Fun Things To Do in San Diego

San Diego is a is a fun tourist destination with sunshine almost every day in both winter and summer. Some say that this city has the most ideal climate in the world! We’ll help you discover the best San Diego activities with our favorite fun things to do in San Diego.

The Weekend Guide to San Diego

There are many fun things to do in San Diego on a weekend adventure. Hiking, surfing, kayaking or SUP, eat tacos, taste craft beer, or visit the many famous local attractions. Let’s go on a San Diego for a weekend getaway!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Getting to San Diego & Getting Around
Fun Things To Do in San Diego
Day Trips to Mexico from San Diego
San Diego Restaurants & Bars
Places to Stay in San Diego

Getting to San Diego & Getting Around

San Diego is located on the California coast about 120 miles south of Los Angeles and can be reached by car, bus or train from there. The drive takes about two or three hours depending on traffic, which unfortunately can be really bad.

Most people visit San Diego by car but it is also possible to get there by Greyhound bus and Amtrak train. Both will take you directly into the downtown area which is very convenient for a fun weekend trip. And you can even enjoy a craft beer on the ride. Another unique option is to grab a ride in a Tesla with Tesloop. (check out this post with 10 things to bring on your Amtrak trip!)

There is a small international airport in San Diego (SAN) that sees flights mainly from domestic destinations but also cities like London, Zurich and Tokyo. The closest major airports are John Wayne (SNA) Los Angeles (LAX). You can rent a car at these airports or take an airport shuttle.

Once you are in the city it is easy to get around the downtown area on foot or by bike. Try Lyft or Uber to take you where you need to go if you don’t have your own wheels. You can take local public transport to get around too, I especially like taking the trolley which goes to Old Town, downtown, Little Italy and Gaslamp. You’ll probably prefer a car to take you to locations further afield like La Jolla. San Diego is quite large in size so definitely choose your lodging locations based on things you’d like to see and do.

Fun Things to do in San Diego

Here are a few of my favorite activities to do in San Diego and places to see when visiting the city and the surrounding area.

Did you know San Diego has 70 miles of coastline? The beach is just one one of the fun, cheap things to do in San Diego. Some of San Diego’s best beaches are:

Mission Beach has a boardwalk and an old wooden roller coaster for lots of fun in the sun
Coronado Beach is the location of the lovely Hotel Del Coronado
Solana Beach has lots of cute coves and good surfing spots
La Jolla Shores is one of the most beautiful beaches in San Diego
For something different, visit nude Black’s Beach
Brought your pup with you? Head to Fiesta Island where they can run free

Are you looking for things to do in downtown San Diego or interesting things to do in San Diego? Learn more about the city on a guided tour:

Take a craft beer tour and sample some of the best brews in the area
Check out the waterfront and Little Italy on a Segway tour
Take a tequila, tacos and tombstones walking tour for some tasty snacks along with your history lesson in San Diego’s Old Town. This first permanent non-native settlement in Alta California was originally built in 1769.
Learn about the history of the Gaslamp district while you eat and drink at local restaurants on a walking food tour or while riding Segways.
Solve clues and complete challenges on the Urban Adventure Quest, fun for a group or the family
Hop on the Trolley Tours to sightsee around the whole city

Hit the water. There are so many cool things to do in San Diego around the ocean. You can go surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, SUP, sailing and snorkeling:

Rent a stand up paddle board at Harbor Island or take a lesson if you are a newbie and want some tips.
Go kayaking La Jolla’s sea caves and the giant kelp forests to see the local wildlife.
Take the $5 ferry to Coronado Island then rent bikes and ride around.
Take surf lessons at La Jolla Shores or go snorkeling at La Jolla Cove
Check out the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument
Enjoy a sunset sail or a food and wine cruise on a quiet electric boat.
Traveling with a group of friends or family? Take a private yacht for a day sailing.
Go for a harbor cruise with champagne brunch

San Diego is surrounded by beautiful trails. If you are looking for fun places in San Diego and places to explore near the city, go for a hike at:

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Los Peñasquitos
Cabrillo National Monument
Three Sisters Waterfall
Anza-Borrego State Park

Some of the most popular San Diego family activities and San Diego tourist spots include:

Balboa Park: This large city park includes San Diego museums and performing arts venues like the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Photographic Arts Museum. Explore this popular San Diego attraction on your own or even go on a scavenger hunt.

SeaWorld: This marine life park is one of the most popular things to do in San Diego with kids. Purchase tickets online here.

Old Town State Park: Step back in time at the most visited State Park in California. You can see how life was lived back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Check out old hotels, schools, horse drawn carriages and shops. Free guided tours happen regularly so check the website or ask when you arrive. The park is free to enter and there are plenty of charming eating and drinking establishments in the area.

San Diego Zoo and Safari Park: Head to Escondido to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park where you can see zebras, elephants, giraffes and lions in a grassland setting. The famous San Diego Zoo is home to polar bears and pandas, elephants and koalas. It is one of the best San Diego attractions for kids. Save money and get your combo tickets here.

Day Trips to Mexico from San Diego

A favorite activity for San Diego visitors is a day trip across the border to Mexico. Popular destinations include Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, and the Baja California wine country.

If you are planning to take a day trip to Tijuana you can do a guided tour or head there on your own. The best recommendation is to take the San Diego Trolley or drive to the border, park at the lots on the USA side and walk across instead of driving your own car into Mexico. On the Mexico side you can grab a cheap taxi or Uber to take you into town.

Be sure to take a look at these 5 best food tours in Tijuana to sample the local tacos and craft beer.

Oh and just a side note, for some reason many gringos say Ti-a-juana. Notice that there is no “A”. It is pronounced Ti-hwana. 🙂 Tia Juana would be Aunt Jane.

If you’d like to explore further south you might want your own car, or join a group tour like this one to Ensenada. Remember you will need Mexican car insurance (buy it online ahead of time) if you plan to take your vehicle across the border and some rental car companies forbid it. Also be prepared for a sometimes very long wait at the border, especially crossing back into the USA.

Would you like to visit Valle de Guadalupe and taste the wines from the region? You can visit on your own or do a wine tour. A few of the best tour companies that make trips here include Baja test Kitchen, Club Tengo Hambre, Valley Girl Wine Tours and Baja Winery Tours. And there is another option as well. You can book an UBERValle to take you from Tijuana or Ensenada on a day excursion to Valle de Guadalupe for your own wine tour itinerary.

Places to Eat & Drink in San Diego

San Diego and the surrounding area is full of microbreweries, and finding the best one is an exciting thing to do in San Diego for fans of craft brews. Beer lovers should check out some of the more than 140 craft brewers in the San Diego area like major players AleSmith, Ballast Point, Karl Strauss, and Stone. Looking for something more crafty? Head to Lost Abbey, Wavelength, Modern Times, Belching Beaver and Border X. If you love craft beer and want to learn all about the local scene, check out this guide to San Diego’s Top Brewers by Bruce Glassman.

You can also join a craft beer tour to local microbreweries or take a craft beer walking tour.

If you love bloody marys hit up the West Coast Tavern for brunch
For casual eats, try out Hundred Proof
Can’t decide between a wine bar, beer bar or dinner? Head to The Cork & Craft
Nishiki Ramen has delicious ramen as well as the spicy Death Ramen competition
Try Juniper & Ivy for a nice meal out with inventive modern cuisine
Head to Buona Forchetta for tasty pizza and pasta
Vegans might want to try Kindred for plant based food and cocktails
Keto dieters might want to check out Werewolf
Head to George’s at the Cove for a meal with a pretty view, plus tasty cocktails too
In the mood for a sweet treat? Grab some ice cream at Salt & Straw
Since you are in SoCal you gotta eat some tacos! Luckily there are many many taco spots to choose from – some offering traditional tacos with others creating upscale or even vegan options. Check Yelp for the highest rated tacos near you. Or head to Puesta, Cali Street Tacos, Not Not Tacos, Mikes Taco Club, Del Sur, Lucha Libre, Oscar’s Mexican Seafood or Tacos El Paisa.

Cool Places to Stay in San Diego

Here are some of the best hotels to stay in San Diego, from most luxurious to more budget options.

And if you register at Booking.com using this link and then reserve using the links below you can get $20 cash back!

Hotel Del Coronado: Victorian-style hotel that sits right on the sand, the most famous of the San Diego beachfront hotels
Fairmont Grand Del Mar: enjoy the pool, spa, tennis courts and golf club
Lodge at Torrey Pines: ocean views, spa, delicious restaurants, close to hiking and beaches
Empress Hotel: great location and large rooms
US Grant: an elegant downtown hotel opened in 1910 by President Grant’s son
Horton Grand: historic building in the Gaslamp with fascinating history
Andaz San Diego: a fun hotel with a rooftop bar and pool
Kimpton Solamar: downtown hotel with excellent staff and chic decor
Urban Boutique Hotel: a comfortable hotel with friendly staff in Little Italy

Looking for unique lodgings in San Diego? Check out these gorgeous apartments on Airbnb. Use this link to make your first booking and get a credit for up to $38.

Urban Treehouse: a penthouse apartment in downtown San Diego with a huge balcony
Apartment in Little Italy: this light and bright apartment is in the middle of everything
The Casita: a gorgeous lemon yellow guesthouse in a lovely backyard garden
South Park Studio: this centrally located little cottage has a brick fireplace
Hunter Sailboat: for something different, stay on this lovely sailboat and make use of kayaks and bikes to explore

Use Hotels Combined to search for San Diego lodgings and find the best prices across booking engines.

I hope this article helps you plan an amazing trip with both inexpensive things to do in San Diego as well as exciting things to do in San Diego. Have fun!

PIN IT NOW