15 Fun Things to Do in San Diego

Of all the places states in the U.S., none hold more thrill and appeal than sunny California. People dream of moving here, songs are written for this state, and even the stars settle down to Earth here.

San Diego California is one of the most sought after places to be in this gorgeous state. In fact, there are so many things to do here you’re not likely to get bored anytime soon. The beaches, of course, and the surf are one of the first things people go for in this city, but still, once in a while it’s good to get a break from surfing and sun and take in a few of the sights. Here is a list of the top fifteen things to do in San Diego when you’re ready for a break from the sand.

#1 Zoo

Every city has a zoo, but few compare to the marvelous San Diego Zoo. This amazing zoo has almost four thousand animals to admire and one of the best caregiving facilities in the world. As a matter of fact, they just delivered a baby gorilla by Cesarean. This is definitely the place for animal lovers to see.

#2 Museum of Man

Are you a student of Anthropology? Are you fascinated by the human nature and people in general? If so, then you must go to the Museum of Man! Are you into Ancient Egypt? They’ve got it. Are you into female empowerment? They’ve got that, too. There’s even a special exhibit on torture devices.

#3 Legoland

Every kid loves Legoland, and every kid at heart loves it, too! Don’t be a square, go and see some of the most amazing Lego creations in the world! Let your inner kid run free!

#4 Hollywood Behind the Scenes Tour

Who doesn’t want to know what goes on behind the scenes? If you’re a movie lover (or a serious fan of the stars and starlets), you must go on a Behind the Scenes tour!

#5 Knott’s Berry Farm

Contrary to what you might think, this isn’t just a place to go and buy jam. Knott’s Berry farm is a fun-filled amusement park with live entertainment, roller coaster rides, a Snoopy (yes, the beloved pup) camp, and an out of this world water park! There’s definitely more than berries at Knott’s!

#6 Natural History Museum

For all of you who are into museums (and who adore the idea of spending a day surrounded by dinosaurs and history exhibits), the Natural History Museum is the place for you! Unlike many of the newer tourist attractions, the Natural History Museum has been here since the late 1800’s and shows a fascinating a look at some of the most amazing pieces of history.

#7 Whale Watching

Love the water but tired of surfing? Give whale watching a try! One of the best things about San Diego is that unlike any of the Midwest states, you can actually go whale watching here. There’s nothing quite as heart racing as seeing the giant tail of a gray whale as it makes its annual migratory move across the coastline.

#8 Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum

Did you ever want to be Maverick in Top Gun? Are you kind of fascinated with military history or have a Battleship addiction? Even if you’re not into action movies, the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum is definitely a thing to put on your to-do list. You could easily spend hours upon hours here on this jet carrier museum playing with gadgets and listening to tales. It’s also family friendly fun for those of you who have kids.

#9 Gaslamp Quarter Walking Tour

Every city has a special place for people to walk comfortably, socialize and hang out. For San Diego, this is the Gaslamp Quarter. Back in the day, the Gaslamp Quarter was filled with saloons and brothels, now that times have changed the Gaslamp Quarter is full of shops and clubs. It’s the perfect place to walk around and get some shopping done while still admiring the gorgeous nineteenth century architecture.

#10 Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds

Not everything is all water fun in San Diego, and if you’re looking for something that keeps your feet on the ground you might want to try the Del Mar racetrack and Fairgrounds. Here you can spend the day betting on your favorite horse (which is actually much fancier than you might think).

#11 Hang Glide at Torrey Pines

Now that you’ve done something on the water, and had your feet firmly planted on the ground, how about spending some time in the air? Torrey Pines is the best place for hang gliding, and for a very inexpensive fee you can get a day pass!

#12 Belmont Park at Mission Beach

Belmont Park is probably the best ocean front amusement park on the planet. It has everything from amusement park games and rides to laser tag! You can surf the waves at the park pool and then spend the evening playing putt-putt. There’s something for everyone here.

#13 Museum of Art

The San Diego Museum of Art has some of the finest art collections in the state. This is definitely the place to go if you want a quiet and relaxing afternoon, and the place to be for art appreciation. The Museum of Art carries all sorts of exhibits from American contemporary to Asian and African.

#14 Civic Theatre

The San Diego Civic Theatre is the place to go for opera aficionados. This beautiful theatre has amazing acoustics and breathtaking performances, and is definitely not to be missed.

#15 Air and Space Museum

One of the best things to do in San Diego is visit the Air and Space Museum. From biplanes to dirigibles, the Air and Space Museum is one of the best places to visit in San Diego and a place to escape the world for a few hours and live in your imagination.

There are hundreds of fantastic things to do in San Diego, and with the gorgeous weather you’re going to want to get out and explore this wonderful city. So tell us, what are your San Diego plans?