The Best Things to Do in San Diego’s Most Popular Neighborhoods

It’s not hard to see why LEGOLAND California is one of the star attractions in Carlsbad and of the Go City San Diego All-inclusive pass!

The park is a paradise for young kids and families who like to play, build, create, and explore. In addition to its colossal theme park with dozens of thrill rides and games, this family-friendly attraction also features an attached waterpark, LEGOLAND® Water Park, and an aquarium, SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND®.

If you’re interested in staying on property during your vacation, the park features not just one, but two dedicated resorts, the LEGOLAND California Hotel and the LEGOLAND California Resort and Castle Hotel. Both properties are fully themed with rooms dedicated to princesses and knights, to name a few!

Eat local with the freshest possible ingredients in Carlsbad, where restaurants serve up seafood, ethnic cuisine, and local favorites. Sample meals from multiple different eateries on a 3-hour local food tour, which includes stops at many of the neighborhood’s most popular and well-loved restaurants.

The tour also makes our list of San Diego’s best food and beer tours thanks to the wide range of dishes on offer, from light bites to decadent desserts and wine. As an added bonus, your tour guide will provide information on the landmarks and other points of interest you pass during the tour.

The beaches in Carlsbad are among the very best in all of San Diego, with Tamarack Surf Beach often cited as the cream of the crop, especially for tourists ready to rent a surfboard with a Go City San Diego pass and head out into the ocean.

Bask in the warm sun of San Diego’s year-round sunny and pleasant weather. Stick your toes in the sand and experience leisurely fun in the sun or cool off with a refreshing swim at this world-class Pacific Ocean beach!

Alongside taking advantage of the beach’s incredible surf or watching local pros hang ten, visitors can rent snorkeling gear and kayaks to explore the sea, or try out paddle boarding, scuba diving, fishing, and walking along the Seawall.

The scenic La Jolla Cove is an especially popular beach that draws countless tourists each year. This is in part thanks to its sandy beach complete with natural shade from the cliffs that border the shore, as well as the sea lions and seals that come up onto the beach alongside native seabirds.

La Jolla Cove has gentler currents than some of the area’s best surfing beaches thanks to the cove’s protection, making it an ideal spot to go for a swim or rent snorkeling gear and explore the reef.

La Jolla is the surfing capital of San Diego, and there are limitless ways to engage in this time-honored pastime, especially if you have a Go City San Diego pass in hand. If you’re a beginner or want to brush up on your skills, take surfing lessons from one of the best surf lesson schools and rental shops, or watch a competition for inspiration.

When you’re ready, rent a surfboard and hit the sea at one of the neighborhood’s world-famous beaches including Windansea, Big Rock Reef, Scripps, Blacks Beach, and Bird Rock Beach. Be sure to pay your respects to the iconic Surf Shack landmark as well!

La Jolla offers visitors many opportunities to get in touch with nature, with one of the best ways to do so being a visit to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography. This aquarium is one of the best on the West Coast, with dozens of different species of fish, sharks, turtles, penguins, octopi, starfish, and more.

Touch tanks and live feedings make the Birch Aquarium a great family-friendly attraction that’s fun and engaging for all ages. As part of the Go City San Diego pass, discounted admission can be had with advance purchase using our promo code - GVSD5OFF!

If you want to try your hand at surfing in San Diego but you don’t know where to start, consider taking a private surf lesson from an experienced instructor before you rent a board for a discounted rate with a Go City San Diego pass. These surf lessons are tailored toward small family and friend groups who want to learn to surf in a fun, stress-free environment.

All the gear you’ll need, including a board, is included, plus step-by-step safety and how-to instructions that will have you up and riding a wave in no time!

If you’re interested in the West Coast’s colonial period, the best way to learn about life in California’s missions is to actually visit them! You can do just that at Mission San Luis Rey, which contains many artifacts from early explorers, colonists, and Kumeyaay Indians who lived there hundreds of years ago.

Here, you can check out Spanish colonial architecture, take a walk through the mission’s gardens, and learn about the trials and tribulations of some of California’s earliest residents.

North County is one of the best-known regions for bars, pubs, breweries, and tap houses in Southern California, and it’s a craft beer lover’s paradise. If you want to get a taste of what’s being brewed here, take the Cruise & Booze Brewery Tour, which provides a great overview of North County’s best breweries by VW Vanagon.

Enjoy beer samples from multiple businesses and take in the natural beauty of San Diego’s streets on this unique adults-only tour designed with beer lovers in mind!

If you’re a traveler that likes to sample an area’s local cuisine, including its beers and spirits, don’t miss our Complete Guide to San Diego’s Best Food & Beer Tours, which will point you in the right direction to eat and drink all the best the city has to offer!

San Diego’s Embarcadero offers visitors a wealth of information about the city’s military history. Learn about the famous namesake naval ship and its voyages in the Persian Gulf and beyond at the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. Tourists are welcome to board the real ship and step right into history with immersive exhibits and multimedia experiences.

This family-friendly museum is a favorite among history buffs. You can enjoy great deals on admission to this and many other top attractions in the Downtown San Diego area when you purchase a Go City San Diego pass in advance of your arrival using discount code GVSD5OFF.

The Gaslamp Quarter is the site of some of San Diego’s oldest buildings, and there’s history around every corner. See it all on the Brothels, Bites and Booze Gaslamp Walking Tour, where you’ll learn about interesting historic landmarks and other points of interest around the neighborhood, all while enjoying food and drinks from local restaurants.

This tour is held in the evenings and features a live guide with stories that focus on the Gaslamp Quarter’s history as a red light district, with many funny and sometimes unbelievable tales from the past. We’ve loved taking this tour and can assure you, you won’t regret the experience!

If a relaxing harbor cruise through the San Diego Bay isn’t quite your style, try something a little more up to speed with the Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride!

Soar through the bay at a breakneck pace as you listen to energetic rock music and the entertaining and often humorous stories from your lively guide. The tour details the history and interesting information about the ships and other landmarks that can be seen from the bay.

Moonlight Beach is a classic, wide, sandy beach with lots of space to stretch out and tan. More active beachgoers can take a stroll along the shoreline, play some beach volleyball, build sandcastles, or even go surfing.

This beach typically gets fairly calm and consistent waves, so it’s a good spot for beginner surfers. Take a local surf lesson, rent a board at discounted price, and join the other surfers all trying to catch the perfect wave.

There are also picnic tables and a snack bar open in the summer, so you can grab a few refreshments or bring a to-go lunch from a local restaurant to enjoy in the warm San Diego sun.

Take advantage of the amazing surfing conditions at Solana Beach with a full day surfboard rental. Visit beaches famous for their point breaks like Boneyards, Swami’s, and D Street Beach where you can surf to your heart’s content, then come ashore for some rest and relaxation in the sun and sand.

The cooler weather of fall and winter tends to bring larger waves, which makes it a popular time of the year to visit San Diego. Pick up a Go City San Diego pass and save with discounts on rentals of surfboards plus other beachday gear like kayaks and paddleboards.

Use promo code GVSD5OFF at checkout for even more savings!

Encinitas is one of the best neighborhoods to grab a bite to eat for those who prefer plant-based protein, as it has an especially significant array of vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Sample some of the most popular restaurants on the 3-hour guided walking tour of Encinitas vegan and vegetarian food, where you’ll enjoy a culinary journey complete with seasonal meals and meat-free favorites.

Even if you’re not a vegetarian, you’re still sure to love the delicious appetizers, entrees, and desserts on offer during this tour!

Food isn’t the only thing Italy is famous for - the country is also celebrated worldwide for its incredible selection of wines! Try out a few selections made by local San Diego vineyards alongside an array of exotic imports on the Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tour, which offers a complete culinary tour of the best food and drink spots along India Street through the heart of Little Italy.

This tour also includes information on the winemaking process and pointers on how to taste wines, so you can practice your sommelier skills as you enjoy this tour as a couple, with friends and family, or however you choose.

Delicious food and drink await on the Little Italy Booze and Bar Bites Tour. Visit the neighborhood’s best breweries, pubs, wine cellars, and more while also sampling light bites that perfectly compliment your drinks.

In addition to enjoying outstanding cuisine, you’ll also get to learn about the history of Little Italy and how it grew from a simple fishing town populated by Italian immigrants to the cultural and culinary hub it’s known as today.

San Diego offers tours throughout the city, with Little Italy being one of the prime locations to let a knowledgeable guide lead you through the area. Take a comprehensive tour of some of the most important landmarks and other points of interest in multiple historic neighborhoods when you take part in the Gaslamp/Little Italy Walking Tour.

Stops include opportunities to check out Victorian and Spanish colonial architecture on 5th Avenue, a visit to the Harbor Dockside Market, some window shopping at the local business and boutique hotspot of Seaport Village, and an exploration of the bustling Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market, one of the best farmers’ markets in San Diego.

Of the many top-tier attractions included with the Go City San Diego All-inclusive pass, the San Diego Zoo is one of the most popular, with worldwide recognition for its incredible diversity of animals and beautiful exhibits. This zoo is also heavily involved in conservation efforts for some of the world’s rarest species you won’t find anywhere else on the West Coast. It’s an unbeatable attraction for animal lovers of all ages with tons to see and do for all types of guests.

Taking its name from the famous Shakespearean theater in London, the Old Globe Theater is the premier location to watch plays, musicals, and other live performances in Balboa Park. This historic theater frequently puts on classic plays, but you can also catch a few brand-new shows long before their Broadway debuts if you’re seeking something a little more modern.

The Old Globe has hosted famous actors, playwrights, and orchestral musicians for decades, and 15 different performances are put on each year, so there’s always something new to see.

The San Diego Air and Space Museum has a wide array of exhibits, simulators, and real aircrafts and spacecrafts on display. For those future engineers in your household, the Air and Space Museum is one of the best family-friendly attractions in Balboa Park, with plenty of hands-on activities and educational demonstrations certain to teach and inspire.

The collection of aviation artifacts in the museum is unmatched throughout the country, making this an absolute must-see attraction, especially when you save on admission with advanced purchase of a Go City San Diego pass using promo code GVSD5OFF.

Learn about Old Town’s extensive history from your guide while you walk its storied streets and check out local restoration efforts on the Old Town: Tequila, Tacos & Tombstones Walking Tour.

This tour is an exceptional way to discover the past, plus sample great food and drink. Dine on authentic Mexican fare as you work your way through the neighborhood and experience San Diego’s culture firsthand.

If you want to see the best sights across all of San Diego, catch the Hop-on Hop-off Trolley in Old Town. You can stay local and see what Old Town has to offer while enjoying convenient trolley transportation, or stay on board as the tour traverses through other neighborhoods across the city, all while learning about the points of interest you pass.

The trolley tour offers the freedom to come aboard and disembark any time you like, so if something piques your interest, you can hop-off and check it out right away.

The Day of the Dead is nearly as big of a holiday in Southern California and San Diego in particular as it is in Mexico, so if you’re visiting in late October or early November, take the kids to San Diego’s annual Día de los Muertos Celebration.

The event celebrates the ancestors that have passed with a series of parades, musical performances, decorations and more. Enjoy authentic eats from food trucks, local vendors selling handmade cultural goods, opportunities to learn about the importance of the holiday, and fun activities for children like carnival games and face painting.

Tour local history with a visit to the Gaslamp Quarter, where you’ll feel immersed in the past from the moment you arrive. You can walk through local parks and check out Victorian-era architecture, or dine at some of the neighborhood’s famous restaurants for a tasty meal.

Other great attractions in the Gaslamp Quarter area include visiting Petco Park for a tour or a San Diego Padres baseball game during the MLB season, touring the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House, and bringing the kids to the New Children’s Museum, all of which offer discounted admission when you bundle them together with a Go City San Diego pass.

You don’t have to travel far from the cruise port to have some fun while waiting for your cruise to embark. Stay close and walk along the scenic Embarcadero, which runs right next to the picturesque San Diego Bay. Look out over the harbor and admire historic naval sailing vessels or check out the USS Midway Museum to learn about San Diego’s storied military history.

The Embarcadero also has multiple waterfront parks as well as Seaport Village, an exciting shopping district, so there’s no shortage of things to do and see when you explore the area.

If you’re in the mood for Italian, head to Little Italy to enjoy a hearty meal before or after your voyage. Many of the restaurants in Little Italy are locally owned and operated by the descendants of Italian immigrants, so you won’t find more authentic cuisine anywhere else in the city.

Tasty options include pizza, pasta, subs, salads, chicken and beef dishes, and vegetarian plates, ensuring there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes!

For more great ideas of the best things to do and the best places to eat in Little Italy, check out our Complete Guide to the Best Things to Do in Little Italy.