Unique Things To Do | Tourist Attractions | Weekend Itinerary | Top Beaches to Visit in 2024
Updated on April 19th, 2024 | By: Grace Kim
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San Diego, the oldest town in California, also known to be filled with the most alluring sunsets that overlook the countless number of beaches along the coast, holds one of California’s most popular attraction spots. Whether you want to make a trip with your kids or visit for the weekend, the city is full of the best tourist attractions in California.
As a visitor from the east coast, 65 degrees weather in December seems pretty promising for me to rock shorts and a sweater. However, for the locals, it looked like people were weather confused wearing jackets and flip flops, or tank tops with Uggs all across Gaslamp Quarter and Sunset Cliffs.
When you are in San Diego, the one thing you do not want to forget to do is to rent a car. If you plan out the trip correctly, everything is about 20 minutes apart from each other. And trust me, you’ll be able to squeeze more activities than you can imagine! Renting a car will also save you so much money as opposed to calling taxis to every destination.
Where's the best place to stay in San Diego?
Before getting into seeing the best places to visit in San Diego, where is the best place to stay? During my visit, I stayed at the Kimpton Alma and I only have good things to say about this hotel. It is smack in the middle of downtown, I felt safe, the staff was amazing, there was complimentary wine, and the room was spectacular and I mean, if having a balcony view with a yoga mat doesn’t sell you, then I don’t know what would.
Whenever I decide to visit San Diego again, I know that I’m booking my stay here again. It’s walking distance to so many cute cafes, restaurants, and bars.
I also have to note that I actually got this room for free as a complimentary night using my IHG Premier Card. With this card, you’re able to get a free night every year and felt that it was worth every penny during my visit! Sign up for the IHG Premier Card here.Â
Below are the 15 Top-Rated Tourist Attraction spots and unique landmarks in San Diego, California:
1. Balboa Park
Balboa Park holds a mixture of historical buildings, museums, events, gardens, performing arts, shopping, recreation and food & drinks, which defines the amazing cultural park. You can spend a good chunk of the day here, especially because it holds the world-famous, San Diego Zoo. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to go to the zoo, but I’ve only heard great things about how big the zoo is and the countless number of animals there! And if you are planning on visiting the zoo, I heard that you probably need the whole day explore the entire zoo.
Fun Fact: San Diego was the second city in the USA to build a huge park, right next to Central Park in New York City.
Fun Fact: San Diego was the second city in the USA to build a huge park, right next to Central Park in New York City.
2. Potato Chip Rock
Your trip will not be complete if you did not hike up Potato Chip. You probably get nervous looking at pictures of people standing on a thin rock that looks like it will break in seconds. The rock is actually pretty sturdy and not too hard to get on top of. You do, however, have to maneuver yourself in between rocks to get to the tip, but there is enough room for you to do a little dance on top.
How do you get to Potato Chip Rock? There are 2 ways to get to the top.
1. If you want a nice exercise, hike up from Lake Poway. The Poway Wilderness Picnic Area Trail is 8 miles long and will take you about 3-4 hours.
2. Take the back route and the hike is only 3.75 miles round trip. This trail starts from SR-67.
How do you get to Potato Chip Rock? There are 2 ways to get to the top.
1. If you want a nice exercise, hike up from Lake Poway. The Poway Wilderness Picnic Area Trail is 8 miles long and will take you about 3-4 hours.
2. Take the back route and the hike is only 3.75 miles round trip. This trail starts from SR-67.
3. Gaslamp Quarter
If there are things you want to do in San Diego at night, change up the scenery and experience the city life. Rent out a Lime Bike and go tour the downtown neighborhood known for their infamous clubs, dive bars, outdoor restaurants and cafes, cute little coffee shops & bakeries in every corner, and a storm trooper at a dog show if you’re lucky like me.
If you take the time to walk down the city, every single hostess will greet you, even if you are not eating at their restaurant. San Diego has the friendliest people and are so open talking to you. I think I had at least 3 genuine conversations with people in the span of 20 minutes.
If you take the time to walk down the city, every single hostess will greet you, even if you are not eating at their restaurant. San Diego has the friendliest people and are so open talking to you. I think I had at least 3 genuine conversations with people in the span of 20 minutes.
4. Torrey Pines State Park
If you want to enjoy a small trail, Torrey Pines State Reserve offers just that for you. The trail is uphill so don’t forget to wear your running shoes. Or, if you just want to relax at the beach, Torrey Pines offers both activities.
Because the trail is made up of 6 trails that vary based on intensity, make sure you pick and choose the most reasonable trail for you.
1. Guy Fleming Trail (0.67 miles)
2. Razor Point Trail (0.67 miles)
3. Beach Trail (0.75 miles)
4. Broken Hill Trail (1.3 miles)
5. Parry Grove (0.5 miles)
6. High Point Trail (0.1 miles)
What you should know prior to choosing which route to take is that in order to even enter the Reserve, you either need to pay for parking ($12-$15 in the main lot), or you need to pay for your car to enter the Reserve.
And of course once you get to the top, the views are absolutely insane. I remember getting mindless at the top because of how incredible the scenery was. It’s also a very kid friendly place if you are traveling as a family.
FUN FACT: Torrey Pine is the rarest pine tree in the US!
Because the trail is made up of 6 trails that vary based on intensity, make sure you pick and choose the most reasonable trail for you.
1. Guy Fleming Trail (0.67 miles)
2. Razor Point Trail (0.67 miles)
3. Beach Trail (0.75 miles)
4. Broken Hill Trail (1.3 miles)
5. Parry Grove (0.5 miles)
6. High Point Trail (0.1 miles)
What you should know prior to choosing which route to take is that in order to even enter the Reserve, you either need to pay for parking ($12-$15 in the main lot), or you need to pay for your car to enter the Reserve.
And of course once you get to the top, the views are absolutely insane. I remember getting mindless at the top because of how incredible the scenery was. It’s also a very kid friendly place if you are traveling as a family.
FUN FACT: Torrey Pine is the rarest pine tree in the US!
5. Ho Chi Minh Trail
Not the most popular trail, but if you are a nature lover, you will regret it if you didn’t hike up Ho Chi Minh. The trail up is a bit scary since there are no rails and it would hurt if you did fall down, but there are branches that you can grab that will help keep your balance while getting to the top.
In this image, the little trail that you see in the far middle will lead you to one of the most beautiful views in San Diego. Look to your left and you will can feel the unending breeze of the ocean. Look to your right and you will see people on hot balloons.
To get to Ho Chi Minh, you have to drive through a very residential neighborhood. There is a tight entrance and small walkway to the trail, but once you’re in, the trail should take you no more than 15-20 minutes up. Hands down my favorite part of the trip.
In this image, the little trail that you see in the far middle will lead you to one of the most beautiful views in San Diego. Look to your left and you will can feel the unending breeze of the ocean. Look to your right and you will see people on hot balloons.
To get to Ho Chi Minh, you have to drive through a very residential neighborhood. There is a tight entrance and small walkway to the trail, but once you’re in, the trail should take you no more than 15-20 minutes up. Hands down my favorite part of the trip.
6. La Jolla Cove
How many beaches are there in this world that has a line of sea lions laying around the shore?! Not too many! La Jolla has hundreds of professional models (sea lions) that love to pose for the camera, and are not ashamed of showing it!
These adorable animals are super friendly as you can get as close to just a couple of feet away from them. A lot of them love to sleep and get a ton of Vitamin C coming from the sun, and others just enjoy playing with the tides along the water.
These adorable animals are super friendly as you can get as close to just a couple of feet away from them. A lot of them love to sleep and get a ton of Vitamin C coming from the sun, and others just enjoy playing with the tides along the water.
7. Ocean Beach
Unlike any other beach, Ocean Beach was one of the more relaxing beaches with the most SoCal vibes. Glance around the area and you’ll see people catching the sunset, artists painting the seamless waves, and fishermen by the pier.
Nearby Ocean Beach, there’s Newport Ave that is lined up with a bunch of shops, beachwear, and food of course. My last meal in San Diego was at Hodads and I literally had the thickest chocolate milkshake. #MMMM
Nearby Ocean Beach, there’s Newport Ave that is lined up with a bunch of shops, beachwear, and food of course. My last meal in San Diego was at Hodads and I literally had the thickest chocolate milkshake. #MMMM
8. Sunny Jim's Sea Cave
From afar, the cave looks super monstrous, takes you aback and claws your attention to how beautiful this 100-year old sea cave is. If I ever come back to San Diego, I would definitely swing by the insides of the cave during low tide.
The left picture was taken as I was taking a stroll along the sidewalk, but didn’t have enough time to go below and get a shot of the cave like on the right. Photo credits to this talented photographer!
The left picture was taken as I was taking a stroll along the sidewalk, but didn’t have enough time to go below and get a shot of the cave like on the right. Photo credits to this talented photographer!
9. Mission Beach
Kate getting pictures of all the beautiful surfers & a Small Shop along the pier
What makes Mission Beach stick out is the row of restaurants along the sand and the walkway with the rows of condos. I was utterly confused because the walkway had rows and rows of homes and cars – something that you usually don’t see on beaches. People actually lived in these condos too! Weren’t even for rent! Insane.
At the end of the pier, we ended up admiring the surfers for as long as our eyes would let us. We were just confused because it was just a few days away from Christmas and people were wearing Santa Hats with flip flops… as we were admiring the rows and rows of surfers. Another thing about Mission Beach was that everyone was super kind, always topless + in great shape. Mission accomplished at Mission Beach? I think so!
At the end of the pier, we ended up admiring the surfers for as long as our eyes would let us. We were just confused because it was just a few days away from Christmas and people were wearing Santa Hats with flip flops… as we were admiring the rows and rows of surfers. Another thing about Mission Beach was that everyone was super kind, always topless + in great shape. Mission accomplished at Mission Beach? I think so!
10. Stuart Collection
This tilted house is a public art figure located within Stuart Collection, UC San Diego’s campus.
Unless you find parking far away from this art work, make sure that you come with a friend so that someone can wait in the car while you run out and find this secretive house. I came with a friend and one of us ran to find the house so we could avoid getting a ticket… or possibly getting towed!
Unless you find parking far away from this art work, make sure that you come with a friend so that someone can wait in the car while you run out and find this secretive house. I came with a friend and one of us ran to find the house so we could avoid getting a ticket… or possibly getting towed!
11. Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
If you are looking for a new, picturesque photo for the gram, you probably want to swing by this bridge. It’s a quaint little bridge that connects two quiet neighborhoods together – a quick little vlog spot. Great thing is that even if you’re afraid of heights (like me), this bridge is super safe and doesn’t wobble as much as images show it to be like!
12. Sunset Cliffs
Out of the countless beaches in San Diego, Sunset Cliffs will provide you with one of the most beautiful sunsets. I mean, it’s in the name, isn’t it?!
The orange colors blend in so nicely with the clear blue waters as it fades silently as the short frame of the rays come to pass.
The orange colors blend in so nicely with the clear blue waters as it fades silently as the short frame of the rays come to pass.
13. Old Town Market
Very historic marketplace full of restarants, shops + AMAZING Mexican food.
Visit Old Town Market at night and watch performances and dance to salsa music. Eat the freshest empanadas and tostones (fried plantains), and tour around all the little shops.
This hot sauce company, Hot Licks located in the middle of Old Town Market was one of the bigger staples for me in the market. The owner of the shop started off his hot sauce career in New York and moved over to San Diego to pursue and open up his shop. Him and his wife actually created all the hot sauce flavors in the store and challenges you to taste the hot sauces that literally get hotter and hotter… as a spice lover myself, the hot sauces were SUPER rich in flavor and were just the perfect amount of sweet. If I didn’t only have a backpack as my carry on, I probably would’ve shipped over at least 5 hot sauces with me!
Visit Old Town Market at night and watch performances and dance to salsa music. Eat the freshest empanadas and tostones (fried plantains), and tour around all the little shops.
This hot sauce company, Hot Licks located in the middle of Old Town Market was one of the bigger staples for me in the market. The owner of the shop started off his hot sauce career in New York and moved over to San Diego to pursue and open up his shop. Him and his wife actually created all the hot sauce flavors in the store and challenges you to taste the hot sauces that literally get hotter and hotter… as a spice lover myself, the hot sauces were SUPER rich in flavor and were just the perfect amount of sweet. If I didn’t only have a backpack as my carry on, I probably would’ve shipped over at least 5 hot sauces with me!
14. Sea Port Village
San Diego’s Seaport Village is a beautiful area to relax and site-see, rent out a Lime Bike and ride around the harbor, eat at restaurants overlooking the water, and listen to talented musicians while buying souvenirs for friends and family back home.
Seaport Village is open every single day, so don’t forget to bring a picnic basket or a kite to fly. It’s a nice and easy walk, so be prepared to check out the 50 unique shops and 13 restaurants, like the Pier Cafe that is supported by pillars on the water.
Seaport Village is open every single day, so don’t forget to bring a picnic basket or a kite to fly. It’s a nice and easy walk, so be prepared to check out the 50 unique shops and 13 restaurants, like the Pier Cafe that is supported by pillars on the water.
15. Tijuana Border
If you enjoy history, visiting this border is not as many would think. Walking up to the border actually broke my heart because of all the people on the other side helplessly looking to the US with desperation in their eyes to cross the border.
So how do you get there? There is a small, undefined parking lot about a mile away from the border. We actually had to take the long route because there were huge puddles of water from a rain storm the week before that prevented us from walking the shorter route. Regardless, we walked the longer route and came across people who were riding horses to the beach… Is this also a San Diego thing?!
Approaching the border, there were guards on the top hill ensuring that nothing crazy was happening. The guard actually stopped us from getting too close to the border, but that was about it. There is also an outside area with a bathroom + seating with plaques that briefly talks about the history of the border. Little history lesson for you if you want to know the full on story behind the border! And as you are making your way over, don’t forget to turn your phone on Airplane Mode – I got a text message verifying that I entered into another country.
FUN FACT: The end of this border is only the beginning of a border that stretches 1,954 miles and ends in Texas.
So how do you get there? There is a small, undefined parking lot about a mile away from the border. We actually had to take the long route because there were huge puddles of water from a rain storm the week before that prevented us from walking the shorter route. Regardless, we walked the longer route and came across people who were riding horses to the beach… Is this also a San Diego thing?!
Approaching the border, there were guards on the top hill ensuring that nothing crazy was happening. The guard actually stopped us from getting too close to the border, but that was about it. There is also an outside area with a bathroom + seating with plaques that briefly talks about the history of the border. Little history lesson for you if you want to know the full on story behind the border! And as you are making your way over, don’t forget to turn your phone on Airplane Mode – I got a text message verifying that I entered into another country.
FUN FACT: The end of this border is only the beginning of a border that stretches 1,954 miles and ends in Texas.
And because in San Diego is 20 minutes away from each other, parking and driving was very accessible. There was absolutely no traffic anywhere we went (or we just got lucky with time), and everyone in San Diego is just absolutely beautiful.
Would I take another trip to San Diego? Absolutely. If I had another full day, I would’ve definitely taken a visit over to the San Diego Zoo, but that gives me another excuse to go back!
Even after a few months of being back on the East Coast from San Diego, I couldn’t stop going through my pictures and videos of my adventures in the beautiful city. I’m still reminiscing and posting pictures from my San Diego trip.
Hope you plan out your trip out well and squeeze as many things as you can. Even though it looks like a lot to do on this itinerary, I promise you can fit everything in just a long weekend. 4 nights + 5 days would be the perfect amount of time to hit all the landmarks, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Oh, and if you’re lucky, you might even be able to bump into Pitbull 😉 Cheers to Ugg Boots and tank tops in 65 degree weather!
Would I take another trip to San Diego? Absolutely. If I had another full day, I would’ve definitely taken a visit over to the San Diego Zoo, but that gives me another excuse to go back!
Even after a few months of being back on the East Coast from San Diego, I couldn’t stop going through my pictures and videos of my adventures in the beautiful city. I’m still reminiscing and posting pictures from my San Diego trip.
Hope you plan out your trip out well and squeeze as many things as you can. Even though it looks like a lot to do on this itinerary, I promise you can fit everything in just a long weekend. 4 nights + 5 days would be the perfect amount of time to hit all the landmarks, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Oh, and if you’re lucky, you might even be able to bump into Pitbull 😉 Cheers to Ugg Boots and tank tops in 65 degree weather!
