Things to do in San Diego County

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Pacific Beach Park showing surfing, swimming and rugged coastline
Pacific Beach Park which includes general coastal views and a sandy beach
San Diego which includes street scenes and a city
La Jolla featuring modern architecture
Birch Aquarium showing marine life and interior views

San Diego County Attractions

Always up for a brand new adventure and unique ways to get inspired, you're prepared to discover new territory like the savvy traveler you are. You're excited to set a course in a new direction. It's not difficult to fill an itinerary, because Expedia can hook you up with lots of things to do. Book your activities today, and all you'll have left to do is count the days until your escape and start daydreaming. Coming up: San Diego County!

  • Book your favorite day trip on Expedia for significant savings, and you'll still have money for a fancy hotel or luxurious dinner while you're in town. The activities in San Diego County are not only among the best, but they won't break the bank. We have 472 things to do here, and you can make them yours starting at just $8.
  • San Diego County is a favorite among adventurers suchlike yourself. In fact, a good percentage of travelers can't wait for their next vacation to this city to learn about local history and explore the best things to do. The most loved things to do can catch the enthusiasm of even well-versed travelers, and it's easy to see why. Our collection includes a wide array of entertainment and opportunities for fun. From Shared Shuttle: Roundtrip LEGOLAND® Transfer to one-of-a kind ways to check out the best this area has to provide like a Tijuana Up & Down City Tour with Shopping Experience, there are tons of selections to choose from when you browse through all the choices available here at Expedia.

Our activities are the perfect way to organize your trip. You'll want an expert itinerary to really get the most out of San Diego County, particularly when you intend to include a lot of exciting activities. And we know you're itching to explore every avenue—you're excited to get out and see what life is like for locals. You want to scope out the top activities around, and a quiet day exploring local neighborhoods is always time well spent. Book professionally lead tours on Expedia, and you may find all that you are searching for and more.



San Diego County must see attractions

1. LEGOLAND® California

LEGOLAND® California Resort is a kid’s dream come true with more than 60 rides, shows and attractions based around the famous click-and-build toy. The amusement park, LEGO®-themed hotel and water park are located in the oceanside town of Carlsbad, 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of San Diego.
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Legoland California showing rides

2. San Diego Zoo

Prepare to be amazed and enchanted by the diversity of animal life on display at San Diego Zoo, which welcomes 5 million visitors a year. The 100-acre (40-hectare) site is home to around 4,000 animals from more than 650 species and subspecies. Most exhibits are open air, and designed to be as close to the natural habitats of the animals they house as possible.
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San Diego Zoo which includes zoo animals

3. San Diego Convention Center

For an educational or fun getaway in this Southern California city, find an event at the San Diego Convention Center. Many organizations hold private conferences here; take advantage of the excellent facilities and pleasant surroundings if you’re invited to participate. Public events are frequent too. Look for bridal shows, home shows and Brick Fest Live, with intricate LEGO® creations and demonstrations. November’s Art San Diego is a huge show of art, art installations and demonstrations.
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SanDiego_SanDiegoConventionCenter_6125294_006

4. Mission Bay

Spend summer days enjoying the calm waters and gorgeous scenes of Mission Bay, a saltwater lagoon just north of downtown San Diego. This 4,200-acre (1,700-hectare) bay features pristine beaches, water sports for all ages and park attractions that bring summer to life.
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Mission Bay which includes a sandy beach

5. SeaWorld

SeaWorld® San Diego has long been a family favorite for its entertaining marine animals. Plan a multi-day visit to today’s exciting marine park to watch the animal attractions, from otters to orcas and penguins to pinnipeds. Enjoy the many exciting rides, including the Electric Eel roller coaster, with speeds to 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour and an inverted roll 150 feet (46 meters) in the air. Bayside Skyride offers a gentler ride with magnificent views of Mission Bay.
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beautiful creatures

6. Balboa Park

This is one of thelargest urban parks in the United States, and one of the most diverse in theworld. You could spend a week exploring its 1,200 acres (486 hectares) ofwalking trails and gardens, museums and galleries, theaters, restaurants, and world-famous zoo. Thiswealth of year-round entertainment makes it a popular location for both localsand tourists.
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Balboa Park which includes a pond

7. Petco Park

Experience America’s favorite pastime in San Diego’s Petco Park. Enjoy stunning views of southern California as you watch a baseball game, concert or other sporting event. The park is named after San Diego-based pet supplies retailer Petco.
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Petco Park

What to do in San Diego County

Free Things to Do in San Diego County

There's no need to endlessly reach for your wallet in San Diego County. The following won't cost a penny.

Mingei International Museum - Talk to the friendly staff and learn all about the special collections housed at this museum.

Valley View Casino Center - Spend time here and discover the arts and culture of the area.

San Diego Coronado Bridge - Architecture buffs will no doubt love admiring the modern design of this local landmark.

A National Salute to Bob Hope & the Military - If you're fascinated by history, this is one attraction you really should visit.

Seaport Village - Learn why tourists and locals alike are enchanted by the unique vibe of this place.

American Plaza - Look up your guidebook and find out why this place deserves a spot on your must-see list.

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church - Stop for some quiet contemplation and learn a few things about this site's spiritual importance.

Coronado Beach - Toss a ball around with the young ones or lay back and soak up the sun's rays at this gorgeous coastal spot.

Sculpture Garden - No matter if you know your lilies from lilacs, you'll find beauty in this spectacular display.

Areas & Neighborhoods

San Diego neighborhoods cover the gamut of city attractions and vibes. From historic sites in Old Town to trendy wine bars in South Park, all visitors will feel right at home in America’s Finest City.

North Park — This central neighborhood is teeming with new restaurants and trendy craft breweries. It’s also quite walkable, so you can park near 30th Street and University Avenue and trek until you find a place that looks appetizing.

Balboa Park — Balboa Park has more than a dozen museums and plenty of public gardens. It’s also home to restaurants, event venues, and the San Diego Zoo.

La Jolla — Whether you want to hit up some of the more hidden-away patches of sand along the San Diego coastline or check out trendy boutiques, La Jolla is a good pit stop for your itinerary. Of course, you can also jump off a cliff during a hang-gliding session here.

Hillcrest — This gay-friendly neighborhood is full of local coffee shops, lots of nightlife, and unique eateries. You’ll be sharing the sidewalks with plenty of San Diegans, but the vibrancy of the area makes the crowded conditions well worth it.

East Village — Sitting east of the famous Gaslamp District , East Village is the place to go if you want to catch a San Diego Padres™ game or attend a free community event for bloggers. It’s also within walking distance to many downtown clubs and restaurants.

What to See in San Diego

Before you get busy with water sports and other active pursuits, check out some of the fun things to see in San Diego. Go to the Cabrillo National Monument to view the best panoramic scene of the city and then head down the mountain to look at sea life in the tide pools. Watch the sunset from the shores of Coronado in front of the famed Hotel Del Coronado, or spend time on just about any other local beach. Attending the Old Globe Theater is a relaxing way to end your day, or you can watch the nightly fireworks going off over SeaWorld® in the summer months.

Things to Do & Attractions in San Diego

While a day at the beach is practically obligatory here, fun things to do in San Diego also include visiting the world-famous zoo , hiking Torrey Pines State Reserve, and meandering through sensory pleasing farmers markets in nearly every neighborhood. San Diego amusement parks also abound, ranging from the oceanfront rides at Belmont Park in Mission Beach to LEGOLAND® in North County. Cap off any day with dinner in the Gaslamp District or a sunset cocktail at La Jolla Shores. You’ll find that San Diego has activities up its sleeve for all types of visitors.

Things to Do in San Diego County with Kids

There's fun for the entire family no matter where you wander in San Diego County. Here are a few family friendly experiences to enjoy together that promise to make your trip a blast:


 

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Popular day trips from San Diego County

Frequently asked questions

What to do in San Diego County on a sunny day?
What to do in San Diego County on a rainy day?
With fantastic indoor activities like a Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - San Diego to keep you amused, there's no need to let a few showers stop you from having an unforgettable time.
What is San Diego County famous for?
With lots of famous sights like these to visit, your trickiest decision will be where to go first:

  • SeaWorld
  • Legoland California
  • San Diego Zoo
  • San Diego Convention Center

What should I not miss in San Diego County?
Don't head home without ticking off the following unmissable sights:

  • Mission Beach
  • USS Midway Museum
  • Coronado Beach
  • Old Town San Diego State Park

Are there cheap things to do in San Diego County?
What can you do in San Diego County for free?
You'll barely have time to fetch your wallet out of your bag with so many free attractions:

  • La Jolla Cove
  • Mission Beach
  • Coronado Beach
  • San Diego Coronado Bridge

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