area. You can also go scuba diving (off the shore are several dive wrecks). Or you can bicycle or rollerblade along the boardwalk (several stores nearby rent equipment).

21. DoNorth

    Mission Trails Regional Park

    This massive park along the San Diego River between San Diego and Santee is a hidden jewel among the city's park system. Consisting mostly of rugged, hilly scrubland, Mission Trails offers an excellent diversion from the hustle and bustle of the city. Numerous trails criss cross through the park, and there's an excellent visitor center with exhibits on the flora, fauna, and the human history in the area. You can also see the Old Mission Dam, which once provided water to the original mission community of San Diego just to the west in Mission Valley. Cowles Mountain, the tallest point in the city (1,591 feet above sea level), offers a lovely view of the surrounding area clear out to the ocean and is popular with runners and hikers, with several challenging trails ranging from three to five miles (round trip) featuring steep climbs, wooden steps, and rock crossings. Mission Gorge is one of the most popular rock climbing spots in the area, with over 150 routes from 5.0 to 5.12 grades, and suitable for the novice and the experienced climber. In the summers the gorge can be extremely hot in the direct sun, but the crag stays cool and shaded in the until around noon or 1PM. The rest of the year you can climb all day. Also within the park is Lake Murray Reservoir, which is open to boating and fishing.

    Free

22. DoPoint Loma-Ocean Beach

    Ocean Beach

    A large sandy beach, which cater to just about every beach-going type, offering designated surfing and swimming zones, which are monitored by the local life guards.

23. DoPoint Loma-Ocean Beach

    Ocean Beach Municipal Pier

    Extends out over the waves and offers great views of the beautiful Pacific Ocean and coast. A tackle shop in the middle of the pier provides bait and supplies for the many fishing enthusiasts who frequent the area. This is one of the few places that visitors can fish without a California fishing license. Pole rentals are available at the bait shop as well.

24. DoBalboa Park-Hillcrest

    Old Globe Theatre

    The original theater, designed to copy Shakespeare's theatre in London, was built in 1935 for the California Pacific International Exposition in only 32 days and featured shortened versions of Shakespeare plays. In 1941, the U.S. Navy ordered the Old Globe to remove equipment and records for a period of 24 hours -- the Navy had acquired Balboa Park for use during World War II. By the summer of 1947, the federal government returned the park to the City of San Diego. In 1978 the theatre was destroyed by fire; a rebuilt theatre opened in 1982. The area hosts three stages including the Old Globe itself, the Cassius Carter Centre Stage, and an outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theater. You will usually have to purchase tickets in advance.

25. DoDowntown

    Park at the Park

    For the 81 Padres home game days, this grassy berm overlooking Petco Park is closed to the general public, open as a place to view the game for the price of a ticket. But for the other 284 days of the year, the park is open to the public. The park has a small baseball diamond, a playground, and there are various monuments to the achievements of the Padres, such as a statue of star player Tony Gwynn nearby.

26. DoBalboa Park-Hillcrest

    San Diego Junior Theatre

    One of the oldest youth theater programs in the country, the Junior Theatre holds many live performances.

27. DoDowntown

    San Diego Padres

    See the Major League Baseball Padres play at Petco Park. The stadium, modeled after other "retro" ballparks, has many unique elements, such as the Western Metal Supply Co. building, a historic warehouse which is incorporated into the left-field seats. Price range for tickets varies widely, from $15-20 for a spot on the grassy lawn beyond the outfield wall (the "Park at the Park") to over $50 for a seat behind home plate. Ballpark tours are available off-season daily at 10:30AM and 12:30PM, with an extra 3PM tour on Saturdays; tours are also available during the season, but times vary depending on whether there's a game that day or not.

    Tickets $15-$120, depending on section and date of game; ballpark tours $12 adults, $10 military, $9 seniors, $8 children

28. DoMid-City

    San Diego State University Aztecs

    College basketball enthusiasts may be familiar with "The Show", SDSU's famously rowdy student section. They play their home games at Viejas Arena (formerly Cox Arena) on the SDSU campus. The Aztecs college baseball team plays at Tony Gwynn Stadium (also on the SDSU campus). The college football team opened the new Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley, built on part of the site of the team's former home of San Diego Stadium, in 2022.

29. DoDowntown

    San Diego Symphony

    Copley Symphony Hall

    Somewhat in the shadow of the mighty Los Angeles Philharmonic, but still a top notch symphony orchestra. See website for the current season.

30. DoOld Town-Mission Valley

    San Diego Toreros

    NCAA Division I teams representing the University of San Diego. The basketball team plays their home games at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on the USD campus. The Toreros college baseball team plays at Cunningham Stadium and their college football team plays at Torero Stadium (both also on the USD campus). USD competes in the West Coast Conference in most sports; since the WCC doesn't sponsor football, the Toreros play that sport in the Pioneer Football League.

31. DoPoint Loma-Ocean Beach

    Shelter Island Boat Launching Ramp

    Provides the closest access to the Pacific Ocean (approximately 3 miles away) of the four boat launch ramps on San Diego Bay. Restrooms and a large parking lot are immediately available. For visiting fishermen, the bait receivers, where anchovies and sardines can be purchased, are on the right side of the channel as you exit the harbor. The bait barges are open 24 hours per day.

32. DoOld Town-Mission Valley

    Snapdragon Stadium

    Opened in September 2022 on the former site of San Diego Stadium as the new home of the San Diego State Aztecs college football team. The women's soccer team San Diego Wave FC (see below) and men's rugby team San Diego Legion (also below) also play here, and the city's team in Major League Soccer, San Diego FC, will start play here in 2025.

33. DoBalboa Park-Hillcrest

    Spreckels Organ Pavilion

    Home to one of the world's largest outdoor pipe organs, the Spreckels Pavilion holds a number of free - yes, free of charge - concerts throughout the year.

34. DoBalboa Park-Hillcrest

    Starlight Bowl

    The Bowl is home to the San Diego Civic Light Opera Association, which puts on plenty of live performances through the summer. Since 1946, Starlight Theatre has presented live musical theatre under the stars each summer in beautiful Balboa Park.

35. DoPoint Loma-Ocean Beach

    Sunset Cliffs

    A lovely setting, Sunset Cliffs is an excellent place for sightseeing, picnics, watching sunsets (as the name suggests) or just driving along the rim of the beautiful cliffs along Sunset Cliffs Blvd. There is also a rather secluded beach there, but it's swim at your own risk. It is quite popular with the more adventurous and seasoned surfer as the surf is rather rough for the area. Be warned, however, that there are no lifeguards at this secluded beach and it is only accessible by scaling a gently eroding (but long-standing) cliff face. Local surfers have been kind enough to provide a rope that aids in 'safely' repelling down the cliff face. Some upper body strength is required to return to the top.

36. DoNorth

    Tecolote Canyon Natural Park

    Tecolote Canyon is a narrow coastal valley in the neighborhood of Clairemont which offers miles of trails open to hiking and biking. The visitor center at the mouth of the canyon offers exhibits on the flora and fauna found in the park.

    Free

37. DoLa Jolla

    Torrey Pines Golf Course

    A stunning seaside public golf course noted for hosting the PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open every January or February.

38. DoLa Jolla

    Torrey Pines State Beach

    Stretched along Torrey Pines State Park and set against gorgeous cliffs, this beach is one of the most beautiful around. A salt marsh at the north end of the beach empties into the ocean. The beach is also a popular one for surfing and body boarding.

39. DoNorth

    Vertical Hold

    The largest full service indoor climbing gym in the San Diego area.

40. DoLa Jolla

    Windansea Beach

    This beach has no facilities, but is notable for playing host to a great number of talented and famous surfers. The simple "Surf Shack" structure there has been designated a historic landmark. There are huge, smoothly sculpted rocks on this beach that are fun to climb on and look at.

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to San Diego (CC BY-SA 4.0).