San Diego Neighborhoods Guide - Where to Go & What to Visit for Tourists

By Casey Makovich

Planning a vacation to San Diego? Our local experts put together a helpful San Diego neighborhoods guide so you can make the most of your time in San Diego. We highlighted a handful of the top attractions, places to see, and which neighborhoods in San Diego to visit during your vacation.

Balboa Park

balboa-park-san-diego

Balboa Park, a 1,400 acre urban park located between Downtown and Mission Valley, is home to an abundance of attractions, museums, and recreational facilities. The park itself features beautifully landscaped gardens and stunning Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Take a stroll along El Prado, a wide walkway that runs through the middle of park. El Prado will take visitors by many main attractions and park features such as the Reflection Pond, the latticed Botanical Building, and the Bea Evenson Fountain. There are a LOT of amazing museums in this area - check out our list of more things to do in Balboa Park (many of which are included on the Go San Diego® Card).

Things to Do in Balboa Park

  • Be sure to check out the Giant Pandas and over 800 species of other animals from all over the globe at the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
  • Find a new appreciation for nature and the environment at the Natural History Museum.
  • Learn about aviation history at the Air and Space Museum.
  • Explore your scientific side with a trip to the Fleet Science Center, which offers plenty of fascinating permanent exhibits plus delightful special exhibitions and events.
  • The Japanese Friendship Garden is another popular option, offering the promise of true serenity in the midst of your busy vacation.
  • Check out the Spanish Colonial inspired architecture of the iconic Casa de Balboa.

North County Coastal

San Diego’s North County Coastal region is home to many top attractions, beautiful beaches, natural preserves, and seaside villages.

Things to Do in North County Coastal San Diego

  • Go on a family adventure at the popular LEGOLAND® California and SEA LIFE® Aquarium.
  • Check out the beautifully landscaped gardens and exhibits at the San Diego Botanic Garden.
  • Explore animal wildlife of the Savannah on a mini-safari excursion at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

La Jolla

san-diego-la-jolla-monument-hill

Just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, La Jolla is a top destination for adventure-seekers looking to experience that Southern California beach lifestyle. Named “the jewel” of San Diego, La Jolla features a beautiful coastline, upscale dining and shopping, prestigious art galleries, and more.

Things to Do in La Jolla

  • Explore the coastline La Jolla on a kayaking adventure or put on some snorkeling gear and get up close to the sea life.
  • If you’re a fan of fine art, be sure to visit the region’s foremost forum devoted to exploring contemporary art at the Museum of Contemporary Art (La Jolla).
  • Check out a variety of marine habitats at Birch Aquarium at Scripps where you’ll get an unforgettable view overlooking La Jolla and the Pacific Ocean.

Mission Bay & the Beaches

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The contagious California laid-back lifestyle in Mission Bay and the Beaches makes it a top destination for locals and visitors alike. Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach feature expansive sandy beaches, good surf, active nightlife, a fun theme park, and casual dining. Mission Bay is comprised of 4,200 acres of ocean landscape that make it a popular spot for water sports like surfing, waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and more. Its 27 miles of bike paths weave through the beach communities and provide cyclists and pedestrians with a fun way to explore the coastline.

Things to do in Mission Bay & Mission Beach

  • Head to Sea World San Diego for an unforgettable family experience. You can enjoy classic rides, innovative attractions, and plenty of animal encounters.
  • You may also enjoy a visit to Belmont Park in Mission Beach, which offers plenty of classic amusement park fun including mini golf, bumper cars, roller coasters, a carousel, and much more.

Mission Valley & Old Town

Mission Valley is a popular place for visitors to stay. Its main street, Hotel Circle, is lined with moderately priced hotels that attract families and budget travelers. The Old Town Historic Park is where California began. Old Town is home to several museums that document the city’s unique history and lots of shops and casual restaurants. Be sure to visit the most haunted house in America for a spooky take on San Diego’s history. You can also opt to take a trolley ride of San Diego's Old Town, which will offer an excellent overview of the neighborhood and the city's impressive history.

Hillcrest

Hillcrest is San Diego’s first self-contained suburb and is known for being the central hub of San Diego’s gay and lesbian community. Visitors will notice the towering pride flag where the famous annual LGBT Pride Parade begins. The area features walkable streets complete with eclectic shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

Downtown

downtown-san-diego-coronado-island

San Diego’s Downtown is a thriving neighborhood for business, dining, shopping, and entertainment. The Downtown area encompasses Little Italy, Cortez Hill, Columbia, Core-Columbia, Gaslamp Quarter, East Village, Marina, and includes the Embarcadero (waterfront boardwalk). We've got some fun recommendations for things to do in Downtown San Diego - if you want to spend some time in that area during your trip.

Little Italy

As its name suggests, Little Italy is an area in Downtown San Diego rich with Italian culture from its early roots as a fishing neighborhood. Its Italian culture is apparent in its cuisine, little shops, and architecture.

Things to Do in Little Italy

  • Check out over 150 booths featuring fresh produce, artisan foods, and specialty items at the popular Farmer’s Market every Saturday between 8 am and 2 pm at W. Cedar and India streets.
  • Leave your guidebook behind and hop into a GoCar for a GPS guided tour of the city. As you drive, the GoCar narrates the tour based on your surroundings.
  • Learn all about the maritime history of the western world at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

Cortez Hill

Cortez Hill is one of the oldest San Diego neighborhoods in Downtown. Visitors will enjoy the quaint, Victorian and row style townhomes and poking around the various shops.

Things to Do in Cortez Hill

  • Visit El Cortez hotel, a San Diego landmark built in 1926 in Spanish Colonial Revival Style. You’ll get a view of downtown San Diego and Balboa Park from the top of the hill.
  • Get a little shopping in at the pedestrian-friendly area complete with shops and sidewalk cafes lining Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

Core-Columbia

unique-perspective-uss-midway-aircraft-carrier

The Columbia neighborhood is a hub of activity with lots of green space, the Embarcadero Promenade, the Sante Fe Depot, museums, and more.

Things to Do in Core-Columbia

  • Take a tour of the USS Midway aircraft carrier, a floating museum of American military history at the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum.
  • Museum of Contemporary Art is known for showcasing works by upcoming and under-recognized artists in addition to major figures in international contemporary art.
  • Explore the sea life of San Diego’s coastal waters on a whale watching tour.
  • Go on an informative and exciting harbor cruise and catch the best highlights of San Diego’s coast.

Gaslamp Quarter/ Horton Plaza

Named for its gas lamp lined streets, the Gaslamp Quarter is a top destination for shopping, fine dining, nightlife, and entertainment.

Things to Do in the Gaslamp Quarter

  • Visit the oldest surviving structure located in Downtown San Diego -- The Gaslamp Museum at the David-Horton House (formerly known as the William Heath Davis House), which was actually built in 1850.
  • Head to the Horton Plaza, a multi-level shopping plaza, movie theatre, and recreational facility.
  • Check out the popular nightclub scene for an evening packed with fun.

East Village

Located on the eastern side of Downtown San Diego, Eastern Village is home to the San Diego Padres and PETCO Park. Catch a game at the park or check out the fantastic view from home plate on a tour of the stadium.

Marina

The Marina district is home to the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the bayside San Diego Convention Center, and more.

Things to Do in the Marina District

  • The New Children’s Museum features hands-on creative activities and innovative artwork that kids can touch, move, or climb.
  • Head to Seaport Village, a 14-acre waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.

Embarcadero

The Embarcadero boardwalk runs along San Diego’s downtown waterfront extending from the Embarcadero Marina to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

Coronado

coronado-famous-attraction-beach-san-diego

Coronado peninsula, often referred to as an island, features pristine beaches, gentle surf, and a welcoming community feel. Coronado is connected to the mainland by a long, sandy strip called Silver Strand. Hop on a ferry from Downtown for a fun way to get to Coronado and experience the bay.

Things to Do in Coronado

  • Check out the famous Hotel del Coronado and learn more about Coronado’s history on a Coronado Heritage Walking Tour.
  • You could also opt to enjoy a lunch at the historic Hotel, if you're looking for a special experience.
  • Explore the coastline of the peninsula on bike or take a kayak out on the water for a fun adventure.

Save on Attraction Admission in San Diego Neighborhoods

If you're exploring this many different parts of San Diego, you're bound to want to visit a few of these exciting attractions. Consider picking up a San Diego attractions pass to suit your traveling needs. Whether you're in town for only a day or two, or even a whole week, you'll find the perfect pass for you. Save up to 55% versus paying at the gate!

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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Parasailing off the cliffs of La Jolla, San Diego
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Adventurous Things to do in San Diego

San Diego is an adrenaline fiend’s playground, a sprawling city of beaches, cliffs, canyons and theme parks that promise all manner of thrills, from century-old wooden rollercoaster rides to paragliding from the bluffs high above La Jolla’s pristine sands. Brace yourself for our pick of the 10 most adventurous things to do in San Diego... Kayak Through the Sea Caves Set sail from La Jolla Shores and paddle your way gently across the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, an astonishing marine reserve with gin-clear waters where you might spot friendly leopard sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, harbor seals and bright orange Garibaldi fish darting under your boat. You’ll soon reach the seven secret sea caves at La Jolla Cove. Steer your kayak inside to follow in the footsteps (boatsteps?) of smugglers who snuck alcohol and opium into San Diego via these same secret passageways during the Prohibition era. Kayaks are available for rent at La Jolla Shores. Ride a 100-Year-Old Rollercoaster Expect thrills galore with a healthy dollop of nostalgia at Belmont Park, an oceanfront fairground that’s been operating at San Diego's Mission Beach since 1925. Amid ultra-modern scream machines that perform high-speed vertical drops and stomach-flipping somersaults you’ll find more sedate old-fashioned amusements such as mini golf, bumper cars and an aerial assault course. The Giant Dipper rollercoaster is the undisputed jewel in the park’s crown. Here since the park opened, this traditional wooden construction provides rickety thrills aplenty along its 2,800 feet of track. Hop aboard, if you’re brave enough. Hit the Surf San Diego’s gentle rolling waves make for ideal surfing conditions, attracting thousands of surfers to its shores every year. Hire a board to give it a go yourself. Sheltered areas at La Jolla Shores and Pacific Beach are particularly forgiving for newbies, and your inevitable first wipeout should be considered a rite of passage. But, if a mouthful of sand and seawater is enough to confirm that surfing isn’t for you, look on the bright side: you can always plonk your board upright in the sand and use it as a sunshade while you admire the views. Brave California’s Longest Zipline Thrillseekers rejoice! For here’s an extreme sport that will really get the adrenaline pumping. Set in an Indian reservation north of the city in the verdant Pauma Valley, the La Jolla Zip Zoom boasts the longest zipline in California. Here, brave souls can soar high over canyons, forest canopies and the San Luis Rey River at speeds reaching up to 50mph. There’s over 6,000 feet of ziplines to whiz down across the whole reservation, with the longest a whopping 2,500 feet. Not for the faint of heart. Lace up your Boots San Diego’s unique landscape makes for some excellent walking opportunities. Hit the hiking trail through Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, 2,000 acres of rugged cliffs and wild plateaus named for the endangered Torrey pine, which is unique to this reserve. You’ll also find colorful wildflowers, towering cacti and monolithic rock formations; maybe even the occasional cheeky raccoon or lizard. Head to Yucca Point Overlook for fine views across the La Jolla bluffs to the golden beaches and shimmering ocean below. There are also guided tours available at Mission Trails Regional Park and Tecolote Canyon. Rent a Jet Ski Do you feel the need... the need for speed? Tear up the waters of San Diego Bay on a Yamaha Waverunner jet ski ride against the picturesque backdrop of the Downtown skyline. These streamlined dream machines can reach speeds of up to 65mph so you can visit bay attractions including the USS Midway aircraft carrier, Shelter Island and the curvaceous Coronado Bridge in no time at all. Keep your eyes peeled for playful seals and dolphins frolicking in the surf and maybe even racing alongside you! Leap off La Jolla’s Cliffs San Diego activities don’t come much more adventurous than leaping into the unknown on a paragliding experience from the cliffs at Torrey Pines. Take a tandem ride from the Gliderport here and let your expert guide do all the hard work while you admire sweeping views of the coastal bluffs and spot leopard sharks cruising the clear waters below. Top tip: paragliding is also a mesmerizing spectator sport, so those without a head for heights can simply bring along a picnic and enjoy the colorful spectacle from terra firma. Have a Whale of a Time San Diego is prime whale-watching territory, with majestic blue whales often spotted off the coast in summer and fall, and gray whales migrating to and from the warm lagoons of Baja en masse for calving season in winter and spring. Get up close to these magnificent creatures on a boat tour. If you’re lucky you might even spot a mother swimming with her calf, or get close enough to feel the sea spray from a blowhole or disappearing tail fin. Dozens of trips depart daily from Downtown and Mission Bay, with many guaranteeing a refund if you fail to see anything. Sample Unusual Beers San Diego is the craft beer capital of the USA, with dozens of microbreweries concocting weird and wonderful beverages for your delectation, and taprooms on nearly every street corner. It would be simply remiss not to sample a few while you’re here. Head to Hillcrest Brewing for unusual brews including Crotch Rocket Irish Style Red Ale and Banana Hammock Scotch Ale. And stagger on down to North Park for a punchy, hazy Technomancer at Modern Times’ taproom, known locally as ‘the Flavordome’. Major beer festivals hit town in June, October and November, when sampling the gamut of beers, from stouts to sours and frothy IPAs to flavored brews, is positively encouraged. Go Ghost-Hunting Here’s a way to increase your heart rate without going to the extreme lengths of e.g. jumping off a cliff strapped to a man with a big parachute. Once described by LIFE magazine as ‘the most haunted house in America’, The Whaley House in San Diego’s Old Town has seen its fair share of grisly deaths over the years and was reputedly built on the site of a former gallows. Eek. Scare yourself silly on one of the museum’s spooky evening tours – if you dare. Save on adventurous things to do in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
San Diego souvenirs
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Souvenirs to Bring Back from San Diego

One of our favorite things about coming back from a vacation is sorting through all of the new treasures you’ve brought back from your adventures. Souvenirs are one of the most important ways we recall our travels, with each item evoking important and beloved memories about the trip.
Katie Sagal
Woman viewing art in a gallery
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Best Museums in San Diego

San Diego’s exhilarating cocktail of Spanish, Mexican and American influences make for some eye-poppingly wonderful cultural experiences across the city. Not least in Balboa Park, a vast green space just north of Downtown, where the heady mix of architecturally surprising buildings house several of the region's finest museums and art galleries. There’s more than enough here and around town to keep everyone – from excitable toddlers to the most jaded culture seeker – entertained for days. Maybe even weeks! Here’s our countdown of the 10 best museums in San Diego. San Diego Museum of Art The cathedral-like facade of the region’s largest art museum cuts a striking dash even on Balboa Park’s El Prado boulevard, where nearly every building is an architectural masterclass. A grandly ornamented door leads you beneath imposing statues of Velázquez, Murillo, and Zurbarán and into this huge, well-lit space, where works by these Spanish masters and others including Goya and El Greco dominate. The collection is supported by pieces from America, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Browse Japanese woodblock art, Buddhist sculpture and an impressive collection of German Expressionist works as well as big names including Canaletto, Monet, O’Keeffe and Tamayo. And be sure not to miss Bosch’s typically disturbing The Arrest of Christ and Renoir’s beguiling Woman Combing Her Hair while you’re here. USS Midway Museum The United States' longest-serving 20th-century aircraft carrier is honored at the USS Midway Museum. You can’t miss this vast vessel: now permanently docked downtown at Navy Pier, it was once the largest ship in the world. The museum is a thrill-a-minute for Top Gun fans, with oodles of flying machines to ogle, including an F9F-P Cougar from the Korean War and a WWII SDB Dauntless dive bomber. You can even play captain up on the bridge and do your best Tom Cruise impression inside an airplane cockpit. But if it’s boats that, um, float your boat then there’s no reason you can’t fit the USS Midway Museum and the nearby Maritime Museum of San Diego on the same day, with a bit of military precision. Grab lunch at nearby Seaport Village or Little Italy to keep your sightseeing strength up. Fleet Science Center All terracotta roof tiles, ornate balconies and arches running the length of its sand-colored facade, the Fleet Science Center looks like for all the world like a royal Spanish villa has been air-dropped into Balboa Park, extravagant water fountain and all. Inside, there are stacks of interactive exhibits designed to entertain both kids and grown-ups. Find out why toast always seems to land butter-side down, become a human battery, experience a thrilling virtual reality spacewalk at the International Space Station and take an immersive journey through the natural world in the IMAX cinema. Little ones will love Kid City, where cranes, carts and conveyor belts make for hours of hands-on fun. Gaslamp Museum Built in the traditional ‘saltbox’ style – traditional, that is, to Portland, Maine – downtown San Diego’s oldest surviving structure was actually built hundreds of miles away before being dismantled and shipped here way back in the mid 18th Century. Step inside the (reassembled) timber-framed building to enter a frozen-in-time snapshot of the Victorian era. Wander rooms filled with period furniture and other ephemera of the time and learn about former inhabitants including ‘father of San Diego’ Alonzo Horton. You may even, if you’re lucky, run into the Gaslamp Museum’s resident ghost. Boo! Air and Space Museum The supersonic Lockheed A-12 and Convair YF2Y-1 Sea Dart airplanes that flank the entrance to Balboa Park’s Air and Space Museum will give you some idea of what to expect inside. Aircraft enthusiasts will once again be in seventh heaven: here’s where to see exhibits from the great and good of air and space exploration, including artifacts from the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart and Buzz Aldrin. Check out the faithful replica of Charles Lindbergh’s tiny Spirit of St. Louis plane, which he flew solo from Long Island to Paris in 1927. And see Gumdrop, one of only 13 Apollo command modules on display anywhere in the world. The museum also boasts interactive exhibits galore, including an immersive 4D cinema, flight simulators and a Kids’ Aviation Action Hangar with cute little pedal planes. New Children’s Museum Kids will have their tiny minds blown by this excellent downtown museum that’s chock-full of entertaining activities and interactive exhibits. Each little room here is themed, with ever-changing installations keeping things fresh year-round. Expect colorful murals, mind-bending puzzles and a mini theater with dress-up materials for budding young thespians. There’s even a giant woven hammock that kids can climb into and explore, as well as workshops where little hands are kept busy with clay, paints, stencils and other artistic bits and bobs. Museum of Us As if Balboa Park’s highly decorative California Quadrangle buildings aren’t testament enough to humanity’s skills, ingenuity and artistry alone, inside is where you’ll find the Museum of Us. Exhibits in this fascinating anthropological journey through human evolution explore everything from cannibalism to the ancient (and somewhat more palatable) art of beer-making, a nod to San Diego’s status as the capital of US craft brewing. Learn about what makes people unique as well as the ties that bind us all together. And, while you’re here, be sure to climb the iconic California Tower for sweeping views across the park and beyond. Birch Aquarium at Scripps Perched on a hilltop in the delightful La Jolla district around 12 miles north of downtown, the Birch Aquarium is an excellent low-key alternative to SeaWorld San Diego in Mission Bay; we recommend visiting on a day trip to La Jolla’s fine sandy beaches. See if you can spot the elusive giant Pacific octopus and rescued loggerhead turtle in the Hall of Fishes, and come face to face with spotted leopard sharks at Shark Shores. Kids will love exploring Tidepool Plaza and getting hands-on with the sea anemones, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, lobsters and various other critters in the living tidepools here. San Diego Natural History Museum This fab family attraction in Balboa Park features all manner of prehistoric monsters and other wild beasts across four floors. Meet the museum’s giant replica mastodon, examine dozens of dinosaur fossils and check out the bizarre collection of animal skulls – many from the San Diego region – from tiny reptiles to towering pachyderms. Kids can study fossils up close using real archaeological equipment and get answers to their most burning questions about the natural world from scientists in the Demonstration Lab. Museum of Photographic Arts This collection of fascinating images spans the entire history of photography. Its thousands of photographic and filmed images allow for a wide range of rotating exhibitions, and are supplemented by touring shows by photographers from around the world. There's also a range of events and workshops available to help bring out the best in your selfie skills and really make your Instagram sparkle. Why not start by snapping the museum building, another visually stunning Spanish Colonial Revival confection in (where else) Balboa Park? Save on the best museums in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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