Top Rated Parks to Visit in La Jolla Shores Beach

"Balboa Park is where the arts, culture and history of San Diego come together to create a 1,200 acre wonderland filled with unforgettable experiences for people of every age. Thriving botanical beauty flourishes throughout and surrounds 15 museums, a variety of performing arts and musical theaters, exotic gardens, fabulous restaurants, upscale shopping, the San Diego Zoo and exquisite Spanish Moor architecture. Known as America’s largest urban cultural park, more than 500,000 visitors come each year to delight in the beauty and amazing attractions of Balboa Park."

"There are 17 museums in Balboa Park and while they are not all art museums, a few rise above the rest. The sleek building that houses the Timken Museum of Art serves as an excellent foundation for a visit. The collection features masterworks by Rembrandt, perhaps the most well-known portraitist in Western art history, and Jacques-Louis David, the individual who was the most influential on 19th century academic art."

"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."

"San Diego’s answer to the east coast’s Coney Island, Belmont Park is one of the main attractions at Mission Beach, which sits north of Ocean Beach. Get your stomach rollercoaster-ready or if you’re still feeling the heat of your Ocean Beach tacos, just take a nice long stroll along the Boardwalk."

"This is a seaside amusement park in Mission Beach that you can count as free entertainment. A historic roller coaster, an arcade, a zip line and laser tag are just where the fun begins. Belmont Park is ranked as one of the best activities for teens."

"For some old-fashioned oceanfront fun, wrap up your San Diego Day at Belmont Park. It is like an old fashioned fair and arcade, plus is located directly on Mission Beach. It’s the perfect spot to catch an amazing sunset."

"Old Town State Park is known as the birthplace of California. In 1821, when Mexico gained independence from Spain, a small group of Mexican settlers began building homes at the foot of the hillside below the first mission and Presidio. Because wood was scarce at the time, sun-dried adobe bricks were used."

"Spend a long morning in Old Town State Historic Park, exploring the adobe buildings and browsing the many gift shops. You’ll be tempted to sit down for a Mexican lunch at one of the tourist restaurants, but save your appetite for a more genuine experience at El Indio, just up the street in Mission Hills."

"Or, make your way up to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park to stroll the cliffs and experience the panoramic pink, purple, and bright-orange majesty as the sun goes down. Finish off the day over the hill at Officine Buona Forchetta, where some of the city’s best Italian dishes include handmade pasta and authentic, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza."

"It gives you plenty of vantage points to enjoy the sunset and watch the waves crashing against the cliffs. There’s an arch you can jump off during the summer and a secret (not-so-secret) sea cave/sinkhole (that you can explore at your own risk). More: Comprehensive List of San Diego Beaches"

"With both a playground and splash pad (for free!) your littles will have a blast. Also, there are plenty of hiking trails, a beautiful view and a gazebo to host a picnic. A great find if you're looking for something new!"

"At 8 acres (3ha), Heritage Park is smaller than some of San Diego’s vast wilderness reserves. But, this green grassland features six Victorian homes, all of which have been restored and moved here especially for public viewing. The park also contains San Diego’s first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel."

"You can take a break here on a layover or if staying at one of the San Diego Airport hotels because this fun area is across the street from the airport. You’ll find a small sandy beach (the only along the bay), picnic tables, public art, a play structure, and panoramic views. (Location: Downtown)"

"Spanish Landing Park is a long narrow park along busy North Harbor Drive in San Diego. This park is near San Diego International Airport and the Harbor Island Marina."

"The colorful and whimsical architecture of Horton Plaza sets it apart from any shopping mall in the region. The complex has become somewhat of a San Diego icon since its construction in the 1980s. It is credited with jumpstarting the revival of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter and continues to appeal to visitors alike to this day."

"Horton Plaza, not to be confused with its adjacent namesake Horton Plaza Park, is a five-level outdoor shopping mall located in downtown San Diego known for its bright colors, architectural tricks, and odd spatial rhythms. It stands on 6.5 city blocks adjacent to the city`s historic Gaslamp Quarter."

"Horton Plaza's construction in the mid-1980s jump-started the Gaslamp renaissance. Its multi-level, somewhat confusing whimsical architecture is a must-see for any San Diego visitor. Nordstrom, Macy's and a wide array of shops and eateries make this the noontime stop for downtown workers."

"Blending classic techniques with adventurous Pacific Rim flavors, culinary pioneer Roy Yamaguchi created an innovative approach to fine dining. Enjoy spectacular sunsets over the San Diego Bay and exceptional patio dining at Roy's restaurant. Open for lunch and dinnerDress code: Dress JeansPhone: +1 619-239-7697"

"Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion® Cuisine promises to make for one of the most unique fine dining experiences available. Open for dinnerDress code: CasualPhone: +1 619-239-7697"

"This intimate and romantic, yet lively, Spanish restaurant features brick arches, dim lighting and black-lacquered ceilings. House specialties include an ever-popular and classic paella and halibut with salsa and goat cheese. The tapas bar offers more than 40 options, and the back bar is a sophisticated place where you can enjoy a pre- or post-dinner cocktail while being serenaded by local salsa, merengue and Spanish rock bands."

"San Diego is a thriving city constantly welcoming visitors from around the globe. With its endless sunshine, ocean waves, countless trails and picturesque shoreline, visitors flock to America’s finest city for relaxation, reinvigoration and rest. Some come for the laid-back atmosphere while others come for the outdoor activities."

"If you love experiencing food at its most creative, renowned chef Richard Blais’ west coast restaurant is the place for you. At Juniper and Ivy, the team never sit back and relax – the menu is constantly changing and the food is constantly surprising. It’s high-end American food with a twist, small plates, and plates of pasta that you can enjoy with a drink and some good conversation."

"Little ItalyFor celery that’s as pink as a rose petal, tiny electric green tomatoes, or vibrant rainbow carrots, look to Girl & Dug produce boxes from Juniper and Ivy. Currently featuring two boxes, the restaurant plans are to have a la carte purchasing soon. Until May 31, 50% of the proceeds will go to support the restaurant when you choose the pickup option."

"Sipz Clairemont shares their passion through serving vegan versions of Asian dishes. They constantly promote compassion for animal welfare. The restaurant also encourages people to live a healthy lifestyle."

"If you want something simple, straightforward, and kid-friendly, this small Solana Beach spot sports a nice grassy area, and also has a playground for kids who get bored of swimming. Fletcher Cove also has picnic tables, bathroom facilities, and a beach wash station. This beach is best for walking, playing (there’s a basketball court, too) and boogie or body boarding, but if you’re looking to lounge on the sand all day, try somewhere else because the sand is limited here and sometimes completely swallowed by high tides."

"The main beach in Solana Beach is Fletcher Cove, aka “Pillbox” (because a WWII gunnery installation is there), located where Lomas Santa Fe Boulevard meets the coast and just across Highway 101 from the Solana Beach train station. There are public restrooms and showers, as well as picnic tables and a basketball court on the bluffs above the beach. Lifeguards are on duty from 8 a.m."

"When you’re craving nostalgia along with your butter pecan, head down to this beloved National City ice cream parlor. Their website proudly proclaims they make ice cream in the same outdated, inefficient manner they did when they opened in the 1940s: in freezers. They have a wide variety of chocolate flavors, sherbets, sorbets, coffee flavors, fresh and fruity flavors and creative creations."

"Founded in 1948, Neiderfrank’s still uses their original 10-gallon batch freezer to turn out their classic butterRum pecan and more unique flavors like Kahlua krunch. While their main location is located in National City, you can find their ice cream all around San Diego including The Daily Scoop and Big Kahuna’s."

"National City’s answer to the old school ice cream parlor is Niederfrank’s, San Diego’s oldest ice cream manufacturer. Established in 1948, the shop still serves up small batch ice cream. Go here for avocado, macadamia nut toffee, cinnamon and Kahlua krunch."