Is San Diego Worth Visiting? The Top Reasons to Visit
If you’re considering a trip to Southern California, you may wonder – is San Diego worth visiting? Southern California has so many appealing places to see, from LA to Orange County to Santa Barbara. Does San Diego stand out among these gems? If you are looking for anything from just a weekend away as a couple, a girls’ or guys’ weekend, or a full-on family vacation, San Diego truly has it all. So, to answer the question, is San Diego worth visiting? My answer is a definitive YES!
Over the years, as my kids have grown, San Diego has been my go-to vacation spot. I love the beaches here, and there are many things to do with both young kids and teens. There are great restaurants and fun activities, and it’s just a flat-out beautiful city. In this post, I will outline why San Diego is such a worthwhile place to visit.
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Top Reasons San Diego is Worth Visiting
1. Mission Beach
One of my favorite beaches in San Diego is Mission Beach. My kids have spent lots of time here playing in the sand and the waves. It’s a long stretch of beach and a great place for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. The beach is located near the Mission Beach Boardwalk, which is a lively 2-mile stretch of walkway with lots of restaurants, bars, shops, and vacation rentals. This is a great spot to spend an afternoon and is also near Belmont Park.
2. Belmont Park
Belmont Park is an oceanfront classic amusement park right near Mission Beach, which is a popular spot to visit for families and anyone looking to enjoy classic rides and games. The park has a classic and iconic roller coaster called the Giant Dipper, as well as more modern thrill rides like the Beach Blaster and Vertical Plunge. There are also activities such as mini-golf, rock climbing walls, an arcade, and an indoor playground. There are also lots of great restaurants in the area with great ocean views to enjoy and an all-around great experience.
3. Del Mar
Del Mar is a beautiful seaside town with a quaint village area that has boutiques, art galleries, and amazing restaurants. Del Mar is about 20 miles north of downtown San Diego and is worth a visit while you are in the area. Del Mar City Beach is a long stretch of gorgeous sandy beach great for swimming, sunbathing, or playing beach volleyball and there also is a dog-friendly beach nearby! My favorite stop here for dinner was at Poseidon’s for seafood and a great view of the ocean. I especially enjoyed their Seafood Cioppino.
4. La Jolla
La Jolla is the town of my dreams, with rugged sea cliffs, lush vegetation, palm trees, and a beautiful coastline, what can be better? La Jolla is an upscale community about 12 miles from downtown San Diego. It’s a perfect place to spend a day enjoying the many natural activities and beach attractions. A notably cool thing to do in La Jolla is to explore La Jolla Cove, where you can spend time kayaking with the sea lions and explore the cove. There are also many beaches, Children’s Pool Beach (where the harbor seals are), parks, and marine reserves. You can also spend the afternoon shopping at the upscale shops and restaurants.
5. Coronado
Coronado Island is another beautiful resort area just across the San Diego Bay from downtown San Diego. The island is known for its sparkling beaches and luxurious amenities, such as the Hotel del Coronado, a highly recognizable hotel offering luxury accommodations right on a beautiful sandy beach. There is plenty to do on Coronado Island, from golfing to biking to strolling on the beach. From the Coronado Ferry Landing, you can enjoy amazing views of the San Diego skyline and indulge in shopping and dining in the area.
6. Ocean Beach
If you’re looking for a more laid-back atmosphere with a chill surfer appeal, Ocean Beach is the place to go. The beach is known for its surfing, swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. The neighborhood is lined with boutique shops, surf shops, taco stands, and lots of dining options. Ocean Beach has an amazing pier; it’s really long and great for walking, people, and wildlife watching, as well as fishing!
7. San Diego Zoo
If you’re a fan of zoos, the San Diego Zoo is an absolute must-see. It contains over 4,000 animals, representing a wide range of ecosystems to cater to the diverse needs of its residents. The zoo encompasses habitats such as the Elephant Odyssey, Panda Canyon, African Rocks, and the Lost Forest. Additionally, visitors can enjoy attractions like the aerial tram, a 4D theater, a miniature train, guided bus tours, play areas, and wildlife presentations.
8. LEGOLAND
This one is for families with younger kids: LEGOLAND California, located in Carlsbad about 37 minutes from San Diego, is a popular theme park boasting over 60 rides and attractions, along with a water park. Additionally, LEGOLAND offers two onsite LEGO-themed hotels where families can stay. These accommodations include nightly children’s entertainment, interactive LEGO features, and early access to the park.
9. USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum is located in downtown San Diego along the waterfront, making it a great area for leisurely walks and sightseeing. The USS Midway, an aircraft carrier converted into a museum, allows visitors to explore various sections of the ship, including the flight deck, hangar deck, bridge, and numerous other areas. The museum features many interactive exhibits, including flight simulators, a Battle of Midway Theater, and self-guided audio tours, making it an excellent experience for the whole family.
10. San Diego Bay Cruise
A bay cruise in San Diego is a lot of fun and a great way to see the city’s stunning waterfront and iconic landmarks from the sea. I took my family on a bay cruise, departing from the harbor right near the USS Midway Museum, and it was a perfect way to spend the afternoon. During the cruise, we enjoyed a narrated tour where we saw the city from the vantage point of the ocean. We went under the Coronado Bridge, and we saw some of the US Naval fleets along the way, which is really cool, and you may see some wildlife like dolphins or sea lions.
11. Whale Watching Cruise
San Diego is the perfect place to set sail on a whale-watching adventure. Depending on the time of year, these tours last three to four hours. The tours are three hours between December and April and four hours between June and September. During these tours, you’ll venture farther out to sea in hopes of spotting the gray whales as they migrate along the North American coast. To me, this is a bucket list experience. If you have the time to invest, it’s a great thing to do.
