11 of the best things to do in San Diego

Perched at the southernmost end of the Californian coast, sunny San Diego is a tapestry of unique and colourful neighbourhoods. From the hipster haven of North Park and the Mexican-American heart of Barrio Logan to food-fuelled Little Italy and laidback La Jolla, these vibrant communities reflect the city’s diversity and fusion of cultures. Here, we choose some of the best things to do in the city…

Culture lovers should make a beeline for San Diego’s Balboa Park. This historic urban park houses 18 world-class museums within its selection of Spanish Colonial Revival-style buildings. Design enthusiasts should visit Mingei International Museum, where previous temporary exhibits have focussed on local and international folk crafts such as weaving and beadwork. Elsewhere, the San Diego Museum of Art displays more than 32,000 works – some dating from 3,000 BC – including paintings by Spanish Old Masters such as El Greco and Francisco de Zurbarán. Beyond the museums, Balboa Park’s serene parks, trails and gardens are a pleasant escape from the city noise – The Japanese Friendship Garden being of particular note. Of course, San Diego Zoo is also located within the park – the world-famous zoo is notorious for its conservation projects for wildlife across the globe. A word of warning: Balboa Park is vast, spanning nearly 500 hectares, so set aside ample time to explore.

Known for starring alongside Maralyn Monroe in the Hollywood hit Some Like It Hot (1959), Hotel Del Coronado – or as she’s more commonly known, ‘The Del’ – is San Diego’s most iconic beach resort. The Victorian hotel first opened in 1888, with its red turret roof and white timber-cladded walls being impeccable preserved over the years. The grande dame has now been extended to have more than 750 guest rooms and suites, however those who don’t get a booking can still come and experience her beauty – whether sipping on a signature cocktail at the Sun Deck bar, or enjoying one of the hotel’s unique experiences such as roasting s’mores at your very own private beach bonfire. Around Christmas, the hotel looks even more enchanting in its festive décor – and the hotel opens its legendary ice skating rink on the beach.

Read next: California trip planner: Plot your perfect route around the Golden State

Barrio Logan, the city’s epicentre of Mexican-American culture, is also one of San Diego’s most artistic neighbourhoods and home to Chicano Park, a public area that has more concrete than trees. On its construction in the 1960s, the tendrils of Coronado Bridge unfurled right above, thrusting down roots into the park. To claim back their community, locals began painting the bridge’s pillars with street art depicting stories of their struggles and activism. Now it’s an expansive open-air gallery of vibrant murals depicting icons such as Frida Kahlo. Chicano Park is a National Historic Landmark and a sacred space for the community, hosting festivals and events throughout the year and with Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Centre at its heart. Visitors are kindly reminded to be respectful of the area when visiting.

While here, it’s worth also checking out the nearby Logan Avenue business district, with local art galleries, cafes and restaurants (don’t miss out on Barrio Logan’s legendary hot dogs at Barrio Dogg).

Even during San Diego’s ‘winter’ months, you’ll see people hitting the surf from dawn to dusk, thanks to the year-round balmy climate. Surfing is embedded in the the city’s identity, especially along the shores of La Jolla, where the ocean swell ranges in suitability for all abilities, from beginners to pros. If you’re just starting out, Surf Divas is one of the local surf schools in the area, founded by twin sisters Izzy and Coco in 1996. Their shop also hires out kit to confident surfers who can hit the waves independently.

La Jolla is also an enjoyable place to wander alongside the coastline, whether besides its palm-lined sand beaches or the rocky wildlife-filled inlets. Make sure to stop off by the protected La Jolla Cove, where seals, sea lions and sea birds gather en masse.

Did you know San Diego has more than 150 breweries? This $1 billion industry has transformed the city into the official ‘Craft Beer Capital of America’, particularly thanks to its very own hoppy West Coast IPA (a unique twist on an IPA). It can be difficult to know where to start, but we suggest heading to the hipster neighbourhood of North Park, where you can join a Foodelicious Tour to learn everything there is to know about beer, from the very basics to the difference between a lager and an ale, and how to pair beer with food. Sample a selection of award-winning local brews and overseas famed favourites as you go, while also discovering some of the coolest places to hang out in North Park.

Read next: The ultimate foodie guide to the USA

San Diego shares a lot more with Mexico than just a border. The country has also influenced the heavily influenced the food scene here, with tacos available in practically every neighbourhood. For a taco joint loved by the locals, North Park’s flagship City Tacos is where working San Diegans grab a quick bite for lunch, with the taco’s diverse fillings ranging from traditional pulled pork to unconventional smoked tuna. Alternatively, Lola 55 in downtown’s East Village opened in 2021 and is already listed on the Michelin Guide. Proudly making their own corn tortillas from scratch, their Baja-style fish taco is hard to beat, but their renowned vegetarian and vegan options – such as the Squa-shroom taco – put up good competition. Accompany with a side dish of Ceasar salad (invented in neighbouring Tijuana) and you’ll be having a truly authentic Mexican experience.

Perching on the clifftops of La Jolla, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies was founded more than 60 years ago by Jonas Salk, famed for developing the first safe and effective polio vaccine. Architecture fans flock here to admire its iconic Brutalist design, featuring a spacious travertine courtyard flanked by six-storey concrete structures. Natural light was an important element in architect Louis Kahn’s design, crucial for nurturing scientific research – especially at below-ground levels. The courtyard, which looks out across the Pacific Ocean, has even provided the backdrop for a Louis Vuitton fashion show in previous year. Although a working scientific research centre, the building is open to public visits.

San Diego is home to many thrilling marine wildlife encounters. Join a two-hour boat tour with San Diego Whale Watch, who have their very own marine biologist on-hand to answer your questions. During the tour, you’ll be looking out for dolphins, sea lions and as the name suggests whales! Different species can be spotted depending on the time of year you visit: the waters welcome mostly grey whales in winter and spring, blue whales in summer and autumn, and humpback whales intermittently – making whale-watching excitingly possible at any time of the year.

Read next: The best places to see orcas in the wild

In the early 1900s, thousands of Italian and Portuguese families immigrated to downtown San Diego, where they created a close-knit fishing community – predominantly dealing with tuna. After developing for a few decades, the business district started to decline due to a lack of demand for the fish, as well as the construction of a major road through the centre of the neighbourhood. Happily, the area was revived and today is known as San Deigo’s Little Italy, one of the trendiest spots in town. Enjoy dining out at its many Italian-infused restaurants and food hall, sample premium wines on a vino tour, or mooch around the craft, flower and gourmet food stalls of its bustling Saturday market.

Over the decades, The Lafayette – a 1946 Colonial-style hotel and club in North Park – has welcomed such glamorous figures as Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner through its doors, and scenes from the original Top Gun movie were filmed here. Even if you don’t book a room, the hotel’s restaurants and bars are now the trendiest hangouts in the city. A recent multi-million-dollar refurbishment reinvigorated its speakeasy chic with loud jungle patterns, animal prints and silk fringes. Today you can grab an American breakfast at Beginner’s Diner, throw bowling balls at The Gutter, and quaff mescal and tuck into tacos (yes, more tacos) at the atmospheric, Oaxacan-inspired Quixote restaurant.

Located on the waterfront in downtown, the Maritime Museum of San Diego is often named one of the best museums of its kind in the world. Due to its location on the Pacific Coast, the region has a rich maritime history, acting both as a naval base and a fishermen’s community over the centuries. The museum showcases this through its impressive collection of historic ships, including the famous Star of India – the world’s oldest active sailing ship. Visitors can explore the range of vessels and exhibitions, or even get out on the water with one of the museum’s adventure days, whether that’s on a tall ship or a high-speed swift boat.