San Diego Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ocean Beach showing general coastal views and a coastal town
Ocean Beach showing general coastal views and a coastal town
Japanese Friendship Garden which includes a park
San Diego which includes swimming and a sunset as well as a small group of people
Balboa Park which includes a pond

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 holiday 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 kilometres) 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

US Grant Hotel

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
Fun facts: 
✔️San Diego imports 168 million gallons of water a day. ✔️San Diego produces the most avocados in the United States. 

#LifeAtExpedia #HitTheBeach #JulyTheme

Mission Beach

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

Mission Beach
Pacific Beach Park featuring 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 Pacific Beach while you're exploring the area.

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

Gaslamp Quarter

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

Gaslamp Quarter
Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Dog Beach and Ocean Beach Farmers Market.

Ocean Beach
Default Image

Mission Bay

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

Mission Bay
Bay Club Hotel & Marina

Bay Club Hotel & Marina

3.5 out of 5
2131 Shelter Island Dr San Diego CA
The price is NZ$237 per night from 24 Feb to 25 Feb
NZ$237
24 Feb - 25 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a marina and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,327 reviews)
The room was clean , the view was nice Hot tub and pool are wonderful Thank u

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Bay Club Hotel & Marina
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

4 out of 5
1 Market Pl San Diego CA
The price is NZ$547 per night from 6 Feb to 7 Feb
NZ$547
6 Feb - 7 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 6 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,913 reviews)
Great

Reviewed on 24 Jan 2026

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Paradise Point Resort & Spa

Paradise Point Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
1404 Vacation Rd San Diego CA
The price is NZ$359 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
NZ$359
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,388 reviews)
The room was very clean and the property is gorgeous! Staff was very kind and helpful.

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Paradise Point Resort & 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.
Sentral Gaslamp Quarter

Sentral Gaslamp Quarter

4 out of 5
502 10th Avenue San Diego CA
Stay at this hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and a 24-hour fitness centre. Popular attractions Petco Park and Port of San Diego are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (649 reviews)
Great place to stay near downtown San Diego. Staff was helpful and courteous. Kitchen was easy to use and clean. I liked the keyless entry system. Just a pincode to access everything. Smart Roku TV is a nice touch as I could watch my Netflix, Prime, YouTube.

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Sentral Gaslamp Quarter
Kasa Little Italy San Diego

Kasa Little Italy San Diego

4.5 out of 5
1331 Columbia St San Diego CA
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Port of San Diego and Petco ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (368 reviews)
Furnished apartments with amenities and high end finish’s.

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Kasa Little Italy San Diego
Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel

2.5 out of 5
819 University Ave San Diego CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (281 reviews)
The room was very small but very clean. Great place to stay for the short amount of time we needed it.

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel
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.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of San Diego

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
79
5 - Excellent 61%
4 - Good
45
4 - Good 35%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Beautiful place

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Loved San Diego!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love the place defently go back again

Cities near San Diego

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