26 Fun Things to Do in San Diego

San Diego is perhaps best known for its incredible year-round surfing conditions, and the city hosts many surfing competitions for local legends and world-renowned pros alike.

However, you don't have to be an experienced surfer to make the most of San Diego's waves. Even total beginners can try their hand at a fun new activity!

Surf lessons are available all along the coast, but you'll find the best offerings in towns that embody San Diego's historic surfing culture like La Jolla, Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Cardiff. Discounts on both surf lessons and surfboard rentals are available through the Go City San Diego Pass.

If you're in search of fun things to do in San Diego for the foodie, you can't go wrong with a tour of Old Town San Diego. The San Diego: Old Town Tales, Tacos, and Tequila Walking Tour includes food and drinks at popular local restaurants, as well as lots of sightseeing around San Diego's oldest and most historic neighborhoods.

Check out the ways Mexican culture has influenced the site of the earliest Californian settlements as you explore Old Town's architecture, from original churches to shops and adobe houses. You'll also get to try authentic street tacos and visit a tequileria, easily making this one of the best things to do in San Diego.

The ever-popular Pacific Beach is home to some of the most well-known stretches of coastline in all of San Diego. If you're looking for a wide, sandy beach that's perfect for sunbathing, beach volleyball, and wading into the waves, head to North Pacific Beach, which is laid-back and family-friendly.

Stretch out on the sand, go for a swim, walk along the shore, or head to the nearby boardwalk. Other popular activities at North Pacific Beach include kiteboarding, surfing, and windsurfing.

Don't forget that you can save on surfboard and other gear rentals with a Go City San Diego pass!

Have a fun day out with the whole family in Mission Beach's Belmont Park with the Belmont Park Ride & Play Pass. This pass offers limitless access to all of the thrilling rides and games in the park, from high-adrenaline roller coasters to the more laid-back Tiki Town mini-golf.

The theme park is located right along the beachfront, and there are plenty of vendors selling food and drinks within Belmont Park, so you can enjoy the view while you dine and ride. In addition to the attractions included in the Ride & Play Pass, there are also premium attractions, these being zip-lining and go karts, as well as arcade and carnival games.

A day with family and a Belmont Park Ride and Play is guaranteed to make memories that will last a lifetime and therefore on our list of the overall best things to do in San Diego as well!

Stand up paddle boarding is a beach day activity that has rapidly grown in popularity in San Diego, rivaling even surfing.

Whether you're an old pro or a beginner learning the ropes, rent a stand up paddle board and head out into the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, where you can traverse the Seven Sea Caves, do some birdwatching, and look for marine wildlife.

Remember that you can get discounts on stand up paddle board rentals, as well as other kinds of gear like surfboards and kayaks, when you purchase a Go City San Diego pass in advance of your trip. Maximize your oceanside fun and explore the beaches like never before with a day on a SUP!

Baseball fans won't want to miss the opportunity to watch the Padres play at their home ballpark, PETCO Park.

This is a fun family-friendly activity that's sure to appeal to sports fanatics, but just the experience of watching a game from up in the stands is well worth the visit, even if you're not big on baseball.

If you want a behind-the-scenes look at this historic ballpark, consider taking the PETCO Park Tour, which is part of the All-inclusive Go City San Diego pass. Step out onto the field, have a picnic lunch in the park, and look out over the city from the top of the stands, just some of the fun you'll have exploring the home of MLB's San Diego Padres!

Less than five miles to the north of the San Diego International Airport (SAN), in Mission Bay Park and is one of the most notable attractions in all of San Diego!

SeaWorld San Diego is a marine lover's paradise, with plenty of ways for kids to learn about sea creatures and even have hands-on experiences with them.

Watch a dolphin performance, walk through a huge shark aquarium, or ride and play in a theme park filled with exciting roller coasters, thrill rides, and more. Don't forget to shop for souvenirs, or take young kids along to the attached Sesame Street Bay of Play.

SeaWorld San Diego is all-ages fun, and it's even better when you save on admission. Pick up an All-inclusive Go City San Diego pass for discounts on this and many other top attractions throughout the city.

Another fun thing to do that is near the San Diego International Airport is to visit the Liberty Public Market. The market serves as a central hub marketplace for Liberty Station and the surrounding area.

This is a favorite local hangout spot, but it's also a fun way to spend an afternoon shopping for artisan goods and handmade crafts, all while getting a better feeling for the community that makes up San Diego.

In addition to uniquely San Diegan food, you can also find wine, beer, cocktails, meat, fish, pastries, and more, making it a great place to try something new. The market frequently hosts community events in the evenings like trivia nights and educational activities for kids. You'll also find pop up restaurants and even a test kitchen!

Enjoy the beautiful views from nearby San Diego Bay and consider catching a beautiful sunset after an afternoon at the Public Market in Liberty Station.

A large boardwalk stretches from the southernmost point of Mission Beach to almost the northernmost end of Pacific Beach along the beach. There is another boardwalk along the bay at Mission Bay that goes in a loop from Mission Beach through Pacific Beach and back to Mission Beach while it passes next to SeaWorld San Diego.

In addition to the many stores, eateries, arcades, and carnival games that line the boardwalk, it's a great place to go for a walk or bike ride on a sunny day, easily making this one of the best activities and things to do in all of San Diego!

Enjoy the feeling of the wind in your hair as you ride past the beautiful beach scenery at your own leisure, or on the La Jolla: Summit to Sea Bike Tour.

Don't own a bike, or don't want to deal with the hassle of traveling with one? No problem! A full day bike rental in La Jolla is just one of the many attractions and activities that are part of the All-inclusive Go City San Diego Pass.

The Hotel del Coronado, charmingly referred to as The Del by locals, is a local landmark on Coronado Island.

Located on Coronado Central Beach, more specifically between Coronado Shore Beach (South Beach) and to the north North Beach (Dog Run Beach), this hotel isn't just a great place to stay right along the beach; it's also filled with historic sights and architecture, with plenty of stories within its walls.

In operation since 1888, The Del has hosted dozens of notable guests over the years, from celebrities to U.S. presidents. Step back into history during your visit, or get a taste of modern luxury at the hotel's Beach VIllage vacation rentals. The Del is known as a great spot for hosting large events, and has frequently been used as a wedding venue by both locals and tourists seeking a destination wedding.

For vacationers seeking fun things to do in San Diego for the nature lover, the world-famous San Diego Zoo is a can't-miss attraction!

This is a very popular stop on many visitors' itineraries thanks to the sheer variety of animals on display, with Southern California native species like condors and bobcats as well as more exotic animals like pandas and koalas. From cute and cuddly to wild and fearsome, this zoo has it all, as well as many hands-on and educational exhibits that are great for the kids.

Don't forget to save on admission costs when you pick up a Go City San Diego Pass, which also comes with discounts for many of the family-friendly and educational museums and other attractions around Balboa Park.

The USS Midway Museum is one of the most popular museums in San Diego and for good reason. This historic museum is a tribute to America's rich Naval history.

While the USS Midway’s days as a warship are long over, this aircraft carrier still serves the important purpose of educating and entertaining its visitors who can learn about its exploits during the 47 years that this aircraft carrier was in service.

People of all ages can enjoy the USS Midway Museum, and military history buffs will find its exhibits especially engaging.

Each year, The Old Globe puts on dozens of plays, ranging from old classics to newer scripts written by undiscovered local talents. Those looking to immerse themselves in San Diego's culture can do so by attending a play or other performance at this historic theater. Shows run almost every day, so there's never a bad time to visit!

Prior to the play, you can spend some time checking out the shops and other local businesses around the park. Grab a beer or coffee before the show, or enjoy a light lunch and a few drinks at a sidewalk café.

The San Diego Harbor area is right in the middle of the action, not far from the bustling Gaslamp Quarter and Downtown San Diego's Core-Columbia in the Embarcadero and Harborview neighborhoods. These areas are great for exploring a San Diego museum, visiting and learning about San Diego's military history at the USS Midway and the maritime museum, strolling through and having lunch in Seaport Village or just enjoying the views over the beautiful San Diego Bay.

After a long afternoon of fun, a romantic dinner on a San Diego Harbor Cruise can be the perfect way to close out an incredible day. For couples seeking unique things to do, the tranquil atmosphere of the bay makes for the perfect compliment to a delicious meal.

On a harbor sightseeing dinner cruise, you can have it all from the comfort of a luxurious boat, plus a romantic atmosphere set by light background music and the sight of the sun slipping below the waves in the evening.

Enjoy a classy buffet-style dinner as you tour around the harbor, and sit at your own private table while you sip champagne and gaze out across the bay. During the cruise, you'll be able to see notable landmarks like the Cabrillo National Monument and the Coronado Bridge.

Seals and sea lions come up on the sand to nest and sunbathe all along the Pacific Coast, but you'll get the best view of them at The Children's Pool, one of La Jolla's best beaches!

This beach is unique in that it was once a peaceful beach built for family-friendly swimming, but over the years it has become best known as more of a wildlife sanctuary.

Swimming isn't advised at this beach thanks to the elevated bacteria levels from the seals, but it's still worth a visit to see these animals in their natural habitat. Just be sure to keep your distance from the protective mamas and their pups!

Visiting the beach is completely free and a great way to spend an afternoon in the warm San Diego weather for the budget traveler.

The neighborhood of North Park is home to many San Diego best breweries, pubs, and alehouses. If you want to get a taste of as many of their brews as possible, opt for a fun and educational beer tour.

We love the North Park Beer-ucation Tour, where you won't just get to try samples from local breweries, you'll also get an inside look at the brewing process!

See the inner workings of a brewery and how the beer gets made, all while you taste local brews and snack on food pairings. Even craft beer enthusiasts are sure to learn something new from the informative tour, which also includes information about the area's culture and history.

Del Mar is known for its horse racing scene, and it's home to one of the largest thoroughbred clubs on the west coast. The track here has plenty of seating, trackside dining options, and lots of opportunities for high-octane fun!

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club puts on horse races that are fun for the whole family. Adults can weigh the odds and pick out horses to bet on, winning some spending money, while kids will get caught up in the excitement of the race. You can even visit the stables and see the racing horses up close, which is great for nature lovers.

The La Jolla's beaches are popular among San Diego's surf community, but they're also a great spot for fun activities like scuba diving and snorkeling.

On a La Jolla snorkeling tour, you'll have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with many species that can only be found under the sea. These include brightly colored tropical fish, urchins, sea turtles, octopi, sea stars, and even the occasional shark.

While snorkeling, you'll get to explore an underwater world of plant life that is unique to San Diego's shores. La Jolla Cove is a great choice for snorkeling in the area and the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, just offshore between La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores, is another, teeming with life waiting to be discovered!

In addition to exploring the sea for marine life, you can also see small fish and ocean plants in La Jolla without even getting your feet wet. Wandering the shoreline tide pools is a fantastic family activity that is great for kids as well!

During low tide, water may pool in shallow dips along the beach, forming tide pools. These tide pools tend to have smaller organisms like sea urchins, mussels, and starfish, but you can also spot the occasional octopus or crab.

You can find tide pools all around La Jolla, as many of its beaches have rocky or uneven shores. For the best experience, visit the north end of Marine Street Beach by the La Jolla Tide Pools or head to Casa Beach & Wipeout, both of which are also attached to a boardwalk.

If you want to see marine life in its natural habitat, you can't go wrong with a San Diego whale watching tour!

Tours depart from the San Diego Bay and travel out into the open ocean, where your captain will navigate the waves and point out whales, dolphins, sea birds, and more. For the best experience, choose from our list of the city's best whale watching tours.

The ideal time to go whale watching in San Diego is from December to March, when gray whales make their migration past the coast. However, if you're planning on visiting in the summer, there's still a chance to catch blue whales instead.

Have you ever wanted to observe the city of San Diego from high above with a drink in your hand? When you visit the rooftop bar at the Top of the Hyatt at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, which is perfectly positioned on the edge of the city and the ocean, you can do exactly that.

Look down at the stunning sights of the Embarcadero and the bay beyond as you recline with a wine, beer, or specialty cocktail. The bar is located 40 stories into the air, and it has floor to ceiling windows that provide an incredible panoramic view of your surroundings.

Come to see the city during a sunny day, or stay until sunset and after dark to watch Downtown San Diego come alive at night.

Marine lovers won't want to miss out on the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, located in the seaside town of La Jolla.

This one-of-a-kind aquarium houses thousands of fish in dozens of different habitats, from coral reefs to kelp forests and many more. This is a great attraction for families, as kids can enjoy touch tanks and educational talks that teach visitors about seahorses, sharks, and more.

Save on admission to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps when you purchase a Go City San Diego pass. With this pass, you can visit a wide range of local attractions and save money when you bundle and prepay your admission.

As a bonus fun thing to do near the aquarium, consider taking the short trip north and exploring the picturesque Torrey Pines area to catch a beautiful sunset or do some hiking in the Torrey Pines State Reserve Park. Named after the rare torrey pine species, this endangered pine tree only grows in a few places on earth, one being Coastal San Diego County.

Balboa Park is best known for being a hub of museums and other popular attractions like the San Diego Zoo, but it's also a great spot to escape the more urban vibes of Downtown San Diego. Here you can enjoy a relaxing retreat in the sun that can feel miles away from the hustle of the city.

There are plenty of grassy areas to spread out a blanket and have a picnic while taking in the beautiful scenery, which is full of native and exotic plants and flowers that line the park's many walking trails.

Slowing down for a picnic can be one of the most memorable parts of your trip and it can also be a great way to save a bit of budget. You can bring sandwiches and drinks in a cooler, or better yet, grab takeout from one of the local restaurants nearby for a taste of authentic San Diego cuisine.

As one of the best ways to watch the sunset in San Diego, it's no surprise that going on a sunset sailing cruise around San Diego Bay makes the list of fun-filled activities!

Seeing the setting sun over the open Pacific Ocean is a sight like no other in the world, as the waters of the bay reflect the warm sunlight and the lights of the distant city glitter on the sea.

Sailing at sunset is an especially popular activity for couples seeking a romantic atmosphere to end their day, but it can also be fun for families, as people of all ages can enjoy the awe-inspiring sunset.

Adventurers seeking a more active vacation can take advantage of the many scenic hiking locales around San Diego. One of the best options is found at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in Point Loma, where you'll be surrounded by miles of natural beauty.

The summit of the hike at Sunset Cliffs offers an incredible view of the ocean, but this view transforms into something truly miraculous if you visit in the early evening.

Point Loma and the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park specifically is one of the best places to watch the sunset in San Diego, as the warm orange rays reflect off the surface of the water, making for a perfect photo op backdrop.

Watch a musical performance, comedy act, or a truly unique performance when you visit the Belly Up Tavern located in Solana Beach.

This venue is small yet jam-packed with personality and lively activity, offering visitors a fun-filled experience in a cozy setting. Originally created as a local hangout spot by two friends, it has been in operation for over 40 years and is still going strong.

The Belly Up Tavern hosts all kinds of acts, from world-famous bands, to tribute groups, to local upcoming talent. Don't forget to head to the attached restaurant next door, Tavern, for drinks and a meal after the show.