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Things To Do In and Around San Diego, CA
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items I lived in San Diego for 11 years. I LOVED it! There is so much to see and do. There are so many great places to eat. These are the handpicked things I think you should see and do, and restaurants and bars to visit!
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Things to See and Do
The BEST Restaurants in San Diego
Bars to Visit in Downtown San Diego
Things to See and Do
Here are all the wonderful things to see and do when you visit San Diego! These will include both family friendly and non family friendly things :)
Balboa Park is beautiful. Whether you go there to have a picnic, to visit a museum, go to the zoo, or just walk around, it's amazing. Sometimes they have events there, but most of the time, just go and enjoy the beautiful weather!
Balboa Park
The zoo is nestled inside Balboa Park and it's one of the most amazing zoos! It's rather large, so bring your walking shoes. Be prepared to see a ton of animals and the smiles on everyone's faces.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance | Home page
I'm a little partial to this place because I got engaged here! This is just another really fun spot. There's rides, animals, arcade games, and more! Come spend the day and learn how Seaworld helps with saving animals!
SeaWorld San Diego
This is a really cool part of San Diego. It's the first part of San Diego, and the history there is amazing. you get to walk through history! There's little shops you can walk into, there's almost always something going on! The vibe is really chill a...
Old Town San Diego
This is a little further away in Escondido, but it's worth the drive. Not like the typical zoo, the animals have more room here. There's a part of the park that you have to get in a tram in order to see the animals. They do a lot of conservation here...
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
This is a great place to visit on a really nice day. You can walk around, shop, eat, listen to music, and look out at the bay!
Seaport Village
Nothing better than a baseball game! And the Padres are actually getting good! hahah I jest (but do I?!). It's a beautiful stadium, and the food there is really fantastic!
Petco Park
For those that like seeing military ships, you should definitely check this one out. You can do a self guided tour and walk around the ship! It's actually really fascinating.
USS Midway Museum
This is another fantastic ship to visit, I had never been on anything like it before!
Star of India
This is really fun! Some rides and minigolf on the beach?! YES PLEASE! It's like in the movies!
Belmont Park
This is the beach you go to if you want to relax and tan, maybe with your family. I really enjoyed this beach.
Mission Beach
This is the beach you go to if you want to party! It neighbors PB (Pacific Beach) town, with a lot of restaurants and bars.
Guide to Pacific Beach Beaches
This is my favorite beach, it doesn't get to crowded and it's near the military base!
Coronado Beach
This is such a beautiful area to walk around. You can along the cliffs, looking out at the water. You can see the seals. Then if you go up to the next streets, there's shopping and restaurants. It's really a beautiful place.
La Jolla Cove | City of San Diego Official Website
This is the IT place to go if you love to golf and want to get in a round. My husband LOVED golfing here, and we even went to the Farmers Insurance Open!
Torrey Pines Golf Course
Nothing is more fun than a dueling piano bar and this is by far the absolutely BEST one that I have ever been to! The crowd is always fantastic and engaged. It's always a great time.
The Shout! House
Do you believe in ghosts? If you do, check this place out that is supposedly haunted!
Whaley House Museum
This is hands down one of the best farmer's markets I have ever been to. It spreads multiple streets, has tons of different options of items to buy - food and nonfood - and it's awesome to visit when it's nice out.
Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market
We used to go here every year for pumpkin picking. There was always food trucks, a small petting zoo, face painting, some pony rides, a rock climbing wall, and more. It's such a fun way to spend a nice October afternoon out!
Bates Nut Farm
The BEST Restaurants in San Diego
This restaurant is in the heart of Little Italy and it was one of my favorite Italian Restaurants to go to in San Diego!
Buon Appetito Restaurant
This restaurant is small, and the line and wait can be very long, but it is SOOO worth it! The pancakes are delicious. Especially the one with Pecans!
Richard Walkers Pancake House
Chef Richard Blais' restaurant, need I say more?
Juniper and Ivy
This is the restaurant my husband and I went to every Valentine's Day and every anniversary. It was our place. I always ate the Penne alla Vodka, it was some of the best around!
Il Fornaio Coronado
This is the best place for decadent desserts! I loved coming here and actually catered desserts from here for my wedding!
Extraordinary Desserts
Bars to Visit in Downtown San Diego
I sorta remember one really good night here ;-)
The Tipsy Crow
I cannot believe this place is still around. This was my stomping ground. Half country bar, half pop/hip hop bar with a mechanical bull. I spent many, many nights here. My absolute favorite place.
The Double Deuce
This is a spirit and wine bar, more upscale and elegant. It's absolutely beautiful and a great way to spend a classy night out.
Vin de Syrah
This is another fun place, the drinks flow and the music is good!
The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole