- Things To Do
- Places To Stay
- Best For
- Visitor Info
The city of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the U.S. and one of the top vacation destinations. Its iconic coastline, vast national forests, world-renowned attractions, diverse neighborhoods, arts and culture, and downtown scene provide an abundance of things to do for people of all ages and interests. With its mild and sunny Mediterranean climate, things to do in San Diego deliver adventures year round through water activities, tours, theme parks, historic sites, nightlife, resorts and spas, and over 70 miles of beaches.
With a consistent average temperature around 70 degrees throughout the year, people planning to visit put water recreation at the top of their things to do in San Diego. From kayaking and snorkeling in La Jolla Shores to learning to Kitesurf, or spending a day sailing around the San Diego harbor, things to do in the waters of San Diego are a must! Whether you are experienced and want to rent gear or would prefer to take a guided tour, the choice is yours.
Attractions and nearby theme parks are also some of the best things to do in San Diego for your vacation. Within the city of San Diego, attractions such as SeaWorld, Balboa Park, the USS Midway Museum, Seaport Village, LEGOLAND, and the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are popular amongst all visitors. If you are up for an adventure, all within a two-hour drive from San Diego, you can make a day trip to Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Knott’s Berry Farm.
If you are looking for more of a leisure vacation, San Diego has many resorts and spas to satisfy your desire for relaxation as well as over 90 golf courses if you want to enjoy the peace and quiet while soaking up the San Diego sunshine. On the contrary, if you are searching for an adrenaline rush, daring things to do in San Diego include skydiving, paragliding, jet boats, ziplines, and more.
Nightlife, hiking, cruises, tours of downtown, and biking are all more things to do in San Diego...the list is endless! Take a look at “Things To Do” for a full list of activities, attractions, and tours to help plan your San Diego visit.
Whether you are looking for luxury, traveling with your family, are a backpacker on a budget, on business, or are visiting for a romantic getaway, San Diego caters to every style of travel. From luxurious resorts to hostels and everything in between, there is perfect accommodation to fit your needs. San Diego hotels and places to stay come in many styles and vibes from waterfront lodgings on the harbor, to hotels in the center of the lively downtown Gaslamp Quarter, and historic bed and breakfasts in some of the diverse San Diego neighborhoods like Old Town and North Park. A lot of visitors opt to stay on some of the acclaimed San Diego beaches which deliver views across the Pacific Ocean and leave their days filled with soaking up the sun and experiencing the laidback California lifestyle. San Diego also offers a wide range of family-friendly hotels as well as some that are near many of the main San Diego attractions.
- Looking to stay at a five-star luxury resort? Choose to stay at one of the many waterfront resorts on the coast or head a short way inland to one of the tranquil golf or winery resorts in San Bernardo or Temecula.
- Wanting to spend most of your money on things to do in San Diego and need cheaper accommodation with a good location? Stay at one of San Diego’s budget hotels just blocks away from Mission Bay or Pacific Beach and spend your day outdoors exploring San Diego.
- Traveling with a pet? Not a problem. There are many San Diego hotels that are pet-friendly so the whole family can travel together.
- Are you a backpacker on a budget and looking to network with other travelers from around the world? Good news. Hostels are not just a European thing. San Diego houses several hostels that are located in downtown as well as few that are located close to the shores of the beautiful San Diego beaches.
- Looking to give your kids the ultimate San Diego adventure? Stay at one of the many hotels next to San Diego’s SeaWorld to be close enough to watch the nightly summer firework finales or stay at LEGOLAND California Resort to be close to the action and have the ultimate Lego experience.
- Traveling in a camper with your family? San Diego has several campgrounds and RV parks along the coast and inland. You will always find a place to get some R&R while on the road.
Sometimes the hardest part about planning a trip is not knowing where to start to compile a plan that tailors to your travel requirements. The “Best For” section is here to provide you with suggested itineraries (one, three, and five day), things to do in San Diego, and places to stay depending on your needs. Travelers with families and pets, backpackers, hikers, adventurers, and travelers on a budget should all check out this section to get the best recommendations to make the most of your San Diego vacation.
We hope that all of the information you have viewed on SanDiegoThingsToDo.net thus far has helped jump start your excitement and plan your visit to San Diego. However, we know there may be several more questions you still have. Check out the “Visitor Info” page to get answers to many of the Frequently asked Questions, weather and transportation information, and suggestions on how to get to San Diego and what to pack. We also provide a brief overview of the history of San Diego and how it came to be “America’s Finest City” and one of the most popular vacations destinations in the U.S.
