112 Best Sights in San Diego, California

After 47 years of worldwide service, the retired USS Midway began a new tour of duty on the south side of the Navy pier in 2004. Launched in 1945, the 1,001-foot-long ship was the largest in the world for the first 10 years of its existence. The most visible landmark on the north Embarcadero, it now serves as a floating interactive museum—an appropriate addition to the town that is home to one-third of the Pacific fleet and the birthplace of naval aviation. A free audio tour guides you through the massive ship while offering insight from former sailors. As you clamber through passageways and up and down ladder wells, you'll get a feel for how the Midway's 4,500 crew members lived and worked on this "city at sea."

Though the entire tour is impressive, you'll really be wowed when you step out onto the 4-acre flight deck—not only the best place to get an idea of the ship's scale, but also one of the most interesting vantage points for bay and city skyline views. An F-14 Tomcat jet fighter is just one of many vintage aircraft on display. Free guided tours of the bridge and primary flight control, known as "the Island," depart regularly from the flight deck. Many of the docents stationed throughout the ship served in the Navy, some even on the Midway, and they are eager to answer questions or share stories. The museum also offers multiple flight simulators for an additional fee, climb-aboard cockpits, and interactive exhibits focusing on naval aviation. There is a gift shop and a café with pleasant outdoor seating. This is a wildly popular stop, with most visits lasting several hours.

Despite efforts to provide accessibility throughout the ship, some areas can only be reached via fairly steep steps; a video tour of these areas is available on the hangar deck.

More than 200 local artists, including glassblowers, enamel workers, wood-carvers, sculptors, painters, jewelers, and photographers, work and give demonstrations of their craft on a rotating basis within and outside these red tile–roof studio-galleries that were set up for the 1935–36  California Pacific International Exposition in the style of an old Spanish village. The center is a great source for memorable gifts.

Adjacent to San Diego's County Administration Center is one of the city's most playful destinations—this 12-acre, family-friendly space is a great place to stretch out and cool off with fountain jets that are operational during the warmer months and a playground where children can climb, swing, and slide to their hearts' content. Even if you're just taking a moment to rest, the seaside view is worth the stop. Numerous concerts, festivals, and other events take place throughout the year, so check the website for a full schedule.

A New York entrepreneur, Thomas Whaley came to California during the gold rush. He wanted to provide his East Coast wife with all the comforts of home, so in 1857 he had Southern California's first two-story brick structure built, making it the oldest double-story brick building on the West Coast. The house, which served as the county courthouse and government seat during the 1870s, stands in strong contrast to the Spanish-style adobe residences that surround the nearby historic plaza and marks an early stage of San Diego's "Americanization." A garden out back includes many varieties of prehybrid roses from before 1867. The place is perhaps most famed, however, for the ghosts that are said to inhabit it. You can tour on your own during the day, but must visit by guided tour after 4:30 pm. The evening tours are geared toward the supernatural aspects of the house. Tours start at 5 pm and are offered every half hour, with the last tour departing at 9:30 pm.

With its rocky shoreline and strong shore break, Windansea stands out among San Diego beaches for its dramatic natural beauty. It's one of the best surf spots in San Diego County. Surfers love the unusual A-frame waves the reef break here creates. Although the large sandstone rocks that dot the beach might sound like a hindrance, they actually serve as protective barriers from the wind, making this one of the best beaches in San Diego for sunbathing. The beach's palm-covered surf shack built in 1946 is a protected historical landmark, and a seat here at sunset may just be one of the most romantic spots on the West Coast. The name Windansea comes from a hotel that burned down in the late 1940s. You can usually find nearby street parking. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); toilets. Best for: solitude; sunset; surfing.

You may feel like royalty here as you rest on the benches by the exquisitely tiled fountains—the garden's highlight—and it's no wonder: the garden's landscaping was inspired by the gardens surrounding the Alcazar Castle in Seville, Spain. Bordered by boxwood hedges, the garden is open year-round, allowing for a seasonally shifting color palette. The flower beds, for example, are ever-changing horticultural exhibits featuring more than 7,000 annuals for a nearly perpetual bloom.

With one of the largest tasting rooms in San Diego, this microbrewery offers tastings at its out-of-the-way locale in the Miramar area. Try AleSmith's popular Speedway Stout, brewed in various editions ranging from peanut butter and maple bar to German chocolate and coffee.

Ever since the renovation of the former Naval Training Center, Liberty Station has championed local artists by transforming the space into a hub for culture and arts. This thriving ARTS DISTRICT showcases murals, sculptures, and other mediums by local artists whose pieces are commissioned for approximately one year. To get a closer look, a Public Art Scavenger Hunt invites visitors to tour the public art by scanning a QR code at any work of art. On the first Friday of every month, guests are invited to meet working artists, discover art installations, and explore the ARTS DISTRICT. Some of the most notable pieces include Victor Ving’s mural Greetings from the U.S. Naval Training Station, an interpretation of a 1940s military postcard; Jonathan Allen’s wooden boat USS Brave that honors the navy heritage; and Mary Buckman’s terra cotta sculpture Sisterhood, representing the bond between Kumeyaay (California's indigenous people) and western women.

Adjacent to the zoo parking lot and across from the carousel, a pint-size 48-passenger train runs a ½-mile loop for a four-minute ride through four tree-filled acres of the park. The engine of this rare 1948 model train is one of only 50 left in the world. Tickets are $4.50.

A favorite of barefoot children, this fountain shoots cool jets of water upward of 50 feet. Built in 1972 between the Fleet Center and Natural History Museum, the fountain offers plenty of room to sit and watch the crowds go by.

Affiliated with the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, this excellent aquarium sits at the end of a signposted drive leading off North Torrey Pines Road and has sweeping views of La Jolla coast below. More than 60 tanks are filled with colorful saltwater fish, and a 70,000-gallon tank simulates a La Jolla kelp forest. A special exhibit on seahorses features several examples of the species, plus mesmerizing sea dragons and a seahorse nursery. Besides the fish themselves, attractions include interactive educational exhibits based on the institution's ocean-related research and a variety of environmental issues.

In a town dominated by beer, craft ciders offer a refreshing alternative to the typical IPA. True to its name, Bivouac's design incorporates an open front and an interior seemingly held together by ropes—the rear table with suspended bench seating is a favorite of larger parties. Cider aficionados and newcomers alike can sample a wide range of styles through customizable flights, while skeptics can stick to the selection of wine, craft beer, and craft cocktails. When it's time to eat, look for comfort food and shared plates on the eclectic menu. Check out Bivouac's sprawling sister business next door, the Adventure Lodge, with a general store, cider bar, coffee shop, and open seating.

The powerful waves at this beach attract world-class surfers, and the strand's relative isolation appeals to nudist nature lovers (although by law nudity is prohibited). Backed by 300-foot-tall cliffs whose colors change with the sun's angle, Black's can be accessed from Torrey Pines State Beach to the north, or by a narrow path descending the cliffs from Torrey Pines Glider Port. Be aware that the city has posted a "do not use" sign there because the cliff trails are unmaintained and highly dangerous, so use at your own risk. If you plan to access Black's from the beaches to the north or south, do so at low tide. High tide and waves can restrict access. Strong rip currents are common—only experienced swimmers should take the plunge. Lifeguards patrol the area only between spring break and mid-October. Also keep your eyes peeled for the hang gliders and paragliders who ascend from atop the cliffs. Parking is available at the Glider Port and Torrey Pines State Beach. Amenities: none. Best for: nudists; solitude; surfing.

The official gateway into Balboa Park soars 125 feet above a canyon floor. Pedestrian-friendly, the nearly 1,500-foot bridge provides inspiring views of the California Tower and El Prado beyond.

This is a great spot for photographing a classic image of the park.

La Casa de Estudillo was built on Mason Street between 1827 and 1829 by San Diego's first County Assessor, Jose Antonio Estudillo, in collaboration with his father, the commander of the San Diego Presidio, José María Estudillo. The largest and most elaborate of the original adobe homes, it was occupied by members of the Estudillo family until 1887. It was purchased and restored in 1910 by sugar magnate and developer John D. Spreckels, who advertised it in bold lettering on the side as "Ramona's Marriage Place." Spreckels's claim that the small chapel in the house was the site of the wedding in Helen Hunt Jackson's popular novel Ramona had no basis; that didn't stop people from coming to see it, however. Today, the historic structure is open daily for the public to explore.

The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, adjacent to Chicano Park itself, gives the history and context behind the landmark and the political activism that inspired it. The museum also hosts galleries of rotating pieces by Chicanx artists, and make sure to visit the gift shop to take home a piece from a local artist. The museum is free for visitors 18 or younger (and donations are always accepted). Hours run from 10 am to 4 pm, but tours must be prearranged via email.

Due to the groups of harbor seals that have claimed it as their own, this shallow cove, protected by a seawall, is closed to the public for the winter pupping season, December 15 through May 15. People may access its calm, protected waters the other seven months of the year, however, and the beach's small waves make it an ideal place for children to splash and play. Adults will appreciate the view. Because of its location at the tip of La Jolla Peninsula, you can actually look east to get unmatched panoramic views of the coastline and ocean. The area just outside the pool is popular with scuba divers, who explore the offshore reef when the surf is calm. Although you may not be able to go down on the beach during the winter months, it's still worth a peek. It's fun to watch the seals and their pups from above. Limited free parking is available along Coast Boulevard. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; walking.

The newest museum addition to Balboa Park celebrates San Diego's popular Comic-Con convention and all things related. Rotating exhibits explore topics such as the history of animation, cosplay design and the evolution of Pac-Man, as well as tracing the growth of Comic-Con itself from a small gathering of enthusiasts 50 years ago to the international showcase it is today. Interactive exhibits offer visitors chances to tinker, animate, and game, while daily scavenger hunts offer prizes. The gift shop is worth a browse with its interesting selection of collectibles and books.

Fifteen-minute ferries connect two locations along the Downtown San Diego waterfront with the Coronado Ferry Landing. Boats depart on the hour from the Broadway Pier on the Embarcadero and on the half hour from Coronado Ferry Landing to the Embarcadero during operating hours. Between the San Diego Convention Center and the Coronado Ferry Landing, service departs every 30 minutes during operating hours. Buy tickets at the Broadway Pier, 5th Avenue Landing, or Coronado Ferry Landing. To reach the heart of downtown Coronado from the Ferry Landing, you can rent a bike at the landing (or bring one with you), or catch the 904 shuttle bus that runs along Orange Avenue. Ferry service is operated by Flagship Cruises.

This collection of shops at Ferry Landing is on a smaller scale than the Embarcadero's Seaport Village, but you do get a great view of the Downtown San Diego skyline. The little bayside shops and restaurants resemble the gingerbread domes of the Hotel del Coronado.

The neoclassical First Bank of Commerce building, constructed in 1910, holds the headquarters and archives of the Coronado Historical Association, a museum, the Coronado Visitor Center, and the Coronado Museum Store. The free museum's collection celebrates Coronado's history with photographs and displays of its formative events and major sights. A guided tour of the area's architecturally and historically significant buildings departs from the museum lobby on Sunday at 11 am and Tuesday at 1 pm and costs $20 for adults (reservations required). Alternatively, pick up a self-guided tour in the museum's shop.

Cutwater is best known for its more than 20 flavors of canned cocktails, including a Lime Margarita, Vodka Mule, and Rum Mint Mojito. Their tasting room and kitchen in Miramar is a full-service restaurant and bar with mixed drinks, neat pours, and tasting flights. 

Now a peaceful stop for visitors to Old Town, the old adobe-wall cemetery established in 1849 was, until 1880, the burial place for many members of Old Town's founding families—as well as for some gamblers and bandits who passed through town. Antonio Garra, a chief who led an uprising of the San Luis Rey Indians, was executed at El Campo Santo in front of the open grave he had been forced to dig for himself. Most of the markers give only approximations of where the people named on them are buried; some of the early settlers laid to rest at El Campo Santo actually reside under San Diego Avenue, thanks to the streetcar line that was built through the graveyard in 1894.

Overlooking the San Diego Bay and a nearby marina, this German-inspired brewery is quite possibly one of San Diego's most scenic. Expect a diverse spread of lagers, pilsners, ales, sours, and stouts that can be sampled as a draft or taster flight. Time your visit so you can watch the sunset over the water with a beer in hand.

Completed in 2015, East Village's first public park sits atop the Rose Canyon Fault system, an earthquake fault line that's still active today. Nevertheless, most of the shaking visitors feel is from children's pounding footsteps as they run around the 1.3-acre grassy area, complete with a playground, dog run area, and "Fault Whisper," two large stainless steel sculptures built as visual and audio aids for seismic activity. 

The most undeveloped area of Mission Bay Park, this is popular with bird-watchers (there's a large protected nesting site for the California tern at the northern tip of the island) as well as with dog owners, because it's the only place in the park where pets can run free. Firepits are scattered across the island for public use. In July the annual Over-the-Line Tournament, a competition involving a unique local version of softball, attracts thousands of players and oglers.

Interactive exhibits here are artfully educational and for all ages: older kids can get hands-on with inventive projects in Studio X, while the five-and-under set can be easily entertained with interactive play stations like the Ball Wall and Fire Truck in the center's Kid City. The IMAX Giant Dome Theater, which screens exhilarating nature and science films, was the world's first, as was the Fleet's "NanoSeam" (seamless) dome ceiling that doubles as a planetarium.

In 1934, eight of the 1,000 acres set aside for a military reserve in 1852 were designated as a burial site. More than 100,000 people are now interred here; it's moving to see the rows upon rows of white headstones that overlook both sides of Point Loma just north of the Cabrillo National Monument. Some of those laid to rest here were killed in battles that predate California's statehood; the graves of the 17 soldiers and one civilian who died in the 1874 Battle of San Pasqual between troops from Mexico and the United States are marked by a large bronze plaque. The 75-foot granite obelisk, the Bennington Monument, commemorates the 66 crew members who died in a boiler explosion and fire onboard the USS Bennington in 1905.

The oldest wooden house in San Diego houses the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation, the district's curator. Before developer Alonzo Horton came to town, Davis, a prominent San Franciscan, had made an unsuccessful attempt to develop the waterfront area. In 1850 he had this prefab saltbox-style house, built in Maine, shipped around Cape Horn and assembled in San Diego (it originally stood at State and Market streets). Pre-booked private tours of the home are available on Tuesdays (starting at $20) and general admission runs Wednesday through Sunday (starting at $8). Walking tours ($25) of the historic district leave from the house on Thursday at 3 pm and Saturday at 11 am, and themed tours are also available depending on the season, such as a 30-minute "Strange & Spooky" tour in fall.

A number of San Diego's important Victorian buildings are the focus of this 7.8-acre park on the Juan Street hill near Harney Street. Save Our Heritage Organization moved many historical buildings to this park from their original locations and also restored them. Among the buildings is Southern California's first synagogue, a one-room classical-revival structure built in 1889 for Congregation Beth Israel. The most interesting of the park's six former residences might be the Sherman-Gilbert House, which has a widow's walk and intricate carving on its decorative trim. It was built for real estate dealer John Sherman in 1887 at the then-exorbitant cost of $20,000—indicating just how profitable the booming housing market could be. All the houses, some of which may seem surprisingly colorful, accurately represent the bright hues of the era. The synagogue and the Senlis Cottage are open to visitors daily from 8 am to 6 pm; the latter contains a small exhibit with information on the history and original locations of the houses. The McConaughy House is now home to the Coral Tree Tea House, offering traditional tea service on Fridays from 11 am to 12:30 pm and weekends from 11 am to 3 pm (reservations are required).