Mentioned by Busy Tourist
57 Best & Fun Things To Do In San Diego (California)
"Balboa Park, San Diego is known as one of the best things to do in San Diego with kids and has everything to suit all ages and your family’s preferences:. Even just wandering around and appreciating the stunning Spanish Renaissance and Southwest architecture and beautiful gardens is enjoyable. Balboa Park is America’s largest urban cultural park, is ranked as one of the best parks in the world, and is one of the best things to do in Southern California – you could spend a full day here!"
"Nothing had quite the same impact on our San Diego architecture as did the Spanish Colonial Style Confections in Balboa Park, which revived an enthusiastic interest in this type of Spanish-style architecture. Designed in 1915, this building is an exhilarating mélange of various architectural styles. While they may have been somewhat haphazardly thrown together, they still manage to attain striking visual harmony."
"Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban green space featuring natural vegetation zones, planted gardens and walking paths. It is one of the oldest public recreational areas in the country. The park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the site of free weekly concerts."
"The New Children's Museum in San Diego is a great museum for families with children to visit. The museum's state of the art center is focused on creating a space where children can think, play and create through hands-on exhibitions, art creation, and educational opportunities. It has something for children of every age and parents will enjoy the learning nature of it as well."
"Originally in La Jolla, the New Children’s Museum opened in its current light-filled downtown space in 2008. Entering the multi-story, 50,000-square-foot space, it’s immediately evident that a lot of thought and imagination has gone into the museum’s design. Off the bat, a room lined entirely with mattresses invites kids to literally jump on the bed."
"If all you need is a change of scenery and an outlet for play, the Aviara Community Park is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon. The park itself is central to Carlsbad’s landscape and offers everything from a synthetic turf fields for sports to covered and lighted picnic areas, outdoor basketball courts, and barbeques. In addition to all of the perks that a community park has to offer, Aviara Community Park has the joy of a themed play area for kids of all ages."
"Los Peñasquitos (“little cliffs”) is a great beginners’ trail for those who want to enjoy mountain-feel views without having to hire an expedition crew. There are two approaches (east and west), and the trailheads offer a trek of either 6.5, or 5.5 miles, respectively. The terrain is gradual and level, but the trails are surrounded by the sort of views that gave the area its name: scenic rocky outcroppings, and stony formations that ripple with rubble."
"Tucked inside the Kababayan Bakery in Spring Valley, Snoice serves up pandesal ice cream sandwiches filled with flavors like iconic ube (yam), buko pandan (coconut, screwpine leaves), and mais queso (creamy corn, cheese, milk) alongside shaved snow and favorite Filipino dessert halo halo."
"For over sixty years, Mother Nature has transformed the rolling hills of north San Diego County into one of the most spectacular and coordinated displays of natural color and beauty anywhere in the world. The nearly fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that make up The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch® in Carlsbad, California, are in bloom for approximately six to eight weeks each year – from early March through early May – literally bringing the famous fields back to life. This annual burst of color, which has become part of the area’s local heritage, also is one of nature’s official ways of announcing the arrival of spring here in southern California."
"Every spring, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch boasts approximately 50 acres of 70 million Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers, bringing color to the hills of North San Diego County. The flowers were introduced to Southern California soil in the 1920’s when a local settler named Luther Gage started planting Ranunculus seeds at an area in South Oceanside."
"Torrey Pines has long stretches of serene sand ideal for family fun and laying out in the sun, but the real draw here is lush 300-foot sea cliffs that tower above it providing spectacular horizon views and nature walks through wildflowers and other native vegetation. The north section of the beach is geared toward families with calmer waters for swimming (there's also a lagoon for younger kids to safely swim). The south section has bigger waves and attracts surfers along with sunbathers who prefer to lay out nude."
"For a truly unique San Diego hiking experience you simply can’t get anywhere else, head to Torrey Pines State Beach. Torrey Pines offers a multitude of trails, and none is particularly challenging. However, the views are spectacular."
"A post shared by Nina Jacobson (@cr1snina) on Aug 20, 2013 at 9:50am PDT. Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge is a local legend in San Diego, having excellent natural lighting accompanied by great architecture for the best beach views. Even the entrance will enthrall the visitors with its Japanese shou sugi ban wood."
"The menu at Firehouse, a short walk from the hotel, puts quirky twists on American classics. Feel like a bacon-fat mac and cheese?. How about mini Chicago dogs?"
"This hot spot for millennials is your standard hipster-ish coffee shop serving trendy beverages such as Vanilla Lavender Latte, Honey Lavender Latte and London Fog. My standard order is either a Chai Latte or Matcha Latte with avocado toast. If you’re visiting during the autumn or holiday season, keep an eye out for the seasonal drinks - Kettle Apple Cider, Eggnog Latte, or Mexican Mocha."
"Founded by a family that’s been operating Carlsbad coffee shops since the early 80s, La Costa Coffee Roasting has been a beloved community gathering point for several decades now. The homey cafe functions as both a roastery and performing arts venue, considering local musicians are frequently booked to have their soothing melodies echoed throughout this gracious space."
"The no fuss, no muss ambiance at La Costa Coffee Roasting feels comforting. You can tell by the diverse influx of people that this place is popular amongst locals. The casual coffee shop smells like you're floating in a coffee cloud."
"Balboa Park, San Diego is known as one of the best things to do in San Diego with kids and has everything to suit all ages and your family’s preferences:. Even just wandering around and appreciating the stunning Spanish Renaissance and Southwest architecture and beautiful gardens is enjoyable. Balboa Park is America’s largest urban cultural park, is ranked as one of the best parks in the world, and is one of the best things to do in Southern California – you could spend a full day here!"
"Nothing had quite the same impact on our San Diego architecture as did the Spanish Colonial Style Confections in Balboa Park, which revived an enthusiastic interest in this type of Spanish-style architecture. Designed in 1915, this building is an exhilarating mélange of various architectural styles. While they may have been somewhat haphazardly thrown together, they still manage to attain striking visual harmony."
"Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban green space featuring natural vegetation zones, planted gardens and walking paths. It is one of the oldest public recreational areas in the country. The park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the site of free weekly concerts."
"The Seeley Stable Museum is a reproduction of the Yuma to San Diego stage stop. It displays a wide collection of 19th-century transportation vehicles and equipment as well as other rare artifacts."
"Therefore, it’s possible to walk into this museum to learn about California’s mission history (the museum sits on the first European settlement site in California) for free. If you did enjoy your visit and feel compelled to donated upon exit, this is possible. (Location: Presidio Park / Old Town)"
"Within Old Town don’t miss Casa de Estudillo, which is one of the few original buildings (many are reproductions), Whaley House and Museum, which is believed to be haunted and Junípero Serra Museum, literally the place where California began. You can get more information here."