Stocked with classic beaches, the country’s most famous zoo and acting as the ersatz gateway to the splendors of Mexico, the list of things to do in San Diego California could last for pages. But here are some of the highlights.
Explore the Gaslamp Quarter
Covering sixteen blocks of downtown San Diego, this quarter is a national historic district, and includes unique specialty shops, an impressive array of exquisite Mexican restaurants, and the majority of the city’s better bars and nightclubs. If you are looking for things to do in San Diego CA, this is a great place to start.
Sunbathe along Pacific Beach
San Diego is well-known for its beaches, and here is where the young and beautiful congregate on a sunny day. A visit Pacific Beach is a must on any list of things to do in San Diego CA, and wandering the surrounding streets are a perfect way to get acquainted with this seaside city. Featuring seafood restaurants and surf shops dotting the streets, Pacific Beach is also another mainstay of the city’s nightlife, meaning there’s always something going on near the coast, day or night.
Go Whale Watching
The winter months bring these majestic creatures to the waters surrounding San Diego and Baja Mexico. From December to March, this is one of the most popular things to do in San Diego California – not only will you see whales, but the equally lovable dolphins that call these waters home.
Visit nearby La Jolla
Taking the highlights of San Diego and distilling them into a small and romantic seaside town, La Jolla is a laid-back suburb, an unconventional shopper’s paradise, and home to hundreds of sea lions, who laze around the shores during the day and make their sandy beds there at night. If you are looking to get away a little bit, this is one of the best things to do in San Diego CA.
Take a Side Trip to Mexico
Sure, most people leaving San Diego don't venture further south than Tijuana - but you don’t have to stop at this border town to enjoy Mexico. Whether you are going to party, explore, or it’s your first glimpse into our neighbor to the south, there are many coastal towns along the Baja Peninsula that are well worth your time. Cities like Ensenada and Rosarita are only a short drive away, and getting in the car and heading south is one of the best things to do in San Diego California.
Head to Sea World
A city famous for its aquatic life, you can do little better than stop at Sea World. Dolphins, seals, orcas, penguins and others are here to entertain, enrapture and enlighten you. Especially if you have kids, this is one of the most popular things to do in San Diego CA – and even if you don’t, this water park holds some of the most adorable creatures on the face of the earth.