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If you’re looking for San Diego vacation ideas, you’ve come to the right place!

About three million people live in San Diego County, roughly 1.3 million of those in the city of San Diego, itself. The Golden State’s second largest city bills itself as “America’s Finest City,” which may seem like hyperbole… until you travel there!

Bounded by Camp Pendleton to the north, Mexico to the south, the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, you’ll find an amazing mix of cultures and geography here, as well as a seemingly endless array of entertaining diversions.

Many people find that it takes several vacations to experience all there is to enjoy in just the city of San Diego, much less all the areas surrounding it. While you could spend the better part of a week just perusing the lovely grounds at Balboa Park and investigating its outstanding museums and the 100-acre, world-famous San Diego Zoo, you wouldn’t want to miss the downtown and waterfront nor the fun to be had at Pacific, Ocean or Mission Beaches.

The last one in that list, Mission Beach, offers a whole host of opportunities for fun, including Sea World and Belmont Park, a restored and treasured landmark amusement park that first opened in 1925.

More entertainment can be found among the shops and galleries in La Jolla (about 10 minutes north of downtown and sometimes referred to as “San Diego’s Beverly Hills”) or the exclusive enclave on Coronado Island (actually a peninsula and accessible by car over the Coronado Bay Bridge or via the Bay Ferry from downtown’s Broadway Pier).

If you’re heading out of San Diego proper — and especially if children are part of your traveling group — you may want to visit Legoland (in Carlsbad, about 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego) or the Wild Animal Park (in Escondido, another 15 minutes or so east of Carlsbad).  Wild Animal Park is an 1800-acre division of the San Diego Zoo that offers a “safari-type” setup where animals roam free.

Adults might enjoy the race track at Del Mar (as well as its broad, white sand beach) or perhaps a bit of gambling at the casinos in El Cajon or Alpine. History buffs might want to explore the Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside or take a longer excursion to the town of Julian, a charming village that once played a role as southern California’s connection to the Gold Rush and is now largely prized for its surrounding apple orchards.

Travelers who want to venture south into Mexico should bring their passports. Tijuana, about 30 minutes from downtown San Diego and the world’s busiest border town, is more “tourist” than “authentic” Mexico, but many visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife opportunities. If your visit falls on a Sunday between May and September, you might also enjoy attending a bullfight. Bus transportation is available.  If you drive, park your car at the border and walk across.

Here are some articles where you can learn more about San Diego’s vacation and travel destinations and the extraordinary experiences you can enjoy there:

San Diego Tourist Attractions

San Diego Amusement / Theme Parks

San Diego Museums

San Diego Beaches

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

Was this article useful and/or interesting?
Would you please consider sharing it?
We appreciate it!

There is no shortage of fun places to go and fun things to do in San Diego. So, grab your spirit of adventure and let’s go!

Knott’s Soak City, Chula Vista – Open May through September, this water wonder world’s 33 acres are packed with 22 rides, a family funhouse, a wave pool and much more – all sporting a 1950s San Diego surf theme. Kids of all ages love to cool off here, and there’s truly something for everyone – from high-speed tube and body slides to the more low-key wave pool and lazy river ride. (knotts.com/soakcity/sd)

Belmont Park, Mission Beach – Built in 1925 and reopened in the late 1980s, this is San Diego’s only beachfront amusement center, and it offers “old-time fun” for the whole family. Attractions include the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster (this original wooden roller coaster is a local landmark), Vertical Plunge, Bumper Mania, Tilt-A-Whirl, Liberty Carousel, Thunder Boats and Pirates Cove, a large indoor children’s play center. (belmontpark.com)

Legoland California, Carlsbad – While the “thrill rides” here are geared to the kids-under-12 set, the intricate, primary-colored, snap-together-block creations are enjoyed by all ages. Miniland is especially worth exploring, where some of the nation’s notable architectural structures have been replicated. The 128-acre amusement / theme park has 40 hands-on interactive exhibits and family rides, and you can observe Lego bricks being manufactured, as well. Note that the park has seasonal hours and is closed periodically during some of the less-busy months; call or check online for operating info for the dates you plan to visit. Also, if you are AAA member, bring your card for possible discounts on your admission and gift shop purchases. While the discounts aren’t always in effect, it never hurts to ask! (legoland.com/california.htm)

San Diego Wild Animal Park, Escondido – This 1,800-acre park is home to 3,000+ animals (representing 400+ species, including the largest crash of rhinos in any zoological facility and one of the world’s only California Condor exhibits) and 3,000+ species of unique plants. Civilized and wild exist side by side here, and you can get up close and personal with elephants, zebras, lions, cheetah, gorillas and giraffe. Don’t forget to bring your camera! (sandiegozoo.org/park/)

Boomer’s, Kearny Mesa and El Cajon – Miniature golf, laser tag, bumper boats, batting cages, go karts – all sorts of fun! (boomersparks.com/park/sandiego)

SeaWorld Adventure Park, Mission Bay – One of California’s most popular, year-round amusement / theme parks, this 189-acre park features several major shows, including “Believe” starring Shamu, the famous killer whale. A whole host of rides, shows, attractions and fascinating exhibits entertain and educate visitors about the world’s fascinating marine life. Do you want a really special SeaWorld experience? Click on the “Experiences” section of the “San Diego” section of the website, and then check out the “Behind the Scenes” options. If you mouse-over the small, “Click an Experience Below” photos, you will see options such as: Dolphin Interaction Program, Trainer for a Day, Private VIP Tours, etc. (You can also call 800-25-SHAMU for info; at the time of this writing, you would press “7” for the relevant information.) While these options are not inexpensive, they are truly “thrill-of-a-lifetime” quality! (seaworld.com)

The Wave Water Park, Vista – Owned and operated by the City of Vista and only open during warmer months, the 3-acre park features 35 water slides, and Rippity’s Rainforest allows children 12 and under to ride smaller slides or climb through an obstacle course. (thewavewaterpark.com)

Photo of Belmont Park by nalilo via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Wild Animal Park by andryone via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

San Diego Vacation Ideas

San Diego Museums

San Diego Tourist Attractions

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

Was this article useful and/or interesting?
Would you please consider sharing it?
We appreciate it!

Given San Diego’s historical significance as “the birthplace of California” (the site of the first non-native, permanent settlement on the U.S. west coast), its importance in the country’s military framework (home to 16 military facilities hosting the United States Navy, Coast Guard and the Marine Corps) and its acclaim as a aviation industry standard-bearer (the city’s Ryan Airways built Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis in 1927 among other notable contributions), it’s no wonder that there’s a vast array of museums to enjoy here. The city center’s concentration of museums, in fact, is rivaled only by Washington, D.C. as the nation’s highest.

As you peruse the list below, you’ll note that many of the museums are located in Balboa Park, the city’s cultural heart. If you are a museum-lover, you may want to consider the money-saving Balboa Park Passport or the Zoo/Passport combo, perhaps.

As money-saving ideas go, though, you can’t get much better than FREE, and various Balboa Park organizations offer free admission on a rotating basis on Tuesdays throughout the month as a public service. Find out which ones are free during your vacation or holiday by visiting the website’s “Park Information” section and clicking on the “Free Tuesdays” link at the bottom of the page.

San Diego Museums – Art, History & Culture

Barona Cultural Center & Museum, Lakeside – San Diego County’s only museum located on an Indian reservation is dedicated to the preservation of the heritage and culture of the area’s original inhabitants. (baronamuseum.org)

California Surf Museum, Oceanside – Dedicated to the display of surfing equipment and photographs, this small museum is open from 10am-4pm daily (except major holidays). (surfmuseum.org)

Children’s Museum of San Diego, Downtown – Recently reopened, this $25 million, 50,000-square-foot facility is the first major public “green” project to be completed downtown. (thinkplaycreate.org/)

Coronado Museum of History and Art, Coronado – Coronado’s rich and wonderful history is shared in galleries and special exhibits that highlight its settlers, its friendship with the U.S. Navy, the landmark Hotel del Coronado and more. (coronadohistory.org)

The Firehouse Museum, Downtown – Located in the city’s Little Italy area, this museum features a collection of fire-fighting equipment and memorabilia from across the country and around the world. (thesdfirehousemuseum.org)

Heritage of the Americas Museum, El Cajon – This educational and cultural center features the prehistoric and historic art, culture and natural history of the Americas. For information on current exhibits, educational programs, special events or docent-led tours, please call the museum.

The Marston House, Balboa Park – This classic 1905 Arts-and-Crafts style home was built for civic leader and merchant, George W. Marston and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It sits on five acres of formal gardens and is furnished with original furniture and decorative arts from the early American Arts and Crafts period. (sandiegohistory.org/mainpages/locate3.htm)

Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park – Come and enjoy a vast array of colorful and creative toys, pottery, textiles, costumes and gadgets from around the globe. (mingei.org)

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Downtown – Explore contemporary art in a historic setting – the new Jacobs Building, formerly the Santa Fe Depot baggage building – that is easily accessible via San Diego’s trolley system. (mcasd.org)

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla – Oft-remembered for its outdoor experience (enjoy the stunning view from Oceanview Terrace or lunch at the Museum Café patio), you can also find an array of fascinating exhibitions here, including Nancy Rubins’ gravity-defying sculpture, Pleasure Point and an outdoor garden gallery. (mcasd.org)

Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad – To further its mission – to celebrate the rich history and encourage the future of music making – this unique museum chronicles the last 100 years of American music through interactive displays, a focus on six different musical eras and a collection of over 450 vintage instruments and artifacts.

Museum of Photographic Arts, Balboa Park – Widely revered as one of the nation’s best photography museums, its permanent collection includes works by Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Edward Weston – everything from 19th-century daguerreotypes to contemporary photojournalism prints and Russian Constructivist images (many by Alexander Rodchenko). There is also a state-of-the-art theater that screens cinema classics and hosts the occasional jazz recital. (mopa.org)

Museum of San Diego History, Balboa Park – With over 2.5 million photographs and curatorial collections that include a vast array of objects, this extensive museum documents the area’s interesting past from 1840 to the present. Permanent collections include series on folk art, textiles, tools and transportation, and the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and offers lectures, programs and workshops in its 100-seat Thornton Theater. (sandiegohistory.org/mainpages/locate2.htm)

San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum, Balboa Park – This 70,000-square-foot, three-level center is the nation’s largest multi-sport museum and boasts memorabilia reflecting San Diego’s sporting legacy. Visitors can call play-by-play in the state-of-the-art media center, follow the evolution of the surfboard or soar with skateboard legend Tony Hawk. (sdhoc.com)

San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park – One of the country’s leading art institutions, holdings include collections of Italian Renaissance, Dutch and Spanish Old Masters, Asian art, south Asian paintings, as well as comprehensive examples of American art, 19th century European paintings and 20th century paintings. (sdmart.org)

San Diego Women’s History Museum & Educational Center, Downtown – The nation’s only women’s history museum offers educational programs, exhibits, archives, oral histories and the Women’s Hall of Fame to further its mission. (whmec.org)

Serra Museum, Presidio Park (near Old Town San Diego) – This 1929 mission-style building houses a wide range of Native American, Spanish, Mexican and American artifacts that chronicle the area’s history. Exhibits include personal belongings like tools, furniture and paintings – even a cannon! – and there is a large collection of local history books for sale as well. (sandiegohistory.org/mainpages/locate4.htm)

Stuart Collection, La Jolla (UCSD campus) – A partnership between the University and the Stuart Foundation, an organization founded by James Stuart DeSilva and dedicated to funding experimental and challenging public sculpture projects, presents and displays more than a dozen public art projects sometimes described as “adventuresome,” “ironic” and “humorous” at various campus locations. (stuartcollection.ucsd.edu)

Timken Museum of Art, Balboa Park – Admission is always free at this small-but-sumptuous museum. Its world-class Putnam Collection spans five centuries of art – from from the early Renaissance through the 19th century – and artists represented include Veronese, Breugel, Claude, David, Rembrandt and Copley. (timkenmuseum.org)

Whaley House Museum Complex, Old Town San Diego – A Victorian mansion and historical museum complete with resident ghosts. (whaleyhouse.org)

William Heath Davis Historic House Museum, Downtown – This saltbox-style home (shipped around Cape Horn and assembled here in 1850) is the Gaslamp Quarter district’s oldest surviving structure. The former home of many fascinating people, (including pre-Civil War soldiers, a German spy and the city’s founder, Alonzo Horton), each room represents a historic period and is filled with fascinating artifacts to share its former inhabitants’ entertaining stories. (gaslampquarter.org/history/thehouse.php)

San Diego Museums – Science, Transportation & Nature

Aircraft Carrier Museum, Downtown – Located aboard the historic USS Midway aircraft carrier docked along the Navy Pier, this museum features exhibits, flight simulators and tours of the carrier (an audio guide is provided with admission). (midway.org)

Botanical Building, Balboa Park – Built for the 1915-16 Exposition and one of the largest lath structures in the world, there are more than 2,100 permanent plants to enjoy here. Free to the public on Friday through Wednesday, from 10am to 4pm (closed Thursdays and holidays), many of the Park’s vibrant seasonal flower displays can be found here.

Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and Aviation Museum, Miramar – Near the Marine Corps Air Station, this is the only museum in the world dedicated to the preserving the history of Marine Corps Aviation. (flyingleathernecks.org)

Maritime Museum, Downtown – Located on the North Harbor Drive waterfront, about two blocks from the Little Italy trolley station, you don’t have to be a nautical history buff to enjoy these fine vessels. The collection includes five restored sail- and steam-powered ships, dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, one of which is the world’s oldest active ship, the Star of India. (sdmaritime.com)

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Balboa Park – This museum is filled with fun, interactive, educational exhibits. The center’s IMAX Dome Theater, the first such theater in the world, screens exhilarating nature and science films. (rhfleet.org)

San Diego Air & Space Museum, Balboa Park – This popular museum celebrates five centuries of aviation history, demonstrating the remarkable progress with displays of more than 60 aircraft and space vehicles. Highlights include hot-air balloons, bi-planes, military aircraft and many fascinating space-related exhibits. (aerospacemuseum.org)

San Diego Archaeological Center, Escondido – Located near the San Diego Wild Animal Park, this museum preserves and curates prehistoric and historic archaeological artifacts and shares them with the public through exhibits, educational programs and continued research. (sandiegoarchaeology.org)

San Diego Automotive Museum, Balboa Park – The museum showcases over 80 classic and historically significant vehicles – from “horseless carriages” to 50s favorites and from “muscle cars” to motorcycles – including Louie Mattar’s fabulous, world-famous $75,000 Cadillac and potential future innovations. Special exhibits rotate ever few months to share other interesting and famous vehicles. (sdautomuseum.org)

San Diego Model Railroad Museum, Balboa Park – This is the world’s largest operating model railroad museum, displaying four enormous and detailed layouts that portray California’s transportation history in its 28,000-square-foot facility. There is also a Toy Train Gallery with an interactive Lionel layout with state-of-the-art theater lighting that is a big hit with kids of all ages. (sdmodelrailroadm.com)

San Diego Museum of Man, Balboa Park – Beneath the Park’s magnificent 200-foot California Tower, this fascinating museum specializes in the peoples of North and South America and showcases life-size replicas of various Homo sapiens as well as Egyptian tomb artifacts and Peruvian mummies. The Children’s Discovery Center and its changing exhibits highlight arts, culture and scientific achievements. (museumofman.org)

San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park – Founded in 1874 and southern California’s second-oldest scientific institution, this flagship Balboa Park museum celebrates the natural wonders of Baja and Southern California with an extensive permanent collection, award-winning temporary exhibitions, giant-screen films and hands-on science activities. There are 7.5 million fossils, dinosaur models and even live reptiles and other specimens here – something for everyone and not to be missed! (sdnhm.org)

Photo of California Surf Museum by parislemon via flickr (Creative Commons); Photos of Mingei Museum and Botanical Building by Lyndi&Jason via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Museum of Art by Conspiracy of Happines s via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Balboa California Tower by raypilla via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

San Diego Vacation Ideas

San Diego Amusement / Theme Parks

San Diego Tourist Attractions

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

Was this article useful and/or interesting?
Would you please consider sharing it?
We appreciate it!

In addition to the San Diego tourist attractions detailed below, as you plan your vacation or holiday you may want to also consider information about San Diego area beaches, as well as information about San Dieogo museums and the area’s amusement, theme and water parks, as well. See the “Related Posts” section at the end of this article for links to articles on those other topics and also to articles about nearby Orange County and Los Angeles tourist attractions.

The first section below will introduce attractions and other place to go, see and have fun in and around the San Diego center city and the downtown area.

Thereafter, attractions in some of the areas in and around San Diego are discussed. If you’d like to skip immediately to those outlying area discussions, you can use these links:

La Jolla
Del Mar, Oceanside and Carlsbad

Balboa Park, San Diego – This is a “must-see,” even if its myriad of museums and world-renowned zoo don’t interest you. Established in 1868, this is the largest urban cultural park in the U.S. and was ranked among the “Best Parks in the World” by the Project for Public Places in 2003 (13 out of 24). The 1,200-acre gem is home to the San Diego Zoo and a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, as well as multiple gardens, a Spanish-style promenade and about 15 museums (see the museums article linked above). The park is free to enter (although many of the museums require admission), and there are several large parking lots. (balboapark.org)

Cabrillo National Monument & the Old Point Loma Lighthouse – Located approximately 10 miles from San Diego, this location offers superb, panoramic views of the city and is a good place to watch for migrating whales during the winter months. In addition, the National Park Service has refurbished the location’s historic 1880s lighthouse, and ranger-led talks, displays and brochures are available to explain its interesting past. (nps.gov/cabr/)

Chicano Park – Located beneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge in Logan Heights (Barrio Logan), a predominantly Mexican-American and Mexican-immigrant community, this park is home to the world’s largest conglomeration of outdoor murals (67), as well as other artworks that celebrate the community’s cultural heritage. Like Berkeley’s People’s Park, Chicano Park was borne of a non-violent, militant community takeover, and every year on April 22 (or the nearest weekend), the anniversary is revered with a “Chicano Park Day” fiesta. (chicano-park.org)

Coronado – This small “island” town is connected to the city by the San Diego -Coronado Bridge. Although best known for the Hotel del Coronado (“The Del”), its numerous parks and beaches make it ideal for enjoying outdoor activities, and its marinas provide even more options – from paddleboats to yachts! (coronadovisitorcenter.com)

Historic Gaslamp Quarter – With buildings dating to the late 1800s (some with a bit of a checkered past), this area is now the place you’ll find some of southern California’s hottest hotels, restaurants and nightlife. For those who prefer to explore the area during the day, the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation offers maps and information about the area as well as a guided walking tour on Saturdays at 11am. (gaslampquarter.org)

Historic Old Town San Diego – Considered the “birthplace” of California, Franciscan friar Junipero Serra built the first of the state’s 21 missions on a hillside overlooking this area in 1769. In the 1820s, a small Mexican community of adobe buildings formed at the base of the hill, and by 1835 it had evolved into El Pueblo de San Diego. Now the site of a state historic park featuring the five original adobes, the complex has an open, “olden-days” feel to it (parks.ca.gov). Presidio Park lies a few blocks north of Old Town, and its lovely grounds offer spectacular views of the bay and harbor. The colorful and vibrant Bazaar Del Mundo (“shopping of the world) is also nearby. (bazaardelmundo.com)

Horton Plaza – This five-level outdoor shopping is adjacent to the historic Gaslamp Quarter and is currently anchored by Macy’s and Nordstrom department stores. Named for Alonzo Horton (widely considered to be the founder of San Diego), it was an actual plaza (or park) before it was developed as a shopping center. (westfield.com/hortonplaza)

Little Italy – This ethnic business and residential community has been around since the 1920s and is downtown San Diego’s oldest continuous neighborhood-business district. Today, you can find lovely restaurants, lodging and shopping here. If you venture to Amici Park, you may even see residents enjoying a game of bocce ball or, near the court, a monument that pays tribute to marinara sauce, complete with a plate of steel ravioli on a red-checker-clothed table. What fun! (littleitalysd.com)

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala – Founded in 1769 by Junipero Serra, this was the first of 21 Spanish missions built in the state. Designated a landmark in the early 1800s, the church still holds mass every Sunday and rings its 200-year-old bell several times a day. The museum and gardens are open daily, 9am-4:45pm. (missionsandiego.com)

Mission Bay Park – About a 10-minute drive from downtown San Diego, this is the largest man-made aquatic park in the country and consists of 4,235 acres (half water/half land) and more than 27 miles of shoreline. Stop by the Visitor Information Center (2688 East Mission Bay Drive), open from 9am to dusk, for exhibits and maps that will help you enjoy the activities this location offers, including SeaWorld Adventure Park. (sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/missionbay/)

PETCO Park – This architecturally magnificent stadium celebrates the area’s natural beauty, cultural diversity and unique spirit and has served as home to the San Diego Padres baseball team since 2004. Public tours are offered, and the venue also hosts events like concerts and the International Rugby Board’s World Sevens Series. (petcoparkevents.com)

Seaport Village – This 14-acre waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment complex is set among three distinctive plazas designed to evoke Old Monterey, Victorian San Francisco and traditional Mexico. It includes lots of one-of-a-kind shops, several casual dining eateries and four award-winning, fine dining restaurants. (seaportvillage.com)

Tijuana, Mexico – The world’s most-visited border city is easily accessed from San Diego via the Tijuana Trolley. You can catch it downtown, or at Old Town, La Mesa, even Santee, and it will take you to the San Ysidro crossing. It’s about an hour trolley ride to San Ysidro from Old Town; you can find all the details on the San Diego Metro Transit System’s website. (Insider Tip: If you plan to ride the San Diego Trolley several times in the same day or if you’re going to Tijuana from Old Town or further north, you can save money with a Tripper Pass. You can buy them in one- to four-day versions, and they’re also good for all MTS buses.) There are also several companies that offer package tours. (tijuana.com and/or hungryhiker-tj.com)

San Diego Tourist Attractions – La Jolla

La Jolla (“the jewel”), about 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, has wonderful beaches, cultural activities and restaurants. You should allow at least one day to enjoy everything this lovely community has to offer.

Children’s Pool Beach – At the tip of the La Jolla peninsula, this beach offers panoramic coastline views. Additionally, during much of the year you can see harbor seals and sea lions here, and the Seal Rock reserve is just offshore. The shallow cove, partially protected by a seawall, has small waves and no riptide (hence its moniker), and it is also popular with scuba divers. (sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches/pool)

Birch Aquarium at Scripps – Situated on a bluff overlooking the ocean, this complex includes an interactive museum, an outdoor, tidepool “touch tank” and more than 60 indoor tanks that feature the colorful saltwater fish that inhabit Pacific waters from the cold Northwest to tropical Mexico. Additionally, the south wing offers the largest hands-on oceanographic exhibition in the country, “Exploring the Blue Planet.” A concession sells food, and there are outdoor picnic tables at which to enjoy the aquarium’s picturesque location. (aquarium.ucsd.edu)

Mount Soledad Memorial – First used as a memorial park in 1914, its iconic 29-foot Latin cross was dedicated in 1954 to honor Korean War veterans. Transferred to the Federal Government in 2006 as a national veterans memorial, its 822-foot elevation affords a 360-degree, awe-inspiring view. (soledadmemorial.com)

La Jolla Caves – Over 100 years old, this is a one-of-a-kind attraction. While there are seven caves, only one is accessible by land – the Sunny Jim Cave – and the entrance to it is at La Jolla Cave Store, a coffee bar that displays historic photos and also sells gifts and souvenirs. The tunnel took two years to dig, consists of 145 steps and provides a fascinating glimpse into what lies under the scenic California coastline. The other caves are accessible by kayak, and various local companies offer guided tours. (cavestore.com)

San Diego Tourist Attractions – Del Mar, Oceanside & Carlsbad

Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar – About 20 miles north of San Diego, this track offers some of the best thoroughbred horse racing in America. The racing season opens in mid-July, and races are presented six days a week through mid-September. The history-rich track, opened in 1937, was considered the “summer playground to the stars” in the 1940s. It is still the place to be and be seen, and you will see women wearing stylish outfits and hats and some men will be dressed in sportjackets and suits. You’ll also see folks in flip-flops and t-shirts, too. (dmtc.com)

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch – The largest independent garden center in the western U.S., its 50-plus acres of Giant Tecolote® Ranunculus flowers bloom and band the landscape with their vibrant hues for about eight weeks each March and April. Its 33,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility offers seasonal displays and gardening events as well as a retail section stocked with garden accessories, gifts, clothing and garden blooms and plants. (theflowerfields.com)

Leo Carrillo Ranch – This former working ranchero, once owned by actor, preservationist and conservationist Leo Carrillo (1880-1961), contains and protects hand-crafted adobe buildings, antique windmills, a reflecting pool and many other beautiful historic structures. Visitors can enjoy four miles of trails through gorgeous gardens alive with agave, bougainvillea, Birds of Paradise, plentiful trees and dozens of vibrant peacocks. (carrillo-ranch.org)

Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside – Founded in 1798, this is the largest of the 21 California Missions and includes the state’s first pepper tree on its 56 acres. The museum, picnic gardens and gift shop are open daily, 10am-4:30pm. (sanluisrey.org)

Photo of Hotel del Coronado by nalilo via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Tijuana Trolley by richardmasoner via flickr (Creative Commons); Photo of Carlsbad Flower Fields by akaporn via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

San Diego Vacation Ideas

San Diego Amusement / Theme Parks

San Diego Museums

Los Angeles Tourist Attractions

Orange County Tourist Attractions

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

Was this article useful and/or interesting?
Would you please consider sharing it?
We appreciate it!

San Diego County, the southernmost part of Southern California, has a spectacular coastline, populated by 37 public beaches.  (Remember, if you can get to the sand, everything in California is “public” on the seaward side of the high-water mark.)

What’s the best one?  Well, that depends on what you are looking for.  There are a number of great surfing beaches, some beaches you can only reach by car, one beach for dogs and even an unsanctioned nude beach. But for travelers using the California Tourist Guide, we would have to recommend San Diego area beaches where you can rent a beachfront vacation condo or hotel room and really enjoy the beach lifestyle.  Or, if you are driving to the beach, where the drive is worth it and parking is convenient and free.   Here are our picks:

Coronado Beach – This is a very clean and idyllic beach near a major urban area. The village center of Coronado, a peninsula jutting into San Diego Bay, has a magnificent and historic hotel (Hotel Del Coronado or “The Del”) that is right on the beach.  

Ocean Beach – The beach (and the park) right next to the famous Ocean Beach Pier is perfect for surfing and sunning.  There are several bed and breakfasts on the street adjacent to the beach where you can stay fairly inexpensively.

Mission Beach – Just north of the opening to Mission Bay, this beach is actually more secluded than Ocean Beach simply because it is harder to get to.  There’s a wonderful beach-side path to walk on, a roller coaster (the Giant Dipper in Belmont Park) for the kids and several beachfront condos for rent.  This a perfect, central location for a family vacation.

As you move further north, the landscape changes from flat, sandy beaches to cliffs that hinder access to the beach. There are a couple places to climb down to the beach in La Jolla, but it’s not easy until La Jolla Shores Park, near the Scripps Institution.

Torrey Pines State Park – There are some killer beaches in this area, but they are very hard to get to.  Only when you get to the northern side of the park, near Del Mar, can you park and easily walk to the beach.

From here north are the San Diego “North County” beaches — Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Solana and Oceanside.  These beaches are beautiful, relatively flat and often adjacent to hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts and other accommodations where you can relax and enjoy the beach.

Most of the coastline here is populated by houses and small hotels, but you can find “beach access” every mile or so. We like the parking lot and beach on the north side of Solana, where highway S21 first joins the coast as it heads north.  From there into Cadiff-by-the-Sea (San Elijo State Beach) are the most beautiful “north county” beaches, and they are typically not terribly crowded.  Moreover, there are simple-yet-elegant facilities for travelers in this area:  good restaurants, lodging and other amenities.

Moonlight State Beach – Near Encinitas, this beach provides easy access and parking to a wonderfully clean, sandy beach, with waves that are popular with surfers.  You may want to check out nearby surfing schools if you are trying to learn or hone your surfing skills.

Carlsbad is another wonderful surfing spot (check out San Diego Surfing Academy there), and there are some reasonably priced resorts and hotels right on the oceanfront. Oceanside is the last major resort town and beach before you get to Camp Pendleton, which is the boundary between San Diego County and Orange County.

San Diego area beaches are some of the best in the world, and the area’s beach towns all have their own charming personalities — wonderful for week-long vacations or weekend getaways. Enjoy!

Photo of Mission Beach in San Diego by strangehill via flickr (Creative Commons) and Photo of Beach near Carlsbad, CA by Bryce Bradford via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

San Diego Museums

San Diego Tourist Attractions

San Diego Amusement / Theme Parks

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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