San Diego is often referred to as the birthplace of California, and for a good reason. This city was the first spot in Western United States where the Europeans first landed. It has a beautiful climate and a relaxed vibe. If you are planning on a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, San Diego is a great destination. It boasts of some of the oldest buildings this side of the country and has the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the world - the USS Midway. With a jovial Mexican influence along with a rich cultural heritage, San Diego offers visitors delicious and exotic cuisines, plenty of museums, monuments, and more. Here are some more of the best places to visit in San Diego, California.
1. San Diego Zoo (from USD 72.0)
San Diego Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in the city. The zoo is home to some of the most exotic wildlife on the planet. The over 4,000 animals kept in the zoo make it one of the most family-friendly spots in the city. Some of the animals found here include koalas, giraffes, and various apes. Admire the animals and go in-depth during daily keeper talks and guided bus tours. A trip to the zoo is sure to be a memorable one for all members of the group.
San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket
Duration: 1 to 4 hours
2. San Diego Museum of Man
San Diego Museum of Man is located in San Diego’s busy district and is set in four Spanish Revival buildings. The museum is home to several exhibits and features. Come here to know about the rich pre-Columbian history of the city. The museum offers BEERology, a study of the 10,000-year history of beer brewing. You kids will enjoy the family-friendly exhibition about some of the mythical beasts found in the native culture. The museum houses one of the largest collections of Egyptology in the country, with masks, sarcophagi, and even two real mummies!
San Diego Museum of Man
Address: 1350 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: San Diego Museum of Man
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 13 USD
3. USS Midway Museum (from USD 32.0)
The USS Midway is the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the world. In 2004, it was permanently moved to San Diego’s Embarcadero. This iconic carrier served in the Vietnam War and was a part of Operation Desert Storm. Today, it is a museum of aircraft and naval aviation. Visit and experience simulators and short films that give you the chance to relive famous moments. The tour of the venue is an immersive experience that will leave you in awe. You will see the carrier’s 25 restored aircraft from the days of the Second World War up to Operation Desert Storm.
San Diego: USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket
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4. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park - March 2018
Posted by Abdo Daccache on Sunday, 4 March 2018
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park offers visitors the opportunity to go back in time. The park is full of restored historic buildings and some duplicate buildings. Of all the buildings, perhaps the most intriguing are the five original adobes that have been restored in the park. One of the adobes is Casa de Estudillo built in 1827. It is one of the oldest surviving pieces of Spanish architecture in the state. The park is open to the general public and there is a stable on the grounds where you can see the blacksmith at the forge.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Address: 4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
Website: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
5. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a beautiful, awe-inspiring 27.5-hectare (68-acre) park found some minutes west of Point Loma. The park boasts of natural formations found nowhere else in the city. The bluffs here are hewn, not by human hands, but by the wet, cold sides of the ocean. The park also features several natural arches and tide pools. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park lives up to its name as it offers a stunning view of the Californian sunset. If you come during December and April, you might be fortunate enough to catch sight of gray whales along the coast.
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Address: Ladera St, San Diego, CA 92107, United States
Website: Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
6. Belmont Park
Belmont Park is an amusement park in San Diego that made its debut in 1925. It was initially owned by John Spreckels, a businessman who made his fortune from sugar. Today, the park is open to all and offers visitors an exciting time. The park has a dozen rides, a trio of oceanfront eateries, a mini golf course, and many more attractions. The venue also boasts of the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster that is in itself a National Historic Landmark.
Belmont Park
Address: 3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109, United States
Website: Belmont Park
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun - Mon: 11am - 9pm; Tue - Thu:11am - 8am
Price: From 31 USD
7. Heritage County Park
Vintage Sherman-Gilbert House at Heritage Park Victorian Village, Old Town. This charming County park is adjacent to...
Posted by Rick Edra Photography on Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Heritage County Park is a charming park that lies adjacent to San Diego’s Old Town. It boasts of old Victorian homes and the first synagogue in the city of San Diego. The temple is an important part of the community and hosts bar mitzvahs, weddings, and so on. Furthermore, Victorian homes have been restored and offer an exciting experience for avid visitors.
Heritage County Park
Address: 2454 Heritage Park Row, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
Website: Heritage County Park
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
8. Maritime Museum of San Diego
Maritime Museum of San Diego lies along Embarcadero’s Waterfront Park and is some steps from the USS Midway Museum. It is a museum that houses one of the largest collections of iconic vessels in the United States. The museum boasts of 11 submarines and heritage boats. One of the most iconic vessels here is the Star of India, which is widely believed to be the oldest sailing ship in the world. If you are a sea vessel enthusiast, you will thoroughly enjoy a tour of this museum.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Address: 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Maritime Museum of San Diego
Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (daily)
Price: 7 USD
9. San Diego Art Institute
The San Diego Art Institute is a place for visitors to connect with art, both from the local community and from far away. Come with your friends or family and support the up-and-coming artists at its memorable gallery. You can also browse unique art pieces from local lads at the venue.
San Diego Art Institute
Address: 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: San Diego Art Institute
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 3 - 5 USD
10. Cabrillo National Monument
Just by the southern edge of Point Loma lies a heroic statue - Cabrillo National Monument. The piece marks the spot where the first European explorer set foot on the West Coast. Juan Cabrillo arrived on the West Coast on 28 September 1542. The statue of Cabrillo was donated to the city by the Portuguese government in 1939. The area surrounding the figure is a hub of activity. There is a visitor center that showcases a movie and several exhibits to teach tourists about the voyage of the first European to explore the coast.
Cabrillo National Monument
Address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106, United States
Website: Cabrillo National Monument
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: From 10 USD
11. Seaport Village
Seaport Village is within walking distance of downtown San Diego and located on the south end of the Embarcadero. The village is a significant attraction for many tourists. It is home to several restaurants like Pier Café which offers guests excellent fare while providing a splendid view of the bay. The buildings found in this village feature varied architectural styles. Some of the styles include haciendas to native adobes and Victorian homes. On summer weekends, you can come to the village to enjoy some live music.
Seaport Village
Address: 849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Seaport Village
Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)
12. Fleet Science Center
When Fleet Science Center opened in Balboa Park in 1973, it was regarded as one-of-a-kind and heralded as a science temple in California. Today, this planetarium and interactive science museum is an alluring center to both young and old visitors. The kids will particularly enjoy this spot. The center offers self-guided exhibitions for kids. In this venue, the children can, from the safety of the earth, explore outer space, discover the secrets of the near-invisible world of nanotechnology, and so on. There is also the Little Learner’s Lab where young children can play with various shapes and more.
Fleet Science Center
Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Fleet Science Center
Opening hours: Fri: 10am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm; Mon - Thu: 10am - 5pm
Price: 18 - 22 USD
13. Botanical Building
Botanical Building is located on the El Prado walkway in Balboa Park. It is a beautiful building that makes for a stunning picture background for your Instagram posts. The building was constructed for the 1915 - 1916 Panama-California Exposition. It is one of the most significant buildings of its kind in the entire world. Tour this beautiful building and be transported to a lush paradise. The building houses over 2,000 tropical plants and offers guests an unforgettable experience.
Botanical Building
Address: 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Botanical Building
Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 10am - 4pm (closed on Thu)
Price: Free
14. SeaWorld San Diego (from USD 49.99)
SeaWorld San Diego is one of the most memorable places to visit in the city. Explore the fascinating world under the sea at this site. You can get up close with the different sea animals in this underwater paradise. Play with exuberant dolphins, waddle along with the penguins, and wiggle with a whale. The park offers guests a mixture of fun and education. At this park, all the experiences enjoyed are exciting and rewarding. The park offers animal shows, rides, and so much more.
SeaWorld San Diego Ticket
15. San Diego Natural History Museum (from USD 12.0)
The San Diego Natural History Museum is a flagship institution in Balboa Park, which showcases the regional natural history and unique biodiversity of Southern California and Baja California. It holds the record as the oldest scientific institution south of California. Established in 1874, the exhibits will interest all folks regardless of age. The museum grants visitors the opportunity of watching 2D and 3D presentations that highlight the beauty and magnificence of the ocean as well as taking you back millions of years ago to the Ice Age through its exhibits.
San Diego: San Diego Natural History Museum Ticket
16. Balboa Park (from USD 45.0)
Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre (485.6 hectares) park located in San Diego. It is renowned for the several facilities that offer an exciting experience for visitors. The park is home to a world-class zoo, beautiful garden areas, and museums. You will find more than 350 plant species in this park. These unique plants were selected by the “Mother of Balboa Park,” Botanist Kate Sessions. To get the most of your visit, follow a guide who knows the quickest and most convenient ways around Balboa Park to see its main highlights on this two-hour walking tour.
Balboa Park Highlights Small-Group Walking Tour in San Diego
Duration: 2 hours
Have a great time in splendid San Diego
Looking for a great time and a lovely destination for your next getaway? Then put San Diego on your list of places to visit. The city is rich in culture, offers fun activities, and alluring sights to all who visit. There are so many splendid places to visit in San Diego, California. Go and have an unforgettable experience.
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