7 days in San Diego: hidden gems and local adventures

A zoo-quarium that focuses on the importance of coastal resource conservation, the Living Coast Discovery Center features a number of diverse and fascinating exhibits, set just steps from the pristine coastline of San Diego Bay.Kids and adults will love the Living Coast Discovery Center which features native Southern California wildlife. In Turtle Lagoon, get up close and personal with the Living Coast’s own endangered Eastern Pacific Green Sea Turtles. And don't miss the Shark & Ray Experience - a 21,000-gallon aquarium that includes a shallow-water touch tank where you can actually touch the resident rays.At the Living Coast Discovery Center San Diego, you can step into the Shorebird Aviary and enter the home of native water and shorebirds, including egrets, ducks, and herons. At Eagle Mesa, you'll come face-to-face with the majestic national symbols of the United States and Mexico: the Bald eagle and Golden eagle. Take a walk down Raptor Row and meet the Living Coast’s native birds of prey, including hawks, owls, osprey, and even the Turkey vulture.As you’re exploring, take notice of the beautiful gardens featuring San Diego’s rich mosaic of plant species. You can take a stroll on the National Wildlife Refuge’s 1.5 miles of walking trails leading to the shoreline, where you may catch a glimpse of a soaring harrier, shorebirds, rabbits, and maybe even an Osprey diving down for lunch.Discover the wonders of native wildlife at the Living Coast Discovery Center in San Diego. Experience hands-on exhibits, meet fascinating animals, and learn about vital conservation efforts.Join guided tours, bird-watching expeditions, and interactive animal encounters for an unforgettable adventure at this unique coastal gem, where nature and education come to life.

San Diego is one of the world’s most ecologically diverse areas, and you'll get the chance to discover its colorful marine life. Dolphins, sea lions, and golden garibaldi fish call the area home, so don't miss the chance to explore an underwater paradise.If you're looking for things to do in San Diego, you should definitely rent or hire snorkel gear so you can spend a day underwater.You'll get a snorkel, mask, a wetsuit, and even flippers to propel you through the water. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters and take some underwater snaps of the colorful coral. Keep your eyes peeled for the bizarre-looking Shovel Nose Guitar Fish or a harmless Leopard Shark swimming around in the kelp forest.

Plunge San Diego is an enormous recreational facility located next to Belmont Park, right on Mission Beach.Built in 1925, the original Plunge was once the world’s largest saltwater pool. Its 2019 makeover has transformed it into a modern mecca for swimmers of all ages. Dive in!Your day pass gives you unlimited use of the enormous pool, with its seven lap lanes and a separate area that includes a huge floating obstacle course and state-of-the-art basketball hoop. A retractable roof lets the sun flow in on hot summer days and there are fine panoramic views year round from the floor-to-ceiling windows.Poolside, there’s an additional 1000 square feet of fitness space, with spin bikes, rowing machines, a sauna and more.

Show off your best fishing techniques and make memories of your time in Cali on this SoCal Eco Tour. You'll be shown around San Diego Pier and taken to the best fishing spots while your knowledgeable guide provides plenty of tips and a brief history of the area.Enjoy a relaxing day right by the ocean and catch plenty of fish at this well-known fishing hotspot. All essential equipment is provided, including fishing poles, tackle, and bait for your convenience.

Explore San Diego at your own pace as you ride around the city – stop off for sightseeing or snack breaks, or just cruise around in the sun taking it all in. Set off from the central store front location and head round town or along the waterfront as you discover the vibrant variety San Diego has to offer. Check out Balboa Park, the Bea Evenson Fountain, San Diego Zoo, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Gas Lamp Quarter or see it all! With your pass you'll get a bike, a map and all the accessories you might need to see San Diego from the saddle. On your marks. Get set. Go!

There's no better way to see a city than by pedaling through its beautiful streets. This eBike tour of San Diego will provide you with the perfect sightseeing experience, as you zoom through the city's most notable districts.The tour begins in the historic Gaslamp Quarter and then takes you to San Diego Bay and Bilboa Park. Along the way, your tour guide will give a comprehensive history of the attractions and areas you pass through.

Explore the sights of picturesque Island on two wheels with a Coronado bike rental adventure. Customize your own San Diego sightseeing route with the detailed bike map, which is included with your bike rental, and highlights all the scenic spots, points of interest, bike paths, recommended routes, and more.With your bike, you'll be able to cover more ground in less time, so you can get the full Coronado Island experience. Cruise through the well-landscaped neighborhoods, where no two houses are the same, ride by the Naval Air Station and US Navy SEALS center and snap pictures of the San Diego skyline.Each Coronado bike rental also includes a helmet, a water bottle holder, and a detailed map. Don't forget to take your camera as there will be plenty of photo opportunities along the way through Coronado.

The Mingei International Museum is a celebration of the art of daily use from all eras and cultures of the world. Here you can discover art, craft and design from folk cultures and gain an understanding of the joy of making.The Museum collects, conserves and exhibits these arts of daily life – by unknown craftsmen of ancient times, from traditional cultures of past and present and by historical and contemporary designers.You'll get a close look at pottery, wood carvings, textiles, retablos, masks bronzes, costumes, jewelry, and much more from all four corners of the globe.What's more, the collection sits in the stunning House of Charm, a gorgeous Mission Revival Style buidling that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The word mingei, meaning 'art of the people,' was coined by the Japanese scholar Dr. Sōetsu Yanagi by combining the Japanese words for all people (min 民) and art (gei 芸).Take a look at the exhibition schedule to plan your visit.

Combining history, spooky tales and potential ghostly encounters, this tour is perfect for anyone with a penchant for the paranormal! You'll check out some of San Diego's most notorious spots for ghostly activity and learn about the history and folklore of these haunted spots. You'll spend plenty of time admiring the Victorian architecture of Heritage Park and enjoying the disturbing stories of its gruesome and ghoulish past. You'll also explore Old Town San Diego with a brief stop at the Whaley House, and finally, El Campo Santo Cemetery.

See San Diego from the water aboard the Coronado Ferry. This 15-minute ride is the perfect way to sail across the pier whilst experiencing some of San Diego’s history.The Coronado Island Ferry is the oldest working wooden ferry in the US and is the only way to reach Coronado Island by foot, where shops and restaurants await. The 15-minute ride is the perfect way to sightsee San Diego from the water.

This interactive, guided PETCO Park Tour gives you access to the ballpark's restricted areas that few get to see.Discover 'writer's row' in the press box, learn about the historic Western Metal Supply Co. Building, and explore the Padres' dugout.You'll also get to peek inside the exclusive premium lounge and private luxury suites and enter the press box, where announcers call out a play-by-play of your favorite games.

Embark on a spine-tingling journey through San Diego's ghostly Gaslamp Quarter. For only the bravest of souls, this tour will take you through the historic streets where the past and the paranormal intersect.Enter the shadows where only the bold venture... This is no ordinary tour, but a haunting mix of ghostly tales, unsolved crimes and secrets from San Diego’s sailors and brothels. The living can be as wild as the dead – revelers and rogues may cross your path.This journey is not for the faint of heart, but for those brave enough to face the unknown.