San Diego – Attractions and the Vibes
San Diego is perhaps the most fun city in all of California. The city boasts plenty of unique tourist attractions, including the world's largest zoo, the legendary SeaWorld, the popular Comic-Con convention at the convention center, and the impressive museum row in Balboa Park. Downtown is particularly known for the trendy Gaslamp Quarter, with the waterfront and harbor nearby, where the USS Midway is now open to the public as a museum. To the north, the historic Old Town is the birthplace of California's settlement. The city has countless options for family trips, as well as a unique urban atmosphere and a popular recreational area on the beautiful cliffs of La Jolla.
How many days do you need for a trip to San Diego?
For a trip to San Diego, you should dedicate three or four full days of touring, including a day or more at Balboa Park, a day exploring the northern parts of the city and SeaWorld, and a day downtown and at the harbor attractions.
During your stay in San Diego, it's recommended to find accommodations in beachfront hotels or downtown (there are also excellent motels on highway number 8).
Click here for a list of 10 experiential hotels in San Diego…
Click here to find accommodations in San Diego…
14 must-see and do things in San Diego
- The legendary San Diego Zoo
- Have fun with the kids at SeaWorld
- The museum row at Balboa Park
- Apollo 9 at the Air and Space Museum
- The ships and vessels at the San Diego Maritime Museum
- Climb aboard the mighty USS Midway carrier
- Enjoy Embarcadero and Seaport Village
- Shops and restaurants (and beautiful historic buildings) in the Gaslamp Quarter
- The stunning sea caves of La Jolla
- San Diego and California's historic core at Mission San Diego de Alcalá
- The important historic homes around Plaza de las Armas in Old Town San Diego
- See 19th-century San Diego in all its glory at Heritage Park
- Urban fabric at a former military base in Liberty Station
- Climb the fort and visit the archaeological museum at Presidio Park
Click here for all the information on a trip to Downtown San Diego and the port…
Click here for the complete guide to touring North San Diego – SeaWorld, Old Town, and La Jolla…
What is San Diego?
San Diego, or as it's ambitiously called America's Finest City, is located at the southern tip of California, along the Pacific Ocean coast. The city's downtown is shielded from the ocean by a protective island that forms the San Diego Bay.
- The city is situated on the border of the USA with Mexico and is in an urban continuum with the Mexican city of Tijuana.
- San Diego is home to about one and a quarter million residents, with more than three million in its metropolitan area.
- It is the second-largest city in California after Los Angeles, which is a two-hour drive to the north, and the third-largest metropolitan area in the state after Los Angeles and the metropolitan area of San Francisco.
The settlement in San Diego was founded in 1769 by Spanish settlers from Mexico. They settled in what was an Indian village and established the Mission San Diego de Alcalá. As with all of California, these settlers belonged to the Franciscan order, and the monastery they built still stands as part of the Old Town National Park.
Click here for a guided night tour in Downtown San Diego…
- In 1850, San Diego, like all of California, became part of the USA. By the end of the 19th century, it had become an important base for the American military forces.
- Today, the city is the home port of the Third Fleet, with aircraft carriers docked at the large naval base south of Downtown in San Diego Bay, visible from the shoreline.
- The city itself is quite affluent with a high quality of life. It's regarded as one of the safest and most organized cities in the USA, in contrast to its glitzy neighbor Los Angeles to the north.
Map of San Diego
How to Get to San Diego?
How to Get to San Diego by Flight?
San Diego International Airport (SAN) – The city's airport is located at the northern edge of San Diego Bay, adjacent to Downtown and Balboa Park to the west. The I-5 freeway runs along its western part. The airport was formerly known as Lindbergh Field. The airport is well connected to all of San Diego's numerous attractions, with most being within a fifteen-minute drive.
The airport has two terminals and a single runway. It's well-connected with all the Pacific coast airports and major airports on the East Coast, the Midwest, and Canada. The airport serves as a departure base for vacations across Mexico and reaches numerous resorts in the neighboring country.
Click here for a bike tour with a local guide through all the city's important sites…
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The legendary Los Angeles airport is one of the largest and most important airports in all of North America. It is considered the second busiest airport in the US (after Atlanta's airport) and the third busiest in the entire world. LAX, as it is affectionately known in popular culture, is located near downtown Los Angeles, between Inglewood and Playa Del Rey Beach, adjacent to the 405 freeway.
The drive from the airport to Downtown, Hollywood, and Santa Monica is about half an hour (depending on traffic, since the 405 is one of the most notorious roads in the world during rush hours). LAX is optimally connected to every point across the USA and the entire world, including direct flights from Ben Gurion Airport or plenty of transfer options in Europe. The travel time from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego is about two hours.
How to get to San Diego by car?
- San Diego is the southern end city of the I-5 highway, which runs along the entire Pacific coast, from the Mexico border at the city's outskirts north to Seattle and the Canada border
- The highway connects the city with its large neighbor Los Angeles to the north, about a two-hour drive
- The 5 route is the main transportation artery of downtown, connecting the three relevant tourist areas in the city – the Downtown, Old Town, and Balboa Park
- The I-8 freeway connects San Diego with the city of Phoenix, Arizona, about a six-hour drive
Click here for all the information on car rental in the USA + useful tips and significant discounts…
When to Visit San Diego?
- The weather in San Diego is Mediterranean (subtropical), but much more pleasant than what we know from back home
- In every season and throughout the year, when visiting the city, you'll enjoy great weather, mostly sunny and not too hot or humid
- Summer in San Diego is truly ideal, with average temperatures of 25-26 degrees and plenty of sunshine. It's not too hot and there's no terrible humidity. The summer is very dry with almost no rain
- Winter in San Diego is warm, with occasional colder days but far from freezing point
- Relative to other places, the city is also very dry with not too much rain throughout the year. Most of the rain falls in the late winter months – January and February
- Spring and fall also boast great weather, very pleasant during both seasons and not rainy at all.
Click here for a guided tour of all the fascinating sites of the Gaslamp Quarter…
How to plan an itinerary in San Diego?
Itinerary in the center of San Diego
- It's recommended to start the journey along the San Diego Bayfront in downtown San Diego. Here you'll find the ships of the Maritime Museum of San Diego and the USS Midway aircraft carrier.
- These two attractions are the main visiting spots in the city's downtown, before heading out to the legendary zoo and museums of Balboa Park and a tour in Old Town.
- It's worth continuing a bit south along the harbor to the Embarcadero and Seaport Village, the charming harbor mall.
- A little further south is the huge convention center located on the bay.
- From the Convention Center, it’s worth diving into the streets of San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter, filled with trendy shops, restaurants, and everything you need for an urban adventure
- The district hosts a few historic buildings like the Balboa Theatre and the Noma Building
- Wrap up your visit with a trip to Little Italy, where you can enjoy lunch at one of the quarter's great Italian restaurants
For trip planning in San Diego and professional advice, click here…
Planning a Trip in Balboa Park
- Allocate a whole day for exploring Balboa Park. While the park isn't gigantic, it's packed with must-visit attractions and spots
- The San Diego Zoo is the park's main attraction and the most popular place to visit among all attractions.
- It's a good idea to start your park tour at the zoo, simply because of its size and the time needed to complete it.
- After that, you can continue to the museums of El Prado Avenue.
- South of El Prado Avenue lies the charming Japanese Garden and further south, the museums at Pan American Plaza, including the Air and Space Museum, Automotive Museum, and Comic-Con Museum.
- Since it's impossible to do everything in one day, and visiting more than three or four museums in a row is impractical, it's best to combine park museums visits with additional travel days, or decide which museums are worth visiting.
Click here to buy online admission tickets to the San Diego Zoo…
Click here to buy online admission tickets to the San Diego Automotive Museum…
North San Diego Itinerary and Old Town Historic Park
- Exploring parts of San Diego north of downtown is simple and easy. It's best to start your day at a fine beach hotel in La Jolla, perhaps the most beautiful coastline south of Santa Monica
- The main attraction in the northern part of the city is San Diego SeaWorld, a large theme park primarily known for its marine mammals shows, especially the orca whales
- From SeaWorld, it's worth jumping over to Liberty Station, a developing urban space in what used to be a U.S. Naval training base
- Old Town San Diego is a large site where you can see a range of historic houses from the city
- Nearby, at Heritage County Park, you'll find all the county's important houses brought into the park for museum preservation
- Above the Old Town lies the great Presidio Park
- A little to the east is the famous mission after which the city is named, the first settlement in California
Click here to purchase online tickets for the amazing SeaWorld in San Diego…
Everything you need to know about lodging and hotels in San Diego
In the city and metropolitan area of San Diego, there are roughly four main clusters of accommodations and hotels, each with its own unique vibe. Since you can't possibly see all of San Diego in just one day, it is highly recommended to find a place to stay in the city. Consideration for car and parking should also factor into choosing your accommodation.
Click here for 10 experiential hotels in San Diego…
- Urban Hotels in Downtown San Diego and Gaslamp Quarter – In the heart of San Diego, you can find the classic downtown American hotels, including four-star boutique hotels, standard three-star hotels, and luxury hotels from major international chains. Most of the downtown hotels are located in the Gaslamp Quarter, between Seventh and Fourth Avenues in downtown San Diego.
- Unique Hotels in La Jolla – In La Jolla Village, you'll find unique vacation hotels in the heart of the central area above the famous coves. This is the vibrant area of the city located north of downtown San Diego.
- Resort Hotels in Pacific Beach – Pacific Beach district, north of downtown San Diego, features a long sandy coastline ideal for vacationing. The beachfront hotels include a pool and direct access to the beautiful beach. These aren't resorts or modern hotels but are very popular with the local population.
- Motels and Hotels in Mission Valley on I-8 near San Diego Old Town – The main motel section of Mission Valley is a very convenient place to stay, situated in an excellent location in San Diego. Near Highway 8, there are many motels from all major hotel chains. Mission Valley's location is just a short drive from all the city's attractions, such as SeaWorld, Balboa Park, the Old Town, and Downtown.
- Coronado – Another unique accommodation option is the Hotel Del Coronado. This spectacular resort in the vacation town of Coronado on the shielded island is a 10-minute drive from Downtown San Diego. It is one of the most famous historical resorts in Southern California. The hotel was built in 1888 and has since become a symbol of luxury and leisure.
Click here to check availability and prices at San Diego hotels…
Map of Where to Stay in San Diego
Downtown San Diego
Downtown San Diego is a fascinating place to explore. The heart of the city is the historic Gaslamp Quarter – as its name suggests, it's a place full of historic buildings from the mid to late 19th century. Today, the district is a popular area for entertainment and strolling with many trendy galleries, restaurants, and shops. Along the edge of San Diego Bay, a row of ships stands as part of the city's Maritime Museum. You can board them, and also the USS Midway aircraft carrier nearby, which serves as a museum too.
Click here for all the information about touring Downtown San Diego…
What is Downtown San Diego?
- Downtown San Diego is a delightful area to visit, especially compared to other American cities' downtowns
- Large parts of downtown feature tall modern towers as part of the city's financial district, but downtown has two popular neighborhoods – the Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy.
- These two neighborhoods have undergone gentrification and are now beloved entertainment areas with many shops, galleries, restaurants, and more.
- Along the San Diego Bay, you'll find the city's Maritime Museum with several historical ships you can board, including of course, the Midway aircraft carrier, now a popular visitor attraction.
- Nearby is also San Diego's large marina at the Embarcadero, where you'll find the popular Seaport Village mall.
- Every July, the city's big event takes place downtown – San Diego's Comic-Con, held at the large convention center by the bay.
For an especially delicious food tour in San Diego, click here…
Balboa Park Museums and San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in California. The park is home to the popular San Diego Zoo, the largest urban zoo in the world. The zoo was built as part of the Panama-California Exposition, and today, the expo pavilions have become the home of the city's important museums. Along the El Prado Promenade stand the major city and regional museums, creating a significant site to visit together with the zoo.
Click here for all the information on touring Balboa Park, including the San Diego Zoo and museums…
What is Balboa Park?
Balboa Park is the municipal park of San Diego. The park is located at the northeastern tip of downtown, beyond the I-5 freeway route.
It is named after the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, who founded the first Spanish colony in Panama, considered the first European settlement on the mainland of America (although settlements were previously established on the island of Hispaniola, which is now Haiti and the Dominican Republic).
- The park was designed and planted in 1868, becoming part of the urban fabric of small San Diego during those years
- The vast San Diego Zoo opened in 1915, occupying the entire northern part of the park. It was built following the Panama-California Exposition held in 1915, featuring a display of exotic animals that attracted large crowds
- These animals were the foundation for creating the permanent zoo. Following the zoo and the enormous crowds it attracted, more institutions opened in the park, settling in the exposition buildings
- Over the years, the park became the cultural center of San Diego, with important city and county museums opening on-site
- In 1935, another world fair was held in the park, the California-Pacific Exposition, which added more pavilions in the southern part of the park that today also house museums.
- Today, the entire park is the number one tourist destination in San Diego, attracting a huge number of visitors. Most come for the zoo, which is considered the largest and best in the world, and continue to the impressive nearby museums.
Click here to buy online admission tickets to the San Diego Zoo…
The park benefits from incredibly efficient planning. The northeast corner of the park is a huge parking lot near the entrance gate to the city's zoo, the park's main attraction. Each museum has an adjacent parking lot accessible from the roads within the park.
In the center of the park is El Prado Boulevard, with Plaza de Panama Fountain at its heart. Along the boulevard are many of the park's museums, as well as shops and restaurants.
North San Diego and the Old Town Historical Park
The northern part of San Diego is a blend of popular attractions like the large theme park of SeaWorld, along with important historical sites where the city as we know it today was actually founded and developed. The Old Town San Diego State Park is a large collection of historic homes, and nearby is the Heritage Park, an open preservation museum of important houses gathered from across the city.
Up the hills, Mission San Diego de Alcalá is the first European settlement in all of California. On the coastline to the west lies the fabulous leisure area of La Jolla, where the coves offer a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean.
Click here for all the info on a trip to North San Diego, La Jolla, and the Old Town…
What are North San Diego and the Old Town Historical Park?
- The area north of Downtown San Diego and the city's financial district is actually the ancient urban core of San Diego and the cradle of European settlement throughout California.
- The foundation of all settlement in California is the Mission San Diego de Alcalá, after which the city is named, established in 1769.
- Not far from there is Old Town San Diego. Nearby is also the themed amusement park SeaWorld, the most popular park south of Disneyland in Anaheim.
- North of SeaWorld, you'll find the charming beaches and leisure area of La Jolla, famous for its scenic coves.
- Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a fascinating blend of museum and active urban space.
- The park was opened as an open-air museum in 1968, aiming to preserve the historical houses of San Diego's core, which were part of the city's fabric until then.
- The Old Town is located north of downtown San Diego, where the Gaslamp District developed separately, including the city's financial district.
- The original core of San Diego is engulfed in a residential urban area near the metropolitan's main transportation junction, the intersection of Interstate 5 with Interstate 8.
- The houses of the Old Town were built in the early and mid-19th century along the road towards the port from Mission San Diego de Alcala, for which the city is named.
- The Old Town was established as a Spanish army base called El Presidio Real de San Diego, where Presidio Park is today.
Click here to purchase online tickets for the amazing SeaWorld in San Diego…
Sports Teams in San Diego
San Diego Padres
The Padres are the only professional sports team left in the city after the Dodgers (baseball) and the Chargers (football) moved to Los Angeles. They play in the MLB, the American professional baseball league. The team was founded in 1969 and has reached the World Series twice but lost both times. Named after the founding fathers, but in Spanish, it refers to the Franciscan missionaries who founded the city and other cities in California. The team plays at Petco Park, located in the southern part of downtown, with seating for 42,000 fans.
Home stadium address: 100 Park Blvd., San Diego
Click here to purchase tickets for Padres games on the MLB site…
Click here for a guided tour of Petco Park, home of the Padres…
