San Diego Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
San Diego
On the sun-drenched Pacific coast, this Southern California city provides great beaches, a famous zoo, historic sites and exciting nightlife.

San Diego is one of the most populated U.S. cities, but its laid-back lifestyle and pleasant open spaces give it a crowd-free feel. Bring the family to enjoy zoos, parks and beaches or have a romantic vacation with winery tours, great food and cultural evenings.

In Balboa Park near downtown, the famous San Diego Zoo has giant pandas, koalas and more than 3,500 animals in natural habitats, as well as 700,000 exotic plants. See more wild animals or even spend the night at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park north of the city. Enjoy marine animals and rides at SeaWorld®.

Along the ocean northwest of downtown is La Jolla. Hike past craggy trees in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and watch for whales beyond the shoreline. Play at the renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course or visit the beaches along this peninsula to swim and watch sea lions.

In San Diego Bay, tour the USS Midway Museum, a retired aircraft carrier with 29 planes from World War II to Desert Storm as well as exciting flight simulators. A few blocks north is the Maritime Museum of San Diego, with restored tall ships from the days of early explorers.

San Diego has more than 70 miles (110 kilometers) of beaches for snorkeling, swimming, surfing and watersports. Enjoy the sands of Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and Windansea Beach.

The city has abundant cultural attractions including more than 15 museums and performance venues in Balboa Park. Attend first-run and popular touring plays at La Jolla Playhouse.

Visit the Gaslamp Quarter to view historic Victorian homes and sample San Diego’s fine dining and exciting nightlife. See a professional baseball game at Petco Park or let the kids enjoy interactive exhibits at the New Children’s Museum.

Fly into San Diego International Airport or drive along the scenic coastal highway and stop to view the Pacific Ocean. Visit some of the county’s 100 wineries. End your days with sunsets at Cabrillo National Monument or La Jolla Cove.

Where to stay in San Diego

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Downtown San Diego

4.5/5(100 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife, fascinating museums and beautiful waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Diego. Top attractions like Petco Park and Port of San Diego are major draws. Catch the metro at Civic Center Station or Civic Center Station to see more of the city.

Downtown San Diego
Belmont Park featuring a park and rides

Mission Beach

If you're spending some time in Mission Beach, Mission Beach and Mission Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Mission Beach
Pacific Beach Park showing a beach

Pacific Beach

5/5(9 area reviews)

The stunning beaches and fantastic nightlife are just a few highlights of Pacific Beach. Make a stop by Mission Bay or Crystal Pier while you're exploring the area.

Pacific Beach
Gaslamp Quarter featuring a bar, night scenes and street scenes

Gaslamp Quarter

Cosy bars interesting history and top sights from Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House to Harlem of the West Sites – discover Gaslamp Quarter, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Gaslamp Quarter
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Point Loma

3.5/5(24 area reviews)

Seaside views a bustling port and top sights from Shelter Island to Humphreys Concerts by the Bay – discover Point Loma, a destination also famous for its island views.

Point Loma
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Mission Valley

4/5(29 area reviews)

Known for its stunning beaches and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Mission Valley. Check out top attractions like Mission Valley Mall and Fashion Valley Mall, and jump on the metro at Hazard Center Station or Mission Valley Center Station to see more of the city.

Mission Valley
Wyndham Garden San Diego Near SeaWorld
Wyndham Garden San Diego Near SeaWorld
3 out of 5
3737 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$213 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
NZ$213
per night
17 Apr - 18 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7/10 Good! (2,429 reviews)
"Hidden parking fee but everything else was"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Wyndham Garden San Diego Near SeaWorld
Wyndham San Diego Bayside
Wyndham San Diego Bayside
4 out of 5
1355 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA
The price is NZ$288 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
NZ$288
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (6,090 reviews)
Excellent location but loud.
"Very nice central location. Extremely busy since it’s directly across the street from the port."

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

Wyndham San Diego Bayside
Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa
Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
875 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA
The price is NZ$337 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
NZ$337
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,700 reviews)
Awesome
"Love this place and My man Robert delivers great service"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ocean Beach #2 ‘Garden’ Cozy Cottage - Walk to the beach!
Ocean Beach #2 ‘Garden’ Cozy Cottage - Walk to the beach!
San Diego
Stay at this apartment in San Diego. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a Smart TV. Popular attractions Mission Bay and San Diego Zoo are located nearby. Discover ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (105 reviews)
OB Studio Gem
"I recently spent a few days at this property for the xmas holiday. It came as advertised--no surprises! The property was ideal for a single person, but would suffice for a couple as well. A short 5 min walk directly down vibrant Voltaire St. to the beach. Or, ten minutes to the main stretch of Newport ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jan. 2024

Ocean Beach #2 ‘Garden’ Cozy Cottage - Walk to the beach!
B5315 Liquid Blue I - Two Bedroom Apartment, Sleeps 7
B5315 Liquid Blue I - Two Bedroom Apartment, Sleeps 7
San Diego
Stay at this beach condo in San Diego. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and barbecue grills. Popular attractions Mission Bay and Mission Beach are located nearby. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (32 reviews)
Great setup and location.
"Everything about it was awesome. Everybody walking by the boardwalk comments on it. Perfect view of the ocean beach and boardwalk."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

B5315 Liquid Blue I - Two Bedroom Apartment, Sleeps 7
Capri by the Sea by All Seasons Resort Lodging
Capri by the Sea by All Seasons Resort Lodging
3 out of 5
4767 Ocean Blvd, San Diego, CA
Stay at this 3-star beach condo in San Diego. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Mission Bay and Mission Beach are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (882 reviews)
"We have stayed at the Capri 4 times and love it. It's very quiet, which is great after long days walking the beaches of Pacific Beach. We much prefer staying here to staying in a hotel room."

Reviewed on 8 Feb. 2024

Capri by the Sea by All Seasons Resort Lodging
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of San Diego

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
79
" "5 - Excellent 61.24031007751938%
4 - Good
45
" "4 - Good 34.883720930232556%
3 - Okay
5
" "3 - Okay 3.875968992248062%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
18 Mar 2020

Beautiful place

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
28 Feb 2020

Quite a nice city although there were a lot of restaurants most of the retail shops had closed or were closing. Maybe they were in a different location which I didn’t find

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Jan 2020

Beautiful city San Diego. Loved the Marina Village and the Museums!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Dec 2019

San Diego is a really nice city, very clean and lots to see and do

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
16 Nov 2019

Loved San Diego!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Nov 2019

Love the place defently go back again

Cities near San Diego