The Top 5 Can't-Miss Things to Do and See in San Diego, California

San Diego, CA is a near-perfect city whether you are a resident or you are heading to the Golden State for a vacation. There are wonderful things to see and do for every member of the family. Below, we will be examining just a handful of some of the things that are iconic San Diego spots you will want to enjoy when you visit.

The San Diego Zoo

The “World Famous” San Diego Zoo is easily one of the most popular and well-known attractions in the city, and the entire country for that matter. This is a renowned educational zoo that’s known for taking care of its animals and providing the best possible habitats. It is known for its conservation efforts and endangered species breeding programs. The zoo houses more than 650 species of animal on 100 acres in Balboa Park, which is not far from the downtown area.

Many consider this to be one of the top zoos in the world, and it is certainly worth the trip when you come to San Diego.

However, it’s not the only place to check out animals in the San Diego area. The San Diego Safari Park, formerly the Wild Animal Park, is part of the San Diego Zoo and is worth the short drive north. This is a much larger property with wide-open spaces that can provide more room for some of the animals. There are trams and safari carts that can drive around the enclosures to give guests a look at what these animals might look like in the wild.

The Safari Park even offers the Roar & Snore Safari, where you get to have a sleepover in the park. Hearing the animals at night is something you won’t forget.

Experience the Beaches

While the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are great, many people who are coming to the city want to spend some time on the beach. However, they might not realize just how many options they have when it comes to area beaches.

There are quite a few beaches that you might want to visit along the coast. There’s the Silver Strand State Beach, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, and Torrey Pines, which also has some fantastic hiking areas. Torrey Pines can also be a good place to see dolphins from the shore. They spend time in the surf and can sometimes be seen around the surfers.

Coronado has a fantastic beach, as well. Because Coronado is essentially an island, the beach doesn’t always get as busy as some of the other beaches. Coronado itself has some great shops and places to dine, as well as the famous Hotel del Coronado.

Those who want to explore a smaller beach and who want to see some seals can head to La Jolla Shores. There are often nice places to sit along the water’s edge and to snorkel in this area. You can even swim among leopard sharks, which breed in La Jolla and tend to spend a lot of time there during August and September. They are entirely safe, and it’s a fun experience to see them in the wild, as long as you observe and don’t bother them.

Explore Balboa Park

Balboa Park is a beautiful park located near the heart of San Diego. However, it’s far more than just a park. It’s a treat for everyone, and you could spend days exploring everything it can offer.

You could take a walk through Palm Canyon explore the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Air & Space Museum, and the Japanese Friendship Garden. It is also home to the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, the Fleet Science Center, Pepper Grove Playground, and the famous Balboa Park Carousel.

The park is one of the most iconic places in the city, and it’s something that you can’t miss on your vacation. Spend a couple of days hitting up museums, walking the grounds, and taking in all of the natural beauty. It’s a great place for the entire family to spend some time.

Go Back in Time in Old Town

San Diego’s Old Town is located not too far from the current downtown, which had a Wild West history of its own thanks to folks like Wyatt Earp spending a lot of time here. The Old Town area, though, is filled with shops and restaurants. There are plenty of historic sites in Old Town State Park, too, including museums.

There are also plenty of legends about Old Town being haunted. Plenty of people claim to have had ghostly encounters near the Campo Santo Cemetery and the Whaley House. You never know what you might see, especially after the sun sets. Many of the locals who work in stores and restaurants in the area have ghost stories of their own.

The Embarcadero

The Embarcadero is one of the most interesting parts of San Diego’s downtown area. It harkens back to the maritime history of the area and is part of the cruise-ship hub. The Embarcadero also includes fantastic places to shop, dine, and explore. It’s the ideal place to spend one or two days just walking around. Let’s look at some of the things you can do on the Embarcadero.

This area is home to Seaport Village, which is a cute and quaint area along the water for shopping and dining. It has more than 50 shops, many of which are highly specialized. For example, there are stores just for hot sauce and spicy food, a store for kites and other flying toys, and more.

It’s right along the water and is home to many different places to enjoy the weather. The Embarcadero is home to Waterfront Park, as well as Embarcadero Marina Park North and Embarcadero Marina Park South. You will also often find quite a few street artists, as well as musicians playing in this area.

The Maritime Museum of San Diego is on the Embarcadero, as well. You can check out and even board and explore a wide range of ships, including the HMS Surprise, the USS Dolphin (a submarine), and the supposedly haunted Star of India.

Travel in Style

Of course, you need to realize that these are just some of the countless sights and attractions the San Diego area can offer. This doesn’t begin to talk about all of the restaurants, places to shop, things to see, etc., the city has to offer. From amusement parks to aquariums, hiking trails, and everything in between, there truly is something for everyone.

They call this America’s Finest City, and once you visit, you’ll see that it’s not just hyperbole. You can come back to the city time and again and always find fun and new things to enjoy. How are you going to spend your time?

When traveling to your vacation destinations, whether you are in San Diego or elsewhere, you will want to make sure that you choose to travel in style. If you don’t want to drive on your own, consider taking a limo or black car service to some of your destinations.

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