4 days in San Diego: must-see attractions and easy adventures

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

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.

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.

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! 

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.

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.

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.