25 Things to Do & See in San Diego

Vacationing in San Diego is one of those quintessential California experiences.  The weather, the beach, the proximity to Mexico, and all of it seen in countless movies (Top Gun, Almost Famous, Flight of the Intruder) and on television (Gomer Pyle, Simon & Simon, That 80’s Show).

So what is there to do in this second largest city in California?

Balboa Park Botanical Building in San Diego

Here are some ideas, in no particular order:

1. San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park – Animal lovers will love both of these locations.  The zoo is in Balboa Park and the animal park is a short drive away in Escondido.
2. Balboa Park – Not just the zoo, but also full of theater and performing venues, the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Air and Space Museum, and several other museums, IMAX Theater, gardens galore, the Botanical Building, and so much more that the list would be endless.  You can spend several days in the park and still not see everything.
3. Cabrillo National Monument – At the tip of Point Loma, this is where the first European set foot on the west coast.
4. Fish Tacos – Nothing says San Diego like a fish taco, long since achieving cult status as “the” San Diego dish.
5. Ocean Front Walk – San Diego’s version of Venice Beach, this boardwalk along the ocean is full of walkers, bikers, skateboarders, bikini-clad babes, and lots of quirky characters.
6. Whaley House – Located in Old Town, this 19th century home is now a museum, and is said to be haunted.
7. Surfing – Find a piece of beach, or a school to learn how.
8. Gaslamp Quarter – Walk this once questionable neighborhood, and check out the great restaurants, bars, and galleries.  It’s not seedy any longer.
9. Mission San Diego de Alcala – Built back in the mid 1700’s, this was one of the earlier missions built along the west coast.  Although not its original structure, it does depict what mission life must have been like.
10. Local Brews – San Diego claims to be the birthplace of IPA (India Pale Ale), so try a few and decide for yourself.
11. Horton Plaza – A 5-level shopping mall in the heart of downtown.  If you’ve forgotten something, you’ll find it here.
12. Old Town State Historic Park – 6 blocks of pedestrian only park that is home to some of the earliest buildings in San Diego, including a general store, the first office of the San Diego Union newspaper, and Wells Fargo Bank.
13. Torrey Pines State Reserve – A beautiful parked named for a gnarled pine tree that only grows here and on an island off the coast.
14. SeaWorld – Shamu and the rest of the gang will welcome you.
15. Del Mar Racetrack – Bet on a winner or watch for the star, either way it’s seriously good fun.
16. Take to the air – Try hang gliding, a helicopter tour, a bi-plane ride, or have lunch and watch the planes take off from the airport.
17. Take to the water – Swimming, surfing, kayaking, sailing, parasailing, or just splashing in the surf.  San Diego has weather that’s great for year round water sports.
18. Professional sports – The Padres (NL) of Major League Baseball and the Chargers of the NFL both have loyal fans and attract quite the following.
19. Watch a sunset at the beach – A great way to end the day.
20. Check into a Museum – The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the New Children’s Museum, San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, Maritime Museum, or the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum are all great picks.
21. Visit Little Italy – It may be small, but the community is still vibrant and fun.
22. Walk around Seaport Village – Sure, the tourist go there, but so do the locals.  Take time to walk around the 14-acre outdoor plaza, full of shops, galleries, and plenty of places to eat.  Be sure to ride the carousel.
23. Eat Mexican food in Old Town – Look for a place that makes their own tortillas – by hand.
24. Go back to school at University of California, San Diego – This beautiful campus has a great theater (La Jolla Playhouse), so you may want to catch a performance.  Or wander the Stuart Collection, a group of outdoor sculptures.  Other nearby campuses in the area include the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
25. Take the ferry to Coronado – OK, drive if you must, but the ferry ride is much more relaxing, and prettier, too.  Stop off at the Hotel del Coronado for a step back in time.

Did I miss your favorite San Diego spot?  Take me to task in the comments!

Photo credit: wikimedia