Things to do in San Diego
San Diego Zoo
World-famous zoo in Balboa Park with lush habitats, a Skyfari aerial tram, and a kids' petting area.
~$72 adult / ~$62 childParks & HikingBalboa Park
Sprawling 1,200-acre cultural park with gardens, fountains, Spanish-Revival architecture, and 17 museums.
Free to enter; museums ticketedMuseums & LearningFleet Science Center
Hands-on science museum in Balboa Park with interactive exhibits and a giant-dome IMAX theater.
~$25 adult / ~$22 child (incl. IMAX)Museums & LearningSan Diego Natural History Museum
"The Nat" features dinosaur fossils, a giant-screen theater, and kid-friendly nature exhibits.
~$22 adult / ~$14 childMuseums & LearningSan Diego Air & Space Museum
Iconic round Balboa Park museum packed with real aircraft, spacecraft, and a flight simulator.
~$24 adult / ~$15 childMuseums & LearningSan Diego Model Railroad Museum
Largest indoor model railroad museum in North America, with elaborate miniature SoCal landscapes.
~$15 adult / kids freeArts & CultureSan Diego Museum of Art
Balboa Park's premier art museum with family art-making activities and a sculpture garden.
~$20 adult / under 17 freeParks & HikingJapanese Friendship Garden
Serene Balboa Park garden with koi ponds, bonsai, a waterfall, and seasonal cherry blossoms.
~$16 adult / ~$8 childMuseums & LearningUSS Midway Museum
Tour a real retired aircraft carrier on the Embarcadero with flight-deck jets and a flight simulator.
~$34 adult / ~$24 childMuseums & LearningMaritime Museum of San Diego
Historic ships including the 1863 Star of India tall ship and a Soviet-era submarine to climb through.
~$24 adult / ~$14 childIndoor PlayThe New Children's Museum
Downtown interactive art museum built for kids, with climbing installations and hands-on art studios.
~$15 per personShopping & TreatsSeaport Village
Waterfront shopping and dining village on the Embarcadero with a vintage carousel and bayfront strolls.
Free to strollParks & HikingWaterfront Park
Downtown bayfront park with a huge interactive fountain kids splash in and big lawns for play.
FreeParks & HikingCabrillo National Monument
Point Loma landmark with sweeping bay views, a historic lighthouse, and tide pools at low tide.
~$20 per vehicle (7-day)Beaches & CoastSunset Cliffs Natural Park
Dramatic Point Loma sea cliffs famous for tide pools, sunset views, and coastal walking paths.
FreeBeaches & CoastOcean Beach Pier & Beach
Laid-back beach with a wide sandy stretch and a long fishing pier (pier periodically closed for repairs).
FreeTheme Parks & RidesBelmont Park
Mission Beach boardwalk amusement park with the historic Giant Dipper wooden coaster and arcade games.
Free entry; rides ~$6 eachBeaches & CoastMission Beach Boardwalk
Lively oceanfront boardwalk for biking, skating, and swimming along miles of sandy beach.
FreeBeaches & CoastPacific Beach
Popular family beach with gentle surf, Crystal Pier, and a walkable boardwalk full of eateries.
FreeMuseums & LearningOld Town San Diego State Historic Park
Living-history park recreating 1800s San Diego with restored buildings, museums, and Mexican restaurants.
Free entry; some attractions paidShopping & TreatsLiberty Station / Liberty Public Market
Former naval base turned arts district with a food hall, waterfront promenade, and open lawns.
Free entry; food/shops varyArts & CultureSpanish Village Art Center
Colorful Balboa Park courtyard of working artist studios where kids can watch artists create.
Free to browseParks & HikingMission Trails Regional Park
One of the largest urban parks in the U.S. with kid-friendly trails, a visitor center, and Lake Murray.
FreeParks & HikingTorrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Coastal bluff reserve with rare pines and easy trails leading to ocean overlooks and the beach below.
Free walk-in; parking ~$15-25Parks & HikingLake Miramar Reservoir
Flat 5-mile paved loop around a reservoir, ideal for stroller walks, biking, and shoreline fishing.
Free; boat rentals extraFarmers markets in San Diego
North Park Thursday Market
Lively evening market behind the North Park Theatre with local produce, artisan goods, hot food, and a walkable vibe.
Ocean Beach Farmers Market
Festive beach-town street market on Newport Ave with live music, street performers, hot food, and a kid-friendly atmosphere.
Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers' Market
Year-round Bayard St market with fresh produce, hot prepared foods, and crafts in a laid-back beach setting.
City Heights Farmers' Market
Diverse, community-focused market that accepts WIC and EBT/CalFresh (matches up to $15) with produce and prepared foods.
Rancho Bernardo Farmers Market at Bernardo Winery
Scenic Friday-morning market in the historic Bernardo Winery courtyard with produce, artisan goods, and food vendors.
Linda Vista Farmers' Market
Community market with fresh produce, eggs, hot food, and handmade crafts; accepts EBT.
Mira Mesa Farmers Market
Market at Mira Mesa High School with produce, specialty foods, farm eggs, baked goods, and arts & crafts.
Scripps Ranch Farmers Market
Relaxed evening market at Newtopia Cyder with produce, food vendors, and a community feel.
Mission Valley (Civita) Farmers Market
Saturday market at Civita Park with fresh produce, prepared foods, and a playground/park setting ideal for families.
Little Italy Mercato
San Diego County's largest farmers market sprawls across six blocks with produce, food trucks, and live music kids love.
Hillcrest Farmers Market
A lively Sunday market with global street food, fresh flowers, and live music in walkable Hillcrest.
Point Loma Farmers Market
A relaxed Saturday market in Liberty Station's arts district with farm produce and artisan goods.
Pacific Beach Saturday Farmers Market
A beachside morning market steps from the boardwalk, great to pair with a PB beach day.
Local restaurants in San Diego
Phil's BBQ
San Diego's legendary mesquite BBQ ribs — casual, fast, and a local family favorite (come early).
Old Town Mexican Cafe
Bustling Old Town landmark with handmade tortillas — festive and great for a big family outing.
Corvette Diner
An over-the-top 1950s diner at Liberty Station with a DJ, games, and theatrics — built for kids and birthdays.
Buona Forchetta
Award-winning Neapolitan wood-fired pizza — the Liberty Station spot has play areas (and a vintage Fiat table) so kids can roam.
Hodad's
Iconic Ocean Beach burger joint with giant shakes, a VW-bus booth, and a fun surf vibe the kids love.
Lucha Libre Taco Shop
A wildly fun, gold-boothed taco shop themed around Mexican wrestling — kids love the masks and luchador decor.
Tajima Ramen
The Convoy-district shop that introduced San Diego to authentic tonkotsu in 2001 — slurpable noodles and small plates to share.
Mr. Frostie
A nostalgic walk-up soft-serve stand serving dipped cones and shakes since 1949 — a Pacific Beach tradition after the sand.
Tribute Pizza
Award-winning wood-fired pies in a converted old post office with a family vibe.
Mona Lisa Italian Foods
Old-school Little Italy deli and restaurant serving hearty pastas since 1956.
La Fachada
Beloved taqueria and roving truck known for adobada and birria tacos.
El Indio
Family-run Mexican kitchen famous for taquitos, serving San Diego since 1940.
Fonda del Barrio
Hacienda-style sit-down spot with ancestral Mexican dishes, patio, and live music.
Phuong Trang
Family-friendly Vietnamese giant with nearly 250 dishes including pho and clay pots.
Jasmine Seafood Restaurant
Hong Kong-style dim sum with steam pushcarts, a go-to for big family weekends.
Eastern Dynasty
Cantonese spot prized for roast meats and a huge menu of comforting classics.
Shabu Shabu House
Intimate hot-pot spot where kids cook their own beef in bubbling broth.
Friend's House
Homestyle Korean cooking that feels like grandma's kitchen, with banchan kids explore.
Hob Nob Hill
Old-fashioned diner serving comfort breakfasts and bakery muffins for 80+ years.
Station Tavern & Burgers
Burgers and beer in an old trolley station with a sandy play area built for kids.
Crazee Burger
Quirky North Park burger joint with exotic and classic patties plus a kids menu.
Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream
Super-premium small-batch ice cream with inventive flavors.
Mutual Friend Ice Cream
Independent scoop shop with creative seasonal flavors.
Secret Sister
Neighborhood bakery using a 150-year-old sourdough starter for breads and donuts.
Local shops in San Diego
Verbatim Books
San Diego's largest independent bookstore, 50,000+ secondhand and antiquarian books.
Bluestocking Books
Heart-of-Hillcrest new and used shop with a trade-in program and strong local-author focus.
Joy Ride Bookstore
Independent bookshop tucked into Liberty Station's arts district.
Pigment
Husband-and-wife-owned plant, gift, and home boutique that began as a 2007 local-artist gallery.
Artelexia
Latina-owned Mexican gift shop full of textiles and goods by Hispanic and LatinX artists.
Casa Artelexia
The original 2010 Little Italy location for Mexican artisan home decor and gifts.
Day to Day Vintage
Hand-curated North Park vintage spanning the 1940s-2000s, from Americana to Y2K.
Bad Madge & Co.
South Park vintage and mid-century shop ranked Yelp's #1 vintage/consignment in the U.S. in 2022.
Hunt & Gather
Eclectic mix of vintage and new clothing plus handmade jewelry, art, and vinyl.
Art FORM Creative Reuse Store
San Diego's first creative-reuse store for affordable, eco-friendly art and craft supplies.
Simply Local
Marketplace dedicated to local San Diego artists and makers — jewelry, housewares, and gifts.
Red Brontosaurus Records
North Park record shop specializing in new punk, pop-punk, hardcore, and indie vinyl.
The Gold Dust Collective
Collective of local SD makers selling handmade hats, boots, jewelry, and leather goods.
La Loupe Vintage
Curated vintage clothing, jewelry, and accessories boutique in North Park.
Full Contact Rock N Roll
North Park shop specializing in hip-hop vinyl and cassettes plus vintage finds and decor.
Gold Leaf
Curated South Park shop selling home decor, candles, soaps, jewelry, and paper goods.
Thread + Seed
Mindfully curated South Park boutique focused on fashion, clean beauty, and gift boxes.
Moon & Sun
South Park children's boutique blending baby goods, books, plush toys, and handmade items.
Trash Lamb Gallery
Independent South Park gallery and shop championing offbeat local and emerging artists.
Footnote Books
Packed floor-to-ceiling used bookstore in Hillcrest beloved for staff recommendations.
Gioia's Room
Fifth Avenue women's boutique of vintage styles reworked for today plus local jewelry.
Hood Mod Shop
University Avenue shop of home decor with retro flair and unique flourishes.
Oates General
Hillcrest storefront of quality vintage finds and playful, humor-driven gifts.
Vitreum
Distinctive Fir Street gift shop of fashionable home goods, vases, tea sets, and candles.
Love & Aesthetics
India Street shop of home decor, jewelry, fragrances, candles, and gifts.
Klassik
High-end Little Italy consignment store with furniture, jewelry, and contemporary art.
Stefanie Bales Fine Art
Little Italy studio-gallery of nature-inspired paintings plus small gift items.
India Street Antiques
Longtime Little Italy antiques shop on India Street.
Sea Hive Station Vintage & Makers Market
Indoor/outdoor lifestyle shop of artisan and vintage finds from 150+ SD makers.
Apricot Yarn
San Diego's only local yarn and sewing shop, in the Liberty Station Arts District.
Ocean Beach Antique Mall
The oldest and most respected antique and collectibles mall in OB.
Newport Avenue Antique Center
18,000 sq ft Newport Ave mall housing over 100 individual antique vendors.
Vignettes Antiques & Collectibles
French-inspired antique and garden-decor shop at 4828 Newport, 30+ years.
Mallory's Furniture
Newport Ave furniture-salvage shop now spanning antiques, sterling jewelry, and gems.
Vintage Revivals
OB antique shop where the owner reworks antique pieces and furniture for modern homes.
Sweet Paper
Boutique La Jolla stationery shop known for custom invitations and paper gifts.
Totem Boutique
Girard Ave shop of sustainable apparel, handmade gifts, and crystals from 35+ SD makers.
Simon Limon
Colorful Logan Ave boutique specializing in handmade goods by local independent artists.
Luna Bloom Shop
Barrio Logan shop of handmade brass jewelry plus tinctures, teas, and candles.
Arts-Rec
Logan Ave skate shop and boutique carrying top streetwear brands, rooted in the Barrio.
Kite Flite
Family-owned Seaport Village shop of single-line and stunt kites plus flying toys.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.