Welcome to San Diego

New York has its cabbie, Chicago its bluesman and Seattle its coffee-drinking boho. San Diego has its surfer dude, with his tousled hair, great tan and gentle enthusiasm; he looks like he’s on a perennial vacation, and when he wishes you welcome, he really means it.

Read More

San Diego calls itself ‘America’s Finest City’ and its breezy confidence and sunny countenance filter down to folks you encounter every day on the street. It feels like a collection of villages each with its own personality, but it’s the nation’s eighth-largest city and we’re hard-pressed to think of a more laid-back place.

What’s not to love? San Diego bursts with world-famous attractions for the entire family, including the zoo, Legoland and the museums of Balboa Park, plus a bubbling Downtown, beautiful hikes for all, more than 60 beaches and America’s most perfect weather.

Read Less

Top experiences in San Diego

Amazing hotels and hostels

We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

Skip this step and see all hotels & hostels
Or explore the collection of Best Places to stay in San Diego

Recent articles

San Diego activities

$21 Sightseeing Tickets & Passes

Skip the Line: USS Midway Museum

Visit: USS Midway Museum, San Diego, CaliforniaThe USS Midway was the US Navy's longest serving carrier of the 20th century (1945-1992), and the largest ship in the world for a decade, housing 4,500 crew! Now you can walk in the footsteps of 225,000 sailors on a self-guided audio tour narrated by former Midway sailors and officers. More than 65 locations, from the engine room to the bridge, and 25 restored historic aircraft are on display. The USS Midway also contains interactive exhibits and climb-aboard aircraft for all ages. Don't miss the flight simulators, gift shop and cafe. Experience what it was like to be part of a "city at sea", explore galleys, officer's country, sleeping quarters and the engine room of the first Navy ship too large for the Panama Canal! You will be amazed by the 4-acre flight deck and the 360-degree panoramic view of downtown San Diego. Front-row accessible parking spaces, available on a first-come, first-served basis, on Navy Pier directly in front of the ticket booth. Regular parking fees apply.Complimentary, loaner wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.Elevator access from Navy Pier onto the ship.Elevator access from the hangar deck down to the second deck.Elevator access up to the flight deck from the hangar deck.Wheelchair-accessible family restroom on the hangar deck.Approximately 60 percent of the museum’s exhibits are wheelchair accessible. Located in Navy Town USA, a visit to the Midway is uniquely San Diego!
$42 Kid Friendly

San Diego Tour: Hop-on Hop-off Trolley

Turn back the pages of history and relive San Diego's early days as it became the Birthplace of California. In Old Town San Diego (sometimes called the "Jamestown of the Pacific"), you will experience early Americana with its distinctive "West Coast Style" Spanish flavor.The San Diego Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour is the easiest way to get around town. You can hop on and off at any of the 10 stops as often as you like. The stops are conveniently located close to all popular attractions, shops and restaurants. Trolleys depart every 30 minutes.
$54 Kid Friendly

San Diego Zoo

Come meet the newest addition to the panda family, and the fifth baby panda born at the San Diego Zoo! This is truly one of the most unique and most beloved species on the planet - and very few are ever seen outside their native habitat in northern China.The San Diego Zoo is highlighting California animals from the ancient past, present and future in The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey, the newest and most unique exhibit to date! At the Elephant Odyssey, step into the fossil dig site and explore prehistoric fossil evidence, and visit the habitats of current wildlife species including elephants, a pair of lions and a jaguar! Learn about extinction causes of the mammoth and saber-toothed tiger and stop by the Pleistocene playground to find out about conservation projects at work.Activities available at San Diego Zoo include (additional costs may apply): • Guided Bus Tour: A 35-minute tour by double-decker bus covering 75 percent of the San Diego Zoo. Your ticket also includes use of the Express Bus which allows you to hop on and off at 3 different stops throughout the Zoo. (included) • Skyfari Aerial Tram: Take an airborne shortcut over the treetops to the other end of the Zoo and enjoy spectacular views of the Zoo, its animal and plant collection, and surrounding Balboa Park. (included) • Balboa Park Miniature Railroad: pulls out of the station for 3-minute rides around a portion of Balboa Park. (approx. $1.75) • 4-D Theater: If you haven’t experienced 4-D, it’s a film that you can see and hear but also feel, smell, and sense. Wind in your face, snow on your head, a pat on the back—it’s like you’re there, part of the action! This new attraction is located near the western terminal of Skyfari. Guests can purchase tickets at the entrance or at the theater ticket booth. (approx. $6)Make sure to visit the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback exhibit which showcases some of the wonders from the Land Down Under. Venture through a eucalyptus grove and discover species from wombats to wallabies and kookaburras to cockatoos. The Australian Outback exhibit culminates at a Queenslander house-style care center that overlooks a forest for the Zoo's Queensland koala colony - the largest koala colony outside of Australia.Don't miss your chance to see the adorable new Panda cub Xiao Liwu ("Little Gift"). He is on display (weather permitting) from 9am to noon daily. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo.
$42 Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours

San Diego Seal Tour

Wind your way through our picturesque San Diego streets before splashing down for a cruise through the waters of the San Diego Bay.  Experience the history and ecological wonders of San Diego in the comfort and security of our unique Hydra Terras.  Here you’ll learn firsthand of our rich military history and cruise through the waters that are the playground of the California Sea Lion.  Don’t miss this exciting, entertaining adventure of a lifetime to see America’s Finest City as you have never seen it before! *Please Note: Tour route is subject to change without notice due to weather or traffic conditions.
$27 Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours

San Diego Harbor Cruise with Live Guided Commentary

Cruise through the San Diego Bay as your friendly, informative narrators point out the sights. On board, relax on the comfortable seating and pleasant sun decks, and head over to our snack bar bars for snacks and beverages available for purchase.Your fully narrated harbor cruise will take you to the US Naval fleet, the famous Coronado Bay Bridge, San Diego's bustling shipyards and the Star of India, the oldest iron-hulled sailing ship still afloat. Take the 2-hour harbor cruise for the full tour; if you only have time for the 1-hour option, choose between either the north or south bay departures. On the north bay cruise, see North Island Naval Air Station, Harbor and Shelter islands, the Naval Sub Base and Cabrillo National Monument. The south bay cruise will take you to see the Star of India, the US Navy surface fleet, the Coronado Bay Bridge and busy shipyards.
$48 Tours & Sightseeing

San Diego City Tour

Board your comfortable, air-conditioned coach at your San Diego hotel or at Kettner Blvd and embark on your tour of San Diego's most famous attractions and popular neighborhoods including Old Town, Little Italy and the Embarcadero. Admire the Victorian-era buildings in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, and visit San Diego's East Village for a photo stop at PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres baseball team. Make your way through beautiful and scenic Balboa Park, and stop for photos of the park's Botanical Building, featuring a multitude of vibrant plants and flowers. Continue to the affluent, seaside area of La Jolla to see natural sea caves and seals and delight in panoramic views of San Diego from Mt Soledad. Take in the lively atmosphere and see the many shops and restaurants in Old Town, considered the birthplace of California because it was where the first Europeans settled in the 1700s. Your four-hour coach tour of San Diego concludes with drop-off at your hotel. Upgrade to visit USS Midway or Seaport Village Opt to also include admission to the family-friendly USS Midway Museum at Navy Pier, the most-visited naval ship museum in the world. Through a self-guided audio tour, explore a multitude of restored aircraft, the engine room, galley, crew's sleeping quarters and ship's bridge. Check out the informative films, interactive exhibits and flight simulators. Or, wander the cobblestone pathways of waterfront Seaport Village, enjoying an eclectic array of boutiques and restaurants; live music and street performers; and views of the San Diego Bay. Use your provided maps and discount guide to make the most of your visit. Stay as long as you wish at the museum or shopping village and make your own way back to your hotel, or request drop-off at your hotel when you're ready.
See More Activities
San Diego photo credits