Located on the west coast of the United States, San Diego is a beautiful city known for its beaches and warm weather. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities and attractions.
One of the best places to visit in San Diego is Old Town State Park. This park offers a number of museums and exhibits that tell the history of the city. In addition, it has restored historic buildings that house restaurants and art galleries.
Another historical site to visit is Old Point Loma. The lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction.
One of the oldest active sailing ships in the world is the Star of India. It was built in 1863 and sailed from Great Britain to New Zealand. There are several museums and exhibits to learn about the ship.
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a beautiful natural area. The 68-acre coastal bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean offer breathtaking views. You can take a self-guided tour or book a guided nature walk.
For a more active experience, try hiking one of the many trails. Some wind around the marshes for miles while others are short treks. Each trail is different in both terrain and difficulty.
Several different types of art are on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. With a selection of art from international artists, you’re sure to find something that speaks to your interests. Guests can also attend special events.
Other attractions include the San Diego Zoo, which is home to hundreds of animals. Also, visitors can go on a tour of the zoo.
San Diego Zoo
When visiting San Diego, don’t forget to check out the San Diego Zoo. The zoo’s open-air, cageless exhibits offer visitors a glimpse of the animal kingdom. A zoo is an educational and entertaining experience for both children and adults.
If you are planning to visit the zoo, it’s a good idea to arrive early. Animals tend to be most active in the morning, so plan to be there during this time. It’s also a good idea to plan your day around keeper presentations.
Another option is to take a guided bus tour of the zoo. This will help you find the exhibits that interest you the most. You can also purchase a zoo pass that lets you spend half a day at the zoo.
One of the most popular attractions at the zoo is the polar bear plunge. You can get a closer look at polar bears than you ever thought possible. Visitors can also explore the underwater viewing room, where they can swim with these majestic animals.
For another unique experience, try the 4-D theater. You can see a number of popular animal-themed movies here. These are accompanied by real-life actors who bring the animals to life.
While at the zoo, make sure to try some local craft beer. These beers are available in a variety of bars and restaurants in San Diego. Some popular spots include South Park and Banker’s Hill.
Besides the zoo, don’t forget to visit Balboa Park. This 1,400-acre park contains numerous museums and attractions.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is an urban oasis that offers a variety of fun things to do. This park is located between the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the Natural History Museum. It is also home to a variety of art galleries.
The park is divided into three distinct sections. In the north, you will find the Spanish Village, a historic neighborhood. Hundreds of working artists reside in the area. A central courtyard hosts workshops and musical performances on weekends.
To the south, you will find the Botanical Garden. As one of the largest wooden lath structures in the world, the building is filled with thousands of exotic plants. You can also tour the cactus garden, a must-see attraction for visitors to the park.
Another favorite is the Mingei International Museum, which focuses on the art of the people. It is a free museum that features a full-service restaurant.
If you are looking for more museums, there are many more to choose from. Many of these museums are independently run. Others require paid admission. For more information on a specific museum, you can look for information on the website.
Balboa Park is also home to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. The museum has over 27,000 square feet of layouts. There are over 2000 different rose bushes in bloom, which can be found throughout the museum. They are also surrounded by a children’s area with plenty of buttons to push.
Several of the Balboa Park attractions are free to visit. However, you should still consider purchasing a multi-day pass.
USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum is a must-see for history buffs. Located in San Diego, the ship is a floating museum that explains the history of the aircraft carrier. During the 47 years that the vessel was in service, it hosted more than 200,000 sailors. Its crew consumed 13,000 meals a day.
The USS Midway was the largest naval vessel in the world for ten years. It was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, but moved to the Pacific Ocean in the early 1950s.
Visitors can explore the ship’s various levels, and its flight deck is a favorite among fans. It has a large variety of fighter jets and helicopters.
If you’re interested in learning more about the ship’s history, you can take a guided tour with a knowledgeable docent. Docents have extensive knowledge of military history, and many are veterans themselves.
You can also enjoy a self-guided audio tour, narrated by former sailors. This audio guide will cover a lot of ground, and takes about three hours to complete.
A visit to the USS Midway Museum will give you a glimpse of naval history and serve as a reminder of how important the relationship is between the military and the civilian population. There are dozens of exhibits, including historical artifacts and over 30 historic aircraft.
The ship also offers many special events, and educational programs for children. The museum hosts traveling exhibitions. Moreover, it offers professional development for schools and overnight stays.
SeaWorld San Diego
Located in San Diego, SeaWorld is a fun family-friendly theme park. It’s full of animals, rides, and exhibits. There are many different kinds of rides, including roller coasters. The park is located right next to the beach.
SeaWorld offers several types of tours. They are customized to your interests, and some include up-close encounters with marine animals. Guests can choose a tour that includes transportation to and from the park. In addition, SeaWorld also offers behind-the-scenes tours.
You can visit the park in the morning or afternoon. During the afternoon, you can watch the dolphin and orca shows. While the dolphin show features some lighthearted and humorous moments, the orca show demonstrates the speed and attachment of these animals.
SeaWorld has some amazing water rides, too. Rides such as Journey to Atlantis and Shipwreck Rapids offer water play that is safe and exciting. Kids can also visit the splash pad.
To get the best experience at SeaWorld, make sure you dress in comfortable clothes. Wear sun protection. Also, plan on bringing your own swimsuit and a change of clothing.
Be sure to check out the park’s website and app for a show schedule. Make sure to leave plenty of time to arrive at the park. This means that you will need to take some time to get through security and parking. Additionally, you will need to have your tickets scannable and ready for your visit.
Visiting SeaWorld is one of the best ways to introduce your kids to the world of marine life. There are many opportunities to interact with animals, and you can also participate in feedings.
LEGOLAND
The LEGOLAND theme park is one of the most popular attractions in California. It is operated by Merlin Entertainments, one of the world’s largest family attraction groups.
Featuring more than 60 attractions and rides, Legoland offers fun for kids of all ages. Visitors can also find a SEA LIFE Aquarium to enjoy. This aquarium is located to the left of the main LEGOLAND entrance. It participates in animal rescue and conservation programs. You can purchase tickets to the aquarium as part of a LEGOLAND Hopper Pass.
LEGOLAND’s attractions are all designed to promote kid-friendly fun. They offer a variety of rides, including the LEGOLAND California Adventure ride, which is the perfect starter roller coaster for kids.
LEGOLAND California is a 128-acre site geared towards children. You can get discounts on tickets if you arrive early. In addition, you can choose to add on a park hopper pass.
There are a variety of different restaurants to choose from. You can eat outside or in the restaurants inside the park. Some restaurants have special dietary restrictions, but LEGOLAND will let you switch places if you aren’t able to eat in a certain restaurant.
Kids love to play with LEGO Minifigures. You can trade Minifigures with other LEGOLAND visitors and model citizens. Guests can buy new Minifigs at the Minifigure Market, which is found near the entrance of the park.
The LEGOLAND California Resort is fully ADA compliant. If you have a disability or need assistance, you can ask for help at the park’s guest services desk.
Cabrillo National Monument
The Cabrillo National Monument is located in San Diego on the west coast of California. It has a lot to offer its visitors. One of the main attractions is the Old Point Lighthouse.
The lighthouse is restored to its 1880s appearance. Inside the lighthouse you will find informative exhibits, including an exhibition on the life of light keepers. There is also a WWII radio station with a military history exhibit.
Another highlight is the ocean view. A turnout overlooking the Pacific offers a bench and breathtaking views. Visitors can rent binoculars in season for a small fee.
Cabrillo National Monument is home to a variety of marine life. Gray whales migrate by the park every winter, and you can often spot them with a pair of binoculars. They travel from the Arctic to Baja, then back to the Arctic in the spring.
You can find many exhibits at the Visitor’s Center that cover the history of the park and Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. The center also hosts daily programs in the auditorium. Some of the films show in the theater include “On the Edge of Land and Sea” and “First Bree: Gray Whales“.
Other exhibits are available to explore, including interactive ones in the Assistant Keeper’s Quarters. You can take a walk on a hiking trail that leads to some of the tide pools. If you don’t have time to hike, you can just enjoy the scenery and the peaceful atmosphere.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
The Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is the site of many historic structures and historical sites. It was the first European settlement on the West Coast. In addition, it is the site of the oldest city in California. There are many interesting historic locations, buildings, and museums in the park.
Several of the original houses in Old Town are now museums. They feature artifacts that help to portray the life of the people in the early 18th century. Some of these museums are more in-depth than others.
One of the most notable buildings in Old Town is the Whaley House, which was built in 1865. It is the oldest brick structure in San Diego. It was used as a county courthouse and is now furnished with period pieces.
Another building in Old Town is the Mason Street School. This school was built in 1865 and features displays and demonstrations of gold-making, as well as history.
The Robinson-Rose House is another historic building in Old Town. It was founded by Judge James W. Robinson in 1853. Originally, the two-story structure was made of adobe on the first floor and wood on the second. For a while, the house was a jail. Today it is the visitor’s center. A model of the town in 1872 is also on display.
Visitors can also learn more about the history of San Diego by visiting the Mormon Battalion museum. Built to commemorate the Mormon Battalion’s journey from Iowa to San Diego, the museum has an interactive video and artifacts.
Seaport Village
Seaport Village is a shopping and dining complex that’s located on San Diego’s waterfront. It offers more than 50 unique shops and restaurants. Many of the stores cater to tourists and offer unique souvenirs.
You can also enjoy live entertainment. The complex is home to 13 pubs and a few upscale restaurants.
There are plenty of family-friendly activities as well. Seaport Village is a great place to visit during the holiday season. During this time, there are festive events and special shows.
Another fun activity is to take a walk on the Embarcadero Trail. This trail runs from Seaport Village to Little Italy. It’s a nice walk through the waterfront district, passing many attractions and tall buildings.
If you’re looking to do some sightseeing, you can join one of the San Diego sightseeing tours. These tours include hop-on, hop-off privileges, so you can tour the city at your leisure. Several of the tours stop at Seaport Village.
You can also rent a cruiser bicycle. Wheel Fun Rentals is located on the waterfront behind the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. They rent bikes for kids and adults, as well as hybrids and specialty cycles. Since they’re still at the same price since last year, they’re a good deal.
If you’re interested in art, there are galleries and a few art classes offered. For more shopping, you can check out San Pasqual Winery or the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market. Located in the harborside docks of Seaport Village, the market offers fresh seafood and aqua-farmed seaweed.
