This major city on Southern California’s Pacific coast boasts miles of sandy beaches, beautiful parks, and many attractions worth visiting.
By Susie Wall
November 2022
What’s not to like about San Diego? The weather is mild, with average winter temperatures that hover around 70 degrees. The city offers a wealth of activities that cover just about every interest and adventure level. And no one seems to take themselves too seriously here or try too hard to impress. The locals take the booming tourist industry in stride and are eager to share their love of San Diego with visitors.
Sprawling Balboa Park is known as a cultural oasis.
San Diego is fairly easy to navigate, and most attractions are close together. Despite this, parking can be an issue if you have an oversized vehicle. Many of the following activities can be reached using the Old Town Trolley. Hop on and off throughout the day at any of their 11 stops. Tickets and maps can be found at www.trolleytours.com/san-diego.
The Wonders Of Balboa Park
San Diego has many fabulous city parks, but Balboa Park is arguably the best of the bunch. The park covers 1,200 acres and features opulent gardens, cultural and performing arts centers, over 17 museums, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
If you can do only one thing in Balboa Park, visit the zoo. Over 12,000 animals live here in large natural enclosures that mimic the animals’ natural habitats in the wild. Conservation is at the core of the zoo’s mission. This not only benefits the residents but also gives visitors a chance to observe many creatures not found in other zoos.
Koalas at the San Diego Zoo.
The grounds span 100 acres, so to see it all, it’s a good idea to allow more than one day to visit the zoo. A great way to get acquainted with the grounds before heading out on foot is to hop aboard the free double-decker bus tour that runs several times a day. The driver takes you along the backroads of the zoo and offers fascinating inside knowledge about the many animals you’ll see during your visit.
If you have more time, continue your exploration of Balboa Park. Learn about the plants and animals that called San Diego home thousands of years ago by visiting the San Diego Natural History Museum, home of the oldest scientific institution in Southern California. Explore the lush grounds of the Japanese Friendship Garden or download the app and take a self-guided tour. Chat with talented local artisans about their work at the Spanish Village Art Center. Check out the actual Apollo 9 Command Module at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
All ages can learn something new at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
It’s good to know some helpful tips before visiting Balboa Park. Entry to the park itself is free, but each institution is independently run, charges a separate admission fee, and sets its own hours. If you plan on an extended visit, consider purchasing an Explorer Pass. For a discounted fee, you’ll get unlimited admission to many of the park’s attractions. Parking is free, so plan to visit early in the day to secure a spot before it gets busy, especially on weekends. A free park tram stops at several of the major parking lots and drops you off within a short walk of many of the popular destinations.
The Japanese Friendship Garden was created as an expression of friendship between San Diego and sister city Yokohama.
By The Sea At The Embarcadero
When you’re ready to leave the inland area, head to downtown San Diego’s waterfront Embarcadero. This stretch of land that hugs sparkling San Diego Bay is dotted with museums, restaurants, public art displays, and the lovely outdoor Seaport Village.
Two wonderful museums along the waterfront pay tribute to San Diego’s nautical history. The Maritime Museum of San Diego houses one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships and has been named one of the top three maritime museums in the world. Board the Berkeley, an 1898 steam ferryboat, to check out fascinating exhibits detailing America’s history on the sea. Then descend the narrow steps into the close quarters of the USS Dolphin, the deepest-diving submarine in the world.
One of the most unique ships in the museum’s collection is the Star of India, which was launched five days before President Abraham Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address. The ships at the museum are maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers, and it’s quite a sight to see these brave souls hanging from one of the Star’s towering masts.
Star of India is the world’s oldest active sailing ship.
You can board and explore all of the museum’s ships at the dock, but if you’re ready to hit the ocean, sign up for one of their On the Water Adventures. The Swift Boat Naval History Tour takes you on a ride aboard a PCF 816 swift boat while learning about San Diego’s vital role in the military over the years. If you wish to do a little sailing yourself, book a seat on the Californian, the official tall ship of the state of California. The crew invites passengers to lend a hand sailing this magnificent vessel.
A short walk from the Maritime Museum is the spectacular USS Midway Museum. The museum is contained in an aircraft carrier that was in service from 1945 to 1992. Visitors can explore the expansive decks to see the workings of this massive ship and learn what daily life was like for the sailors who called it home, including the kitchen entrusted to serve 14,000 meals a day. Climb to the top flight deck for a chance to touch and even sit in the cockpit of helicopters, jet fighters, and bombers.
After the museums, stroll farther down the waterfront and take in the sights, among them the 25-foot statue immortalizing the famous photograph of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square at the end of World War II. Seaport Village sits at the end of the waterfront. Here you can weave among the boutique shops or simply grab an ice cream cone and look out over the beautiful bay.
Little Italy is an artsy neighborhood full of cafes and boutiques next to Waterfront Park.
The Cultures Of San Diego
San Diego has a rich and colorful history that is still celebrated in the many cultural sites across the city. What would eventually become the San Diego you see today began in 1769 when Father Junípero Serra founded Mission San Diego de Alcalá. One of the best places to learn about these early residents is at Old Town San Diego, the site of the first European settlement and San Diego’s oldest neighborhood. Stroll the gravel streets to browse historic hotels and homes, museums, and artisan shops, and quench your thirst with a cold margarita. If you dare, sign up for an evening tour of the historic Whaley House, considered one of the most haunted houses in America.
The Little Italy neighborhood in downtown San Diego honors the more than 6,000 families who labored in San Diego’s thriving tuna industry in the early 1900s. Central to Little Italy are its piazzas. These pedestrian-friendly squares are dedicated to early residents of Little Italy and feature fountains, art displays, and umbrella-draped tables perfect for people-watching while protected from the San Diego sun.
Catch the trolley to Old Town to experience the first Spanish settlement in California.
It can be said that San Diego has developed its own unique culture over the years that centers around a laid-back beach lifestyle and love of the outdoors. Several areas around town, such as Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, and Mission Bay, exude this culture and make it worth a visit to get to know the locals’ San Diego. Purchase everything you need for a day at the beach at funky open-air shops. Gorge on the catch of the day at one of the many no-frills seafood shacks. Or simply stroll the beach and walk to the edge of the long piers extending far out over the water and soak in that quintessential San Diego vibe.
Where The Wild Things Are
The natural side of San Diego is spectacular, ranging from the marine life to the vast array of birds that take advantage of the miles of protected shoreline. Whale watching is one of the most exciting experiences in San Diego. No matter when you visit, you have a good chance of spotting some species of whale. Humpback and fin whales can be seen year-round. Gray whales migrate through during the fall and winter, and blue whales fill in the gaps, migrating during the spring and summer.
Depending on the season, you just might see a whale.
You can see whales while you are standing on the shore. Look for plumes of water shooting upward as the giant mammals surface for air. However, you’ll have a better chance to see whales, as well as sea lions, dolphins, and other sea creatures, by taking a whale-watching cruise. San Diego Whale Watch departs daily from the marina at Mission Bay for a three-hour voyage, with each trip narrated by a certified marine biologist. Of course, there is no guarantee you’ll see whales, but if you’re not lucky, the crew will give you a free pass to come back and try again.
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to watch for a variety of coastal wildlife, but birds are what draw people in. Tucked into a protected stretch of coastline on San Diego Bay, the refuge offers the perfect resting place for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds among the coastal salt marsh and intertidal mudflats. Get acquainted with the refuge on the Bayside Birding and Walking Trail, a quarter-mile path that runs parallel to the bay. Guided walks of the refuge are offered every Saturday.
If you enjoy coastal beauty, a temperate climate, museums galore, natural attractions, a diversity of cultures . . . you can experience them all in San Diego.
More Information
San Diego Tourism Authority
www.sandiego.org
Where To Stay
Campland on the Bay
2211 Pacific Beach Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 581-4200
www.campland.com
Mission Bay RV Resort
2727 De Anza Road
San Diego, CA 92109
(877) 219-6900
www.missionbayrvresort.com
San Diego Metro KOA Resort, C2569 *
111 N. Second Ave.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(800) 562-9877
www.koa.com/campgrounds/san-diego
* FMCA Commercial Member
San Diego RV Resort
7407 Alvarado Road
La Mesa, CA 91942
(858) 365-5880
www.sdrvresort.com