Top Rated Parks to Visit in Torrey Pines State Beach

"Families appreciate the beauty and abundance of recreational opportunities at Balboa Park. This expansive outdoor space includes 17 museums, playgrounds, a swimming pool, and over a dozen different gardens. Many visitors come here to enjoy the Pepper Grove Playground, a large kids' recreation area with slides, swings, a jungle gym, sandbox, playing fields, and picnic tables."

"San Diego Itinerary Day three: Balboa Park and Point Loma Day three begins in Balboa Park, San Diego’s cultural epicenter and home to over 15 museums. Stroll around and take in the beautiful grounds, gardens, and Spanish architecture, and explore one of the museums if you’re inclined. My favorites are the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Man."

"Balboa Park is the cultural heart of San Diego, filled with world-class museums, restaurants, and beautiful greenery. The lush, 1,200-acre urban oasis is also home to nearly 30 museums and cultural centers, plus the world-famous San Diego Zoo. There are more than a dozen attractions in the park, each with its own events and special exhibitions."

"Located on the sands of Mission Beach, Belmont Park takes you back to when amusement parks were simpler. Carrying on the tradition of old-time family fun, San Diego's only beachfront theme park is home to the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, as well as other classic rides like Beach Blaster, Chaos, Krazy Kars, Vertical Plunge, Tilt-A-Whirl, Liberty Carousel, Crazy Submarine, and Thunder Boats. Popular in the 1930s and 40s, the park received a $2 million renovation and reopened in 1990."

"Amusement parks can be kitschy, indulgent, and a little cheesy—and at Belmont Park, we embrace it. The ocean-adjacent mini amusement park is hard to miss as you drive west on Mission Bay Drive, thanks to the towering Giant Dipper, a 2,600-foot-long roller coaster that soars above the park and offers ocean views. If you're ready for more, have a go on other classics like the Tilt-a-Whirl, zipline, or bumper cars."

"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 park has an excellent history museum in the Robinson-Rose House at the southern end of the plaza. You’ll also find a diorama depicting the original pueblo at the park’s visitor center, where you can pick up a copy of the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Tour Guide & Brief History ($3), or a presentation tour (free) at 11am and 2pm daily. Personal tours cost $10 and depart at 11:30am and 1pm."

"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."

"San Diego State Historic Park marks the founding of the first European settlement in California and encompasses many of San Diego’s original buildings. Museums, shops, theater and restaurants can be found in this six-block area."

"Sunset Cliffs Natural Park encompasses 68-acres of resource-based land that is situated along the western edge of Point Loma. Here you will find sea caves, arches, and coastal bluffs, and you’ll be privy to stunning ocean views. From the cliffs (be careful), you might be lucky enough to catch the California seasonal whale migrations and dolphins but be sure to see the sunsets."

"Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is another excellent addition to your list of things to do in San Diego. This aptly named park is the best place to watch the sunset around. Plus, there are arches, caves, and incredible coastal bluffs to hike around and view."

"Although the beach below this steep hillside waterfront park is nicknamed Garbage Beach, it is anything but. However, a visit to this beautiful spot has to be earned. The descent is so steep that a fixed rope has been installed for safety."

"I often point out that a perk of staying in the beachfront La Jolla hotels is access to the adjacent Kellogg Park. It’s steps from the sand of La Jolla Shores Beach but also has a large grassy area for picnics, yoga, pocket kites, and some outdoor park fun. It will soon be even more interesting when “The Map of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla Educational Plaza” (a.k.a “The Map”) is finished."

"T his lovely little playground provides a nice space for kids to run and play steps away from La Jolla Shores Beach. Bring a picnic (or take away from one of the nearby La Jolla Shores restaurants like the Cheese Shop) and even exercise on the huge grassy area. This playground perfect for the times that you want to go to the beach and not without the sand."

"As mentioned above, Kellogg Park is a beachside park with a small playground and also a huge grassy area for kids to run around."

"If you are someone that loves to spend a day out on the water, take a trip to Carlsbad Lagoon. Located less than 5 miles from this hotel, enjoy a day out in the sun by choosing one of their water activities. You can rent a motorized boat, kayak or paddle board."

"Located along Harrison Street in Carlsbad lies the waters of Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Also sometimes referred to as Carlsbad Lagoon, it stretches 1.7 miles inland and is up to half a mile wide."

"Agua Hedionda, a.k.a. Carlsbad Lagoon, is a saltwater lagoon near the ocean in Carlsbad. It’s made up of three areas that are divided by two bridges (Interstate 5 and a […]"

"Let Ember + Still’s indoor play room entertain the kids while you enjoy some adult time with a glass of well-earned wine. Kids can watch a movie, play games, color, build with blocks, etc. and you can have peace of mind knowing that your children are close by."

"H2 Foot Spa & Massage has established itself as the local leader in Foot Massage, Full Body Massage and Pain Relief Massage."

"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."

"The San Diego Union Museum enables visitors to see where the San Diego Union, the first newspaper in the city, got its start. Visitors can tour the recreated editor’s office and the original print room to see how they looked in 1868. The prefabricated wooden building was manufactured on the East Coast, shipped to California and reassembled in 1851."

"The museum showcases the region’s unique, colorful, and diverse history exhibiting artifacts, costumes, textiles, art, and photographs detailing life and development of the local area."