You can’t call me a dumb blonde for choosing to go to college in San Diego. It is the perfect place to live when you are young and it also happens to also be the perfect place for a family vacation. San Diego, California is a must go to destination in the United States. If you have never been you will want to start planning your vacation to this fun, beach hot spot now. I’m already planning another trip back.
10 Things to Do in San Diego
The To Do activities are endless and once you start planning your vacation it will be hard to figure out just how to see and do everything that is offered in San Diego. I am going to share with you some of my favorite places that I enjoyed during my college days and on my family vacations back to this fun beach destination.
Number One- Get on a Boat
San Diego is all about the water. It offers plenty of marinas with large yachts, sailboats, and boat tours galore. If I were going to visit and could only choose one thing to do it would be a boat tour. There are whale watch tours, sunsets sails, dinner cruises and tours of the Bay. You can even take a ferry to Coronado. Almost every visit to San Diego for me includes getting on a boat. We have taken a sailing lesson, the America’s Cup Sailboat tour, and the Coronado Ferry. Exploring by water gives you a different vantage point and a better feel for the city. There are various boat tours that offered from Downtown, Harbor Island, and Shelter Island marinas. My next visit will include a sunset sail or a whale watch tour. 
Number Two- Visit Pacific Beach & Mission Beach
In college, I lived at the bars and nightclubs in PB. Garnet Avenue became my favorite street in San Diego. This is the happening place at night. Young people fill Garnet Avenue and the street becomes alive. The bars and nightclubs are packed. Yes, in PB- Life is a party!
However, PB isn’t only just for the young college crowd but it is also a great place for families too! Rent a beach house on the boardwalk on HomeAway or Airbnb. One of our best family vacations was renting a small beach house. We spent the days people watching, playing in the waves, and walking the boardwalk.
The 3 1/2-mile concrete boardwalk is great for bike riding, roller blading, or just walking off calories from the Mexican food. You can rent surfboards, beach umbrellas, and beach cruisers. There are restaurants along the boardwalk to enjoy lunch or dinner. If you like fishing the Crystal Pier is a fun place to fish. Visit Belmont Park and ride the famous wooden roller coaster. There are rides for the little ones and shops to buy your San Diego souvenirs. While the Beach may be the star attraction don’t forget to check out the Bayside as well. The bay is calmer and offers a multitude of water activities like paddleboarding, jet skiing, and sailing. Activities are endless in this area.
Number Three- The San Diego Zoo
This Zoo is world-famous! The San Diego Zoo is the most impressive Zoo I have ever visited. The Zoo is on 100 acres in Balboa Park near downtown San Diego and has over 3,700 animals. It has been voted the #1 Zoo in the world. I remember visiting the Panda Exhibit when I was a teenager and just wanted to watch the Panda Bears all day long. It is still my favorite exhibit. Just writing about the Zoo makes me want to visit again and my last visit was only a few years ago. You will walk a lot so wear comfortable shoes and bring a stroller for the kids or rent one. The Zoo can be a long day, so be sure to take advantage of the shows and activities while you are there. If you are in San Diego, don’t miss the Zoo whether you are young or old because it is truly one of our nation’s finest zoos. For hours and admission pricing – The San Diego Zoo
Number Four- Take the Ferry to Coronado
It’s just a hop and a skip over the Coronado Bridge near Downtown San Diego. The famous Hotel Del Coronado resides there. This beautiful hotel was built in 1888 and is a popular place for weddings. It brings you back to an era of long ago.
Coronado is known for having the nicest beaches in San Diego. In fact, Coronado was named ” America’s Best Beach” in 2012 by coastal expert Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach. I would have to agree because it was one of my favorite places to come to unwind and relax in San Diego.
There are two theaters on the Island, The Lamb’s Players, and the Coronado Playhouse which provide an excellent evening of entertainment. Shops and restaurants align the busy Orange Avenue. If shopping is your thing- the Ferry Landing shops and restaurants are worth a visit.
A great place to enjoy views of the San Diego City Skyline is the Old Ferry Landing.
Number Five – Visit a Museum in Balboa Park
Balboa Park is beautiful and filled with museums. My personal favorite museums are the Natural History Museum, The Museum of Man, and the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Even if Museums aren’t your thing, I urge you to go to Balboa Park and just go in one. It is a good way to escape the heat when there is a heatwave. The views and gardens are impressive here. There is a carousel that was built in 1910 near the San Diego Zoo for the young kids. I attended an Earth Day celebration here in college, which happens to be the largest free environmental fair in the world. If you happen to be in San Diego during Earth Day this is a must event. Check the event calendar for Balboa Park
Number Six- Ocean Beach, Dog Beach
If you are a dog lover or own a dog you definitely need to put OB’s Dog Beach on your list. This is a dog paradise in San Diego. I rented a minivan once for our family vacation and we drove to San Diego with our two dogs in tow. Every morning we woke up early and took the dogs to run and play on the beach. It was so much fun to play ball with our dogs and let them run wild off leash, play in the ocean, and play with all the other dogs. The beach is open for dogs 24 hours a day. Remember to pick up after your dog to keep this beach clean. Take your dogs on vacation too!
Number Seven- Point Loma & Shelter Island
Walking around Shelter Island, you will get great views of the Downtown, Bay and big yachts! There is a great outdoor venue, Humphrey’s By the Bay for live outdoor concerts. Humphreys by the Bay If you love boats you will be drawn to the Point Loma area.
Enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine overlooking the yachts at the Kona Kai Resort.
When in Point Loma drive to Cabrillo Monument and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. This is one of the most scenic drives in San Diego. You will pass the Fort Rosecrans Cemetery, where fallen soldiers have been buried. Continue on your way to the Cabrillo National Monument and have your camera ready for the most scenic views of the San Diego City, Bay, and Coronado. There is a two-mile hiking trail called bayside trail if you feel inclined to walk and enjoy the beauty. Next, continue towards the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. There is a whale watch overlook here and don’t miss the Tidepools on the lower Westside. If you happen to be there during low tide you are in for a treat.
One Extra Tip in this area
Stop by Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach and watch the sunset. They are very close to Pt. Loma as you make your way back from Cabrillo Memorial Drive. It is the best place to watch the sunset in San Diego and a perfect place to have a romantic date with an evening picnic.
Number Eight- Sea World
I have loved Sea World San Diego since I was a teen and I still love coming back as an adult. Sea World has incredible shows and entertainment. Everyone will love the Sea Lion Live show and the laughter fills the venue. The Dolphin Show is one of my favorites. If you love Dolphins check out the Dolphin Encounter exhibit. It will forever be my husband’s favorite. He used to hang out there all day long as a kid. Turns out so did I. Hmmm, I wonder if we were there at the same time.
The Shark Encounter is my favorite exhibit and the sharks swim over your head above a glass-enclosed tunnel. The penguin encounter is a fun exhibit and these penguins look like they are having a good time waddling around. Sea World even has fun rides like Shipwreck Rapids, Journey to Atlantis, and Mantra. The kids will love the Splash rides in the Summer.
Number Nine- La Jolla
You can’t miss a stop in the beautiful town of La Jolla. The La Jolla Cove is beautiful and there is a small sandy beach to chill with a book. This is one of the best snorkeling, swim or dive spots in San Diego. The cove provides calm water. It is great for kayaking to explore the sea caves. The Sea Lions even love sunning in La Jolla too.
Once you are finished with the sand and the sea just cross over the street and you will find art galleries, delectable restaurants, and high-end shopping.
La Jolla Shores Beach is an excellent walking beach. It is popular for surfing, watching the sunset, and having a campfire on the beach. Every visit to San Diego always includes a visit to La Jolla.
Another La Jolla Tip
While in La Jolla don’t miss the Torrey Pines Gliderport. You can go hang gliding if you dare. However, they have a deck and it is a fun place to sit and watch them. I used to take visitors here when I lived in San Diego because it was fun to watch the hang gliders and the views from the cliffs are pretty.
Oh no only one left for my Top 10 favorite things in San Diego! It’s between the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Old Town and the Downtown Gaslamp District.
Number Ten- The Wild Animal Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park wins slot ten because it’s like being on a safari in San Diego and all ages will love it here. Who hasn’t wanted to go on a safari?
The Sarfari Park is part of the San Diego Zoo and you can get tickets for both locations. This park is approximately 45 minutes from the San Diego Zoo but it feels more like being on safari than at a zoo because the animals have large areas of land to roam. They have Gorillas, Tigers, Bears, Elephants, Giraffes, Rhinos, and more safari animals. You can take the Safari Tram around the park included in your ticket price to view the animals in the large areas of the park. There are giraffe feedings, an African Village, and various shows to see such as a Cheetah run or a bird show. Other fun options to explore with an additional fee include a Zipline, Segway, or a small caravan jeep tour that brings you closer to the animals. You can even spend a night at the Park in a safari tent and listen to the Lions roar at night.
San Diego has a multitude of things to see and do- it is hard to just pick 10 but I choose my personal favorites things I love about San Diego. While vacationing here you are a few hours from Orange County and it is a great idea to add a night there on to your family vacation. Orange County has Disneyland, California Adventure Park, Universal Studios, LEGOLAND, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Six Flags Magic Mountain, one of my favorite theme parks full of the best roller coasters. Well, maybe add a few days onto to your family vacation to explore a few of these theme parks. San Diego always has me California Dreaming.
Got a personal favorite thing to do in San Diego? Feel free to comment,
Bonnie
