If you’re thinking about taking a vacation, chances are you want it to be someplace warm, sunny, and near the water. A few fun and interesting attractions wouldn’t hurt, either. Nor would having delicious dining options located close by.
Finding a destination with all of the above sounds difficult, but it isn’t. Look no further than “America’s Finest City.” Located in Southern California, San Diego has beautiful beaches, incredible sightseeing opportunities, fun things to do, great food and drinks to try, and yes, lots of sunshine!
Let’s take a closer look at the top things to do in San Diego:
Climb aboard the USS Midway
You don’t need to be enlisted in order to appreciate the awe-inspiring size and scope of an aircraft carrier. You just need to visit the USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier permanently anchored at Navy Pier in downtown San Diego. The massive vessel is now a museum with hundreds of artifacts and exhibits on display, including an extensive collection of antique aircraft.
Visit the San Diego Zoo
It’s easy to assume if you’ve been to one zoo, you’ve been to them all. But that’s not true. The San Diego Zoo, located in Balboa Park, is consistently ranked as one of the best zoos in the world. Not only is it massive compared to the typical city zoo (100 acres), its design is revolutionary in terms of providing naturalistic habitats for the animals. In fact, the San Diego Zoo is so large it features a gondola system for ferrying guests from one end to the other, which gives them breathtaking views of the exhibits and habitats below.
Go on a San Diego brewery tour
San Diego is home to several craft breweries specializing in a variety of different beers. A San Diego brewery tour will take you to several of these brewing facilities featuring tasting rooms for visitors. You get to see how the beer is made, followed by how it tastes. Who knows, you may leave town with a new favorite brand of beer.
Grab some tacos
When it comes to tacos, San Diego has you covered. The city is famous for its density of top-quality taco offerings, ranging from well-established restaurants to upstart street vendors. If you like tacos (who doesn’t?), then make sure to get your fill before you leave town.
Explore the Gaslamp Quarter
Every city has its signature district for shopping, eating, and entertainment. In San Diego, it’s the Gaslamp Quarter. Start on one end and slowly work your way through 16 ½ blocks of luxury shops, independent restaurants, historic buildings, and popular entertainment venues.
Spend a day at the beach
San Diego has no shortage of beautiful beaches. From La Jolla Cove to Imperial Beach, the picture-perfect sandy shoes and blue waters will take your breath away. You can often spot surfers displaying their skills and seals basking in the sun, making the beaches of San Diego as awe-inspiring as they are exciting.
Go whale watching
Numerous whale species are often sighted off the coast of California as they migrate. It makes for an unbelievably majestic display of strength and power whenever they breach the water. With this in mind, we suggest going on a whale-watching expedition. There’s usually one embarking every few hours.
Catch a Padres game
Baseball is as American as apple pie. It’s also an iconic feature of life in Southern California; the kids seem to know how to swing bats and play catch before they learn how to walk. Throw in the fact the San Diego Padres roster features some of the best players to ever play the game, and visitors would be remiss if they didn’t at least consider the idea of attending a Padres game. Even if you don’t know anything about baseball and don’t care to learn, a day at Petco Park is sure to be fun as well as a timeless American experience you won’t forget.
The proverbial vacation destination is warm, sunny, and close to the beach, with a few interesting attractions nearby as well. With this in mind, San Diego makes for a great place to visit.