Top Rated Parks to Visit in Mount Soledad

"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."

"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."

"With a gigantic wooden roller coaster that winds around the San Diego coastline, it’s the kind of destination that will stop you right in your tracks. The roller coaster is just the beginning. For high-octane fun, you’ll have your choice of slides, carousels, ziplines, tilt-a-whirls, vertical plunges and bumper cars."

"A Mission Beach linchpin, Belmont Park was opened by the sugar magnate John D. Spreckels back in 1925. This amusement park has 12 rides, three oceanfront eateries, an 18-hole Tiki-themed mini golf course and a host of smaller attractions. But the king of Belmont Park has to be the time-honoured Giant Dipper."

"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."

"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."

"There are numerous historic buildings located in this area, dating back to the early 1800s. It was the first European settlement in California. One notable building is Whaley House which Travel Channel named as the most haunted house in America."

"Looking for historic places to visit in San Diego with kids?. Old Town is one of the top San Diego points of interest. San Diego County is not just about the amazing beaches and delicious food."

"Many people recommended we take in one of the famous San Diego sunsets from Sunset Cliffs, which is just a couple of miles south of the Ocean Beach pier. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68-acre City of San Diego regional park which extends 1½ miles along the Point Loma peninsula’s western shoreline. You get expansive ocean views, dramatic cliff formations and caves, an intertidal area, and in some spaces plenty of space and rocks for the kids to run over way back from the edge."

"Romantics will appreciate the awe-inspiring experience of a Southern California sunset. One of the best places to visit is Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, which stretches for 68 acres along coastal bluffs above the Pacific Ocean. The location provides an incomparable viewpoint to take in the ocean panoramas as the sun transforms the horizon from blue to glorious rosy-toned hues."

"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"

"It has one of the best views of the San Diego Skyline and yet this small pocket park is seldom visited […]"

"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."

"This family-owned North Park restaurant has been serving incredible Cantonese fare since 1931. With that many years of experience, you know you’re in for a treat regardless of what you order but if you need a few suggestions, a few of the staff’s favorites include crispy beef, walnut shrimp and Szechuan tofu."

"Situated in an unassuming strip mall in Sabre Springs (west of Poway), Nutmeg has racked up its healthy share of local fans. Serving Caffe Calabria coffee, seasonal foods (breakfast, brunch, and lunch), gluten-free and vegan menu items, and sweet delights from its vast pastry case, Nutmeg makes culinary and coffee magic happen in an industrial-like, open space with bar seating, booth areas, and tables situated next to outlets. If you’re looking for an office away from home, Nutmeg is it."

"Order up fruit-filled pastries and desserts from Han's & Harry's Bakery. They encourage pre-ordering to promote social distancing and a quick in-and-out of the store. You can order a box of pastries, fruit covered strudels, cookies, chocolate croissants, and more."

"Visit the bakery for pickup or call ahead for fruit-filled pastries and desserts. The temporary hours of operation are 8 a.m."