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9+ Things to Do in San Diego Besides SeaWorld

San Diego is a fun-filled vacation destination with everything from popular theme parks to world-class museums, surfing, shopping, and more. So if you're looking for things to do in San Diego besides SeaWorld, there are plenty of options. We put together a list of our top recommendations for attractions, museums, cruises, activities, and other recommended things to do in San Diego besides SeaWorld, including:

  • LEGOLAND® California
  • Belmont Park
  • San Diego Zoo
  • San Diego Natural History Museum
  • San Diego Air & Space Museum
  • San Diego Zoo Safari Park
  • USS Midway
  • Coronado Island Bike Rental
  • & More

Save on Admission to Popular Attractions

Regular admission to a number of these attractions are included on the Go San Diego Card. Choose as you go from dozens of San Diego attractions & activities and save up to 55% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes and San Diego attractions – Learn more. Please note, some of these special July and 4th of July weekend events may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go San Diego Card.

LEGOLAND® California

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LEGOLAND® California

Experience your kids' (or your own) favorite pastime come to life at LEGOLAND® California! You'll get to enjoy LEGO®-themed rides, attractions, shows, interactive exhibits, and more. You'll even get to see some of your favorite characters from popular LEGO® movies and experiences. Little ones will love the DUPLO® play area while the older kids can make the most of all the exciting thrill rides, 3D shows, Miniland USA, and more. Getting In: LEGOLAND® California tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Belmont Park

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Belmont Park

If it's rides and amusement park fun you're after, be sure to check out Belmont Park, located just steps from the beach. Whether you're a thrill ride junky or carnival game extraordinaire, there's tons of fun things to do at Belmont Park, it's easy to spend an entire day here. Getting In: Belmont Park All Access Combo Pass tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

The San Diego Zoo

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The San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is synonymous with a visit to San Diego. You'll get to see over 3,700 animals from all over the world, including its famous pandas. This historic park is located in the heart of Balboa Park, so it's surrounded by a bunch of other popular attractions, restaurants, and beautiful landscapes and architecture. Your San Diego Zoo ticket includes a guided bus tour, the hop-on hop-off Kangaroo Express Bus, a ride on the Skyfari® aerial tram, and any special shows occurring throughout the day. Getting In: San Diego Zoo tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

San Diego Natural History Museum

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San Diego Natural History Museum

Also located in Balboa Park, TheNAT (as it's known by the locals), is a fantastic place to visit when you visit the zoo. One of the fun things about TheNAT is that many of its exhibits explore the natural history and culture of Southern and Baja California. San Diego Natural History Museum tickets include a daily film screening too, check their schedule before you go! Getting In: San Diego Natural History Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

San Diego Air & Space Museum

San Diego Air & Space Museum gives visitors an overview of the important and strategic role San Diego has played in naval aviation. You'll also get to explore topics like space exploration and modern aviation with hands-on exhibits. Learn about the first hot air balloon ride in 1783, see the Navy F6F Hellcat, A-4 Skyhawk jet, Wright EX Vin Fiz, the Apollo XI Space Pen, and more. Getting In: San Diego Air & Space Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

San Diego Safari Park

If you love animals, be sure to check out the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. San Diego Zoo Safari Park features large animal enclosures where visitors can observe animals roaming, running, jumping, flying, and more. Special exhibits, shows, demonstrations, and interactive experiences take place throughout the day, so be sure to check the park's schedule before planning your day. Your San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets include admission to all general exhibits, a ride on the Africa Tram Safari, viewing of the Cheetah Run, and all regularly scheduled keeper talks and shows. Getting In: San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

USS Midway Museum

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USS Midway Museum

One of San Diego's most-visited attractions, the USS Midway is a historic aircraft carrier-turned-museum. Onboard, you'll get to explore the ship's many features and explore lots of exhibits detailing the role the ship played in WWII and what life was like for those who served aboard it. On the ship's main deck you can see an array of aircraft up close (and even climb inside a couple of them) and see where the airplanes would take off and land when the ship was out at sea. Your USS Midway tickets include a screening of “Battle of Midway: Voices of Midway,” an informative and moving narration. We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction. Getting In: USS Midway Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Coronado Bike & Kayak Rentals

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Coronado Bike & Kayak Rentals

Hop on a ferry and head to Coronado, a small 'island' right in San Diego Bay. Pick up a kayak or stand up paddleboard to get out on the water and explore the sights. You'll get to see unique views of Petco Park, the Embarcadero, the USS Midway, Naval Station North Island, the Silver Strand, the Convention Center, and Glorietta Bay. Getting In: Coronado: Tandem Kayak and/or Stand-Up Paddle Board Rentals are included on the Go San Diego Card. Please note: reservations are required for this attraction.

Birch Aquarium

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Birch Aquarium

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is a famous oceanographic institute that places a special emphasis on sea life that can be found right in the La Jolla waters. Check out the many hands-on and interactive exhibits and be sure not to miss the stunning Pacific Ocean views from the Aquarium. Getting In: Birch Aquarium tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

La Jolla Beaches

After visiting the Birch Aquarium, make the most of your time in La Jolla and check out its picturesque beaches. Go for a swim, sunbathe, snorkel, or poke around the shops and restaurants located near the beaches.

Miramar Speed Circuit & Laser Tag

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Miramar Speed Circuit & Laser Tag

See what it's like to get behind the wheel in a racecar and test out your expert driving skills at Miramar Speed Circuit. The state-of-the-art equipment and challenging racecourse complete with hairpin turns and long speedways, will have you thinking you're racing with the pros. Clock your lap times, compare your performance with friends and see how you stack up to the pros, and more. Plus, your admission through the Go Card now includes Laser Tag! Getting In: Miramar Speed Circuit tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Whale Watching Cruise by Newport Landing

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Whale Watching Cruise by Newport Landing

San Diego is one of the best places to go whale watching. Head out to sea and see how many you can spot with a Whale Watching Cruise by Newport Landing. With several daily departures available, it's easy to fit a whale watching cruise into your San Diego sightseeing itinerary. A few of the fascinating and majestic species you may see on your adventure include the California Gray Whale, Giant Blue Whales, Orcas, Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, and other sea creatures including dolphins, seals, and sharks. Getting In: Newport Landing Whale Watching tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Knott’s Berry Farm

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Knott’s Berry Farm

If you're looking for the classic theme park experience, head to historic Knott’s Berry Farm - California's first ever theme park (originally a berry stand). Spend the day experiencing thrill ride after thrill ride and enjoy other theme park attractions like carnival-style games, activities, and more. While you're there, sample a bit of California history and pick up a Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Pie! Getting In: Knott’s Berry Farm tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Let’s Recap

These are just a few of the most popular things to do in San Diego besides SeaWorld - the possibilities are endless. Part of the reason San Diego is such a popular vacation spot is that it's packed with a variety of attractions and activities, so there's something to suit every type of traveler. Whether you're looking to experience San Diego beyond its theme parks or just want to do things other than SeaWorld, it's all here. Visit each of these above attractions with a Go San Diego® Card and save on combined admission costs.

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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The Best Time to Visit San Diego Zoo

Located in Balboa Park, a vast expanse of parkland located just north of downtown, San Diego Zoo is home to thousands of animals and is one of the most visited zoos in the United States, so it’s important to plan your visit accordingly. Spot tigers, hippos and gorillas in the Lost Forest and visit the Komodo Kingdom to get your giant lizard fix. There are also Arctic landscapes, massive tropical aviaries and over 700,000 exotic plants to explore. In short, it’s impossible to see all 100 acres of it in a single day, even with the help of the guided bus tour and Skyfari cable car. Get the lowdown on how to dodge the crowds and maximize your time at San Diego Zoo with our guide to the best times to visit. Best time to visit San Diego Zoo The best time to visit the zoo is on weekday mornings, when crowds are thinner and the animals are at their most active. This is also the time of day you’re most likely to see them feeding. It’s a fair bit busier on weekends but mornings are still the best time to go, especially on hot days when the critters will be more inclined to hide out in shady spots to avoid the midday sun. Those hotter afternoons are best spent exploring the Lost Forest aviaries, where dense foliage helps keep temperatures more bearable and animals more active. We also recommend taking the bus tour early in the day as long lines form for this from around 11AM onwards. Top tip: kids go free every October, making it a great time for families to visit.   In brief... If you’re planning a visit to San Diego Zoo, aim to arrive by opening time (9AM) on weekdays to see animals at their most active in the morning and avoid some of the queues that tend to start developing from around 11AM. Yes, you’ll have to negotiate the city’s morning rush hour but, trust us, it'll be worth it to maximize your time in the zoo and have the very best experience possible. Get the Go City attraction pass to make big savings when visiting this and other top attractions in San Diego! Grab whichever San Diego pass suits you, and go exploring!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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San Diego Neighborhood Guide

San Diego is a delightful vacation destination. Filled with top-notch cultural attractions, exciting sports teams, and sunny, sandy beaches—San Diego's neighborhood variety makes it practically perfect. It’s also, however, quite large, making it difficult to truly tackle the whole city in one single vacation. The best way to handle San Diego on any one single vacation is to target your explorations on a specific neighborhood or two to really get to know those areas. You’ll be able to visit more attractions in each neighborhood, too, since you’ll be cutting down on transit time by sticking within a few core areas. To help you plan your San Diego vacation, we’ve put together this helpful guide to the major neighborhoods in San Diego, including those that technically lie outside the city limits. And because you’re probably also looking for things to do in those neighborhoods, we’ve listed a few of the best attractions in each area, too. If you’re hoping to make one of these neighborhoods your home base, we also recommend a few for San Diego hotels, including: La Jolla Gaslamp Quarter Old Town Little Italy North Park Hillcrest And more! These neighborhoods are organized alphabetically. Carlsbad Coronado East Village A trendy downtown neighborhood anchored by the striking PETCO Park, you’ll find most of the bars and restaurants clustered around the ballpark. There are also, however, a number of top San Diego breweries in the area, so beer drinkers might want to check it out, too. Encinitas About 26 miles north of downtown, this neighborhood is artsy without being too rough around the edges. There are some great beaches here, as well as many shops and restaurants along Highway 101. Check out the San Diego Botanic Garden if you’re into plants or play a round of golf just to enjoy the outdoors. Gaslamp Quarter Hillcrest La Jolla Little Italy Mission Hills While predominantly residential, Mission Hills is also home to a wide variety of shops and restaurants, with something to please every palate. You can find everything from diners to chic New American cuisine, plus plenty of retail off the Pacific Highway. The “hotel circle” of budget hotels is also found around here and is a good place to look for deals. North Park This trendy neighborhood is populated by beer gardens and breweries, shops and boutiques, restaurants and food trucks—you name it, North Park probably has a few. Visitors can also enjoy many art galleries and a monthly evening art walk called Ray at Night. The San Diego hotels here are good for those looking to stay in a happening area. Ocean Beach A typical, laid-back beach town, Ocean Beach is filled with the best beachy things like surf shops, outdoor cafés, great dog parks, and more. It’s just north of Point Loma (with its historic lighthouse and famous tide pools) and a just south of the ever-popular Belmont Park. A charming little area, OB is also a nice place to look for hotels. Old Town San Diego Pacific Beach Right by the boardwalk, this beachfront neighborhood is known for its collection of casual bars, restaurants, and shops. If you’re interested in dining here, you can enjoy Mexican street food, French haute cuisine, or California casual fare. It’s a great place to hang out as an adult couple, or with friends. Save on Things to do in San Diego Once you’ve figured out what you want to do in San Diego and where you want to target your explorations, you’re sure to be looking for good deals. Save up to 55% on attraction admission with a Go San Diego pass. Visit the most popular attractions across the neighborhoods listed here, including many museums, tours, cruises, and so much more with a San Diego attraction pass! Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCityPass in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!
Katie Sagal

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