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

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Located about 35 miles north of downtown San Diego, Carlsbad is a great place to shop, dine, and explore. It’s home to LEGOLAND California (which is an ideal attraction for families with young kids), as well as a lovely, eminently walkable “village” area. You can also find a popular campground here, for the outdoorsy folks.

Coronado

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A delightful place to people-watch, swim or sunbathe, Coronado is best known as the home of the historic hotel and beach resort Hotel del Coronado. You’ll also find a small historical museum, plenty of cafés and shops, and some pleasant bike trails. There are several other hotels here, but they can be a bit pricey depending upon the time of year.

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

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A historic district popular with visitors, the Gaslamp Quarter is home to a number of top attractions like the Balboa Theatre, the Davis-Horton House, the New Children’s Museum, and the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum. This is also a great place to stay in San Diego for tourists.

Hillcrest

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This neighborhood is known for being central to San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community, and its spirited commitment to the arts. You’ll find plenty of unique bars and restaurants and easy proximity to big attractions like Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo.

La Jolla

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A mere 14 miles north of downtown is the gorgeous beach community of La Jolla. It’s filled with all the outdoorsy activities you could imagine, from surfing and snorkeling to hiking and tide pool peeping. This is a good place to stay in San Diego if you’re looking for an iconic beach experience.

Little Italy

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This popular neighborhood is renowned for its sumptuous cuisine and its plethora of easy lodging options. You’ll find San Diego hotels at a range of price points here, and for good reason. Some of the best and most popular restaurants in the city are found here. Be sure to check out the Mercato, too, on the weekends.

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

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Home to several historical attractions (including the haunted Whaley House), museums, and missions, Old Town San Diego has a strong, vibrant character all its own. You’ll also find some delicious cuisine here, with an emphasis on Latin American flavors. Check our Old Town San Diego Guide for more info!

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
Go City Travel Expert

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Bronze lion statue at the entrance to San Diego Zoo
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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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Visiting LEGOLAND® California Resort - Tips, Admission & More for Your Family

Families traveling to California can’t miss the hottest attraction in the area – LEGOLAND® California Resort. It’s perfect for families with children 12 and under because it’s designed to introduce them to the excitement, creativity, and innovation at an age-appropriate pace. Check out our helpful guide for visiting the LEGOLAND® California Resort, packed full of tips for visiting, ways to save on admission, other nearby attractions, and much more. Tips for Visiting LEGOLAND® California Start in the back of the Park at the beginning of the day (arrive before noon) and then move your way forward to avoid the most lines. Consider purchasing a Park Hopper pass if you think you’ll be interested in LEGOLAND Water Park or SEA LIFE® Aquarium – it will save you money versus purchasing individual tickets. If you plan to go to the Water Park, we suggest before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m. It will help you avoid the biggest lines. Download the LEGOLAND mobile app for access to park maps, special info, and attraction guides. If you want an interactive version of the map to consult in advance, you can find that online, too. Review height restrictions on rides before you visit so you don’t wait in line for a ride your kid isn’t tall enough to enjoy. For the full LEGO® experience, consider booking a night at the wildly popular LEGOLAND Hotel, located immediately adjacent to the Park. Use your San Diego pass to get your LEGOLAND tickets. When is the best time to visit LEGOLAND® California? A visit to LEGOLAND California Resort is likely to take all day, so plan to arrive early in the morning. This will minimize your wait times early in the day, and allow you to maximize the time you spend enjoying the Park. As far as the time of year goes, if you have any flexibility the summer is the time to avoid. The lines will be the longest and the cost of lodging will be higher. Fortunately, San Diego is temperate for most of the year, so you can still enjoy the rides throughout the fall and winter. What to bring to LEGOLAND® California? Sunscreen and a hat – you’ll be outside all day. If you plan on upgrading to the Water Park, bring or wear a bathing suit, too. A camera, smartphone, or another recording device. Bottled water and snacks if you want to avoid purchasing them on-site. Comfortable shoes – it’s a big park and you’ll probably be walking a lot. LEGO® Minifigures! You can trade your LEGO® Minifigure with any employee in the Park or at any of the Trading Posts. What to do at LEGOLAND® California? What can I expect at LEGOLAND® California? LEGO CITY: Deep Sea Adventure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFJMl5Tx0w4 Just opened in the summer of 2018, this submarine ride is a part treasure hunt, part sea life expedition. See real sea creatures like rays and sharks, as well as gorgeous oceanic plant life. Keep an eye out for LEGO fish, too! You can also use the interactive touch screens in your submarine to find shiny gems and lost treasures. It's a massive new addition to LEGOLAND that should not be missed. LEGO NINJAGO You also should be sure to save plenty of time for LEGO NINJAGO World, an innovative area of the park that brings high-tech entertainment to the max. It's the first park in North America to create a digital 3-D experience quite like this. Jump onto NINJAGO the Ride for a truly immersive experience into the world of the ninja as only LEGO can imagine it. Take advantage of the unparalleled Maestro hand gesture technology to sling weapons at your digital enemies and collect points as you go along. Don't miss your chance to explore this singular ride - with such inventive new technology, it's the hottest new ticket in LEGOLAND. Of course, you simply must check out the new LEGO NINJAGO movie, LEGO NINJAGO - Master of the 4th Dimension. Follow the entertaining adventures of the ninjas as they explore the mysteries of the "Scroll of the 4th Dimension." Miniland USA Miniland USA is the staple attraction of LEGOLAND California Resort and is definitely a must-see for all families. Comprised of LEGO® recreations of American cities at 1/20th scale, Miniland is both fascinating and educational. Each model is made entirely of LEGO bricks available for purchase, so it’s really cool to see something that could theoretically be made by anyone! Within Miniland, you'll see structures like the NYC skyline, the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Capitol Dome from Washington, D.C. You'll also find the LEGO Star Wars models here, so keep and eye out for a massive LEGO Death Star and more! Imagination Zone Imagination Zone is another popular area with visitors. Designed to teach children engineering and programming skills, Imagination Zone allows kids to construct objects using a guide, or just the inspiration of their own minds. They’ll also have the opportunity to create programmable robots out of LEGO bricks! LEGO® Friends Heartlake City LEGO Friends Heartlake City showcases every girl’s favorite LEGO® line. Girls (and boys, too, of course!) can ride a beautiful carousel, wander through the horse stables, and splash in the Heartlake Fountain. An especially popular attraction in this part of the park is the Heartlake Stables, where little visitors can build and play, inspired by the wonder and fun of Heartlake City. DUPLO® Playtown DUPLO® Playtown is the perfect destination for the littlest of guests. With everything comprised of their larger DUPLO bricks, this area has fun buildings to explore, enjoyable and gentle rides, and plenty of activities. Fun Town Fun Town is another great option for the small ones. It's a scaled recreation of the real world - sized just right to make kids feel like adults! Your kids will have a ton of fun in Fun Town when they act out a day in the life of a grownup (without all the stress, of course!) Don't miss out on the LEGOLAND Express, a mini-train that toots around Fun Town at a relaxed pace. It's a laid-back and low key ride for the very little ones. What attractions are near LEGOLAND® California? With its Carlsbad, CA location, LEGOLAND California Resort is conveniently located a mere half-hour away from downtown San Diego, so you're within a quick drive of tons of great attractions, from the historic to the epic and everything in between. Use your Go Card San Diego for entry to the following attractions: History buffs will love the USS Midway Museum, one of the most popular attractions in all of San Diego. Balboa Park is filled with over a dozen different museum options, and is a fun place to roam or picnic. The San Diego Air and Space Museum is an excellent educational attraction. The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are also can't miss attractions for families. For the nature-lovers, you’re also right near the Carlsbad beaches, Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve, and La Jolla. Where to eat near LEGOLAND® California? Is food allowed in LEGOLAND® California? LEGOLAND California Resort is filled with plenty of dining options for you to enjoy onsite, so you don’t need to interrupt your adventure-filled day when your tummy starts to rumble. Some restaurant choices include Castle Burgers, Fun Town Hot Dog, Garden Restaurant, Knights’ Smokehouse, Ocean Journey Café, and more. You’ll find a wide variety of cuisines including healthy, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Outside food and drinks are not permitted in the park, but you are allowed to bring in water and small snacks. How to get to LEGOLAND® California? Hours Hours vary seasonally; consult the attraction’s operating calendar for details. Directions & Address One LEGOLAND Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Getting to LEGOLAND California Resort from San Diego From San Diego North County: Take Interstate 5 South to Cannon Road, head East. Turn right at LEGOLAND Drive and follow signs to LEGOLAND California Resort. From San Diego North County Inland: Take 15 North or South to 78 West to Interstate 5 South, then take Cannon Road, head East. Turn right at LEGOLAND Drive and follow signs to LEGOLAND California Resort. From Coastal San Diego Area: Take Interstate 5 North to Cannon Road, head East. Turn right at LEGOLAND Drive and follow signs to LEGOLAND California Resort. From San Diego East County: Take 8 West to Interstate 5 North to Cannon Road, head East. Turn right at LEGOLAND Drive and follow signs to LEGOLAND California Resort.
Katie Sagal

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