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Top 18 Best Things to Do in San Diego - 2024

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Explore the best things to do in San Diego! Uncover top activities and experiences for an unforgettable visit.
Updated Jun 2024
  • top_1
    󰺂8.4
    4.8/5
    1433 Review
    From29.52
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 25689 reviews
    "The USS Midway Museum is an absolute must-visit when you are in San Diego. A good 2 to 3 hours were spent here to walk through the historic aircraft carrier and informative exhibits."
    San Diego.Downtown San Diego
    1.7km from downtown
    Highlights: As a landmark attraction at Navy Pier in San Diego,USS Midway Museum consists of the first Midway class aircraft carrier of the US Navy.Pay a visit to the carrier's living quarters and get to know the living conditions of navy officers aboard the ship.△ The Midway is located on downtown San Diego’s Embarcadero, minutes away from the San Diego International Airport, Port of San Diego Cruise Terminal, San Diego Convention Center, downtown Gaslamp District, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld – in the heart of “America’s Finest City.”△ In front of the museum stands a colossal sculpture called "Victory Kiss", a much photographed spot and a must see for tourists.△ You may ascend to the island superstructure located at the flight deck of the carrier, take a look inside the pilothouse and control room, or participate in an engrossing guided tour given by ship veterans.
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  • top_2
    󰺂8.4
    4.7/5
    217 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 20 reviews
    "San Diego City is the second largest city in California and the eighth largest city in the United States. It is located on the southern tip of the state on the shore of San Diego Bay, 20 kilometers south of the Mexican border, with an area of 829 square kilometers and a population of more than 1.37 million, with many Mexican and Spanish descent; 2015-2016 annual statistics, White people account for 64% of the population, Latino and Mexican people account for 32%, Asian people account for 10%. The metropolitan area includes nearby beaches and highlands, covering an area of 1,020 square kilometers; the metropolitan area includes 18 small cities, with a total population of more than 2.8 million people, mostly living in areas not far from the sea. San Diego County is famous for its natural landscapes, with a day drive to see different styles of beaches, forests and deserts. There are more than 60 golf courses, many national parks and the Colaihamland National Forest. The famous tourist attractions of San Diego City include the Harbour Village, Convention Center, Park Bay, Art Museum, Zoo, Spanish Village, etc."
    San Diego.Balboa Park
    2.9km from downtown
    Highlights: The Port of San Diego is located at the southern end of the city of San Diego, where the water is deep and the port is wide. It is the largest military port of the US Navy's Pacific Fleet and a world-famous military port. This is where aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines are frequented and parked. Here you can overlook the large and new 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the United States - the "Nimitz" and "Reagan" nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. There is also the decommissioned "Midway" aircraft carrier also moored here, which has now been opened as an aircraft carrier museum for people to visit. Coming to the military port, all kinds of warships and jagged masts and forts come into view. On the harbor side, you can enjoy red tiles and green trees, blue sea and blue sky, modern high-rise buildings and white sails in the sea. There is a group of statues on the shore that actually records when the war ended, and everyone has real feelings. In this group of statues, there are fighter pilots who just got off the plane, female field nurses kneeling on the ground, soldiers with crutches and broken legs, and wounded in wheelchairs. There are sailors, marines, ordinary adults and children. There were smiles on their faces, and there was no trace of post-war fatigue. Their eyes seemed to show hope. The "Kiss of Victory" sculpture. You can go up to take pictures, but because the statue is too tall, people who approach often only reach the bottom of the skirt. Behind the "Kiss of Victory" statue is the USS Midway Museum, which you can visit if you are interested. The deck of the aircraft carrier is very wide, and many types of aircraft are parked. And there is a hotel on the shore of the military port, which stands by the sea. The officers and soldiers who go ashore usually go to eat and drink together, which is also a must-see scenery. If time is limited, you can stroll around Midway Island, there are some characteristic shops nearby. If you have more time, you can come to another part of the harbor, here is a large private yacht marina, you can take a leisurely sightseeing here. If you don't want to move around too much, you can also find a cafe around the port to sit, blowing the sea breeze, and spend the afternoon relaxing like this. Stroll through the harbor, decorated with quaint sailboats, wanderers playing guitar and singing, seagulls soaring in the wind, and the Colorado Bridge across the sea in the distance. The Port of San Diego at dusk is particularly beautiful. You can also sit on the carousel in the square while watching the sunset.
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  • top_3
    󰺂8.1
    4.7/5
    617 Review
    From65.97
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 10348 reviews
    "Easy to buy, easy to use, many performances in Ocean Park are very suitable for preschool children, a day is more abundant, you can make a tour plan according to the performance time, many water park projects are worth playing"
    San Diego.Misson Bay / Loma Heights
    8.5km from downtown
    Highlights: • Enjoy a variety of one-of-a-kind animal experiences• Enjoy attractions for every thrill level• Explore the exciting world of marine animals△ Marine Life Shows: SeaWorld San Diego is known for its captivating marine life shows, where visitors can witness incredible performances by dolphins, sea lions, and orcas. These shows provide both entertainment and education about marine animals and their behaviors.△ Animal Exhibits: The park offers a variety of animal exhibits, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with a wide range of marine creatures. From penguins and sharks to turtles and rays, these exhibits provide an immersive experience and a chance to learn about different species.△ Thrilling Rides: In addition to the marine life attractions, SeaWorld San Diego also features thrilling rides for adrenaline enthusiasts. From roller coasters to water slides, these rides offer a mix of excitement and fun for visitors of all ages.
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  • No.

    4

    󰺂7.0
    4.6/5
    153 Review
    From57.16
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 29550 reviews
    "动物园之旅对于我这种懒人来说实在是太友好了,整个园区交通设施很方便就是坐缆车,坐车,上车,吹风,听讲解员讲动物习性。整整一个月都沉静在我要保护动物们的想法中。"
    San Diego.Balboa Park
    2.4km from downtown
    Highlights: The San Diego Zoo is one of the largest zoos globally, housing a wide variety of animals, including cheetahs, musk oxen, and red pandas, among others. The most popular animal at the zoo is the giant panda from China. Visitors can enjoy a scenic tour of the park on a double-decker bus, explore Monkey Forest Avenue to spot over 30 rare animals from Africa and Asia, and wander through the aquarium to witness captivating performances featuring marine life. Additionally, visitors may even have the chance to interact with these fascinating creatures.△ Visit the cute giant pandas up close△ Enjoy the marine life show△ Take the cable car for a panoramic view of the zoo
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  • No.

    5

    󰺂6.5
    4.6/5
    62 Review
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 4641 reviews
    "We had a great time at the San Diego Zoo. Everything was nice and clean and you could tell that the animals were well taken care of. the only thing I would improve upon is the same thing I think every zoo, park, etc could improve upon is their food choices on having more healthy options."
    San Diego
    45.1km from downtown
    Highlights: Animals roam freely, as if in their own wild home, at the San Diego Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitors are able to enter the park via quiet railroad tracks and admire exotic species and plants. Entering the safari park, birds from Africa will bring you the first greeting. A few steps away is the village of Nairobi, a tropical paradise surrounded by the Mombasa Lagoon. This lively village has many shops, restaurants, museums and event centers, where visitors can shop, rest, check maps, plan trips, and more. Nairobi Village is located in the heart of the safari park, where children can enjoy the rides and visitors of all ages can enjoy the bird feeding. When visiting, don't miss a ride on the WgasaBush railway line, stick your head out, and you'll be able to see giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and hundreds of other fauna roaming freely across the expanse. Other areas to hike include African Gorilla Habitat, Condor Ridge and Kilimanjaro Wildlife Park, to name a few. The Wildlife Park Show is a great option for families, where you'll be amazed at the intelligence of elephants and birds. The numbers on both sides of the road and the botanical gardens add to the scenery.
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  • No.

    6

    󰺂6.5
    4.6/5
    228 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 1865 reviews
    "Located in the heart of San Diego, the Old City of San Diego is a beautiful and fun-filled historic city, the birthplace of California, an early Spanish colony, and the first European settlement. There are over 150 shops, award-winning restaurants, 17 museums and historical sites. There are also free live performances, professional theatres, craftsmen, galleries and shops within walking distance."
    San Diego.San Diego Old Town
    5.9km from downtown
    Highlights: At the entrance of the old city stands a striking white sign, which is a historical and cultural pedestrian street from here. On both sides of the pedestrian street are souvenir shops with their own characteristics. The shops are full of small and chic, unique and exquisite souvenirs, and there are some courtyards for people to rest.
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  • No.

    7

    󰺂6.4
    4.7/5
    153 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 13102 reviews
    "Baboa Park: The Baboa Park covers an area of4.9 square kilometers, a famous cultural park in downtown San Diego, United States, named after the Spanish explorer Vasco de Baboa. Babaya Park is the site of the 1915 World Expo in California. San Diego City built many gorgeous museum buildings for the Expo. The complex castle buildings not only reflect the characteristics of the Spanish colonial Renaissance that prevailed at that time. It also features a strong Gothic, Baroque and Rococo style. It has 14 museums, four theaters, a composite sports field, a rose garden and a Japanese garden to add to the park's colorful colors. The famous San Diego Zoo is also located in the park. Most of the park's venues have been demolished, leaving only a few to be retained forever, allowing future generations to imagine the grandeur of the year. In 1977, Baboa Park was rated a national historical landmark."
    San Diego.Balboa Park
    2.4km from downtown
    Highlights: The park is divided into two areas, north and south. The north area is dominated by squares. Many museums are buildings left over from the 1915-California Exposition, with strong Spanish Renaissance colors. The southern area is dominated by the Pan American Plaza, and the surrounding buildings are the legacy of the 1935 California-Pacific International Exposition, with the architectural style of the southwestern United States. Walking into the park, there are mostly museums on both sides of the avenue, and you can only visit the exterior. Tourists who want to visit the museum can choose to go on non-holidays.
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  • No.

    8

    󰺂5.9
    4.8/5
    38 Review
    Free
    "The Pacific West Bank, the beautiful country of Santiago Port, the water and sky, the picturesque scenery, the most eye-catching landscape, is the "kiss of victory" sculpture by the sea. At noon on August 15, 1945 (August 14, local time), Emperor Hirohito of Japan broadcast to Japan, announcing his acceptance of the Potsdam Proclamation and unconditional surrender to the Allies. The news soon reached the United States, New Yorkers took to the streets, Times Square was crowded, people celebrated the victory of the war, peace. A sailor could not help but hug a female nurse who had never known her, kissed, and expressed his joy. Life magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstadt captured the exciting kissing scene, which became a classic after the sailor and nurse kissed, called the kiss of victory. The "Kiss of Victory" statue, made in the original form of the photo, was settled in February 2007 in the salmon port park of San Diego port, accompanied by the aircraft carrier Midway, separated by water. The blue seaside, the green tree, the tall statue of7.62 meters (25 feet) tall, elegant and lifelike. The endless stream of tourists licking their shapes and lickings, sharing the joy of victory..."
    San Diego.Marina District
    1.7km from downtown
    Highlights: The Victory Kiss is a classic statue commemorating the victory of World War II. It is located in the beautiful Port of San Diego, next to the USS Midway Museum. It is one of the well-known attractions and symbols of San Diego.
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  • No.

    9

    󰺂5.4
    4.7/5
    44 Review
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 876 reviews
    "The San Diego Aerospace Museum is not as big as Washington, but it has a very good tour. The museum is divided into two areas, telling the evolution of various aircraft during World War II, and also has a real model of modern aircraft. 👍 is very suitable for taking children to 🤭. There are many interactive links and you can drive the plane yourself."
    San Diego.Balboa Park
    1.2km from downtown
    Highlights: The San Diego Air and Space Museum is a museum of aviation technology and space exploration located in Balboa Park, San Diego, in the famous historic building, the former Ford Building. As one of the largest aviation museums in the United States, the museum not only exhibits historical aircraft and spacecraft from all over the world, but also has a library and archives that collect many books and historical photos about aircraft and aircraft manufacturing. The museum also contains modern exhibition halls such as the Space Age Gallery, allowing visitors to develop their boundless imagination of the future of mankind while enjoying the outstanding aerospace technology.
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  • No.

    10

    󰺂5.1
    4.4/5
    22 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 2134 reviews
    "San Diego is one of the border cities on the U.S. coastline, close to Mexico and with plenty of port resources, this cliff park is a steep spot to enjoy a sunset show at night."
    San Diego
    9.2km from downtown
    Highlights: San Diego Sunset Cliffs Nature Park at PointLoma has boardwalks suitable for sunset viewing, sweeping coastlines and majestic reefs, and is also a well-known surf spot.
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FAQ

What are some Best Things to Do in San Diego?
Some Best Things to Do in San Diego include:USS Midway Museum, Port of San Diego, SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in San Diego?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in San Diego include:USS Midway Museum:4.8, Port of San Diego:4.7, SeaWorld San Diego:4.7, San Diego Zoo:4.6, San Diego Zoo Safari Park:4.6
At what locations in San Diego can Best Things to Do in San Diego be found?
The Best Things to Do in San Diego are mainly located in:USS Midway Museum:San Diego, Port of San Diego:San Diego, SeaWorld San Diego:San Diego, San Diego Zoo:San Diego, San Diego Zoo Safari Park:San Diego
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