Stylish and sunny San Diego truly is a city with something for everyone: it’s one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States. Parents and kids alike love the wide range of fun, family-oriented activities, many of them free, most of them outdoors in the warm sun. From theater to wild animals, there is something for everyone. Here are six things every visitor shouldn’t miss when visiting our wonderful city.
1. Stroll through the historic Gaslamp Quarter and see renovated turn-of-the-century Victorian architecture, home to boutiques, art galleries, and specialty stores. Historic buildings have been moved to Gaslamp from other parts of the city, its 19th-century architecture restored to its former glory. Restaurants, shops and clubs occupy former brothels and saloons. The nightlife is throbbing and vibrant 365 days a year. The Quarter is home to many events and festivals, including San Diego Mardi Gras, Taste of Gaslamp, and the city’s St. Patrick’s Day events, ensuring that the Gaslamp Quarter remains one of San Diego’s favorite tourist destinations. .
2. Enjoy a free organ concert at 2 pm on Sundays at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in charming Balboa Park. The Spreckels brothers donated this, one of the largest outdoor pipe organs in the world, to the city of San Diego for the Panama-California Exposition back in 1914. The organ is over 4,000 pipes long, from the size of one finger up to 32 feet. . At concerts, you’ll hear world-famous organists play traditional favorites, waltzes and show tunes on massive 32-foot pipes.
3. At dusk on the first Wednesday of every month, after the monthly “Sky Tonight” planetarium show at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Space Theater, members of the San Diego Astronomy Association set up large telescopes next to the large fountain in Balboa Park for free public observation of the sky. See Saturn’s rings through a large telescope, as well as the moon, planets, nebulae, and globular clusters, up close and in person.
4. See things you’ve never seen before at the LaJolla Museum of Contemporary Art, which features a massive collection of 4,000 works created after 1950. Here you’ll find exhibits in all media and genres: painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, video and film Designed in 1916 by the world famous Irving Gill and originally the home of distinguished philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, the 60,000 square foot Museum will thrill you with its breathtaking views of the coastline.
5. Explore the tide pools just north of Swami’s Beach in Encinitas when the tide is out and see things most people never see: hairy hermit crabs, slender sea anemones, yawning barnacles, and maybe even a octopus. colons are some of the many species that could be discovered in the nooks and crannies of tide pools. Low tides during convenient times of day are more common in the winter during full and new moons. San Diego Travel Tip: Check the tide charts in the newspapers.
6. How not to mention the beach? With over 65 miles of coastline, this best part of San Diego is absolutely free, and every beach is perfect for trying your hand at surfing or boogie-boarding.