Things to Do in San Diego

1. Take a stroll at Balboa Park: There are many activities to do in San Diego with family, among which one is to take a stroll at Balboa Park. It is a vast site that encompasses gardens, numerous museums, historical buildings and green space. Moreover, it is a great place to enjoy a picnic with your family or go on a bike ride. The site has a striking collection of orchids and tropical plants. There are also Spanish-style predominant structures where you can take tons of photos, a beautiful lily pond and an interesting art museum. Apart from this, the site also contains the famous San Diego Zoo that you must visit.

2. Surf at Coronado Beach: Another fantastic thing to do in San Diego is surf at Coronado Beach. It is a popular destination for many families and couples because of its idyllic location, clear sand and peaceful atmosphere. Moreover, the beach offers plenty of picturesque scenery. The beach is protected from the strong Pacific wells by Point Loma in the west. Thus, you can surf and swim without any life threat. However, if you are too scared to try water sports, you can schedule a picnic with your family. In addition, if you plan to visit the city in the winter months, you can try Jet ski or just gaze at the beautiful scenery.

3. Hike along the cliff of Torey Pines State Natural Reserve: The place is located on the Pacific coastline of La Jolla, covering an area of 2000 acres. The cliff offers an incredible view of the ocean and is the favourite spot of many people. It provides its hikers with a trail of eight miles which you can also use as a beach trail to reach natural unexplored beaches. The reserve inhabits endangered Torrey Pines, which grows only here and on the coast of Santa Barbara. In addition, if you are lucky enough, you might also get a peek of blue and grey whales from the cliffs. Apart from this, you get to discover the breathtaking view of coastlines and gorgeous sandstone ravines.

4. Shop at Gaslamp Quarter: One of the amazing things to do in San Diego at night is shopping at Gaslamp city. This place is a hub of the city’s nightlife. The quarter has restored the Victorian buildings of the late 19th and early 20th, buzzing with trendy shops, entertainment venues, restaurants and art galleries. So after you have shopped your heart out, you can taste some fantastic cuisine in one of the fancy restaurants. The place offers everything from Persian food to pizza and has an amazing jazz ambience. Moreover, you can also attend theatre shows and comedy performances if you like.

5. Visit San Diego Zoo and Safari Park: It is one of the most famous and largest zoos in the United States that people come to visit from different parts of the world. It is a family attraction place and visiting here is considered as one of the top activities to do in San Diego with family. Your kids are sure to get awe-struck by the exotic population of wildlife here. The zoo is famous for giant pandas, gorillas, koalas, grizzly bears, polar bears, leopards, sloths, bonobos, and rhinos. Here you can also sign up for a close-up experience or behind the scenes. Apart from this, you also get to discover an impressive botanical collection containing more than 70,000 plants.

6. Try different rides at Belmont Park: Trying different rides at this amusement park is one of the best activities to do in San Diego with family. The park contains 12 rides, an 18-hole mini-golf course based on Tiki-theme, three fabulous oceanfront eateries, and a small attraction host. However, what attracts the most visitors is the Giant Dipper. This wooden roller coaster is a National Historic Landmark and the dream of many. Riding this giant coaster is a rite of passage for every kid who either came on a tour at San Diego or was born here. However, there are other options as well, like Beach Blaster, Octotron and Control Freak.

7. Discover varieties of fishes in Birch Aquarium: Another fantastic thing to do in San Diego is discovering different varieties of fishes in the Birch Aquarium. It is a fascinating aquarium located on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus and contains a mesmerizing spectrum of marine life of the Pacific Ocean. Your journey will start from the Hall of fish to the most fantastic 20 minutes of your life. You will find a 260,000-litre kelp forest tank, treasured loggerhead turtle, and coral reefs. Moreover, you can show the teens mesmerizing starfish, sea cucumber, hermit crabs, and lobster at the Tide-pool plaza.

8. Try paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport: If you are an adventure seeker and seek thrill, you can try paragliding or hang gliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport. Take your reach high into the sky, and for that, you don’t need previous experience. Each flight lasts for 20 to 25 minutes and gives adventurers the chance to gaze at the vibrant water bodies, sandstone cliffs, golf courses, and the awe-inspiring black beach. Anyone can try this sport, but minors have to get approval from their guardians or parents to try this adventurous activity.

9. Cruise in San Diego Bay Beach: One of the best ways to experience the scenic beauty of the city is from the sea. It is a one or two-hour tour where you get to watch the whale. Apart from this, one can also enjoy taking the seal tour. Where kids are interested in exploring the wildlife, the older members are more interested in meals and drinks provided on the cruise as you float. The cruise will allow you to soak yourself in the sun and the fresh air altogether. Moreover, you will also get narration of the little history on the cruise while enjoying the city skyline.

10. Explore Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum: One of the top things to do in San Diego is exploring the famous Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. It includes more than 25 restored aircraft and 60 exhibits. Two hundred twenty-five thousand military servicemen served the ship, and to learn all about its history, you can get yourself a self-guided audio tour. Moreover, if you pay an additional fee, you also get to board a flight simulator.

1. Spend the night in Wild Animal Park: One of the most exciting things to do in San Diego at night is to explore the Wild animal park. Here you get to go on Snore Safari Night, guided hikes, get plenty of food, animal viewing and tent options for sleepovers.

2. Hang out in boozy arcade: Coin-Op Game room in the Gaslamp Quarter offers the visitors a chance to enjoy the nightlife and play arcade game. The party gets even more interesting by the add-on fun of punch bowls, craft cocktails, beer taps and classic bar bites.

3. First Friday at liberty stations: Make sure to take a Liberty Station stroll on the first Friday of every month between 5 pm to 9 pm. At the time, you get to enjoy music, dance, theatre, working artists, galleries and museums. You can also enjoy cocktails and dinner at nearby clubs.

4. Gaze at the stars: Another fantastic thing to do in San Diego at night is to catch a program in the Fleet Science Centre. The program is called The Sky Tonight, where you get to focus on Black holes, Neutron Stars, and Gravitational Waves. Moreover, they will also narrate you through the Milky Way Galaxy, Tidal Forces, and Mercury. 

1. Cuddled up drive-in movie: The most romantic thing you can do for your loved one is to schedule a drive-in movie date. You can pile up the back of your car with cushions and blankets and watch films on three 100-foot screens.

2. Bonfire at the beach: Another romantic thing to do in San Diego is set up a cosy bonfire at the beach. With the glorious sunset setting and soothing music of ocean waves, it is sure to give you the most romantic moment of your lives. Dozens of beaches offer this facility; you can choose any.

3. Catch a full moon dinner cruise: What can be more romantic than taking your better half to a dining cruise beneath a vibrant skyline and glowing full moon. As you float above the glittering river, you are served a three-course dinner, a glass of bubbly champagne, and a floor to dance under the stars

4. Go apple picking: La Jolla offers couples a unique opportunity to go apple picking and enjoy the mountain's scenic beauty. The apple picking season starts in September and allows you to collect your apples while clicking thousands of photos of the picturesque region.

1. Visit Birch Aquarium at Scripps: Birch Aquarium is one of the best places you can take your kids to. It is a perfect setting that allows your kid to get close to the glowing moon jellies, sharks, silvery Sardines, lionfish, and other sea animals. You can also take your kid to Tide Pool Plaza to amuse him/her with sea cucumber and starfish.

2. Catch animal show at SeaWorld: One of the top activities to do in San Diego with family is to catch an animal show at SeaWorld. Here you not only get to see sea lions and dolphins but also an aquarium full of sea creatures and a shark tank.

3. Enjoy at the water park: When touring with kids, how can you miss hitting Aquatica San Diego Water park. The park has a lazy river, a wavy pool, and other water play areas. You can also get on water slides or rent a cabana for more fun.

4. Belmont Park: Another amazing thing to do in San Diego with family is to visit Belmont Park. Here you get to hop on the historic roller coaster and enjoy the most joyous ride with your kids. It is ranked as the best activity to try with youngsters. Along with rides, you also get fantastic restaurant options.

1. Paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport: One of the top adventurous things to do in San Diego is fly Tandem at Torrey Pines Gliderport. This activity does not require experience. The instructor will guide you and make sure you are safe. The flight will make sure to give you some lifetime views worth remembering.

2. Thrill-ride on the Bay: San Diego offers its thrill-seeker to enjoy a thrill ride at the Patriot Jet Boat. It reaches a speed of 50mph and provides thrill through 360-degree turns while showing sights. In addition to this, you get rock background music and pleasant staff.

3. Drive a speedboat: In San Diego, you get a chance to navigate a 13-foot speed boat all by yourself. It is a 13-mile sightseeing loop where you get to explore a seaport village, navy ships, and many more stops. However, the boat can carry up to three people only.

1. By flight: San Diego International Airport is the main landing port of the city which serves dozens of airlines. So you can reach it from any part of the world.

2. By Road: If you want to reach San Diego through the road, you can take three interstate roads. It will be more manageable if you rent a car, hire a taxi or drive on your own.

3. By train: If you are travelling from nearby cities, you can reach the city through AMTRAK. It is a commuter train that runs by COASTER. However, it provides limited or no service during weekends and Sundays especially.

The best time to visit San Diego is during spring and fall, i.e. from March to May and September to November. During this time, the weather is pleasant, and there is a smaller crowd. Moreover, the hotel prices are also reduced to half.

San Diego is famous for many reasons, but the most admired thing is the miles of white-sand beaches, various fun attractions, and the amazing weather.

San Diego is a big city, and like every other big city, there has to be a crime. But the incidents of crime are very less. So it is relatively safer than many cities around the globe. So you can feel safe travelling to the town.