USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket
This entry ticket gets you into the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. Spend your visit exploring the museum and its sights at your own pace.
from $39per person
Check availability →
Things to Do in San Diego
San Diego spreads out, and that is the whole planning problem. The zoo and a campus of museums share one park above downtown, the Navy's history is tied up along the Embarcadero, the beaches run north from Coronado through Mission Bay to Oceanside, and the busiest land border crossing in the hemisphere sits at the southern end of the Blue Line trolley. This page sorts the options by what you get for the time and the money.
Every rating and review count here comes from the live listing, not from us.
The Best Things to Do in San Diego Right Now
A shortlist is a sorting exercise, not a popularity contest. The zoo buys a full day and a hill you will walk twice. A harbor cruise buys the bay explained from the water, which is the only angle that makes sense of a working Navy port. A kayak trip at La Jolla buys the sea caves and a wetsuit. The carrier at the Embarcadero buys a self-guided morning below deck. The picks below lead with the listings carrying the most reviews behind them, which is the closest thing to an honest proxy for what people here actually book, and every figure beside them is read off the live booking page rather than remembered.
Taste of Little Italy
Little Italy · 30-minute food tour of San Diego's Little Italy
Spend 30 minutes on this food tour of Little Italy in San Diego. Walk through the neighborhood and stop to taste food along the way. It is rated 5 by 1040 reviewers.
from $93per person Check availability →
USS Midway Museum Admission
the Embarcadero · USS Midway Museum admission, valid any date
Visit the USS Midway Museum with admission valid any date. Allow 2 to 5 hours for your visit, with prices starting from $41. It holds a 4.9 rating from 2328 reviews.
from $41per person Check availability →
Small-Group Sunset Sailing
Point Loma · 3 hour small group sunset sailing excursion
Join a small group aboard a sailboat for a 3 hour sunset sailing excursion in San Diego. The excursion carries a 4.9 rating from 638 reviews.
from $127per person Check availability →
Harbor Speed Boat Adventure
Point Loma · 2 hour San Diego Harbor speedboat ride
Climb aboard a speedboat for a 2 hour ride across the waters of San Diego Harbor. The adventure carries a 4.8 rating from 764 reviews.
from $89per person Check availability →
Zoo Admission Ticket
San Diego · Admission ticket to the San Diego Zoo
Use this admission ticket to visit the San Diego Zoo. Wander the grounds and see what the zoo has to offer during your visit.
from $78per person Check availability →
Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour
San Diego · Narrated hop-on hop-off trolley tour of San Diego, valid for 2 days
Tour San Diego on a narrated trolley and hop on and off along the way. Your ticket is valid for 2 days, so you can plan your sightseeing around your stay.
from $57per person Check availability →
SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus
San Diego · 1h 40m San Diego city tour by amphibious bus
Ride the amphibious bus on this 1h 40m city tour of San Diego. Sit back and enjoy the views as the bus carries you along the route.
from $55.59per person Check availability →
City Lights Night Trolley Tour
San Diego · Night trolley tour of San Diego city lights, 1h 30m
See San Diego's city lights from a trolley on this night tour. The ride lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and travels through the city after dark.
from $49per person Check availability →
Harbor Cruise
the Embarcadero · 1 hour harbor cruise in San Diego
This 1 hour cruise takes you around the San Diego harbor. Sit back, take in the sights, and enjoy the views as you ride along the water.
from $37per person Check availability →
Haunted: The Only Ghost Tour
San Diego · 55 minute San Diego ghost tour with exclusive entry
Take a 55 minute ghost tour through San Diego with exclusive entry included. The tour carries a 4.6 rating from 641 reviews.
from $58per person Check availability →
La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour
La Jolla · 2 hour kayak tour of the La Jolla sea caves
Paddle a kayak out to the La Jolla sea caves on this 2 hour tour. Take in the scenery as you go and enjoy your time on the water.
from $79per person Check availability →
LEGOLAND California Theme Park
Carlsbad · Admission to LEGOLAND California Theme Park, 1 to 2 days
Use these admission tickets to visit LEGOLAND California Theme Park. Plan for 1 to 2 days at the park, with prices starting from $69. It holds a 4.3 rating from 2090 reviews.
from $69per person Check availability →
Harbor Dinner Cruise
the Embarcadero · 3 hour San Diego Harbor dinner cruise
Dine aboard a boat during a 3 hour cruise across San Diego Harbor. The dinner cruise carries a 4.1 rating from 1336 reviews.
from $125.70per person Check availability →Things to Do in San Diego by Kind
Most of these do not compete with each other so much as suit different days. A whale-watch and a brewery crawl answer nothing like the same question, and putting them in one ranked list helps nobody. The grid below groups everything bookable on this site by what kind of thing it is, so you can rule out four groups in a glance and then compare inside the one that fits. Each group leads with its most reviewed listing.
Attraction Tickets
6 options
Theme Parks
3 options
Harbor Cruises and Sailing
8 options
Speedboats and Jet Skis
4 options
Kayaking, Snorkeling and Surfing
6 options
Food and Brewery Tours
7 options
Guided City Tours
7 options
Segway, E-Bike and GoCar Tours
4 options
Wine Country Tours
3 options
Day Trips Out of the City
5 options
Free and Tip-Based Walks
4 options
Attraction Tickets
These are gate tickets rather than guided days out: you turn up, you go in, you leave when you are done. The carrier and the ballpark run to a couple of hours, the zoo and the safari park will take most of one, and the pass only pays for itself if you move through its list quickly.
USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket
This entry ticket gets you into the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. Spend your visit exploring the museum and its sights at your own pace.
from $39per person
Check availability →
USS Midway Museum Admission
the Embarcadero · USS Midway Museum admission, valid any date
Visit the USS Midway Museum with admission valid any date. Allow 2 to 5 hours for your visit, with prices starting from $41. It holds a 4.9 rating from 2328 reviews.
from $41per person Check availability →Zoo Admission Ticket
San Diego · Admission ticket to the San Diego Zoo
Use this admission ticket to visit the San Diego Zoo. Wander the grounds and see what the zoo has to offer during your visit.
from $78per person Check availability →
Petco Park Stadium Tour
East Village · 1h 20m stadium tour of Petco Park, home of the Padres
This 1h 20m tour takes visitors through Petco Park, home of the Padres. Walk the ballpark and see the stadium up close. The tour holds a 4.9 rating from 216 reviews.
from $42.50per person Check availability →
Zoo Safari Park Ticket
Escondido · 1-day ticket to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
This 1-day ticket covers admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Visitors can spend the day exploring the park, with tickets starting from $78. The experience holds a 4.4 rating from 324 reviews.
from $78per person Check availability →
CityPASS Save Up to 48%
San Diego · San Diego CityPASS with savings of up to 48%
Buy a CityPASS and save up to 48% on admission to San Diego attractions. Use the 1 day pass to visit the attractions it covers.
from $169per person Check availability →Theme Parks
A theme park is a whole day behind one gate, which is a different decision from a two-hour museum visit, so they sit in their own group. One is in the city on Mission Bay, the other two share a site more than thirty miles north in Carlsbad.
LEGOLAND California Theme Park
Use these admission tickets to visit LEGOLAND California Theme Park. Plan for 1 to 2 days at the park, with prices starting from $69. It holds a 4.3 rating from 2090 reviews.
from $69per person
Check availability →
SeaWorld Park
Mission Bay · SeaWorld Park admission ticket in San Diego
Spend the day at SeaWorld Park in San Diego with this admission ticket. Enter the theme park and explore its attractions during the visit.
from $85.67per person Check availability →
LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE
Carlsbad · 1 day admission to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium
Spend 1 day at LEGOLAND California with admission that includes SEA LIFE Aquarium. Explore the theme park, then visit the aquarium.
from $69per person Check availability →Harbor Cruises and Sailing
Somebody else handles the boat and the bay is the view. The short scenic loops are the cheapest way onto the water, the dinner boats fold a meal into the ride, and the sailing trips trade commentary for quiet. Whale watching runs to three hours and is the one that depends on the season.
Harbor Cruise
This 1 hour cruise takes you around the San Diego harbor. Sit back, take in the sights, and enjoy the views as you ride along the water.
from $37per person
Check availability →
Small-Group Sunset Sailing
Point Loma · 3 hour small group sunset sailing excursion
Join a small group aboard a sailboat for a 3 hour sunset sailing excursion in San Diego. The excursion carries a 4.9 rating from 638 reviews.
from $127per person Check availability →Harbor Dinner Cruise
the Embarcadero · 3 hour San Diego Harbor dinner cruise
Dine aboard a boat during a 3 hour cruise across San Diego Harbor. The dinner cruise carries a 4.1 rating from 1336 reviews.
from $125.70per person Check availability →
Bay Sunset and Daytime Sailing
Point Loma · 2-hour San Diego Bay sailing experience, sunset or daytime
Sail San Diego Bay on this 2-hour experience, offered at sunset or during the daytime. Relax on deck and take in the views, with tickets starting from $89. The sail holds a 4.9 rating from 184 reviews.
from $89per person Check availability →
Pier Fishing
San Diego · 2 hour San Diego pier fishing experience
Cast a line from a San Diego pier during this 2 hour fishing experience. The outing carries a 4.9 rating from 136 reviews.
from $74.99per person Check availability →
Best of the Bay Scenic Harbor
the Embarcadero · Scenic harbor cruise in San Diego, 1.5 hours
Take a 1.5 hour scenic cruise through the harbor of San Diego. Sightsee along the harbor and take in the scenery from the water on this boat tour.
from $36.01per person Check availability →
Whale Watch Cruise
San Diego · Whale watching cruise from San Diego, 3 hours
Go whale watching on a 3 hour cruise that departs from San Diego. Spend the time on the water looking out for whales throughout the trip.
from $34per person Check availability →
City Cruises Gourmet Dinner Cruise
the Embarcadero · 2.5-hour gourmet dinner cruise in San Diego
Spend 2.5 hours on a gourmet dinner cruise in San Diego. Enjoy the meal while the boat is out on the water, with tickets starting from $154.85. The cruise holds a 4.4 rating from 208 reviews.
from $154.85per person Check availability →Speedboats and Jet Skis
Speed is the product here, not the commentary. The shortest is a half-hour thrill ride, the longest lets you take the wheel yourself for two hours, and the jet ski hires out by the hour from the Coronado side of the bay.
Harbor Speed Boat Adventure
Climb aboard a speedboat for a 2 hour ride across the waters of San Diego Harbor. The adventure carries a 4.8 rating from 764 reviews.
from $89per person
Check availability →
Drive Your Own Speed Boat Tour
San Diego · 2 hour San Diego speed boat tour you drive yourself
Drive your own speed boat on a 2 hour tour in San Diego. Take the wheel and navigate the water yourself for the full 2 hours.
from $99.64per person Check availability →
Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride
the Embarcadero · Patriot jet boat thrill ride in San Diego, 30 minutes
Board the Patriot jet boat for a 30 minute thrill ride in San Diego. The speedboat heads out on the water and the ride is full of thrills from start to finish.
from $45per person Check availability →
Coronado: Bay Jetski Rental
Coronado · 1 hour San Diego Bay jet ski rental in Coronado
Rent a jet ski for 1 hour on San Diego Bay, starting from Coronado. Ride across the bay and spend your hour out on the water.
from $125per person Check availability →Kayaking, Snorkeling and Surfing
You are in the water rather than on it, and all of these run at La Jolla. The kayak trips work the sea caves, the snorkel trips work the cove and its sea lions, and the surf lessons take beginners out on the same stretch of coast.
La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour
Paddle a kayak out to the La Jolla sea caves on this 2 hour tour. Take in the scenery as you go and enjoy your time on the water.
from $79per person
Check availability →
La Jolla Cove Snorkeling Tour
La Jolla · 1h 30m snorkeling tour of La Jolla Cove with sea lions and caves
Go snorkeling at La Jolla Cove on this 1h 30m tour. The route takes in sea lions and caves, with tickets starting from $90. The tour holds a 4.9 rating from 155 reviews.
from $90per person Check availability →
La Jolla: Sea Cave Kayaking Tour
La Jolla · Guided La Jolla sea cave kayaking tour, 1h 30m
Join a guide for this 1h 30m La Jolla sea cave kayaking tour. Paddle a kayak out to the sea caves and back during the outing. The tour is rated 4.6 by 271 reviewers.
from $159per person Check availability →
La Jolla: Surfing Lesson
La Jolla · 1.5-hour surfing lesson in La Jolla
Take a 1.5-hour surfing lesson in La Jolla. Over the 1h 30m session, learn to surf and practice the skills covered in the lesson with instruction throughout.
from $149.76per person Check availability →
Learn to Surf in La Jolla
La Jolla · 30-minute surf lesson in La Jolla
Learn to surf in La Jolla during a 30-minute lesson. Prices start from $129, and the lesson holds a 4.8 rating from 64 reviews.
from $129per person Check availability →
La Jolla: Kayak and Snorkel Tour
La Jolla · Kayak and snorkel tour in La Jolla, 2h 30m
This 2h 30m La Jolla tour combines kayaking with snorkeling. Paddle a kayak, then get in the water to snorkel before the outing ends. It is rated 4.1 by 208 reviewers.
from $129per person Check availability →Food and Brewery Tours
Three neighborhoods carry almost all of the eating: the Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town for tacos and tequila, and Little Italy. The brewery tours are the outlier and the one San Diego is genuinely known for, one downtown and one built around North Park.
Taste of Little Italy
Spend 30 minutes on this food tour of Little Italy in San Diego. Walk through the neighborhood and stop to taste food along the way. It is rated 5 by 1040 reviewers.
from $93per person
Check availability →
Gaslamp Quarter Food and Drink
Gaslamp Quarter · 2h 30m food and drink walking tour of the Gaslamp Quarter
Walk through the Gaslamp Quarter on this 2h 30m food and drink tour. Stop for food and drinks along the route, with tickets starting from $94. The tour holds a 4.7 rating from 178 reviews.
from $94per person Check availability →
Old Town Walking Food Tour: Tequila
Old Town · Old Town San Diego walking food tour with tequila, tacos and tombstones
Walk through Old Town San Diego on a food tour built around tequila, tacos and tombstones. Travelers stop along the way to eat and drink while picking up the stories that give the tour its name.
from $115per person Check availability →
Brewery Tour
North Park · 3-hour San Diego brewery tour with tastings and food pairings
This 3-hour San Diego brewery tour includes tastings and food pairings. Sample drinks and try the food served with them during the outing. It is rated 5 by 21 reviewers.
from $85per person Check availability →
Old Town Tequila and Tacos
Old Town · 2h 30m tequila and tacos walking food tour in Old Town San Diego
Walk through Old Town San Diego on a 2h 30m food tour of tequila and tacos. Stop for tacos and tequila as you make your way around Old Town.
from $94per person Check availability →
North Park Beerucation Tour
North Park · North Park brewery tour in San Diego built around beer education
Spend 3 hours visiting breweries in North Park on a tour centered on beer education. Travelers get an on the ground look at the San Diego neighborhood's brewery scene.
from $85per person Check availability →
Little Italy Food and Drink
Little Italy · San Diego Little Italy food and drink walking tour
Spend 2h 30m on a food and drink walking tour of Little Italy in San Diego. Walk through the area and stop for food and drinks along the way.
from $94per person Check availability →Guided City Tours
Somebody shows you the city, and the difference is mainly the mode and the hour. The hop-on trolley doubles as transport across a couple of days, the night route covers the same ground lit up, the ghost tours run one on wheels and one on foot, and the amphibious bus ends by driving into the water.
Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour
Tour San Diego on a narrated trolley and hop on and off along the way. Your ticket is valid for 2 days, so you can plan your sightseeing around your stay.
from $57per person
Check availability →
SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus
San Diego · 1h 40m San Diego city tour by amphibious bus
Ride the amphibious bus on this 1h 40m city tour of San Diego. Sit back and enjoy the views as the bus carries you along the route.
from $55.59per person Check availability →City Lights Night Trolley Tour
San Diego · Night trolley tour of San Diego city lights, 1h 30m
See San Diego's city lights from a trolley on this night tour. The ride lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and travels through the city after dark.
from $49per person Check availability →Haunted: The Only Ghost Tour
San Diego · 55 minute San Diego ghost tour with exclusive entry
Take a 55 minute ghost tour through San Diego with exclusive entry included. The tour carries a 4.6 rating from 641 reviews.
from $58per person Check availability →
Walking Tour: Balboa Park
Balboa Park · San Diego walking tour of Balboa Park with a local guide
Join a local guide for a 2-hour walking tour of Balboa Park in San Diego. Walk through the park as the guide points out the sights along the way.
from $60per person Check availability →
City and Beaches Highlights Tour
San Diego · San Diego city and beaches guided highlights tour
Join a guided highlights tour that covers San Diego city and beaches. Over 5h 30m, travel with a guide and take in the city sights and beach stops along the way.
from $107.49per person Check availability →
Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour
Old Town · 1.5 hour ghost tour of San Diego by trolley
Ride a trolley through San Diego on a 1.5 hour ghost tour. Hear stories of ghosts and gravestones as the trolley makes its way through the city.
from $49per person Check availability →Segway, E-Bike and GoCar Tours
These cover more ground than a walking tour without handing you over to a bus. Two run on segways, one on an electric bike through Balboa Park and the Gaslamp, and one in a two-seat GoCar that talks you through the route as you drive it.
GoCar Tour
Drive a GoCar on a 2 hour route through Downtown San Diego that continues to Old Town or the beaches. Travelers take the wheel themselves and see the city from the driver's seat.
from $52per person
Check availability →
Private Balboa Park Segway Tour
Balboa Park · Private 2 hour Segway tour of Balboa Park
Ride a Segway through Balboa Park on this private tour. The outing runs 2 hours and carries a 4.9 rating from 160 reviews.
from $65private tour Check availability →
Coronado Island Segway Tour
Coronado · 3-hour Segway tour of Coronado Island
Ride a Segway on a tour of Coronado Island. The outing runs 3 hours, with prices starting from $229. It holds a 5 rating from 50 reviews.
from $229per person Check availability →
E-Bike Tour
Balboa Park · Guided e-bike tour of Balboa Park and Gaslamp Quarter
Ride an e-bike on a guided 2h 30m tour covering Balboa Park and the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego. Pedal between the two areas with a guide and see the sights along the route.
from $80.81per person Check availability →Wine Country Tours
Both wine regions are a drive rather than a trip across town: Temecula is inland to the north, and the Guadalupe Valley is in Baja California, which means crossing the border and back. Expect five hours at the short end and ten at the long one, transport included.
Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour
Depart San Diego for Guadalupe Valley on this 10 hour private wine tasting tour. Travelers spend the day tasting wine in a private, luxury format away from the city.
from $269private tour
Check availability →
Temecula - Wine Country Tour
Temecula · 9-hour Temecula wine country tour from San Diego plus Old Town Temecula
Take a 9-hour tour from San Diego to Temecula wine country. The itinerary also includes Old Town Temecula, with prices starting from $258.54. It holds a 4.9 rating from 100 reviews.
from $258.54per person Check availability →
Temecula: 3-Winery Tour
Temecula · Temecula wine tour with tastings at 3 wineries and lunch
Spend 5 hours on a Temecula wine tour visiting 3 wineries. Take part in tastings during the visits and enjoy lunch as part of the 5-hour day.
from $139per person Check availability →Day Trips Out of the City
Everything here leaves San Diego for the day. Julian is the mountain gold-rush town with the pie, Tijuana is a guided five hours across the busiest land border in the hemisphere, Joshua Tree is a long private drive into the desert, and the Alpine sanctuary is the short one at ninety minutes.
Tijuana Trip with Lunch
Travel from San Diego to Tijuana on this guided 5 hour day trip. A guide leads the way, and lunch is included during the outing.
from $73per person
Check availability →
Lions Tigers and Bears Animal Sanctuary
Alpine · Guided 1h 30m visit to Lions Tigers and Bears animal sanctuary in Alpine
Join a guided 1h 30m visit to the Lions Tigers and Bears animal sanctuary in Alpine. Walk through the sanctuary and see the lions, tigers, and bears there. The visit is rated 5 by 29 reviewers.
from $55per person Check availability →
Pies and Pickaxes
Julian · Historic walking tour of Julian, California with a pies and pickaxes theme
Walk through Julian, California on this 1 to 2 hour historic walking tour. Travelers explore the town on foot while learning the stories behind its pies and pickaxes past.
from $9.99per person Check availability →
Private Joshua Tree NP Tour
Joshua Tree National Park · Private day tour from San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park, 10 hours
Take a private day tour from San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park lasting 10 hours. Travelers explore the park with only their own group for the full day.
from $1,080private tour Check availability →
Julian Gold Mine Tour with Pie
Julian · 7-hour Julian gold mine day trip with pie
This 7-hour day trip combines a tour of the Julian gold mine with pie. Travel to Julian, take the mine tour, and enjoy pie as part of the day.
from $179per person Check availability →Free and Tip-Based Walks
These four walks run on GuruWalk on a pay-what-you-like basis: nothing is charged up front and the guide takes whatever you hand over at the end. They are not teasers for a paid upgrade, they are complete walks, and they are the only tours on this site that are not ours to sell.
Historic Downtown and Waterfront
Join a free walking tour through historic downtown San Diego and along the waterfront. The walk lasts 2 hours 30 minutes, and it holds a 4.68 rating from 149 reviews.
Free to join, you decide the tip at the end.
See this free tour on GuruWalk →
Vibrant Waterfront
the Embarcadero · Free Embarcadero stroll with a downtown local, about 1 hour 30 minutes
Paula is a retired teacher who lives in downtown San Diego and has guided on GuruWalk since 2025. Her free stroll along the Embarcadero runs about 1 hour 30 minutes in English and meets at Tuna Harbor Park by the Unconditional Surrender statue, just south of the USS Midway. Look for a pink umbrella.
Free to join, you decide the tip at the end.
Wild West Stories of Old Town
Old Town · Free Old Town walk on San Diego's Wild West years, about 2 hours
Charlie's free walking tour covers the Wild West stories of Old Town San Diego over about two hours, in English. It is listed on GuruWalk, which shows only a generic meeting point for it, so the guide's own instruction is to look for his blue t-shirt. You tip whatever you thought it was worth.
Free to join, you decide the tip at the end.
UCSD and Adjacent Landmarks Tour
La Jolla · Free campus walk around UC San Diego, about 1 hour 15 minutes
A free walking tour of the UC San Diego campus and the landmarks beside it, led by Alexander, who has guided on GuruWalk since 2024. It runs about 1 hour 15 minutes in English and meets by the University Center sign on Gilman Drive in La Jolla. You decide at the end what it was worth.
Free to join, you decide the tip at the end.
How Busy Is the San Ysidro Border Crossing Right Now?
CBP's last published reading for the San Ysidro pedestrian line, taken at 8:00 am PDT, was 30 minutes through 18 of 22 open lanes.
| Crossing | Lane | Wait | Lanes open | Reading taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Ysidro | On foot, standard line | 30 minutes | 18 of 22 | 8:00 am PDT |
| San Ysidro | On foot, Ready Lane | 5 minutes | 1 of 22 | 8:00 am PDT |
| San Ysidro | Driving, standard lanes | 1 hour 40 minutes | 5 of 34 | 8:00 am PDT |
| San Ysidro | Driving, Ready Lane | 1 hour 30 minutes | 15 of 34 | 8:00 am PDT |
| San Ysidro | Driving, SENTRI | 15 minutes | 8 of 34 | 8:00 am PDT |
| Otay Mesa | On foot, standard line | 1 hour 30 minutes | 6 of 6 | 9:00 am PDT |
| Otay Mesa | Driving, standard lanes | 1 hour 50 minutes | 3 of 13 | 9:00 am PDT |
| Otay Mesa | Driving, Ready Lane | 1 hour 50 minutes | 5 of 13 | 9:00 am PDT |
| Otay Mesa | Driving, SENTRI | 25 minutes | 4 of 13 | 9:00 am PDT |
On that reading the Ready Lane on foot was 5 minutes against 30 minutes in the standard pedestrian line, which is the single biggest difference a document makes at this crossing.
Crossing on foot was 1 hour 10 minutes quicker than driving at that same moment, and the Blue Line ends at San Ysidro on the US side of the same gate.
Otay Mesa, the other San Diego passenger crossing CBP publishes for, was reading 10 minutes slower for cars at that moment, which is the reason to check both rather than one.
Three things decide which of those rows applies to you. The first is the document in your pocket: a Ready Lane is open to anyone carrying an RFID-enabled one, meaning a US passport card, a SENTRI, NEXUS or Global Entry card, or a Border Crossing Card or Permanent Resident Card issued after 2008. A plain passport book does not qualify, which surprises people at the booth. The second is which pedestrian gate you use. PedEast, the main San Ysidro crossing, runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week; PedWest keeps short hours, 6:00 am to 2:00 pm Pacific, Monday to Friday, and it is a separate queue with separate numbers. The third is the trolley. The Blue Line ends at San Ysidro and runs north through downtown, so the whole day trip works without a car, and the fare is $2.50 one way on a PRONTO card with two hours of transfers.
Treat any of these numbers as a reading, never as a forecast. CBP measures the queues hourly and the file it publishes lags behind the measurement, so the wait you meet at the booth is the one an hour after the one printed here. US citizens re-entering by land need a passport book, a passport card, an enhanced driver's license from a participating state, or a Trusted Traveler card. Visa Waiver visitors need an approved ESTA before a land entry, a requirement that has applied since October 2022.
Wait times: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, published at https://bwt.cbp.gov/api/bwtnew and refreshed on this page when your browser can reach it. Trolley fares and Blue Line routing: San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Crossing documents and gate hours: CBP.
Free Things to Do in San Diego
A lot of this city charges nothing. Balboa Park's grounds, gardens and trails are free to walk, and so are the Botanical Building and its lily pond and the Timken Museum of Art inside the park. The Spreckels Organ Pavilion gives a free hour-long concert every Sunday afternoon, year round, rain or shine. The beaches cost nothing either, and city lifeguards staff nine permanent oceanfront stations all year across roughly twenty-four miles of coast, generally from 9:00 am until dusk.
One thing that looks free from a distance and is not. Balboa Park's rotating free Tuesdays are a residency benefit, not a visitor perk: they cover residents of the City and County of San Diego plus active military and their dependents, they need photo ID showing an address, and the program pauses entirely in December. If you are visiting, plan around the gate price instead. The walks below are different, and genuinely free. They are pay-what-you-wish tours listed on GuruWalk, where you decide at the end what the guide earned.
Historic Downtown and Waterfront
Join a free walking tour through historic downtown San Diego and along the waterfront. The walk lasts 2 hours 30 minutes, and it holds a 4.68 rating from 149 reviews.
Free to join, you decide the tip at the end.
See this free tour on GuruWalk →UCSD and Adjacent Landmarks Tour
La Jolla · Free campus walk around UC San Diego, about 1 hour 15 minutes
A free walking tour of the UC San Diego campus and the landmarks beside it, led by Alexander, who has guided on GuruWalk since 2024. It runs about 1 hour 15 minutes in English and meets by the University Center sign on Gilman Drive in La Jolla. You decide at the end what it was worth.
Free to join, you decide the tip at the end.
Wild West Stories of Old Town
Old Town · Free Old Town walk on San Diego's Wild West years, about 2 hours
Charlie's free walking tour covers the Wild West stories of Old Town San Diego over about two hours, in English. It is listed on GuruWalk, which shows only a generic meeting point for it, so the guide's own instruction is to look for his blue t-shirt. You tip whatever you thought it was worth.
Free to join, you decide the tip at the end.
Vibrant Waterfront
the Embarcadero · Free Embarcadero stroll with a downtown local, about 1 hour 30 minutes
Paula is a retired teacher who lives in downtown San Diego and has guided on GuruWalk since 2025. Her free stroll along the Embarcadero runs about 1 hour 30 minutes in English and meets at Tuna Harbor Park by the Unconditional Surrender statue, just south of the USS Midway. Look for a pink umbrella.
Free to join, you decide the tip at the end.
- What's Free in San Diego: The Honest ListBeaches, gardens, organ concerts and pay-what-you-want walks: what is really free in San Diego.
- Balboa Park: The Complete Visitor Guide to Museums, Gardens and the ZooMuseums, gardens and the Zoo: how to plan a Balboa Park day.
- La Jolla Cove: Sea Lions, Snorkeling, and the Best Small Beach in San DiegoClear water, sea lions, and the best snorkeling beach in San Diego.
- Coronado Beach: A Complete Visitor Guide to San Diego's Widest Stretch of SandThe widest, calmest, most glittering stretch of sand in San Diego, a bridge away from downtown.
- Sunset Cliffs Natural Park: Oceanfront Bluffs and the Best Sunset in San DiegoOcean bluffs, tide pools and San Diego's most dependable sunset, free and open daily.
Things to Do in San Diego With Kids
The geography does most of the work here. Balboa Park holds the zoo and the museum campus in one place, so a single parking decision covers the whole day. The two big out-of-town parks, SeaWorld and LEGOLAND California up in Carlsbad, each absorb a day on their own and go better unstacked. Two practical notes save money and arguments. Theme-park gate prices move with the date, sometimes within the same day, so pages here give a starting price and send you to the live listing for the day you actually want. And getting around is close to free for a family: the MTS youth pass carries everyone eighteen and under on the trolley and the buses, and up to two children aged five and under travel free with a paying adult.
- San Diego with Kids: A 4-Day Family ItineraryA four-day San Diego plan built around LEGOLAND, the Zoo, the Midway and the beaches.
- The Best Family Beaches in San Diego: Calm Water, Lifeguards and Easy SandCalm water, lifeguards and easy sand: the beaches San Diego families actually use.
- San Diego Zoo Tickets, Hours, Parking and TipsTicket prices, hours, parking and exhibit picks for the San Diego Zoo.
- SeaWorld San Diego: Tickets, Rides, Shows, and Planning GuideTickets, rides, shows, and planning for SeaWorld San Diego on Mission Bay.
- LEGOLAND California: Tickets, Hours, and a Family Planning GuideTickets, hours, ages, and planning for LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad.
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps: What to Expect at La Jolla's AquariumLa Jolla's hilltop aquarium above the Pacific, with hours, transport and seasonality covered.
Things to Do in San Diego at Night
Evening reshuffles the shortlist rather than shortening it. Sunset sailings and the night trolley only run once the daytime departures are finished, the Gaslamp Quarter fills after dark, and North Park keeps a crowd of its own uptown. Check the trolley before you commit to a late one, because the last departure decides how far from your bed you can afford to be, and a one-way ride is $2.50 with two hours of transfers on it. One honest limit. Padres games, the Old Globe and the comedy rooms sell their own tickets, so those pages send you to the box office rather than pretending to sell you a seat.
City Lights Night Trolley Tour
San Diego · Night trolley tour of San Diego city lights, 1h 30m
See San Diego's city lights from a trolley on this night tour. The ride lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and travels through the city after dark.
from $49per person Check availability →Haunted: The Only Ghost Tour
San Diego · 55 minute San Diego ghost tour with exclusive entry
Take a 55 minute ghost tour through San Diego with exclusive entry included. The tour carries a 4.6 rating from 641 reviews.
from $58per person Check availability →Small-Group Sunset Sailing
Point Loma · 3 hour small group sunset sailing excursion
Join a small group aboard a sailboat for a 3 hour sunset sailing excursion in San Diego. The excursion carries a 4.9 rating from 638 reviews.
from $127per person Check availability →- December Nights at Balboa Park: A Complete Visitor GuideHow to do Balboa Park's December Nights: parking, museums, free concerts and crowd-beating tips.
- San Diego Nightlife: Where to Go After DarkClubs, breweries, ghost tours and bay cruises: how San Diego spends its evenings.
- Things to Do in the Gaslamp Quarter: San Diego's Downtown Nightlife DistrictDowntown San Diego's dining and nightlife core, best reached by trolley.
- Things to Do in North Park, San Diego: A Local's Guide to the City's Best NeighborhoodBreweries, tacos, and vintage shops in San Diego's most local neighborhood.
Which Things to Do in San Diego Are Right for You?
Three questions are usually enough to cut the list down. How long you have. Whether children are coming. Whether you would rather be on the water, on your feet or under a roof. Answer those and the roster narrows from everything bookable in the county to the handful that fits the trip you are actually taking.
- San Diego in One Day: A Realistic Hour-by-Hour PlanA realistic hour-by-hour plan for one day in San Diego, from Balboa Park at open to a sunset on the coast.
- San Diego 3 Day Itinerary: The Perfect First Visit PlanThree days in San Diego: downtown, Balboa Park, the Zoo and the La Jolla coast, planned hour by hour.
- First Time in San Diego: A Practical Planning GuideEverything a first-time San Diego visitor needs: days, districts, transit, budgets and the mistakes to skip.
- San Diego Zoo Tickets, Hours, Parking and TipsTicket prices, hours, parking and exhibit picks for the San Diego Zoo.
- Balboa Park: The Complete Visitor Guide to Museums, Gardens and the ZooMuseums, gardens and the Zoo: how to plan a Balboa Park day.
- USS Midway Museum: Tickets, Hours, and What to Expect AboardTickets, hours, and what to see aboard San Diego's aircraft carrier museum.
Things to Do in San Diego When It Rains
Rain here is a winter event and a short one. December through March carry most of the year's total, while August normals to a hundredth of an inch with no days of measurable rain at all. So a wet day is rare enough that nobody plans for it and awkward enough that it wrecks an afternoon when it lands. The indoor list is strong: the Balboa Park museums, the aircraft carrier at the Embarcadero, the ships in the harbor. One thing to know before you set off for the park. Fleet Science, the Air and Space Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Us and theNAT sell admission at their own gates and nowhere else, so there is nothing to book ahead for those and no skip-the-line ticket to buy. You pay at the door.
- Rainy Day San Diego: The Best Indoor Things to DoWet day in San Diego? Carriers, museums, food halls, and the transit to reach them all.
- Maritime Museum of San Diego: Tickets, Ships, and How to Plan Your VisitWalk-aboard historic ships on the San Diego waterfront, with ticket prices and planning advice.
- Balboa Park Explorer Pass and Museum Guide: What's Worth BuyingExplorer Pass tiers, resident free days and honest museum picks.
Where to Stay in San Diego
Where you sleep decides how much of the day you spend in traffic. Downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter put the Embarcadero, the ballpark and the trolley within walking distance of one another, with Balboa Park a short ride uptown. La Jolla trades all of that for the coast and gives you a drive back into the city every evening. Mission Valley, where the hotel strip runs, usually costs less and puts you a short drive from both. Rates move by the night and by the date, so nothing here quotes one.
The Atwood Hotel San Diego - SeaWorld/Zoo
Mission Valley (Hotel Circle)
Check rates →The Sofia Hotel
Downtown San Diego (Broadway, edge of the Gaslamp Quarter)
Check rates →Orli La Jolla
La Jolla Village
Check rates →Still deciding on a base? Read which neighborhood to book and every neighborhood compared.
- Where to Stay in San Diego: Best Neighborhoods and Hotels for Every TripMatch your trip to the right San Diego neighborhood, from downtown to the beach towns.
- Where Is the Nicest Area to Stay in San Diego?La Jolla, Coronado, Little Italy or the Gaslamp: which San Diego neighborhood is actually nicest for your trip.
- Is It Better to Stay in Gaslamp or Downtown San Diego?Where to sleep in San Diego: the Gaslamp nightlife strip or the calmer downtown blocks around it.
- Things to Do in La Jolla: A Complete Guide to San Diego's Coastal GemSea caves, the Cove, tide pools and a walkable village on San Diego's prettiest stretch of coast.
- Things to Do in Coronado: A Complete Guide to the IslandBeaches, the Hotel del and bay views: the complete Coronado day.
- Things to Do in the Gaslamp Quarter: San Diego's Downtown Nightlife DistrictDowntown San Diego's dining and nightlife core, best reached by trolley.
When to Go, and Why September Beats July
The month most people book is not the best month. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for San Diego International Airport put September's normal high at 77.2F, which is 1.9 degrees above July's and a tenth of a degree behind August's. The ocean follows the same curve: mean sea-surface temperature at the Scripps Pier station peaks in August at 68.7F and is still 67.6F in September, against 66.5F in July. And yet September is the quietest month of the year at Cabrillo National Monument, averaging 56,876 recreation visits across 2022 to 2024 against July's 83,999, a gap of 48%.
The same table shows the other thing worth planning around, without needing a cloud statistic to prove it. June's normal high, 71.7F, is lower than October's 74.6F. That is the marine layer locals call May Gray and June Gloom, sitting grey on the coast while the inland valleys stay clear. It is real, it is local, and it is the most common disappointment in a San Diego summer booking.
The part that catches people out: the warmest water of the year is in August, not July, and September is the emptiest month San Diego has. September's normal daily high of 77.2 °F sits within a tenth of a degree of the year's warmest, 1.9 °F above July's 75.3 °F, and the ocean averages 67.6 °F against July's 66.5 °F. Cabrillo National Monument still counts 83,999 visits in July against 56,876 in September, 48% more people for slightly cooler air and colder water.
| Season | Months | Average high | Ocean | Rain | Cabrillo visits, monthly | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec, Jan, Feb | 66.2 °F | 59 °F | 5.85 in | 67,654 | the wet window, and the only one where an outdoor plan needs a backup |
| Spring | Mar, Apr, May | 68.4 °F | 60.4 °F | 2.39 in | 68,734 | dries out fast, then May Gray greys the coast while inland stays clear |
| Summer | Jun, Jul, Aug | 74.8 °F | 66.4 °F | 0.14 in | 73,369 | the busiest and the most expensive, and June opens under the marine layer |
| Fall | Sep, Oct, Nov | 74.2 °F | 64.7 °F | 1.41 in | 59,591 | the quiet winner: September is the warmest water of the year and the emptiest month |
Air temperature and rainfall are the NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 monthly normals for San Diego International Airport. Ocean temperature is the monthly mean of the hourly record at NOAA CO-OPS station 9410230 at Scripps Pier, which is the open-coast station: the bay station a few miles away reads several degrees warmer and is not what anyone means by "the ocean". Visitor counts are the monthly means published by the National Park Service for Cabrillo National Monument.
Things to Do in San Diego in One Day
One day works if you pick one axis and stay on it. The park axis is Balboa Park: the zoo in the morning, one museum after lunch, the gardens for whatever is left. The water axis is the Embarcadero: the carrier, a harbor cruise, and the ferry across to Coronado. Trying to do both buys you a parking payment, a drive and an hour you never get back. Two days is where the trip starts to breathe. Three is where La Jolla or Point Loma fits without anything being cut.
- San Diego with Kids: A 4-Day Family ItineraryA four-day San Diego plan built around LEGOLAND, the Zoo, the Midway and the beaches.
- San Diego in One Day: A Realistic Hour-by-Hour PlanA realistic hour-by-hour plan for one day in San Diego, from Balboa Park at open to a sunset on the coast.
- San Diego 3 Day Itinerary: The Perfect First Visit PlanThree days in San Diego: downtown, Balboa Park, the Zoo and the La Jolla coast, planned hour by hour.
- San Diego Bucket List: 20 Experiences Worth Planning a Trip AroundTwenty checkable San Diego experiences, with real prices, the best season for each and how to sequence them.
- San Diego 2 Day Itinerary: A Realistic First-Visit PlanTwo well-clustered days: park and waterfront first, then coast, Coronado and a sunset finish.
- San Diego 4 Day Itinerary: A Complete Plan for First-Time VisitorsA four-day San Diego plan: park, coast, island and one big finale.
Map of Things to Do in San Diego
San Diego reads better drawn than listed. Downtown sits on the harbor, Balboa Park is directly above it, and everything else either strings north along the coast or runs inland up the valleys. Plot the stops on a real map before you book anything and the days organize themselves in about a minute.
- Drag the map sideways to reach the farthest points.
- Basemap and lakefront detail: © OpenStreetMap contributors
- 1. Balboa ParkAttraction, 1.6 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 2. San Diego ZooAttraction, 1.8 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 3. San Diego Zoo Safari ParkAttraction, 28 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 4. SeaWorld San DiegoAttraction, 5.4 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 5. USS Midway MuseumAttraction, 0.9 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 6. Cabrillo National MonumentAttraction, 5.4 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 7. La Jolla CoveAttraction, 12 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 8. La Jolla Shores BeachAttraction, 11 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 9. La Jolla Sea CavesAttraction, 11 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 10. Torrey Pines State Natural ReserveAttraction, 15 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 11. Sunset Cliffs Natural ParkAttraction, 5.7 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 12. Hotel Del CoronadoAttraction, 2.4 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 13. Petco ParkAttraction, 0.4 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 14. Legoland CaliforniaAttraction, 30 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 15. Seaport VillageAttraction, 0.6 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 16. Belmont ParkAttraction, 6.7 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 17. Maritime Museum Of San DiegoAttraction, 1 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 18. San Diego Botanic GardenAttraction, 25 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 19. Coronado BeachAttraction, 2.5 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 20. San Diego Convention CenterAttraction, 0.4 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 21. La JollaNeighborhood, 11 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 22. CoronadoNeighborhood, 1.7 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 23. Little ItalyNeighborhood, 0.9 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 24. North ParkNeighborhood, 3.1 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 25. Old TownNeighborhood, 3.7 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 26. Downtown San DiegoNeighborhood, 0.3 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 27. Point LomaNeighborhood, 5 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 28. Pacific BeachNeighborhood, 7.6 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 29. Ocean BeachNeighborhood, 5.6 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 30. Mission BeachNeighborhood, 7.3 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 31. HillcrestNeighborhood, 2.5 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 32. Del MarNeighborhood, 18 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 33. EncinitasNeighborhood, 24 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 34. CarlsbadNeighborhood, 33 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 35. OceansideNeighborhood, 36 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 36. Imperial BeachNeighborhood, 9.2 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 37. Chula VistaNeighborhood, 6.6 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 38. Mount Soledad National Veterans MemorialAttraction, 10 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 39. Mission BayNeighborhood, 5.8 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 40. Birch Aquarium At ScrippsAttraction, 12 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 41. Liberty StationNeighborhood, 3.7 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
- 42. Potato Chip RockAttraction, 23 miles from Gaslamp Quarter
Day Trips From San Diego
The county is bigger than the city and the best drives leave it. Julian is the old gold-rush town in the mountains that now trades on apple pie. Anza-Borrego is the desert half of the same county. Temecula is wine country to the north, and Idyllwild and Mount Laguna are the mountain escapes people search for most. Tijuana is the odd one out: a guided day across the busiest land crossing in the hemisphere, reached on the trolley rather than behind a wheel, where the paperwork matters more than the driving. For everything else on this list, you want a car.
- Idyllwild, California: The Mountain Day Trip from San DiegoPines, granite and pie: the mountain day trip San Diego locals keep quiet.
- Temecula Wine Country Day Trip from San Diego: Wineries, Old Town and Planning GuideWineries, Old Town and guided tours for a Temecula day trip from San Diego.
- Things to Do in Julian, San Diego's Apple Pie Mountain TownApple pie, gold mine tours, and mountain scenery an hour from San Diego.
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: A Day Trip from San DiegoA desert day trip from San Diego: driving routes, best months, packing and safety.
- San Diego to Palm Springs: The Desert Day Trip, Planned End to EndThe desert day trip from San Diego: driving, tours, timing and what to do once you arrive.
- San Diego to Disneyland: Drive Times, Tickets and Day Trip PlanningDriving, training and planning a one-day Disneyland run from San Diego.
Neighborhoods Worth Your Time
Downtown is where the hotels are, not where the city is most interesting. Old Town, La Jolla, Coronado and the North County coast each hold a completely different day. La Jolla is a village with a cove below it and a sea-cave coastline beyond that. Coronado sits across the bay and behaves like a separate town, which is roughly what it is. North County runs Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside up the shore, each with a different amount of surf town left in it. Pick one per trip and give it an afternoon instead of an hour.
- Old Town San Diego: A Practical Guide to the Historic DistrictTransit, tours and timing for San Diego's historic Old Town district.
- Imperial Beach: San Diego's Quiet Southern ShorelineSan Diego's quiet southern beach, minutes from the border.
- Chula Vista, California: A Practical Guide to San Diego's South BayThe South Bay's trolley-served base between downtown San Diego and the border.
- Things to Do in La Jolla: A Complete Guide to San Diego's Coastal GemSea caves, the Cove, tide pools and a walkable village on San Diego's prettiest stretch of coast.
- Things to Do in Carlsbad, San Diego: Beaches, LEGOLAND and Day TripsLEGOLAND, flat beaches and North County day trips from Carlsbad.
- Things to Do in Oceanside: San Diego's Northern Beach City, ExplainedPier, harbor, and wide sand at San Diego County's northern edge.
Things to Do in San Diego Beyond the Zoo
The zoo is the headline and it earns the day it takes. It is also one line in a long list. The table below holds every bookable option on this site in one place, with the rating, the review count, the stated duration and the starting price each listing publishes, so you can see at a glance what deserves locking in and what can wait until the morning you feel like it. Everything higher up this page is the same roster sorted a different way.
- Balboa Park: The Complete Visitor Guide to Museums, Gardens and the ZooMuseums, gardens and the Zoo: how to plan a Balboa Park day.
- SeaWorld San Diego: Tickets, Rides, Shows, and Planning GuideTickets, rides, shows, and planning for SeaWorld San Diego on Mission Bay.
- La Jolla Cove: Sea Lions, Snorkeling, and the Best Small Beach in San DiegoClear water, sea lions, and the best snorkeling beach in San Diego.
- Hotel Del Coronado: What to Expect at San Diego's Beachfront LandmarkHow to visit the Del: grounds access, getting there from downtown, costs, and the best months.
- Petco Park: A Complete Visitor Guide to San Diego's BallparkTours, trolley tips, parking and the best of the blocks around San Diego's ballpark.
- LEGOLAND California: Tickets, Hours, and a Family Planning GuideTickets, hours, ages, and planning for LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad.
| Attraction | Best for | Area | Ticket from | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taste of Little Italy | 30-minute food tour of San Diego's Little Italy | Little Italy | $93 | ★ 5 |
| Small-Group Sunset Sailing | 3 hour small group sunset sailing excursion | Point Loma | $127 | ★ 4.9 |
| USS Midway Museum Admission | USS Midway Museum admission, valid any date | the Embarcadero | $41 | ★ 4.9 |
| USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket | Entry ticket to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego | the Embarcadero | $39 | ★ 4.8 |
| Harbor Speed Boat Adventure | 2 hour San Diego Harbor speedboat ride | Point Loma | $89 | ★ 4.8 |
| Zoo Admission Ticket | Admission ticket to the San Diego Zoo | San Diego | $78 | ★ 4.7 |
| Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour | Narrated hop-on hop-off trolley tour of San Diego, valid for 2 days | San Diego | $57 | ★ 4.7 |
| SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus | 1h 40m San Diego city tour by amphibious bus | San Diego | $55.59 | ★ 4.7 |
| City Lights Night Trolley Tour | Night trolley tour of San Diego city lights, 1h 30m | San Diego | $49 | ★ 4.7 |
| Harbor Cruise | 1 hour harbor cruise in San Diego | the Embarcadero | $37 | ★ 4.6 |
| Haunted: The Only Ghost Tour | 55 minute San Diego ghost tour with exclusive entry | San Diego | $58 | ★ 4.6 |
| La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour | 2 hour kayak tour of the La Jolla sea caves | La Jolla | $79 | ★ 4.5 |
| LEGOLAND California Theme Park | Admission to LEGOLAND California Theme Park, 1 to 2 days | Carlsbad | $69 | ★ 4.3 |
| Harbor Dinner Cruise | 3 hour San Diego Harbor dinner cruise | the Embarcadero | $125.70 | ★ 4.1 |
| Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour | Private wine tasting tour from San Diego to Guadalupe Valley, 10 hours | Valle de Guadalupe | $269 | ★ 5 |
| Petco Park Stadium Tour | 1h 20m stadium tour of Petco Park, home of the Padres | East Village | $42.50 | ★ 4.9 |
| Bay Sunset and Daytime Sailing | 2-hour San Diego Bay sailing experience, sunset or daytime | Point Loma | $89 | ★ 4.9 |
| La Jolla Cove Snorkeling Tour | 1h 30m snorkeling tour of La Jolla Cove with sea lions and caves | La Jolla | $90 | ★ 4.9 |
| Drive Your Own Speed Boat Tour | 2 hour San Diego speed boat tour you drive yourself | San Diego | $99.64 | ★ 4.9 |
| Pier Fishing | 2 hour San Diego pier fishing experience | San Diego | $74.99 | ★ 4.9 |
| Private Balboa Park Segway Tour | Private 2 hour Segway tour of Balboa Park | Balboa Park | $65 | ★ 4.9 |
| Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride | Patriot jet boat thrill ride in San Diego, 30 minutes | the Embarcadero | $45 | ★ 4.7 |
| Gaslamp Quarter Food and Drink | 2h 30m food and drink walking tour of the Gaslamp Quarter | Gaslamp Quarter | $94 | ★ 4.7 |
| GoCar Tour | 2 hour GoCar tour of Downtown San Diego with Old Town or beaches route | Old Town | $52 | ★ 4.7 |
| Best of the Bay Scenic Harbor | Scenic harbor cruise in San Diego, 1.5 hours | the Embarcadero | $36.01 | ★ 4.6 |
| Tijuana Trip with Lunch | Guided day trip from San Diego to Tijuana with lunch, 5 hours | Tijuana | $73 | ★ 4.6 |
| La Jolla: Sea Cave Kayaking Tour | Guided La Jolla sea cave kayaking tour, 1h 30m | La Jolla | $159 | ★ 4.6 |
| Old Town Walking Food Tour: Tequila | Old Town San Diego walking food tour with tequila, tacos and tombstones | Old Town | $115 | ★ 4.5 |
| Whale Watch Cruise | Whale watching cruise from San Diego, 3 hours | San Diego | $34 | ★ 4.4 |
| Zoo Safari Park Ticket | 1-day ticket to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park | Escondido | $78 | ★ 4.4 |
| City Cruises Gourmet Dinner Cruise | 2.5-hour gourmet dinner cruise in San Diego | the Embarcadero | $154.85 | ★ 4.4 |
| SeaWorld Park | SeaWorld Park admission ticket in San Diego | Mission Bay | $85.67 | ★ 4.2 |
| La Jolla: Surfing Lesson | 1.5-hour surfing lesson in La Jolla | La Jolla | $149.76 | ★ 5 |
| Brewery Tour | 3-hour San Diego brewery tour with tastings and food pairings | North Park | $85 | ★ 5 |
| Lions Tigers and Bears Animal Sanctuary | Guided 1h 30m visit to Lions Tigers and Bears animal sanctuary in Alpine | Alpine | $55 | ★ 5 |
| Pies and Pickaxes | Historic walking tour of Julian, California with a pies and pickaxes theme | Julian | $9.99 | ★ 5 |
| Private Joshua Tree NP Tour | Private day tour from San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park, 10 hours | Joshua Tree National Park | $1,080 | ★ 5 |
| Coronado Island Segway Tour | 3-hour Segway tour of Coronado Island | Coronado | $229 | ★ 5 |
| Vibrant Waterfront | Free Embarcadero stroll with a downtown local, about 1 hour 30 minutes | the Embarcadero | Free, tip based | Free entry |
| Old Town Tequila and Tacos | 2h 30m tequila and tacos walking food tour in Old Town San Diego | Old Town | $94 | ★ 4.9 |
| Walking Tour: Balboa Park | San Diego walking tour of Balboa Park with a local guide | Balboa Park | $60 | ★ 4.9 |
| E-Bike Tour | Guided e-bike tour of Balboa Park and Gaslamp Quarter | Balboa Park | $80.81 | ★ 4.9 |
| North Park Beerucation Tour | North Park brewery tour in San Diego built around beer education | North Park | $85 | ★ 4.9 |
| Temecula - Wine Country Tour | 9-hour Temecula wine country tour from San Diego plus Old Town Temecula | Temecula | $258.54 | ★ 4.9 |
| Temecula: 3-Winery Tour | Temecula wine tour with tastings at 3 wineries and lunch | Temecula | $139 | ★ 4.8 |
| Learn to Surf in La Jolla | 30-minute surf lesson in La Jolla | La Jolla | $129 | ★ 4.8 |
| CityPASS Save Up to 48% | San Diego CityPASS with savings of up to 48% | San Diego | $169 | ★ 4.7 |
| City and Beaches Highlights Tour | San Diego city and beaches guided highlights tour | San Diego | $107.49 | ★ 4.7 |
| Little Italy Food and Drink | San Diego Little Italy food and drink walking tour | Little Italy | $94 | ★ 4.7 |
| Historic Downtown and Waterfront | Free walking tour of historic downtown San Diego and the waterfront | Gaslamp Quarter | Free, tip based | Free entry |
| Coronado: Bay Jetski Rental | 1 hour San Diego Bay jet ski rental in Coronado | Coronado | $125 | ★ 4.4 |
| LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE | 1 day admission to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium | Carlsbad | $69 | ★ 4.4 |
| Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour | 1.5 hour ghost tour of San Diego by trolley | Old Town | $49 | ★ 4.4 |
| La Jolla: Kayak and Snorkel Tour | Kayak and snorkel tour in La Jolla, 2h 30m | La Jolla | $129 | ★ 4.1 |
| Wild West Stories of Old Town | Free Old Town walk on San Diego's Wild West years, about 2 hours | Old Town | Free, tip based | Free entry |
| Julian Gold Mine Tour with Pie | 7-hour Julian gold mine day trip with pie | Julian | $179 | |
| UCSD and Adjacent Landmarks Tour | Free campus walk around UC San Diego, about 1 hour 15 minutes | La Jolla | Free, tip based | Free entry |
Things to Do in San Diego: What Visitors Ask First
Each short answer here opens a fuller page elsewhere on this site, so the quick version and the detailed one stay in step.
What Is the Best Brewery in San Diego?
There is no single best brewery in San Diego, but there is a shortlist the city keeps agreeing on, and it lives mostly in one neighborhood.
Is Coasterra, San Diego Worth Visiting?
Coasterra sits right on Harbor Island with the downtown skyline across the water, and that view is the reason most people book a table. Here is an honest rundown of what the restaurant does well, what to watch out for, and how to fold it into a San Diego day.
What Is San Diego's Signature Dish?
Ask ten locals what San Diego's signature dish is and most will say the fish taco. A vocal minority will fight for the California burrito. Both were born from the city's position on the border and the ocean, and both are worth building a day around.
What Are San Diego's Best Hidden Gem Restaurants?
San Diego's best food is rarely on the harbor. It sits in residential neighborhoods, strip malls and side streets, and this guide explains where to look and how to find it.
What Is a Must Eat in San Diego?
If you eat only one thing in San Diego, make it a Baja-style fish taco, and then build the rest of your trip around the neighborhoods that do them best.
Where Has Guy Fieri Gone in San Diego?
Nobody publishes a verified list of Guy Fieri's San Diego stops, so this page does the next best thing: it maps the food neighborhoods a famous-food crawl actually hits, and how to eat through them like a local.
What Is the Best Steak Restaurant in San Diego?
Ask ten San Diegans for the best steak in the city and you will get ten answers. Here is how to narrow it down to the right table for your night, from Little Italy to the Gaslamp.
Where Do Celebs Eat in San Diego?
Celebrity dining in San Diego is less about one star address and more about a handful of neighborhoods that suit famous diners for the same reasons they suit you: good food, low fuss, and an easy exit.