The Best Things to Do in and Around San Diego
Experience Sun, Sand, and More When Visiting San Diego
According to statistics compiled by the San Diego Tourism Authority, the region welcomed over 30 million visitors in 2024, an increase of 2 million from the previous year. Other highlights of the tourism report include increases in spending and longer stays. This is good news for America’s Finest City, which continues to rank among the best tourism destinations in North America.
The Best Things To Do in San Diego
San Diego offers something for everyone. You can stay at all-inclusive beachfront resorts or boutique hotels in historic districts. There are museums, art galleries, nature preserves, dining districts, and nightlife spots to discover. You can soak up the sun across miles of beaches and get into adventure amenities like surfing, hiking, mountain biking, parasailing, and many others.
Visit the Gaylord
Located in the seaside community of Chula Vista, the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center is a top lodging destination on the West Coast, and it offers some of the best things to do in San Diego with kids. Guests can enjoy many family amenities like the Water Park Oasis, which features a lazy river, wave pool, and cabanas. You can dine poolside and choose from the kid-friendly menus at Sunny’s and the Shallow End Grill.
You can also catch mesmerizing light shows at the Gaylord Atrium, play modern and retro video games at the arcade, and rent bicycles to explore the Chula Vista Bayfront district. You don’t have to stay overnight at the resort to enjoy all these amenities; the Water Park Oasis, for example, offers affordable day passes for outside guests.
Gaslamp Quarter
The historic Gaslamp Quarter is the heart of San Diego’s entertainment and nightlife scene. The main daytime activity involves exploring 16 blocks of over 90 Victorian-era buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking tours can take you through small museums, art galleries, upscale steakhouses, and small bistros.
When the sun sets, the Gaslamp Quarter comes alive as a premier nightlife destination. The district is packed with sophisticated rooftop bars, high-energy dance clubs, trendy lounges, and historic neighborhood pubs. You can also walk to the East Village and visit Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, one of the most comfortable and family-friendly ballparks in Major League Baseball.
Restaurants
Culinary appreciation is among the best things to do in San Diego, California. The Gaslamp Quarter alone has dozens of restaurants. A few must-visit dining spots include:
Bencotto in Little Italy
This trattoria is consistently praised by locals for its authentic and high-quality Italian food, specializing in Milanese-style dishes with handmade pasta.
El Carrito in Barrio Logan
This unique chilaqueria is housed in a restored 1930s cable car, and it is known for its homestyle Mexican dishes.
Menya Ultra in Kearny Mesa
Also known as the Convoy District, Kearny Mesa is an Asian neighborhood filled with delicious dining options. One of the best is Menya Ultra, an authentic Japanese ramen restaurant often ranked among the best in California.
Beaches and Parks
There are many beaches you can enjoy in San Diego, and two are must-visit spots: La Jolla Cove and Coronado. Both coastal spots offer a classic Southern California experience with wide beachfronts and pristine sand.
The local Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers stunning ocean bluffs and scenic hiking trails. Visiting vast and historic Balboa Park, which features the San Diego Zoo, museums, and beautiful gardens, is invariably on the list of the best things to do in San Diego, especially when traveling with children.
Seven Mile Casino
Located just north of the Gaylord, Seven Mile Casino is a bayfront gaming destination where you can play CA blackjack, pai gow, baccarat, and Texas Hold’em games with jackpot prizes.
Beyond casino action, Seven Mile Casino also features Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar, where you can order from a gourmet tavern menu while enjoying local craft beers and signature cocktails.
The recommendations above are good starters for your San Diego visit. The best time to visit the beaches runs from June through August, but the city is always prepared to welcome tourists, so you’ll always enjoy your visit.