7 days in San Diego: your must-see attractions adventure

Fifteen minutes north of downtown San Diego, Birch Aquarium nestles among the cliffs of La Jolla. Serving as the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, Birch Aquarium offers hands-on exhibits that spotlight cutting-edge ocean research and introduce guests to an incredible cast of ocean creatures.Discover the wonders of the ocean in Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery, get hands-on with tide animals at the Tide Pool Plaza, and learn so much more about the magic of the aquatic world at this immersive aquarium in San Diego.You'll see everything from sharks and lobsters to turtles while learning all about ocean science and the marine environment. There are daily feedings and sea life interactions to watch, and if you want to get hands-on, you can head to the touch pool and pet sea stars and crabs.Birch Aquarium interprets the research and discoveries of Scripps Institution of Oceanography – a world leader in marine science – so you'll be learning straight from the source.

Find something for every adventure-seeker at this fun-filled park.

The vessels all come with safety equipment that has been approved by the Coast Guard and use super-quiet, eco-friendly, 30-horsepower outboard motors. Boats can carry up to three passengers and come with comfortable cushioned seats.You don't need to be an experienced driver to pilot the boats either. They're controlled with a steering wheel that handles just like a car, and the throttle only has three positions.You can choose to cruise slowly like a houseboat and take in all the sights or whizz across the water.Along the way, you'll get views of the Navy Ships, the USS Midway aircraft museum, Coronado Bridge, famous Star of India, and the Seaport Village.

Get a whistle-stop tour of the city with this 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Pass from Old Town Trolley Tours. It's the perfect way to get your bearings when you first arrive.Once you start your tour, you can hop off at any of the 12 stops along the route and re-join when you're ready. Friendly and knowledgeable guides provide the 'transportainment' along the way, giving you the history, context, and trivia relating to everything you’ll see.

From cannibals and beer history to learning about the power of secrets to our relationships with animals and the truth about cannibalism – there’s something for everyone at the San Diego Museum of Us.The Museum of Us is a cultural anthropology museum that explores the human experience from multicultural perspectives to spark dialogue, self-reflection, and human connections. Nestled in the heart of San Diego's historic Balboa Park, the Museum of Us brings together history, anthropology, art, and cultural resources from ancient and contemporary cultures underneath its grand Rotunda, educating visitors of all ages.

It's housed in a historic Spanish Renaissance building and features an impressive collection of paintings from around the world. See Spanish and Italian Old Masters, South Asian paintings, 19th- and 20th-century American paintings, sculptures, and more.As well as its permanent collection, the Museum regularly features major exhibitions of art from around the world, as well as concerts and local student exhibits. Head out to the sculpture court and garden after exploring the interiors to browse an outstanding sculpture collection and impressive floral displays.

Immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural world at San Diego’s oldest museum! A staple in stunning Balboa Park, The Nat features regional, natural history and biodiversity of Southern and Baja California over a whopping five floors of exhibition space and more.Enjoy permanent exhibitions, exciting films in the giant-screen theater, a robust calendar of events and activities and the opportunity to see scientists at work. Discover fascinating stories about our natural world when you pay a visit to The Nat! 

You'll journey through the history of flight and explore beautifully-restored aircraft and hands-on exhibits. There's a model of the Montgolfier brothers’ hot air balloon of 1783, a Spitfire Mk XVI and a 4D theatre where you can take to the skies.Learn all about the history of aviation, space flight, and get a sense of the danger and excitement involved in air combat.

It was started by renowned car collector, Briggs Cunningham, back in 1988 and has since become a must-visit attraction for millions of automotive buffs.Here you'll find 90 incredible vehicles on display, including a $75,000 Cadillac complete with a toilet, a fridge, and self-inflating tires. There are also plenty of exhibits detailing the history of the American automotive industry and how cars contribute to American culture.Kids will also enjoy sitting in a real racecar and climbing onto a full-sized motorcycle, too.

Stroll around this peaceful garden in San Diego’s Balboa Park – the nation’s largest urban cultural park.The zen design of the Japanese Friendship Garden boasts traditional water and stone elements, two koi ponds, a bonsai collection, and unique attractions such as a cast bronze kannon bosatsu statue from 1735 AD. You'll enjoy the relaxing ambiance of the garden which fuses Japanese aesthetics with southern Californian characteristics.The garden was created as a gesture of friendship between the US and Japan and combines water, pastoral and mountain scenes, also known as 'San-Kei-En' - a three-tiered experience. As you explore, you'll learn about all the little landscaped details and what they represent in Japanese culture.Each calming element will bring a sense of peace and tranquility to your San Diego trip, so don't miss the chance to take some time out and enjoy this cultural sanctuary.

This must-see maritime museum is home to the oldest active ship in existence and the world’s deepest diving submarine, the USS Dolphin.Step into the captivating world of seafaring at the Maritime Museum San Diego. This nautical wonderland showcases a diverse collection of historic vessels and fascinating exhibits, unveiling the rich maritime heritage of the region.You'll have access to one of the finest collections of historic ships in the US, which are all faithfully restored and maintained by the museum.Many ships, including Star of India, are National Historic Landmarks and listed in the US Register of Historic Places. Other vessels you’ll experience include the San Salvador, the 1898 steam ferry Berkeley, the 1914 Pilot, and the Vietnam-era PCF 816 Swift boat. You'll also find plenty of family-friendly, immersive exhibits detailing ancient voyages, the San Diego Navy, commercial fishing, and a complete history of Western maritime travel.

Take a self-guided tour around 60 exhibits including the sleeping quarters, engine room, galley, and ship jail.Learn all about the ship’s decades of service and the 225,000 sailors that served on board the craft. Explore the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum’s exhibits, multimedia displays, interactive experiences, and more. The audio tour is narrated by Midway sailors who bring the Midway’s history to life with stories of their first-hand experiences living on the ship while at sea for months at a time.Take a step back in time and be amazed at the sheer size and beauty of the scale of the ship. With passes from Go City, you can enjoy this museum + many other local San Diego attractions for one low cost!

Sit back, relax and enjoy spectacular views of San Diego Bay. This professionally-narrated harbor boat tour takes in dozens of the city's best sights including Seaport Village, Shelter Island, Coronado Island, Point Loma, and Cabrillo National Monument. You'll cover 20 miles-worth of incredible landmarks and locations. As well as enjoying the sights, you'll also learn about San Diego's local history from the onboard narration and admire the area's stunning natural scenery. City Cruises' onboard staff will point out any marine animals you happen to pass by and you'll have plenty of chances to take photos along the way.