Adventure awaits at San Diego’s Best Beaches, Parks, and Museums!
Ready to have an unforgettable weekend? San Diego is home to amazing beaches, spectacular museums, incredible lookout points, and vibrant nightlife. From a day at the ballpark to a day at the beach, there are several many ways to spend your time in San Diego. We’ve put together a list of our favorites.
Downtown San Diego
Start your day off right by digging into San Diego’s downtown district. This bustling area has everything from drinking districts and amazing eateries to amazing museums and parks. One must-visit spot is the USS Midway Museum, where you can explore a real-life aircraft carrier and get a taste of life at sea. This museum is located near Seaport Village, which is a wonderful place to spend a day.
If you’re not a history buff, head over to Petco Park for a baseball game. The hometown San Diego Padres have one of the top stadiums in the country, and what better way to spend a day than at the ballpark? Check out the Padres schedule before planning your trip. Before hitting up the stadium, cruise through the Gaslamp District for a pre-game drink and bite to eat. One of our favorite spots in Gaslamp is American Junkie. They have great specials and a fun atmosphere!
Mission Beach & Pacific Beach
When the sun is out and the sand is warm, there’s no better place to be than the beach. Both Mission Beach and Pacific Beach offer incredible sands and calm waves. Start your adventure at Belmont Park, a historic amusement park located on the boardwalk. Belmont Park is a fun way to spend a few hours, and we love that the rides at Belmont are pay-per-ride. Before hitting the beach, check out Sara’s Mexican Food in Mission Beach.
After indulging your inner child, take a leisurely stroll along the Pacific Beach boardwalk. Here, you can bask in the warm sun, watch surfers catch waves, and take in the high energy. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider renting a surfboard or paddleboard and ride some waves. There are plenty of rental shops along the way, and we recommend Ray’s Rentals. At Ray’s, you can rent everything from bikes and rollerblades to surfboards and skateboards!
A Day at the Museums
One of the best things about San Diego is the abundance of museums in the city. Begin your day with a visit to SeaWorld San Diego, the famous maritime museum with loads of entertainment and exhibits. Aside from SeaWorld, San Diego is known for being home to Balboa Park. With so many things to do at Balboa Park, it makes for a perfect way to spend a day in San Diego.
One of the best museums at Balboa Park is the Comic-Con Museum. For art lovers, the San Diego Museum of Art is world-class and brings together a host of international artworks. While planning for a day at the park, we recommend bringing a blanket, some snacks, and a speaker so you can hang out and enjoy all that Balboa Park has to offer. Whether you go solo or with friends, don’t skip Balboa Park.
Are you curious about Belmont Park, check out this video!
While you’re at Mission Beach, why not spend the night at our cozy Backpacker hostel?
Make sure to join our Traveler’s Club to save money on all your future bookings at ITH.
