Attractions

In the 'Hood  |   Beaches  |   Downtown  |   Miscellaneous

This is just a start! Check out the basket of brochures for many more options.

In the 'Hood For the Kids

Lindbergh Park – Our local little park around the corner has a playground for kids, restrooms, and plenty of room for a picnic.
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Boomer’s – A great place for the kids to ride go karts, bumper boats, play mini golf, use the batting cages, arcade etc.
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Skateworld Roller Rink – Haven’t done this in quite a few years but it looks like fun every time we walk by it! Check their hours before going.
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Kearny Mesa Bowl – They offer daily specials such as Rock N’ Bowl, karaoke, and bowling all night with some nights open until 2am!
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Beaches

Mission Bay Park – There are trails that wind all around the bay through grassy treed parks. It’s nice for a sunny day stroll or for a bit of exercise. Workout courses are along the path.
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Belmont Park, Mission Beach - Famous for its historic wooden roller coaster,  this amusement park offers fun for all ages including riding waves at the Wave House. Rollerblade, skateboard, bicycle or people-watch along the Boardwalk, a scenic three-mile boardwalk along lively Mission and Pacific beaches. Parking is free but can be a bit difficult on a busy weekend.
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Pacific Beach - Straight down Balboa Blvd., "P.B." as it is known as by local residents, is home to one of San Diego's larger nightlife scenes, with dozens of bars, eateries, and clothing stores. The heavily trafficked Boardwalk (that runs between Mission and Pacific beaches) is a fascinating exhibition of contemporary style and beach culture. Crystal Pier, a publicly accessible free fishing pier, is a well known landmark. Parking is a nightmarish prospect throughout Pacific Beach.
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Ocean Beach – Newport Avenue is the heart of OB. It is a bit more of a hippy beach than the typical California-style Mission Beach. There are many great antique shops and casual restaurants and bars. At the north end of OB is Dog Beach where pups can run free and enjoy the waves, and just South of Newport Ave are tidepools at low tide.
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La Jolla Cove - Catch a magnificent Pacific sunset and watch sea lions and harbor seals play along the shoreline at La Jolla Cove, one of the most spectacular natural settings in the world. La Jolla has more upscale shopping and restaurants. Kayaking - Discover the spectacular Seven Caves, sea cliffs, and the Underwater Park, all of which are renowned to La Jolla.
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Downtown

There is so much to see walking around downtown. Almost all the places listed below are within an easy walk of each other.

Gaslamp Quarter – The historic Gaslamp Quarter is hoppin’ any day or night of the week. Walk 5th Avenue to see all the Victorian architecture, unique stores, numerous restaurants, nightclubs and bars.
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Embarcadero – Take a stroll along the embarcadero at San Diego Bay and view the public art sculptures, historic ships, the HMS Surprise from Master and Commander, parks, yachts, etc.  Go on a harbor cruise or a whale watching trip. You can walk all the way from the Convention Center up past Seaport Village to the Star of India.
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Waterfront Park – Have a splash! Welcoming residents and visitors alike, the newly constructed Waterfront Park features intimate garden rooms with distinct themes, a vibrant children's play zone, and several picnic areas. Kids enjoy having a splash in the interactive splash fountain, while cooling off on warm days.
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Seaport Village Shopping Center - Visit Seaport Village during the weekends for free entertainment and hours of leisurely strolling and window-shopping.  You can walk along the bay-front or sit in the grass and gaze at passing yachts and ships along San Diego Bay.
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USS Midway Museum - The USS Midway Museum is a real naval aircraft carrier that served in the United States Navy for 47 years.  Large and very impressive, it has real jets and real airplanes up on the flight deck that travelers can actually walk into and even sit in the cockpits of some planes.
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Star of India at the San Diego Martiime Museum - Star of India is the world's oldest active sailing ships. It’s beautiful to look at from the embarcadero or you can go aboard for a tour. Also at the museum is the ship from Master and Commander.
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New Children’s Museum - On the second Sunday of each month, stop by The New Children’s Museum in downtown San Diego for free admission.  Families of all ages can enjoy innovative, hands-on art opportunities and first-rate exhibitions designed by emerging and established contemporary artists.
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Little Italy – Stroll around San Diego's hip and historic Italian neighborhood hosting Italian restaurants, art shops, and a British pub just north of the Gaslamp Quarter.
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Petco Park – An open-air ballpark in downtown and home of the San Diego Padres. During the day the park is open to visitors to walk through or enjoy the park at the park.
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Balboa Park - Balboa Park contains one of the largest groups of museums in the US. The park has trees, gardens, statues, promenades and Spanish Colonial-style buildings. Highlights are the Museum of Man, child-oriented Reuben H. Fleet Science Center with interactive experiments and huge IMAX screen, and the San Diego Zoo. One museum is free the first Tuesday of each month. During the summer there are free outdoor movies. Enjoy free organ concerts  on Sundays at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Stargaze outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science on the first Wednesday of every month when the San Diego Astronomy Association sets up huge telescopes to offer guests a great view of the night sky.
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San Diego Zoo - The enormous San Diego Zoo, located in Balboa Park, is one of the world's best.  Its wide selection of animals, many of them rare, are restrained in "psychological cages," without bars.
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Miscellaneous

Tours – We have never taken any of these tours but see them around town all the time.
Old Town Trolley Tour: Combining points of interest with fascinating history and amusing anecdotes, our trolley tour stops at all of San Diego’s most popular attractions.
Seal Tour: What drives like a bus and glides like a boat? The San Diego SEAL Tour, of course! If you’ve ever wished for a tour that showcases the most interesting vantage point of San Diego, then climb aboard the San Diego SEAL Tour and see America’s Finest City how it was meant to be seen – by sea and by land!

Scavenger Hunt Adventure - Experience San Diego in a whole new way on this scavenger hunt walking tour. Perfect for families, groups of friends and corporate teambuilding activities. Use your smart phone to solve clues and complete challenges as you make your way to famous and hidden gems of the city. Play on your own schedule.

Sea World – Always a fun place to see animal shows, pet sharks, and learn about sea life.
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Old Town State Park - witness the living legacy of California’s birthplace at Old Town State Historic Park, San Diego’s first “downtown.”  The six-block park features 12 acres of Mexican lore and historical sites presented in shops, restaurants, museums (including the haunted Whaley House), an old cemetary (view article) , and several carefully preserved or restored adobe and wooden buildings.
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Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala - San Diego de Alcala, the first of the great California Missions, marks the birthplace of Christianity in the far West. It is California's first church. Today the Mission, which was founded in 1769, serves as an active parish church and cultural center for people of all faiths who are welcome to visit and relive the grandeur and excitement of more than two centuries of California history and tradition.
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LEGOLAND California Resort – A world class amusement park designed for youngsters. It has many interactive rides that kids can operate. There are more than 50 thrilling rides, shows and attractions to choose from.
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San Diego Zoo Safari Park (previously the San Diego Wild Animal Park) – An incredible free-range animal park.   One of the largest tourist attractions in Southern California, it houses wild and endangered animals in their natural habitats. Take a narrated train ride to see Sumatran tigers and African elephants. You can even feed the giraffes! Certain times of year they have a butterfly enclosure that’s my favorite!
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Hotel Del Coronado - With its iconic red turrets piercing the taut horizontal lines of an azure California skyline, the Hotel del Coronado radiates with a confidence of gracious Victorian splendor that is without equal.  Built in 1888, this classic beachfront respite has long been heralded as one of America’s most beautiful beach resorts. A nice place to go for a drink out on their deck. During the winter there is outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific Ocean!
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Tijuana, Mexico – Take a quick trip over the border for some margaritas, shopping, and street tacos. Stop at the duty free shop on your way over (on the US side, but you have to bring your purchases into Mexico, then bring them back across the border) for super good deals on alcohol! ;)
**Check the US Department of State travel warnings before going**
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Los Angeles – A little bit of everything such as Disneyland, China Town, Olvera Street (enjoy a 9 cent cup of coffee!), nightclubs, the garment district, Hermosa Beach, Newport Beach (Orange County), the Staples Center, Universal Studios, etc. Plenty to keep you busy for a day trip!
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Julian – A nice little mountain town only a little over an hour away with snow in the wintertime. You can visit some of the area’s historic sites and later enjoy a slice of homemade apple pie – a Julian specialty!
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