Photograph by: Erica

Best Things to Do in San Diego

Featured San Diego Travel Tips
  • Splash in the waves beneath Scripps Pier
  • Take in the scenery of Windansea beach in La Jolla
  • Stop by Oceanside Pier to visit the pelicans and surfers
  • Admire the green flower gardens at Balboa Park
  • Swim and surf at Coronado Island Beach
  • Capture memories on a Flytographer photoshoot

Since 2013, Flytographer has captured millions of vacation photos all around the globe and know our customers have the best travel tips to share! Explore their favourite things to do in San Diego, best restaurants in San Diego, and general travel tips to get fresh inspiration and start planning your trip to San Diego.

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Hanna's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Donna Jean! They are a plant-based restaurant with amazing food and a great patio. The Caesar salad, Thunderkiss pizza, and their brunch items are all favorites!

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

Balboa Park, the Marina district, and kayaking in Mission Bay

What is your best travel tip for San Diego?

Bring lots of light layers and a hat to be ready for any kind of weather and any adventure your trip takes you!

Visited San Diego in March

Photo Shoot Location: Balboa Park

Bree in San Diego for Flytographer

cayla's Travel Tips for San Diego

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

Bring the grandparents!!!

Visited San Diego in September

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Sabrina's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Dukes, great food and atmosphere

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

Going the the beaches

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

Come to enjoy!!

Visited San Diego in July

Photo Shoot Location: Sunset Cliffs

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Chris's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Favorite restaurant is Duke’s. Great food, excellent service and amazing views!

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

La Jolla Shores Beach and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

If you’re going for a beach vacation with the kiddos to San Diego for a few days, just slow down, relax and save the Zoo for another trip.

Visited San Diego in August

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Dan's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Serea - Amazing views and vibes

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

Little Italy Farmers Market

What is the best tip for going on your honeymoon to San Diego?

Get a car to travel to a lot of the destinations like Little Italy, beaches, Del Mar, zoo, etc. Then spend a couple days in Gaslamp/Seaport Village/Coronado where you don't need a car.

Visited San Diego in July

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Bree in San Diego for Flytographer

Desirae's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Bronx Pizza

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

San Diego Zoo, Sesame Place, City Hall water fountains

Visited San Diego in July

Photo Shoot Location: Balboa Park

Darian in San Diego for Flytographer

Janna's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Shorehouse Kitchen! Food was amazing, atmosphere was fantastic, and staff was awesome.

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

The Beach and the scenery of Point Loma and Mt. Soledad

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

Try to get where you’re going by 9 AM to 10 PM or early evening between 5 and 6 PM and stay for as long as you can because he won’t find a spot again

Visited San Diego in July

Photo Shoot Location: Scripps Pier

Darian in San Diego for Flytographer

Mea's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Petrini's in Little Italy. Amazing food and service!

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

I loved the Hop on/off trolley. It was so much fun to see all of the sights!

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

Go to Belmont Park!

Visited San Diego in June

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Alison's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

We loved Scoops La Jolla in La Jolla Shores. With its laid back, beach town vibe, it was the perfect place for a sweet treat. The brown sugar ice cream was our family’s personal favourite!

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

La Jolla Cove and the seals are a must-see; everyone in our group, from seniors to children alike loved it! We also enjoyed Coronado Island and would entertain staying there for a future trip. The whole family was amazed by the San Diego Zoo Safari Park - a zoo experience like no other! The enclosures were incredible and had us imagining we were actually in Africa at some points.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

Rent an Airbnb a with a pool so you have your own space to spread out, relax and cook dinners at home… not to mention, laundry! There are so many theme parks/attractions to visit with kids. Try to split them up by adding beach days in between to give everyone a much-needed break to enjoy the beauty of the area, too.

Visited San Diego in May

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Callie's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

We stayed just north of San Diego. We loved LTH (local tap house) in oceanside, also Sanchez tacos was really good!

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

The kids ranging from ages 2-9 loved Lego land and the zoo, of course.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

There are many kid friendly places in and around San Diego! If staying near Lego land.. keep in mind what time the park closes when planning to go out to dinner, very busy at that time!

Visited San Diego in April

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Darian in San Diego for Flytographer

Makenna's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Ulivo Italian, close to sunset cliffs!

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

The zoo, USS Midway

Visited San Diego in March

Photo Shoot Location: Sunset Cliffs

Liz in San Diego for Flytographer

Travis's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

We loved Peohe's and went there immediately after the proposal. Our photographer Darian actually recommended the place and the staff celebrated us all night! It was the perfect end to the perfect day. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was so romantic!

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

We played volleyball at the beach by the Del Coronado hotel and we met the most wonderful local people. We then went to the bar near the beach and heard live music while looking out into the ocean!

Visited San Diego in February

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Darian in San Diego for Flytographer

Courtney's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

I highly recommend the Royal Rooster in San Diego! It’s a little taco stand on the marina connected to a fishing store. The tacos were amazing! The best I’ve ever had. And the breakfast burritos were also delicious.

Visited San Diego in December

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Darian in San Diego for Flytographer

Alyssa's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

Zoo and Balboa Park

Visited San Diego in December

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Cavatina's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Ponto Lago restaurant near Legoland in Carlsbad was wonderful! The sunset view when we walked into the hotel was postcard perfect. The restaurant ambience was elegant but relaxed with live guitar music and delicious food. A great place to celebrate a milestone.

Visited San Diego in November

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Ella in San Diego for Flytographer

Serena's Travel Tips for San Diego

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

October is free for kids! There are loads of cool things to do with the littles and it’s all free!

Visited San Diego in October

Photo Shoot Location: Balboa Park

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Sarah's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

We really like Brockton Villa Restaurant in La Jolla Cove because of the view. We also just discovered Farmer's Table and really liked it.

Visited San Diego in October

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Ella in San Diego for Flytographer

Darcy's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Puesto Mexican Restaurant is a must when in San Diego.

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

La Jolla Beach

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

Make sure to take a relaxing day in between the activity days.

Visited San Diego in August

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Stacey's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Dukes- beautiful patio and close to the Sea Lions at Children's Pool (my fav!). Best food and service!

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

Belmont Park, Mission Beach Boardwalk, Children’s Pool Sea Lions in La Jolla

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

Our daughter loves Belmont Park- we got the annual pass to save $$ and visited it daily!

Visited San Diego in July

Photo Shoot Location: Sunset Cliffs

Ella in San Diego for Flytographer

Dione's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole. Fun atmosphere, a tone of craft beer and drinks options and service was killer!

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

Sunset Cove, Wild Animal Park, The US Grant Hotel

What is your best travel tip for San Diego?

Rent an electric car, gas is wicked expensive.

Visited San Diego in August

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Anna's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

La Jolla was beautiful

Visited San Diego in July

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Sandy's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

George’s on the Cove, or Eddie V’s

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

Sea World, Birch Aquarium, Windansea Beach

Visited San Diego in July

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Maria in San Diego for Flytographer

Lisa's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Puesto

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

Ocean & beach life farmers markets

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

Beach toys & boogie boards

Visited San Diego in July

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Martina M. in San Diego for Flytographer

Hannah's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

Sugar and Scribe - the best brunch we’ve ever had! From the cinnamon roll latte complete with handmade cinnamon gummy bear to the lemon curd pancakes with all the toppings. And the atmosphere is fun and creative.

Visited San Diego in June

Photo Shoot Location: Scripps Pier

Darian in San Diego for Flytographer

Amy's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

We wanted to go to Poseidon in Del Mar, unfortunately we didn’t have time. Ate at the places we visited; the zoo, the safari park, the US Midway and Legoland. Dinner was done by mom and dad in the condo we stayed at😊

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

My kids loved the zoo and Legoland. I loved visiting the different beautiful beaches. My husband loved the US Midway.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to San Diego?

I felt mine were a bit old for Legoland, they still liked it. though! The Zoo is fun for all, the safari park and zoo are a half hour apart, we purchased 2 day pass and did 1 day at the zoo and 1 day at the safari park. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the gorgeous beaches, we went to Carlsbad, La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs and Coronado. All beautiful and kids loved exploring, found sea urchins and crabs on Carlsbad beach! For history buffs, like my husband, the US Midway is the place. Learn how they take off and land by retired Navy men. They have a tour, called the Island Tour, that is about the control center of the ship!

Visited San Diego in June

Photo Shoot Location: Windansea Beach in La Jolla

Ella in San Diego for Flytographer

Christina's Travel Tips for San Diego

What are the best places to eat and drink in San Diego?

My husband went to Craft Coast Beer and Tacos in Oceanside, CA. He loved it and went a couple times during our short stay.

What are the best things to do in San Diego?

Japanese Friendship garden is beautiful.

What is your best travel tip for San Diego?

We actually stayed in Oceanside, CA and loved it! Will definitely go back. We went to Disneyland and Temecula area for hot air ballooning and strawberry picking. My tip would be if you have the time, explore the surrounding towns of San Diego.

Visited San Diego in March

Photo Shoot Location: Oceanside Pier

Ella in San Diego for Flytographer

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