Things to do in San Diego

One of the world's best-known zoos, set in lush Balboa Park with pandas' longtime legacy and a canopy tram.

A 1,800-acre wildlife park in Escondido where giraffes and rhinos roam savanna-sized enclosures.

A retired aircraft carrier turned floating museum, docked right on the downtown waterfront.

A 1,200-acre urban park packed with Spanish Colonial architecture, gardens, and more than a dozen museums.

Southern California's oldest scientific institution, known locally as "The Nat," with dinosaur fossils and giant-screen films.

A small, cliff-ringed beach cove where sea lions haul out on the rocks just feet from swimmers.

A recreated 19th-century Mexican and early-American village on the site of California's first European settlement.

A red-turreted Victorian beach resort from 1888, one of the last of America's great wooden seaside hotels.

A build-themed theme park for younger kids, with an entire Miniland USA built from millions of LEGO bricks.

A marine-life park on Mission Bay with rescued-animal exhibits, roller coasters, and orca habitats.

A clifftop point at the tip of Point Loma marking the first European landing on the West Coast, with whale-watching views.

Balboa Park's Tony Award-winning Shakespeare and new-works theatre, staging shows since 1935.

A 16-block Victorian-era downtown district turned into San Diego's densest strip of bars, clubs, and restaurants.

A hop-on, hop-off open-air trolley loop connecting Old Town, downtown, Balboa Park, and Coronado.

A restored 1940s naval commissary turned indoor food hall at Liberty Station in Point Loma.

An open-air Mexican-themed marketplace in Old Town San Diego with restaurants, specialty shops and free weekend live entertainment.

Hands-on museum exploring the history of musical instruments and the people who make, sell and play them.

Explore ocean science exhibits and more than 9,000 marine animals overlooking La Jolla Shores.

The birthplace of California: a historic district of museums, shops and restaurants around Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

La Jolla surf school offering group, private and camp lessons for all ages at beginner-friendly La Jolla Shores.

Hop-on hop-off trolley tour looping through San Diego's top neighborhoods and Coronado.

Family-owned sunset and daytime boat cruises on Mission Bay aboard a vintage passenger ferry.

Year-round boat tours from Mission Bay to see whales and dolphins off the San Diego coast.

Guided behind the scenes tour of Petco Park, home ballpark of the San Diego Padres.

A rural wine trail in San Diego's East County foothills linking family-owned wineries along historic Route 94.

Coastal Southern California city known for its pier, beaches, harbor and surf culture between San Diego and Los Angeles.

Coastal San Diego County city known for its beaches, LEGOLAND and the seasonal Flower Fields.

Family-owned BBQ restaurant and sports bar in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter.

Whale and dolphin watching cruises off San Diego aboard a stabilized 82-foot vessel.

Waverunner, boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals on Carlsbad's Agua Hedionda Lagoon.

Two-hour whale and dolphin watching cruises departing Oceanside Harbor aboard catamarans with 360-degree viewing decks.

Balboa Park museum with large-scale model train layouts recreating Southern California railroad history.

San Diego born diner chain serving American breakfast, brunch and lunch with a Tex-Mex twist.

San Diego's official visitor information center on the downtown Embarcadero, with maps, guides and trip-planning help for the city.

Colorful outdoor shopping courtyard in Old Town San Diego with folk-art boutiques beside the Casa Guadalajara restaurant.

A 1935 exposition village in Balboa Park with working studios where local artists create and sell their art.

A longtime San Diego area Mexican restaurant known for traditional dishes, margaritas and mariachi music.

Interactive downtown San Diego museum on Naval Special Warfare, with veteran docents and a VR mission experience.

Waterfront fleet of historic tall ships and vessels including the Star of India, with harbor cruise add-ons.

San Diego area tour operator running all inclusive weekend outdoor trips.