Top 12 Things To Do Indoors In San Diego, California

things to do indoors in san diego
Louise
Louise 
Updated
| 6 min read

San Diego is a fascinating city in California popular for its warm climate, breathtaking beaches, exciting outdoor adventures, amazing parks, and cozy places to stay. Surely, this is one of America’s most visited tourist destinations. But what if the weather just does not agree with your planned itinerary that involves a lot of fun in the beach resorts? Don’t fret because San Diego is called America’s finest city for nothing. The city boasts of various interesting and exciting destinations even on rainy days. Imagine tea time with your best friends or ice skating with the family, wall climbing in Vertical Hall, or marveling at the beauty of marine life in the Birch Aquarium. This city definitely offers wonderful alternatives to outdoor adventures when the weather goes south. Check out our list of the top things to do indoors in San Diego, California.

1. San Diego Indoor Skydiving Experience (from USD 104.0)

Are you interested in challenging activities that give you excitement and extreme adrenaline rush? If so, you should head over iFly San Diego and book one of their amazing flight packages. iFly San Diego can give their guests the amazing experience of flying even without an airplane and a parachute. All you have to do is step inside their giant machine as a smooth, thick cushion of air carries and makes you float like a feather. No worries about getting hurt or outbalanced because this activity is guaranteed safe, and skydiving gears are provided. This exciting indoor activity also offers training sessions from a professional instructor. Some organizations even conduct their team building activities in iFly. This is definitely a wonderful experience that both kids and kids at heart will surely love.

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San Diego Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

21 reviews

2. Wander around the Liberty Public Market

Liberty Public Market
Source: Photo by Flickr user Nick Amoscato used under CC BY 2.0

Situated in the Liberty Station, Liberty Public Market offers quality and diverse products from local businesses. These vendors are carefully screened to make sure that the variety of products sold in Liberty Public Market are the best of the best. They also have cafes and restaurants that serve sumptuous food. You might enjoy the fresh salads and bowls in Local Green or authentic Thai food in Mama Made Thai, or get a taste of Argentinian empanadas in Parana Empanadas, or surrender to your sweet tooth with amazing crepes in Olala Crepes. Liberty Public Market is definitely a wonderful destination for tourists who love food as much as culture.

Liberty Public Market

Address: 2820 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106, USA

Website: Liberty Public Market

Opening hours: Sun- Mon 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

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3. Go see a concert at The Casbah

Mudwimmin at the Casbah
Source: Photo by Flickr user Ted Drake used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Located near Downtown San Diego, Casbah is a popular night club and concert venue for tourists as well as locals who are into the music and arts scene. They have been in the business for almost 30 years now and continuously providing astounding live music to the San Diego crowd. They feature amazing live bands that will make you sing along and dance to the groove. Some of the bands they have hosted are Lucy’s Fur Coat, Three Mile Pilot, Crashing Worship, Nirvana, and The Smashing Pumpkins. Enjoy a fun-filled night of good music, cold drinks, and a wonderful crowd at The Casbah.

The Casbah

Address: 2501 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA

Website: The Casbah

Opening hours: Sun-Mon 8:00 pm - 2:00 am

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4. Explore the Birch Aquarium (from USD 20.0)

If you are fascinated with the sea and the marine life, the Birch Aquarium should be your next go-to. It showcases more than 3,000 sea animals from different species. It also features amazing exhibits from the Hall of Fishes, to Elasmo Beach, to Tide-Pool Plaza. All these exhibits show guests the beauty and complexity of marine life and how they function in the ecosystem. This is perfect for kids and kids at heart. You will surely learn a lot of interesting facts and see marvelous sea creatures in the Birch Aquarium.

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Skip the Line: Birch Aquarium at Scripps Admission Ticket

Duration: 1 day

5. Get spooked at Whaley House Museum

things to do indoors in san diego | get spooked at whaley house museum
Source: www.viator.com

Situated in Old Town San Diego, One of the most popular museums and landmarks in the city is the Whaley House Museum. It is a restored home featuring Greek 19th-century architecture, known for being haunted. Most tourists who are adventure-seekers and have a distinct liking towards scary phenomena visit this place. Admission tickets will let you explore the house and find out for yourself whether it lives up to its reputation or not. Also, they will educate you on why it is haunted and tell you the tragic story of the Whaley family. Some guests claim to have seen and felt something while in the house. So you better prepare yourself for some hair-raising experiences that may not let you sleep at night.

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Whaley House Museum Admission

6. Watch a show at The Old Globe

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

We love our production of Karen Zacarías's comedy Destiny of Desire, but don't take our word for it! See the show that...

Posted by The Old Globe on Thursday, June 15, 2023

Immerse yourself in the world of theater at The Old Globe in San Diego. This renowned venue showcases a diverse range of captivating performances, from classic plays to contemporary productions. Step into The Old Globe and be transported to a realm of creativity and artistry. Talented actors grace the stage, bringing compelling stories to life with their exceptional performances.

Whether you’re a fan of drama, comedy, musicals, or Shakespearean classics, The Old Globe offers a rich and varied repertoire to cater to all tastes. From thought-provoking dramas to enchanting musicals, each production is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and delivered with passion.

Watch a show at The Old Globe

Address: 499 Pan American E Rd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA

Website: The Old Globe

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7. Explore San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Visit the museum on Saturday, June 24 & Sunday, June 25 to see a modern operating session held by the La Mesa Model...

Posted by San Diego Model Railroad Museum on Saturday, June 17, 2023

Embark on a captivating journey through the world of miniature trains and intricate landscapes at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. This fascinating museum houses an impressive collection of model trains, showcasing the rich history and artistry of railroading. Step into the museum and marvel at the meticulously crafted dioramas, which depict various eras and regions of railroad history.

One of the enriching indoor places in San Diego that tourists can visit, this museum allows you to admire the intricate details of the miniature landscapes, complete with bustling cities, scenic countryside, and charming train stations. Immerse yourself in the interactive exhibits, where you can operate model trains and learn about the engineering behind them.

Explore San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Address: 1649 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101

Website: San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Opening hours: Tues - Sun: 11am - 4pm; (closed on Mon)

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8. Warm up with a spot of tea at Marlene’s Tea and Cakes


Marlene’s Tea and Cakes is lovely and sophisticated tea and pastry house in San Diego. Their interior is styled in a fusion of Parisian and Western design exuding South California class with a relaxing ambiance ideal for a little catching up with your friends and even romantic dates. You will be delighted with the style and art that is carefully incorporated with the whole restaurant, from the furniture to the fresh flower arrangements to the table setting, as well as the food itself and their presentation. Their menu features artistically crafted cookies, delectable cakes, and excellent tea. Whatever the weather is, afternoon tea is always a good idea.

Marlene’s Tea and Cakes

Address: 14677 Via Bettona, San Diego, CA 92127, USA

Website: Marlene’s Tea and Cakes

Opening hours: Wed - Sun 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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9. Pamper your nails at Hello Birdie Nail & Lash Lab


To a lot of women, a rainy day is no reason to feel blue. Women have so many activities in mind that the weather isn’t really a factor, especially when they are thinking about pampering themselves–like giving their hair a blowout or getting massages or picking the most artistic nail design to go with their mood. Well, regardless of gender, if you are in the mood for beautifying or even just cleaning your claws, Hello Birdie Nail & Lash Lab is one of the best Nail spas in San Diego. Their place is relaxing, their staff is highly skilled, and the quality of their services are top-notch. Aside from manicures, they also offer waxing services, callus removal, and eyebrow services.

Hello Birdie Nail & Lash Lab

Address: 3032 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104, USA

Website: Hello Birdie Nail & Lash Lab

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 am - 8:00 pm / Sun 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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10. Enjoy ice skating at San Diego Ice Arena


Never let the bad weather take away your sunshine as rainy day activities in San Diego are aplenty. Enjoy bonding over ice skating with your friends at the exciting San Diego Ice Arena. This destination is definitely fun, and interactive, and you will surely develop another skill. Who knows, you might be the next Michelle Kwan or Scott Hamilton.

San Diego Ice Arena features public skating schedules, skating classes, weekend family sessions, adult nights, and even an Ice Hockey Program. On top of that, they also offer birthday party packages to guests who want to celebrate their birthdays the Frozen way.

San Diego Ice Arena

Address: 11048 Ice Skate Pl, San Diego, CA 92126, USA

Website: San Diego Ice Arena

Opening hours: Sat-Sun 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm / Mon 11:00 am - 1:55 pm / Tues 11:00 am - 1:55 pm, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm , 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm / Wed 11:00 am - 1:55 pm / 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm / Thurs 11:00 am - 2:00 pm / Fri 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Price: Starts at 10USD

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11. Grab a bowl of something comforting at Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen

RakiRaki ramens - 2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user RightCowLeftCoast used under CC BY-SA 4.0

When it is raining outside, don’t we just crave for thick blankets, warm hugs, a cup of coffee, and in some cases, a warm flavorful bowl of ramen? If you are one of those people whose appetite heightens during rainy days, you should head over to Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen located in Convoy St, San Diego. They serve authentic Japanese cuisine from savory ramen to tsukemen curries, sushi rolls, and others.

Not only that, you can witness your food being prepared by master chefs while you enjoy your sake or beer. Doesn’t that just add to the charm? The aroma, the Japanese-inspired interior, the ambiance, and the service will definitely have you piling bowls.

Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen

Address: 4646 Convoy St #102-A, San Diego, CA 92111, USA

Website: Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen

Opening hours: Sun - Thurs 11:00 am - 12:30 am / Fri - Sat 11:00 am - 2:00 am

Price: Starts at 5USD

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12. Get a workout at an indoor rock climbing wall in Vertical Hold

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


If you are into Physical fitness activities and challenging sports, you might want to experience an indoor rock climbing wall in Vertical Hold. This indoor activity in San Diego for adults comes in four kinds: Bouldering, Auto Belays, Lead Climbing, and Top Roping. You will surely push yourself to the limits and see what your body can achieve. Aside from that, Vertical Hold has a full-service gym where you can warm up and exercise.

They also have yoga programs, climbing clinics, and classes where you can learn about the techniques and the advanced moves you can use on your next climb.

Vertical Hold

Address: 2074 Hancock Street, San Diego, CA 92110

Website: Vertical Hold

Opening hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 11:00 pm / Sat - Sun 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

Price: Starts at 19USD

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Rainy day in San Diego

If you’re wondering about what to do on a rainy day in San Diego, leave your worries behind as the dark clouds can’t ruin your fun. You may not get to swim in the Pacific Beach or bask in the morning sunlight in Balboa Park, but there are still a lot of activities in San Diego that are just as fun. So when the weather starts to change from sunny to rainy, start rewriting your itinerary and the next thing you know, you’re having a wonderful time.

We hope that you take some notes from this list of activities during rainy days in San Diego and may your little vacation be as fun-filled as possible.

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Frequently asked questions about the top things to do indoors in San Diego, California


  • What cheap indoor activities are available in San Diego?

    These indoor activities will surely not break the bank: i) ice skating at San Diego Ice Arena, ii) exploring San Diego Model Railroad Museum, iii) savoring a comforting dish at Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen, and iv) searching for cheap finds at Liberty Public Market.

  • Which indoor hotspots in San Diego are great for adults?

    To fully enjoy your time in San Diego even with inclement weather, you can go to: i) The Old Globe to catch a show, ii) Hello Birdie Nail & Lash Lab for a pampering time, iii) Vertical Hold for a rock climbing activity, and iv) The Casbah to see a concert.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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She is a lover of life and a very optimistic person. She thinks of herself as a vessel of a billion possibilities, which can harness limitless potential. Trying new experiences, going places she's...Read more

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