San Diego, California is commonly known as America’s finest city. Do you want to see why? Get excited because I’ve got a ton of options for you to make your bucket list of things to do in San Diego, California!
I came for the palm tree beach vacation and iconic San Diego weather, but I stayed for all the amazing things to do! You’re going to love seeing the West Coast of the United States.
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When I told my friends I was going to plan a trip to San Diego for my birthday they said, “It’s expensive in California.”
I wanted to find the best free things to do in San Diego and also splurge on a few unique experiences.
So here it is… the ultimate bucket list with all the best free things to do in San Diego and the “must-see” famous San Diego landmarks.
Andrea, I'm super excited for San Diego, let's skip right to it!
When is the best time to visit San Diego, California?
Southern California is known for its sunny skies. (Remember “it’s always sunny in California“?) The warm weather makes it a great place to enjoy outdoor activities almost any time of year.
I’ll go anywhere with sunny weather so when I was looking for a place to spend my birthday that approached the winter season in the US, San Diego was a winner!
Here’s what you need to know to decide on the best time to visit San Diego for your trip.
Best Time to Visit San Diego
The best time to visit San Diego is shoulder season. That means spring (March and May) or the early fall (September – November). Overall October is known to be the very best time to visit San Diego, CA. It’s off-season (with fewer crowds and better pricing) and the weather is great.
Worst Time to Visit San Diego
You don’t want to visit in the peak season of summer when it’s very hot and crowded. Steer clear of June gloom, which is often foggy.
The winter months of January and February are considered the rainy season and December is the coldest month of the year.
Free Things to Do in San Diego
I want you to visit San Diego attractions and have all the fun, but I realize it can get expensive. We need to create some balance. That’s why I’m including several free general admission options for you to add to your bucket list of things to do in San Diego!
Balboa Park
LOCATION: 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101-1660
Balboa Park was my favorite place to spend an entire day. The park has free admission, but you must pay to enter the museums and theaters.
Balboa Park is a must-see for first-time visitors in San Diego. Plan to spend most of the day just wandering around and enjoying the beautiful gardens and incredible architecture.
The park has a few great restaurants and great cocktails. Since everything you want to see isn’t in close proximity, there’s a free tram that helps you get around the 1,200-acre park.
PRO TIP: Spreckels Organ Pavilion has free organ concerts on Sunday afternoons.
See Seals and Sea Lions at La Jolla Cove
One of the most popular tourist destinations was visiting the La Jolla shores to see the marine life. In fact, it’s ranked the #1 thing to do in La Jolla.
There are tons of seals and sea lions just hanging out and making noise. It’s incredible to see it, but I have to warn you… there’s also an incredible smell. (If you know, you know.)
Either way, trust me when I say you have to add this experience to your bucket list of things to do in San Diego!
Visit the Famous Hotel del Coronado
LOCATION: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
Hotel del Coronado is located on Coronado Island, which is 5 miles from San Diego. I’m still adding it to your San Diego bucket list because it’s an iconic attraction and you can’t miss it.
After you go over the amazing Coronado Bridge, it’s just a short distance to the 1888 luxury Victorian hotel.
If the hotel room rates are outside your budget, don’t worry you can still visit the hotel and enjoy the restaurants and views without being a guest at the hotel. (I had lunch and a cocktail, and it was incredible!)
If your budget allows you to stay at Hilton’s Hotel Del Coronado, add this to your San Diego experiences.
Check out the Best Beaches
San Diego is along the Pacific Ocean and there’s no shortage of beautiful beaches along the west coast.
Here are just a few popular beaches for you to consider: Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Solana Beach, and Blacks Beach
Mission Beach
Mission Beach is located on a sandbar. The Mission Beach Boardwalk has your classic boardwalk beach town vibe. The amusement park is fun for the whole family.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach has a bohemian California beach vibe. This was my favorite area because of the nearby shopping and restaurants. It’s a great place to grab some fresh seafood, like a fish taco, and do some people-watching of the San Diegans living life. It’s the #1 surfing spot!
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is mostly made up of a young surfer community and is known as a party beach. It has a great nightlife scene with lots of bars and restaurants.
Solana Beach
Solana Beach is an upscale area with beautiful cliffs, views, and a great family-friendly neighborhood. It’s a good time if you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach.
Blacks Beach
Blacks Beach is famous for being a nude beach. I’m not saying you should go. I’m just saying it’s best to know before you go.
Sunny San Diego has plenty of white-sand beaches that don’t disappoint so it’s just a matter of what location you like best.
Watch the Sunset at Sunset Cliffs
It was surprising to see an area of cliffs become such a large attraction. Once you see it for yourself you will understand that Sunset Cliffs is one of the best places to watch the sunset in the ocean views.
People come early to get their spots set up so they can watch the iconic sunset in San Diego. It’s a perfect time to get some amazing pictures.
Hey! Maybe you’re thinking, “Dang Andrea, you know ALL THE GOOD TRAVEL TIPS!” GREAT NEWS… you can SUBSCRIBE with your email to get notified of new posts so you never miss a thing!
If you need help finding great restaurants, read 25+ Great Restaurants in San Diego for your Bucket List Trip!
Unique Neighborhoods in San Diego
One of the cool things about San Diego is it has a bunch of diverse neighborhoods. Some of my favorite neighborhoods were Little Italy, Old Town San Diego, and the Gaslamp Quarter.
Keep in mind, that there is limited street parking in San Diego. If you take advantage of the hop-on hop-off trolley it stops at all of these neighborhoods!
Little Italy
Little Italy is a perfect place if you’re looking for delicious food because it has a ton of great restaurant options. It was one of my favorite places to hang out.
If you have time to do one of the walking food tours in Little Italy then you should add it to your bucket list of things to do in San Diego.
Old Town San Diego
Your San Diego vacation isn’t complete without a trip to Old Town. It is the best place for a night of Mexican eats. You will love the way Old Town San Diego is decorated. It’s so pretty, and everything looks and tastes authentic to Mexico.
While visiting Old Town, after you’re done eating and shopping, check out one of the most haunted houses in America. The Whaley House Museum is a California Historical Landmark so if you are into history, or you’re into spooky tours, then you should check it out.
Gaslamp Quarter
The historic Gaslamp Quarter is located in downtown San Diego. Downtown is known as the historic heart of San Diego.
If you’re looking for fun nightlife, you’ll find lots of clubs, bars, and cocktail lounges in this neighborhood. The Gaslamp Quarter is the place to go if you enjoy live music and a bar/drinking scene.
PRO TIP: If you're traveling by yourself, join a food and drink walking tour to experience the neighborhood scenes within the safety of a group.
Fun Experiences for Your San Diego Itinerary
Although there are lots of free San Diego attractions to fill your bucket list, you will probably want to add some suggestions from these popular attractions as well.
I like to balance my list of things to do in San Diego with some free things and a few splurges for a unique and memorable experience.
I want to show you some fun things to add to your bucket list of things to do in San Diego, BUT FIRST…. when you see this orange QR ICON next to a suggestion, that means it’s included in the San Diego City Card.
Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour
LOCATION: When you get your tickets in advance, you can start your trolley tour at ANY of the 12 stops!
If you’ve been around for a minute you know that I’m ALWAYS going to recommend the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour as an excellent choice.
Trolley tours are one of my favorite things to do in new cities because they give you access to famous landmarks and top attractions without worrying about transportation and parking. As an added bonus, the tour guides give you interesting information about the areas you are visiting.
Make sure you get your hop-on hop-off trolley tour tickets in advance because the trolleys fill up.
PRO TIP: It's a good idea to take the entire tour for one round trip, to see what they have to offer, then pick the stops you want to hop on and hop off of.
Go to the World-Famous San Diego Zoo
LOCATION: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego Zoo is voted the best zoo in the world and that’s why it made the list of the top three things to do in San Diego, CA!
It’s a great place for the entire family to see rare and exotic animals like polar bears, koalas, tigers, eagles, and more. They even have an area where you can get up close and pet the animals!
The San Diego Zoo is known for conservation of the endangered species and it meets animal welfare guidelines.
Grab your tickets for 1-day admission to the San Diego Zoo or save 20% by getting the 2-day admission to the San Diego Zoo AND the Safari Park. Plan to spend more than 3 hours visiting the Zoo or the Safari Park.
USS Midway Museum
LOCATION: 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Visit the Navy Pier in Downtown San Diego to check out the USS Midway Museum.
In the Museum, you can explore flight simulators, watch short films, and climb aboard the aircraft and cockpit. The audio guide is available in 6 languages.
It’s recommended to get your Skip-the-line USS Midway Museum entry tickets in advance. Then, plan to spend 3-4 hours touring the aircraft carrier.
Visit SeaWorld San Diego
LOCATION: 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
If you want to explore theme parks with 100 acres of marine life and thrill rides then get your SeaWorld skip-the-line tickets.
Seaworld San Diego has interactive exhibits that are fun for the whole family.
They also have an all-day dining bundle option for food and fun! It’s a great option because you can’t bring food and drinks into the park and you’ll spend more than 3 hours visiting SeaWorld.
Visit the Maritime Museum
LOCATION: 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Have fun learning about maritime history with lots of galleries and exhibits. You get to tour different ships, boats, and submarines. You will even see one of the ships that made an appearance in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean.
Get your tickets to the Maritime Museum of San Diego in advance and plan to spend approximately 1 hour on your Maritime Museum tour.
San Diego City Pass
If you plan on checking out all the must-dos of San Diego then you should consider getting the CityPASS to save money. I’ve got good news… the above 5 things on the bucket list of things to do in San Diego are ALL included in the CityPASS (and more).
PRO TIP: You might see a choice to purchase the Go San Diego Pass. That pass has more options for all the best experiences in San Diego, but it’s more expensive. The CityPASS has the most popular spots and offers a better deal. Check them both out to decide what works best for your trip.
Explore a cave at La Jolla Cove
LOCATION: 1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
When I was researching things to do in San Diego I came upon the sea caves experience. You start out in an unassuming gift shop at the top of the hill at La Jolla Cove.
You pay a fee and then you go down a narrow stairway to get to the bottom of the cove. When you are at the bottom there is a small platform where you can take some pictures. Let’s just say this is SUCH a touristy thing to do.
After you have had your “cove experience” then you get to climb those same narrow stairs. That’s where the workout comes in. There aren’t spots to sit and rest so make sure you know what you are committing to when you sign up for this unique adventure.
It’s not for everyone but I thought it was a fun novelty experience. (Lots of famous people have tried the experience too.)
Take a SEAL City Tour
LOCATION: Your meeting point will be either Embarcadero or Seaport Village (depending on which tour you select).
I’d said that the best way to make fun memories when you travel is to take some sort of tour. The SEAL City Guided Tour is one of those fun experiences you will never forget. It’s a perfect way to experience San Diego by land and by sea.
First, you tour the streets of San Diego, and then your bus drives right into the water to continue the tour in the ocean.
Your tour guide will tell you about some of the famous San Diego attractions and most importantly, you will have an unforgettable adventure that lasts about 1 1/2 hours.
Visit the Cabrillo National Monument
LOCATION: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
One of the most popular things to do in San Diego is see the Cabrillo National Monument on the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula. When you add visiting this US national monument to your bucket list you won’t be disappointed by the amazing panoramic views.
Make sure you also check out the visitor center and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse when you visit Cabrillo National Monument for more great views of the San Diego skyline.
I loved seeing Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on the drive. Plan to spend about 2-3 hours if you want to see everything the National Park has to offer.
See a Baseball Game at Petco Park Stadium
LOCATION: 100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Are you a baseball fan? Then you want to add watching a baseball game or taking a tour of the Petco Park Stadium to your San Diego itinerary.
Petco Park Stadium is America’s #1 ballpark! It has beautiful views of the city and the ocean.
Wine Tasting in San Diego
LOCATION: 1671 Turquoise St, San Diego, CA 92109
I really wanted to do some wine tasting for my birthday in San Diego and I found the cutest spot! Oasis Under the Sun is the PERFECT spot to try wine and have fun. It’s one of the most Instagrammable places in San Diego.
There’s a wine and beer deck, which is 21 and older, with great wines, beers, and snacks. It’s not just wine and beer, there’s also a cute little coffee camper. Make sure you check out the chic boutiques for some clothes and jewelry.
How much time do I need to see San Diego, California?
If this is your first time visiting you’ll quickly notice that there’s a long list of things to do in San Diego, CA.
This was my first time, I had 6 full days, and my search looked like this, “things to do on your birthday in San Diego”. One week was plenty of time to see everything on my list.
If you have the energy to spend every day all day exploring then you can see all the major attractions in a long weekend.
If you live close enough to take the train for one full day and only want to see 1 or 2 major attractions, then San Diego is great for that type of day trip. It’s a perfect day trip if you plan to spend an entire day just visiting one major attraction like the San Diego Zoo or Balboa Park.
The best part is if you can spare the extra time there are plenty of fun things to do to fill your itinerary. No matter how long you plan to visit, it’s the perfect destination for fun or relaxation.
Tip on Getting Tickets to Your Bucket List of Things to Do in San Diego
I like to purchase my tickets in advance online so I have them all in an app on my phone. I’ve made the above suggestions for Get Your Guide activities because that’s what I use!
Here’s why I love getting my tickets through Get Your Guide:
- They allow you to book in advance and cancel within 24 hours with NO FEES. I never stress if my plans change.
- I have all my tickets and info right in one app on my phone.
- They don’t charge you until the day you use the tickets.
- I am guaranteed entry, even if it’s busy, and usually, I get to skip the line. That means less time waiting in long ticket lines and more time enjoying my trip!
Save Your Bucket List of Things to Do in San Diego in Your Travel Journal
I’ve got great news… I created a simple way to document your trip with a beach-themed DIY travel activity journal.
This “journal meets scrapbook” is all set up for you. You just need to have a great time on your trip and fill in the blanks.
Here’s what you can expect to find in my ultimate travel journal activity book:
- Journal Pages – lined pages and journaling prompts to help get you thinking
- Activity Pages – themed travel games and activities to help pass the time during flights and drives
- Scrapbook Pages – space to attach photos and keepsakes like ticket stubs and mementos
The most important thing is to make the most of your experience by documenting your lasting memories for your travel legacy! Your travel journal scrapbook will be a treasured keepsake.
If you liked my Bucket List of Things to Do in San Diego, you might also want to read Best Places to Visit Winter in the USA.
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LET’S CONNECT: Which one of the suggestions from my “Bucket List of Things to Do in San Diego” do you think you’d definitely like to add to your list? Comment below!
