25 Unique Things to Do in San Diego

Many vacationers choose to soak up the sun in the mid-morning and afternoon at San Diego’s many beaches, but the coastline truly transforms after dark.

In particular, some beaches like Vacation Isle on Mission Bay are outfitted with fire pits right along the bay, which can be used for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores. This is a great, family-friendly and cheap evening activity, and it can be tons of fun if you have a large group singing campfire songs and telling stories.

Enjoy the distant sounds of the ocean and the twinkle of stars above as you sit around the campfire. This idyllic activity is just one of our many picks for San Diego’s best things to do, but the picturesque beaches of Mission Bay offer a truly unique setting for this fun outdoors pastime.

North Park is one of the biggest neighborhoods for breweries in San Diego, and is even recognized across the nation as a big deal in the beer world. Any craft beer enthusiast can take advantage of the opportunity to visit this beer mecca by going on a North Park Beer-ucation Tour.

The tour includes stops at many popular local breweries, pubs, and bars. Not only will you get to sample beer on tap in a variety of flavors, you’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how the beer is made, making this one of the best things to do in San Diego for adults.

Checkout our guide to the 10 Best Food and Beer Tours in San Diego for even more excellent, local beer tour options!

San Diego is just a few miles north of Tijuana, Mexico, so it’s a great place for a day trip.

On the Tijuana City Guided Tour and Food Tasting trip, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the most iconic sights of the city, sample local dishes, and enjoy samples from craft breweries. You’ll even get to relax on beautiful Mexican beaches!

This Tijuana Tour isn’t just special for how unique it is. In fact, it’s also one of our picks for the best things to do in San Diego, as well as one of the best food & beer tours. All in all, this day trip is one of a kind and sure to impress, whether you’re interested in scenery, culture, or good eats.

La Jolla’s Seven Sea Caves, located in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, are a truly unique sight. In addition to being a highly biodiverse area with many marine animals and seabirds you won’t find anywhere else along the coast, the caves themselves are natural wonders.

The best way to tour the caves is on the La Jolla: Sea Cave Kayaking Tour, where a guide will lead you on a fun paddling tour that includes traveling through Emerald Cave.

This tour also earns a spot on our list of the best kayaking & snorkeling tours in San Diego, which you can check out for additional ways to explore the city by sea. If you prefer to kayak at your own pace, don’t forget that you can also rent kayaking gear at a discount using the Go City San Diego Pass.

San Diego draws heavy influence from its neighbor to the south, Mexico, and nowhere is that more apparent than in its food.

Authentic Mexican restaurants and street vendors serve up hot eats you won’t find anywhere else in the city. One of the best neighborhoods to grab a real street taco is Barrio Logan, which has plenty of vendors to choose from.

Some taco stands that make the best of the best list include Las Cuatro Milpas, ¡SALUD TACOS!, and Tacos El Trompo, a self-proclaimed Mexican tradition. Each of these restaurants is a great place to grab a bite and a cool drink on a hot San Diego day.

As the site of San Diego’s oldest colonial settlements and some of the oldest remaining architecture, it should come as no surprise that Old Town San Diego is filled with ghost stories. Many of these stories center around the Whaley House.

By day, the house is a pleasant San Diego museum, but at night, it has been the site of many ghost sightings of the Whaley family.

Take the Self-Guided Haunted Historic Whaley House Tour to see if you can spot any spirits yourself, or just learn about the property’s history of hauntings.

The beaches of Del Mar, Oceanside, and Coronado are gorgeous and offer the perfect way to spend the day, as are many of the beaches along the coast. If you’re looking for something a little more active than laying on the sand and sunbathing the afternoon away, try joining a volleyball game with other beachgoers.

In particular, South Mission Beach is a great place for a game of beach volleyball. There are courts all along the sand, and plenty of friendly vacationers and locals who are happy to have another player. One of the best parts of joining a game is that it’s a totally free activity in San Diego.

Coronado Beach, or more specifically Coronado Central Beach, which is not far from the historic Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Island is another great option for a volleyball game, a frisbee toss or just a stroll along the pacific ocean at one of the best sunset spots in San Diego.

Once you’ve had your fill, you can cool off in the ocean and do some swimming and surfing - be sure to rent a surfboard with a discount from a Go City San Diego Pass.

The beautiful La Jolla beaches such as Blacks Beach, Scripps and Windansea Beach are hotspots for Southern California and San Diego surfing culture, but if you want to try something a little out of the ordinary, you can go snorkeling just off the coast.

Head to the La Jolla Ecological Reserve at La Jolla Cove and rent snorkeling gear with the Go City San Diego pass, or take a more guided tour on the La Jolla Underwater Park: Kayak and Snorkel Tour.

Underwater, you’ll see all kinds of marine life, from vibrant ocean plants to brightly colored fish and even the occasional octopi or Green Sea Turtle. Though it’s not guaranteed, chances are excellent for snorkelers on the tour to see harmless leopard sharks, which is a truly memorable experience!

The California Grunion Run is named after two species of fish similar to sardines, which come onto the shore at night during spawning season. From March to September, these fish can be found along the Southern California coast in large numbers, which provides the perfect opportunity for Grunion Runs.

Grunion Runs are organized events where you are allowed to come onto the beach and collect grunions. All you need to participate is a valid fishing license, but note that grunions are only allowed to be caught by hand, and you should aim to take only as many as you plan to cook with a max of 30 per license. If you’re not big on fresh seafood, it’s still fun to attend and watch this incredible phenomenon!

San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is teeming with some of the most interesting San Diego history around every turn, and there are plenty of ways to experience that history.

While you could visit a San Diego museum or take a standard informative walking tour, the Brothers, Bites, and Booze Tour lets participants get an insider look at some of the lesser known facts about the area, including its less than savory past as a red light district.

Far removed from the modern-day Gaslamp Quarter, this historic district used to be a hotbed of gambling, brothels, seedy bars, and more. Learn all about its sordid past on this walking tour with live narration from your tour guide, and stop for some authentic ethnic cuisine samples from popular local restaurants along the way.

Each year, a celebration is held in Barrio Logan’s Chicano Park to celebrate the community and the park’s history.

Constructed in 1970, Chicano Park is filled with murals and other public works of art that commemorate the history of Mexican and Chicano residents of San Diego. Chicano Park Day, which takes place every April, is a free public event that highlights this National Historic Landmark.

The celebration is open to locals and tourists alike, and it’s full of food, drinks, live music, dancing, and arts & crafts. Check out the annual car show, or shop around local vendors’ stalls for authentic handmade goods.

Enjoy thrills, chills, and tales from the crypt on the San Diego: Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour.

During this tour, you’ll learn about supernatural happenings, ghost sightings, and other scary stories rumored to have happened right in Old Town San Diego, and you’ll also get to visit appropriately themed local landmarks like the Whaley House and two cemeteries.

This unique tour also makes our list of the best things to do in San Diego at night. It’s a stand-out family-friendly tour that is only complimented by taking place in the evening, as the darkening sky adds to the spooky atmosphere. The Ghosts and Gravestones tour is led by two live tour guides dressed in costume to create a fully immersive experience.

The Point Loma peninsula is considered to be “California’s birthplace” because it’s the spot where the first European explorers’ ships landed on the west coast.

If you’re looking to learn more about the lives of these early settlers, visit Cabrillo National Monument, which offers many tours and presentations about the area’s extensive history. Point Loma also served as a stronghold during both World Wars, and there are exhibits detailing its military history as well.

Another point of interest at Cabrillo National Monument is the Point Loma lighthouse, a decommissioned structure that was in operation from 1855 to 1891. Don’t forget to head down to the rocky beach area and check out the Point Loma tide pools as well, where you can spot sea creatures when the tide goes out.

For another unique and often forgotten San Diego experience, about an hour before sunset, head just north of the lighthouse in Point Loma to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Bring a blanket and a snack and enjoy the sunset over the pacific ocean at one of the best locations for catching a sunset in San Diego!

Get a birds-eye view of San Diego’s greatest sights when you take off in a hot air balloon for some of the most epic views of the area. Soar above Del Mar and make memories you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Book a hot air balloon ride, which lets you ride the air currents and travel over the city for a few hours while you enjoy the sun, the breeze, and of course, the view.

For an extra special look at the city, consider going for a hot air balloon ride at sunset or sunrise, and fly over the beach or San Diego Bay. This San Diego attraction is a great way to take advantage of San Diego’s consistently sunny weather, all while creating lifelong memories and finding the perfect photo opportunities.

There are many ways to explore the sights of San Diego Bay. You can take one of the best harbor cruises & boat tours, or, if you’re seeking something a little more exciting, try out the Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride.

This high-octane experience lets you ride a jet boat through the San Diego harbor to a soundtrack of pumping rock music, all while you feel the wind in your hair and the spray of the sea on your face.

The jet boat reaches speeds of upwards of 50mph, and takes 360 degree turns in the bay. You’ll want to hold on tight during the ride as you look out over your scenic surroundings! This is one of the most unique ways to sightsee in the bay, and it’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

There’s nothing quite like the experience of seeing an incredible artist at an outdoor venue with beautiful scenery, and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Humphreys Concerts on the Bay.

This unique concert venue is located right along the shore on Shelter Island in Point Loma, and it has its own restaurant and hotel called Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites. Grab a drink before the show, or stay nearby so you don’t have to travel home in the dark.

Experience the adrenaline of a big crowd all singing along to a famous band’s greatest hits, or come see undiscovered local talent. The venue also hosts comedians, cover bands, variety acts, and other performances.

Old Town’s Tahona Bar is the first mezcal tasting room to have opened in San Diego, and it remains a popular spot with locals, despite being relatively unknown among tourists. This rustic location has its own dinner menu full of authentic Mexican favorites, but the real draw is the way the bar highlights Mexico’s famous beverage, mezcal.

Mezcal is an alcoholic beverage distilled from agave, and its sweet flavor pairs well with a number of classic cocktails and other drinks. Tahona offers over 100 different kinds of mezcal on their menu, so it’s the perfect spot to try a few new drinks and share a night of fun and laughter with friends.

Learn about cultural and historic landmarks as well as other popular stops when you take a Downtown and Gaslamp Scooter Tour.

Scooters are equipped with a talking GPS, so you can follow the directions to various stops and learn fun facts from the pre-recorded narration.

Like many of the best San Diego city and bus tours, this scooter tour offers an incredible overview of the city that’s as exciting as it is informative. It’s well worth the price of admission to get your bearings in the city, or to simply spend an afternoon taking in all the best sights and landmarks.

The Westgate Hotel is an upscale hotel located in the heart of Core-Columbia’s business district with its own spa and fine dining options. If you want to get a taste of the high life right in San Diego, try the hotel’s afternoon tea, which is held Thursdays-Sundays each week.

Afternoon tea is held in The Westgate’s Grand Lobby, which radiates charm and class, promising a truly elegant experience.

Alongside imported tea selections, guests can choose from a selection of finger foods and light snacks. Choices include tea sandwiches, pastries, savory bites, and French-inspired desserts like macarons and cakes. Be sure to make a reservation in advance if you plan on attending afternoon tea, as there is limited space available.

San Diego’s Embarcadero is famous for being a hub of military history, as it is home to both the USS Midway Museum and the Maritime Museum of San Diego, both of which are part of the Go City San Diego Pass. At these museums, you’ll learn about historic wartime campaigns and the extensive naval history of the area, and you can even see real ships that date back hundreds of years.

At the Maritime Museum of San Diego, be sure not to miss the Star of India, the oldest active sailing ship in the world!

This ship dates back to the mid-1800s, so it’s a real treat to step aboard. Learn about the ship’s exploits through the years, and admire the construction and maintenance that has kept it afloat all this time.

There are plenty of great beaches to choose from all around San Diego, but if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, consider visiting the Solana Beaches, where you’ll find the amazing Seascape Beach.

This beach is stair access only, so it’s a more secluded San Diego beach than many of the city’s shores, but this ensures you can enjoy an undisturbed sunbathing and swimming experience at this beautiful cliffside coast.

Seascape Beach also has great surf conditions, and it’s a good way to avoid the crowds at more popular surf spots. Consider taking surfing lessons or renting a surfboard, both of which you can do at a discounted rate when you purchase a Go City San Diego Pass.

In most areas of the U.S., speakeasies are a thing of the past. However, in the Gaslamp Quarter, you can step back in time to the early 1900s at the Noble Experiment, a cocktail lounge decorated in the swanky style of classic speakeasies during the Prohibition Era.

The interior is cozy and fairly intimate, though the drink menu is as robust as you can expect from any of San Diego’s bars. Try out tasty themed cocktails, or hit the dancefloor with a partner for some fun. The Prohibition Era may be long over, but in the Noble Experiment, it’s easy to leave the modern day behind and immerse yourself in the past.

Originally constructed in 1912 to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal, the Spreckels Theater in Core-Columbia has been putting on plays, ballets and other performances for over a hundred years!

Hey It’s had many renovations, but the building still retains its historic charm and architectural influences. During the holiday season, the theater puts on its yearly performance of the Nutcracker Ballet that’s a real treat, but you can catch a show year-round, as there’s always something playing.

Alternatively, you can also catch a production of the Nutcracker Ballet at the San Diego Civic Theater located nearby also in Core-Columbia. Both theaters offer a great way to see timeless classics, or to check out a new performance you’ve never seen before!

In the early days of San Diego, European colonists set up missions along the coast, which served as living quarters, educational centers, and churches. You can find many of these missions still standing all across California, many of which have been renovated and turned into historic and cultural museums preserving artifacts from the mid-1700s.

California’s mission trail extends throughout the state, but the two missions you can visit without leaving San Diego are Mission San Luis Rey and Mission San Diego de Alcala.

Both of these missions are full of early artwork, first-hand accounts, and plenty of 18th century architecture. They make for great stops on the itinerary of any history buff, or anyone looking to learn a little more about Southern California history.

Many travelers know about or will quickly find that San Diego is home to a world-class zoo, known simply as the San Diego Zoo. Located in Balboa Park, a visit to the zoo makes our list as one of the most fun things to do in San Diego and also as one of the best tourist attractions in San Diego. Along with a visit to nearby SeaWorld San Diego, if you love animals of all kinds, these two attractions are great ways to spend an afternoon on your trip to San Diego.

However, if you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten path animal encounter, consider spending a day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Located about 45 minute drive northwest of the San Diego International Airport (SAN) in Escondido, the park, previously named the San Diego Wild Animal Park until 2010 is made up of over 1800 acres of wildlife sanctuary featuring more than 300 unique species of animals primarily from Africa and Asia.

Wander through the Old World Succulent Garden, the Gorilla Forest, the Bonsai Pavilion or zip line over the park on the Flightline Safari knowing that you are having a fun and unique San Diego experience!