Trip Ideas The Best Things to Do in San Diego, From the Beach to the Barrio By Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Instagram Patricia Doherty brings a wide variety of experiences to her writing. Her background includes the airline industry, corporate management, education, writing, and editing. Combining this with her love of travel, she has spent the past five years writing for Travel + Leisure's digital edition and other publications, covering destinations, resorts, cruises, luggage, restaurants, and travel guides. She'll tell you that without question, she has finally found the perfect career. * 10+ years of experience working at United Airlines, where she recruited flight attendants, pilots, and ground personnel, and held management roles in customer service, inflight services, and human resources * 15+ years of experience working in human resources management in the tech and financial industries * 11 years of experience teaching English language arts at a middle school in California's Coachella Valley, where she formed a writers' club for students interested in creative writing * Edited the book "The Urban School Improvement Plan" by author Julius Lockett * Received a bachelor's degree in English and communication arts from St. John's University in New York City * Received a master's degree in reading and language arts from the California State University, San Bernardino Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on January 31, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Known for nearly perfect year-round weather, San Diego’s climate of warm, dry summers, mild winters, and minimal rainfall is just one reason for its popularity as a tourist destination. Visitors usually head for its beaches, lively downtown neighborhoods, world-famous Zoo, SeaWorld, Balboa Park, and outdoor activities. At the same time, restaurants, museums, theaters, and shops vie for attention and attract guests to come in and see what they have to offer. Near the border with Mexico, San Diego’s history is intertwined with its southern neighbor, and art, food, and entertainment demonstrate the richness of the cultural exchange. There’s fun and nightlife in the vibrant downtown Gaslamp Quarter and excellent dining in nearby Little Italy. Hotels, motels, and a range of lodging promise comfortable places to call home while visiting San Diego, and public transportation is convenient. With so many things to do, San Diego has something to keep everyone happy from sunrise to sunset and beyond. We’ve gathered a few ideas to help visitors make plans or add to their San Diego itinerary. 01 of 11 Ride the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park Courtesy of Belmont Park Go back in time to an old-style beachside amusement park with rides, arcades, and views of the Pacific. The Giant Dipper Roller Coaster was originally built in 1925, and its restoration in the early 1990s included all new tracks, thousands of board feet of lumber, and two new trains with modern restraint systems. It retains the vintage look of its original era of wooden roller coasters. While you’re at the Mission Beach amusement park, stop for a snack or play a game at the arcade. If the Giant Dipper gets you in the mood for more thrill rides, there’s always the Beach Blaster or Tilt-a-Whirl to keep you going. 02 of 11 Go to a Concert and Spend the Night at Humphreys Half Moon Inn Courtesy of Humphreys Half Moon Inn From April through October, the summer concert series at this popular outdoor venue features genres ranging from rock, blues, and jazz to comedy, with legends such as Aretha Franklin, Ringo Starr, and Stevie Wonder having performed there. The Shelter Island resort-style property offers guest rooms and suites set in lush tropical landscaping, outdoor pool, games, and waterfront views from Humphreys Restaurant. Visit Humphreys Backstage Live for a cocktail and a flatbread, lobster roll, or other specialty while you listen to live music in intimate surroundings. 03 of 11 Watch San Diego Padres Major League Baseball at Petco Park Courtesy of San Diego Padres Conveniently located in downtown San Diego, this magnificent baseball park is home to the Padres, and it’s also a venue for concerts, soccer, and special events. A delightful place to watch baseball, the park also provides views of the city and delicious foods including grilled fish tacos, BBQ, burgers, pizza, and of course, hot dogs and ice cream. Even if you can’t make it to Petco Park for a game, you can visit for a behind-the-scenes tour, sit in the dugout, and see the pressbox, Visitors’ Clubhouse, and more. 04 of 11 Take a Ride on the Mission Bay Bike Path Jerral Miles/Courtesy of San Diego Tourism Authority Nearly 12 miles of flat, scenic, paved paths wind around Mission Bay just waiting for you to cruise along. You’ll ride through public parks, wildlife reserves, and pass by SeaWorld and Belmont Park, all the while enjoying the sea breeze and views. Stop for a rest and fresh seafood at Sportsmen’s Seafood on Quivira Way, or if you’re feeling energetic, ride a few more miles around Fiesta Island. If you didn’t bring your own wheels, bike rentals are available along Mission Boulevard. 05 of 11 Stroll Among the Largest Collection of Chicano Murals in the World Courtesy of San Diego Tourism Authority San Diego’s Barrio Logan began with paintings of enormous murals on the pillars beneath the Coronado Bridge in the area now called Chicano Park. Today the historic neighborhood is home to artists, designers, galleries, and a growing display of public art. Authentic Mexican food is another good reason to visit Barrio Logan. Homemade tortillas, spicy tacos, and refreshing paletas (ice pops) and agua frescas or a local beer from Border X Brewery make a perfect meal. Take a free self-guided tour with the Barrio Logan Art Crawl every second Saturday of the month to visit open studios, galleries, murals, and local businesses and enjoy live music, vendors, and street foods. 06 of 11 Take a Seaside Yoga Class Getty Images Experienced yoga practitioners will be inspired to try something different in San Diego, and newbies will be attracted by the novelty of stretching outdoors with a view of the blue sea. There’s yoga on the beach, on paddleboards, in grassy parks, or at sunset. Reserve a spot in a paddleboard yoga class with Wellness Lounge of Mission Bay or try yoga on the beach in La Jolla with Beach Sunset Yoga Hawaii. Look into a sunset yoga session with Pacific Beach’s Bird Rock Yoga in Palisades Park. Or check with your hotel for outdoor fitness classes that may appeal to you. 07 of 11 Watch a Movie on the Roof of a Hotel Courtesy of Rooftop Cinema Club Grab a deck chair or loveseat for two, a cozy blanket, a pillow, your wireless headphones, and maybe a cocktail and a few snacks. It’s time for a film atop the Manchester Grand Hyatt with the Rooftop Cinema Club. Arrive early to take in the skyline views, sunset, and twinkling city lights while you sip a cocktail, beer, or wine. Of course, there’s candy and popcorn, so munch to your heart’s content. Popcorn refills are free and headphones block the sounds of crunching corn and rustling wrappers. 08 of 11 Swim with Sharks at La Jolla Shores Beach Getty Images When you tell your friends you swam with sharks in San Diego, you might forget to mention that they were harmless Leopard sharks, named for their yellow and black markings. The creatures, from four to five feet long, arrive in early June and peak in numbers during August and September when they seek the abundant food in the warm, shallow water of La Jolla Shores. The best way to see the sharks is with a snorkel and swim fins, and the best spot is from the Marine Room Restaurant beach. Just float on the surface, and the gentle creatures will swim by if they’re not disturbed. 09 of 11 Dine in Little Italy, San Diego’s Foodie Heaven Getty Images The historic neighborhood, once home to Italian tuna fishermen, is now populated by upscale eateries, celebrity chefs, and creative menus. Cocktail bars, brewpubs, outdoor patios, and pizzerias are also there for more casual options. Shop the Saturday morning Farmers’ Market for produce, flowers, crafts, and authentic atmosphere. Little Italy isn’t just about the food. Trendy clothing, accessories, and home decor at the local boutiques make shopping there fun. 10 of 11 See Some Wildlife in San Diego Courtesy of San Diego Zoo We don’t mean the Gaslamp Quarter, even though it’s a great place for fun and lively nightlife. The San Diego Zoo is one of the world’s best, and even if you’ve been there before, it’s time to go back for a special experience like the Early Morning Photo Expedition, Animals in Action, or Sunrise Surprise Stroll before the zoo opens for the day. SeaWorld’s dolphins, orcas, Beluga whales, otters, turtles, penguins, fish, and other sea creatures entertain, educate, and make us appreciate their beauty and value their presence. You’re never too young or too old to enjoy watching the animals of land, sea, and air in beautifully designed habitats or to learn something new about them. 11 of 11 Get Onto the Water with a Cruise Courtesy of Hornblower Cruises and Events In a city bordered by the ocean and home to a huge bay, a cruise is a natural way to see the sights from another perspective. With so many to choose from, you’ll find a cruise that’s just your speed. How about one of the replica ships maintained by the Maritime Museum of San Diego? Swift Boat PCF-816 recognizes San Diego’s military history with a cruise to two Naval bases. Or cruise on the San Salvador, a replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s 16th century galleon. Whether you want a sailboat, speedboat, dinner cruise, whale watching trip, or sunset harbor cruise, don’t miss a chance to see San Diego from the sea. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit