Top Unforgettable Things to do in San Diego

In case you didn’t know, I’ve been sharing my plans for going to San Diego later this month to see my brother off on deployment.

And well, this is the second half of my planning process!

Once I search hotels and food options, my next stop in making travel plans is to check out nearby activities. So in this case… all the things to do in San Diego.

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Things to do in San Diego: Multi-location Tours

San Diego Highlights

This very thorough 7-hour minivan tour takes you all around San Diego to visit all the must-see sights of the city. On this tour, you will get to see Coronado Island, the Embarcadero, and Balboa Park, home to gardens and museums stretching across its 1,200 acres.

You will get to stretch your legs (and boost your smartwatch steps) as you explore the Gaslamp Quarter.

And of course, you’ll get to see La Jolla Cove and enjoy sweeping views from Mt Soledad. La Jolla boasts a natural cove that’s home to sea caves, cliffs, and plenty of marine life and local kayakers. And a tour of any Cali city wouldn’t be complete without the tour guide telling about some of the area’s famous residents!

Ferry Ride and Small-Group Tour of Coronado from San Diego

This ferry ride is one of my favorite San Diego activities. Raised in Miami, I’m a total sucker for a good beach and ferry tour, so of course, I had to include this activity when it comes to things to do in San Diego.

Cruise across the San Diego Bay to get to Coronado, and then explore the city sights. Go to Spreckels Mansion, the 128-year-old Hotel del Coronado, Star Park, and, of course, the beach. Take in gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean before setting off to sightsee on your own.

San Diego Scenic Tour

In this shorter tour, you’ll still get to see plenty of San Diego’s more beautiful areas.

Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park and the Midway aircraft carrier are all scheduled stops along this 4-hour tour.

You’ll get to learn about Old Town San Diego, which is considered the birthplace of California.

You’ll also get to visit the beautiful beaches of La Jolla, and last but not least, explore the historic Hotel del Coronado.

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Things to do in San Diego: Places to See

San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park

You must be living under a rock if you love to travel and haven’t heard of the San Diego Zoo.

The world-famous San Diego Zoo is home to than 4,000 animals representing 800 species live in this state-of-the-art zoo, including some that are rarely seen at other zoos. Admire the animals and go in-depth during daily keeper talks and guided bus tours.

The zoo is located in Balboa Park, a 1,200 acre park with botanical gardens and fountains to capture the most picturesque sights. Even if you don’t visit the zoo, Balboa Park is a great place to take your pooch, grab a snack and spend a few hours.

SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego is definitely an awesome activity to add on to your to-do list. Not only do you get to see sharks, whales, and dolphins but tons of fish species as well. There’s also a waterpark nearby for both the young and the young-at-heart 😉

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Though it’s not everyone’s preference when it comes to travel attractions, I love fitting in at least one museum when I go on a trip. My last time in San Diego I visited the USC-San Diego Dr. Seuss exhibit and this time I’m thinking about stopping by the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

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TL;DR

With a trip to San Diego right around the corner, I just wanted to let you ladies in on my planning process and the sorts of places I consider when planning a trip.

I hope my plans for a trip to San Diego (including my search for San Diego hotels and nearby San Diego activities) come in handy for you in case you’re planning a trip to the area soon!