Feeling overwhelmed, trying to decide the best places to go in San Diego California? We don’t blame you – nicknamed “America’s Finest City,” California’s southernmost hub truly has it all.
As San Diego natives, we’ve broken this guide down by neighborhood and interest, to help you make the most of your visit.
Whether you’re into sunshine and beaches, craft beer, museums, trendy food, or theme parks, you’ll inevitably find more to do in San Diego than you have time for. But with a warm Mediterranean climate that is one of the nation’s best, it’s easy to enjoy everything year-round.
Neighborhoods are listed geographically, from south to north.
Jump to:
- Gaslamp Quarter (best for: nightlife, baseball)
- Barrio Logan (best for: Mexican culture)
- Seaport Village (best for: San Diego Bay panoramas, military history)
- Little Italy (best for: trendy urbanites)
- Coronado (best for: Americana beach town vibes)
- Old Town (best for: history buffs, early California culture)
- Balboa Park (best for: museum lovers, history/architecture buffs, zoo aficionados, families)
- North Park (best for: craft beer lovers, hipsters)
- Mission Bay (best for: water sports, families)
- La Jolla (best for: posh travelers, ocean sports)
- North County (best for: laid-back surf towns, surfing)
Gaslamp Quarter
Best for: nightlife, baseball
The Gaslamp is San Diego’s primary nightlife scene, with trendy bars and clubs buzzing into the early morning hours. A historic district from the late 1800s, it’s very walkable for a night out.
Petco Park, home of Padres baseball and regularly listed as one of the U.S.’s best ballparks, is also around the corner. The Shout House, a dueling piano bar, is one of our favorite spots in the Gaslamp. It’s a rollicking good time, and the minor cover charge is worth the show.
Barrio Logan
Best for: Mexican culture
20 years ago, Barrio Logan was never on the tourist circuit. But over the last few decades, the historically Mexican-American neighborhood has become one of the city’s hippest districts. It’s now one of the best places to go in San Diego California for authentic Mexican cuisine and culture.
Begin at the beating heart of Barrio Logan, Chicano Park, which boasts the largest number of Chicano murals in the world. Meanwhile, the neighboring Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center provides fascinating insight into the area’s vibrant history, from its Native American origins to 1970s activism.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Las Quatro Milpas, which has been serving up no-frills Mexican comfort classics for over 90 years. Por Vida is a great local coffee shop, and if you’re looking for finer dining, check out Cicca Osteria. Tucked into an old house with a cozy side patio, the osteria is run by husband-and-wife Italian expats. They serve authentic northern Italian regional cuisine, with efforts recently earning a nod in Michelin’s Bib Gourmand.
Seaport Village
Best for: San Diego Bay panoramas, military history
We start with a caveat: Seaport Village is touristy, and locals don’t go out of their way to come here. But, assuming you’re staying in one of the many hotels nearby, you should make a point to stroll the waterfront. You’ll catch sweeping views of San Diego bay, from Coronado to Point Loma.
Anyone with an interest in military history should absolutely visit the USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier that’s now an exceptional floating museum. It’s a rare opportunity to experience life aboard a carrier, and learn more about 20th century military operations.
Little Italy
Best for: trendy urbanites
Just north of downtown, this walkable neighborhood has seen a renaissance over the past decade.
The small family-owned Italian spots are still here, they’re just now abutted by hip gastropubs and cocktail bars. The combination makes Little Italy a lively, youthful district that still maintains its original flair.
Some of our preferred gastropubs here include Craft & Commerce (with False Idol, a speakeasy tiki bar, attached) or Ironsides (seafood). Meanwhile, you’ll find more traditional Italian at Isola (Neapolitan pizza) or Buon Appetito.
The twice-weekly Mercato farmers market is also the largest in San Diego. Every Wednesday and Saturday, you’ll discover a bounty of fresh local produce, olive oils, honeys, and other artisan goods.
Coronado
Best for: Americana beach town vibes
In our opinion, Coronado is one of the single best places to go in San Diego California. Originally a Victorian-era seaside resort, the 20th century developed a strong Navy presence that continues to this day. (Coronado is considered the birthplace of Naval aviation, and the West Coast SEAL teams are also based here.)
Tour the famous Hotel Del resort, enjoy beaches that are consistently rated some of the best in the country, or soak up the sun on rented bikes, kayaks, or paddle boards.
You can read more in our guide on the best things to do in Coronado.
Old Town
Best for: history buffs, early California culture
Considered the birthplace of California, Old Town is true living history. Many of its historical structures are still standing, and now serve as immersive museums.
Stretching over 230 acres, you can explore Native American heritage sites, Spanish adobes, and Wild West pioneer homes. In between, you’ll find local shops selling pottery, candles, books, olive oils, and more, along with an abundance of delicious Mexican eateries.
Casa de Reyes is our family favorite, featuring a lively outdoor patio in the center of Fiesta de Reyes plaza. Down the road, the Old Town Mexican Café is a famous staple, with staff still making fresh tortillas in the window.
Balboa Park
Best for: museum lovers, history and architecture buffs, zoo aficionados, families
Only 5–10 minutes outside of downtown, Balboa Park is a study of Spanish renaissance architecture.
The jewel of Balboa Park is obviously the world-famous San Diego Zoo, but most of San Diego’s museums are also here, including the Natural History Museum, Museum of Art, and Timken Museum of Art.
Here, you can stroll botanical gardens, stop for tea at the Japanese Friendship Garden, or hear a free Sunday afternoon concert at Spreckel’s 100-year-old outdoor organ pavilion. You can also catch a play at the Old Globe, a full-scale replica of Shakespeare’s theater, which is (ironically) older than London’s replica.
The 32 House of Pacific Relations international cottages are also a fun hidden gem, especially for children.
Tip: get lunch or dinner at the Prado, an upscale Spanish-Californian restaurant in a serene setting.
North Park
Best for: craft beer lovers, urban hipsters
In a city renowned for craft beer, North Park is its mecca. This gentrified urban neighborhood is full of charming old craftsman homes, with just enough grunge to stay cool with the hipsters.
You’ll find numerous breweries, all within walking distance of each other: Modern Times always does a solid IPA and plays with fun sours. Mike Hess is a fun hangout spot, while Belching Beaver is famous for their stout. Then there’s North Park Beer Co, Rip Current, Second Chance…
If all the beer makes you sleepy, grab a caffeine jolt at either Holsem Coffee (for sleek, quality pours) or Communal Coffee (charming blended coffee shop and florist space, that is popular with the girly Instagram set). Lovesong Coffee + Market bridges the gap between both, with a hip coffee shop and quirky retail space.
North Park also has numerous small business shops and boutiques to extend your time in the neighborhood. Pop into Verbatim Books (the city’s largest independent book store) for your next read. Or, browse lovingly curated home goods at Casa Palma Dulce. You’ll also find all-natural skincare products at Shop Good (along with holistic facials at the on-site spa).
Mission Bay
Best for: water sports, families
For a watersporting paradise, head to Mission Bay where you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, jetskis and more.
The sheltered inlets create gentler swimming opportunities, making it ideal for younger children. At the same time, miles of shorefront parks are great for picnics and BBQs.
Sea World is also here, another great option for families.
La Jolla
Best for: posh travelers, ocean sports
As one of San Diego’s most upscale coastal communities, La Jolla sits high on the bluffs for a spectacular setting.
Prospect Street is the main drag, with numerous shops, art galleries, and swanky hotels in walking distance. Running parallel to the ocean, Coast Blvd. offers over a mile of pedestrian footpaths to help you take in the view.
Start at the Children’s Pool (directions), where you’ll catch the resident seal colony lounging year-round.
From here, make your way north to Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave. For a small admission fee, you can take the tunnel steps down to the entrance of a sea cave that was used for bootlegging during Prohibition. It’s a quirky little adventure, but you’ll be rewarded with a unique vantage point of La Jolla Cove.
On the other side of the cove, La Jolla Shores is one of San Diego’s most popular beaches. Here you can rent surfboards, kayaks, or join an organized kayak tour out to the kelp beds of this protected marine reserve.
North County
Best for: laid back beach towns, surfing
For the itinerary’s sake, we’re lumping the string of small beach towns along North County’s coastal corridor into one entry. However, each spot has its own unique personality, and it’s worth a day exploring the quirks and local haunts of each.
Starting in the south and working northwards:
Del Mar
Del Mar is another upscale, yet unpretentious, seaside town. Torrey Pines State Beach has great hiking trails into the pines above the ocean, while 15th Street is a popular surf break.
For restaurants, Stratford Court Café is a cute hidden spot tucked into an old house and great for breakfast or a quick lunch. Jake’s, located steps from the sand, makes for a lively sit-down dinner with a buzzy atmosphere.
Solana Beach
With a tiny arts district to explore, other local points include Fletcher’s Cove surf break, Pizza Port (also regionally regarded as a craft brewery) and Culture Brewing.
Cardiff
If you want the quintessential surf town, sleepy Cardiff is the ticket. Cardiff Reef is a popular surf break for all abilities, and San Elijo State Beach makes a great outing (stop and pay your respects to the famous ‘Cardiff Kook’ statue on your way in).
After you’ve worked up an appetite on the waves, go to Pipe’s Café for the ultimate San Diego cuisine: breakfast burritos. Pipe’s is nothing fancy, just good-portioned comfort food, a coffee bar, views across the street to the ocean, and local surfers en masse.
Across the street is Lost Abbey’s brewery tasting room, for those looking to try more local craft beers.
Encinitas
The biggest “scene” along this corridor, Encinitas’ bustling main drag on Coast Highway 101 has hip coffee bars, restaurants, breweries, and surf shops galore.
A few of the county’s more famous beaches are here (including Moonlight State Beach, while Swami’s is a popular surf break), along with the San Diego Botanic Garden. For the mystically-inclined, there is a well-known self-realization fellowship temple, with meditation gardens accessible to the public.
Carlsbad
Sleepy Carlsbad has seen a jump in popularity in recent years, thanks to its chill, unpretentious vibe coupled with numerous amenities. Families often venture here for a day at Legoland, while Carlsbad State Beach and Tamarack Beach have miles of clean sand and sparkling water, inviting you to take a dip.
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are another local landmark, with 55 acres of vibrant blooms stretching as far as the eye can see. The fields open for the season every March, and are another great option for families.
Carlsbad even has three restaurants now with Michelin nods (Campfire, Jeune et Jolie, and the one-star Lilo) – an impressive number, for a small downtown district.
Oceanside
Historically, Oceanside has been a bit grittier than its neighbors, but in recent years has ridden the wave of gentrification as it moves up the coast.
The protected waters of Oceanside Harbor provide easy kayaking and paddle boarding opportunities, while Green Cheek Beer Co. – many locals’ favorite Orange County brewery – recently opened its first San Diego outpost here.
Additionally, surfers (and armchair surfers) should absolutely check out the California Surf Museum. It boasts an incredible collection of memorabilia for a small space, with everything from Duke Kahanamoku’s historic redwood plank to Bethany Hamilton’s infamous board, complete with shark bite. The museum rotates new exhibits every few months, so you can always return and learn something new.