38 San Diego Travel Tips! {Best Things To See and Do}

If you’re dreaming of a trip to the very best part of California, be sure to check out these top family friendly San Diego travel tips!

Have you heard?  The weather is always perfect in San Diego!

Over the years, I have spent SO many vacations in the San Diego area.  I mean, with gorgeous sweeping mountain views to the east and 70 miles of sparkling coastline, what’s not to love?  With fun theme parks, epic zoos, pristine beaches, and some of the best weather in the country, you NEED to plan a visit!

So start planning your next Southern California adventure with these San Diego Travel Tips will show you where to eat, play, and stay on the gorgeous coast!

Here’s everything you need to know BEFORE your trip to San Diego…

San Diego Travel Tips and Family Vacation Ideas

Related: 

• How to Travel for Free or Cheap! {My Top Budget Travel Hacks}

{Sunset at Encinitas Beach, just north of San Diego}

So You’re Planning a Trip to San Diego?

To keep your vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to plan ahead.  One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your  ‘San Diego Trip Fund’.  Need to increase your travel fund stash?  One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time!  Here’s my favorite trick for ramping up the vacation budget…

Top Survey Sites to Make Money Online

Where to Stay in San Diego:

When considering where to stay in San Diego, you can stay within the city limits, or head north a bit for a slower paced beach vibe stay.  In addition to staying right in San Diego, I have loved my stays up north in Encinitas and Carlsbad.

If you’ll be camping, be sure to check out these San Diego RV Parks!

How to Save on Lodging in San Diego:

In addition to hotels, be sure to also consider VRBO properties in San Diego to save BIG on your trip.  I’ve personally stayed at multiple lovely condo complexes through VRBO.  Not only were they significantly cheaper than the nearby hotels, they also came fully stocked with beach towels, beach chairs, boogie boards, and an in-room kitchen.  One even had in-room laundry!  These amenities alone saved us SO much money!  Plus… as a bonus there was free parking, no resort fees, gorgeous pools and hot tubs, and excellent customer service!  Such a perfect home away from home!

Now do you want to know my favorite tips and tricks for saving BIG on a VRBO?  These little known hacks will save you SO much money!  Check this out…

How to Slash The Cost of Your Next Trip Using VRBO

How to Get Cheap Flights to San Diego:

Wondering how to get cheap flights to San Diego?  My favorite trick is to load up on free mileage points and airline gift cards, then use them to dramatically cut the cost on airfare!  I’ve scored so many free flights this way!  Are you ready to start earning your free airlines miles and gift cards?  Here’s what you need to do…

Best Travel Credit Cards! {How to Get FREE Flights and Hotel Nights}

25+ Southwest Airlines Hacks {+ How to Fly SWA to San Diego for FREE!}

Now keep reading for all the very best San Diego travel tips and hidden gems you’ll love…

Epic San Diego Burers:Go to Hodad’s Burgers recommended by Guy Fieri, you have to try the “Guido Burger”

Kristina said: “The San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Old Town!”

Lori said: “I was lucky enough to live there! The zoo and wild animal park are a must as well as the Birch Aquarium. La Jolla Shores will forever be my fave beach, lived in Poway and Mira Mesa back in the 90’s and my heart is still there. I have tons of pictures of La Jolla and the Scripps pier around my house.”

Mary said: “I love the San Diego Zoo or the Zoo Safari Park. I have a thing for visiting a different Catholic Church every time I’m there. We go to Sea World a lot. The Birch Aquarium is a neat little aquarium. Legoland is just north of SD. Go to the beaches, the San Diego Marina’s, or go whale watching. I could go on and on! :)”

Frugal Tip: Pick up a City Pass to Save BIG on admission and entrance fees to your favorite attractions!

Get Your Southern California CityPass {includes SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo & LegoLand}

Jodi said: “Take the ferry to Coronado, Balboa Park/Zoo.”

Allison said: “Gaslamp Strip Club for dinner (cook your own steaks…amazing) and Cafe 222 for brunch in the morning.”

Mary said: “I love the San Diego Zoo or the Zoo Safari Park. I have a thing for visiting a different Catholic Church every time I’m there. We go to Sea World a lot. The Birch Aquarium is a neat little aquarium. Legoland is just north of SD. Go to the beaches, the San Diego Marina’s, or go whale watching. I could go on and on! :)”

Desiree said: “My home town is San Diego. I Love Balboa Park, Old Town, Solana Beach, Mission Bay, the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, and the downtown Gas Lamp District. I’m homesick!!”

{Ingraham Street Bridge near Mission Beach and SeaWorld}

Score a Deal on your Southern California Car Rental!  There are so many beautiful places to explore around southern California… and you’ll need a car to see most of them!  There are a few easy Rental Car Hacks to slash your costs that you’ll want to put to use!  Here are my favorite tricks to save BIG on car rentals…

20 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars

Marsha said: “You cannot leave that place without visiting that world-class zoo! And riding in ANY kind of boat in that gorgeous sparkling Pacific Ocean!!!!! :)”

Amanda said: “I love SD! Seaport Village, the Gas Lamp District, and Petco Park to catch a game. Balboa Park is awesome… it all is. Such great weather, food, people, and attractions!”

Off-the-Charts San Diego Seafood: Eat at the Blue Water Seafood recommended by Guy Fieri.  Our family has been several times to this fun little hole-in-the-wall seafood grill and LOVES it!  They serve up fresh caught fish, shrimp, and even shark tacos!  {it tastes like chicken} 🙂  If there’s a line, don’t worry… it’s totally worth the wait!

Stacey said: “I’m here right now, we’re taking the kids to SeaWorld today. We have taken them to Legoland too and they loved it. We love karl Strauss brewery, amazing steaks and really good mac and cheese.”

Sharon said: “If you are bringing kids, check out Point Loma National Park; you can scope out the tide pools for sea life. Also, you MUST eat at Fish Market near Seaport Village.  Seals at La Jolla are fun too.”

The Best Fish Sandwich in San Diego: After growing up in Seattle, I became a bit of a seafood addict.  If you’re like me and can’t get enough of it, head on over to Point Loma Seafoods and order a fish sandwich.  It’s located right on the water/marina, so visit at sunset for a gorgeous view.

Fun Photography Spot: Visit Point Loma and check out the tide pools, sea cliffs, and views of the harbor.  They’re breathtaking, and make for a great photography spot in San Diego!

Jennifer said: “Arrivederci! Great Italian that is reasonably priced!”

Maud said: “Fillipi’s in Little Italy rocks! Old Town is pretty neat too.”

Jen said: “Torrey Pines Gliderport!”

Best Spots to Catch the Sunset: Sunsets in San Diego are always gorgeous, but my absolute favorite spot to catch them is up north a bit at Encinitas Beach.  Drive up, park, and take a nice LONG walk on the beach about 1 hour before sunset… so you can catch all of that golden hour glory.

Score Free Coffee at Starbucks in San Diego!  With all the time spent outside in the sun and at the beach… you just might be needing a caffeine fix!  I’ve been to Starbucks all over SoCal, I love grabbing a coffee on the way to the beach.  There are so many Starbucks locations all around San Diego, so check this out…

Starbucks Money Saving Hacks

Yolanda said: “I live in San Diego, and I just wanted to mention that the San Diego Botanic Garden (located in Encinitas), is free the 1st Tuesday of each month. Also, the New Children’s Museum (located in downtown SD), is free the 2nd Sunday of each month.”

Elayna said: “Ocean Beach, Balboa Park, North Park, Adams Avenue, Pacific Beach (Garnet Ave), La Jolla Caves, Cowles Mountain, Devils Punchbowl, and Sooo many more! Oh… and the Horton Plaza Mall downtown, awesome architecture! And every day during the summer, Sea World sets off fireworks, and you can enjoy them while hosting a bonfire on the beach!”

Visit Ocean Beach: Need a break from the crowds?  Visit Ocean Beach San Diego {near Hodads} during the week to miss the crowds. {just south of Mission Beach}

Nicole said: “Gas Lamp District, Seaport Village and Coronado Beach!!!”

Bert said: “Beach weather doesn’t start until July. May gray and June gloom extend a few miles inland. The San Diego Zoo, near downtown, and the Wild Animal Park are all day affairs
Check out Balboa Park, with its museums, amazing landscaping, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and IMAX Theater, etc..
Torrey Pines is very popular for golfing; look out over the ocean and watch hang gliders while golfing. And if you are a quilter, you have to check out Rosie’s Calico Cupboard on El Cajon Blvd.
It is one of the biggest quilt shops in the world, with prices below MSRP. Go on a whale watching boat trip, or go out to see them at the end of Point Loma for great views. I grew up in San Diego, so these are just off the top of my head. ;)”

Visit the San Diego Mission: Give your kids a free history lesson when you visit the Beautiful Mission San Diego de Alcala.

Elizabeth said: “We lived in SD and my husband still works there. The San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Old Town, Sea World, Hotel Del on Coronado, The Children’s Pool at La Jolla, USS Midway, Downtown, Seaport Village…the harbor tours are pretty fun and very inexpensive. And if you go to Old Town, you have to eat at Casa Guadalajara! The ambiance and food is awesome!”

San Diego Harbor Marina near SeaWorld

Angela said: “Years ago I stayed at Town and Country Resort, went to Sea World and shopped at Fashion Valley Mall (it was right behind the resort). I then went to Coronado. Great weekend away!”

Tour an Aircraft Carrier: Spend an afternoon exploring the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum!

Michele said: “I live in San Diego. Here’s the list: San Diego Zoo, San Diego Safari Park, Sea World, La Jolla Shores Beach and La Jolla Village, Coronado, Legoland, Seaport Village, The Gas Lamp District, Old Town, Julian, Little Italy, Balboa Park and Museums, Mission Basilica San Diego…

Fashion Valley Mall for shopping, Hornblower Cruises (whale watching or sunset), Birch Aquarium, Children’s Museum, Corvette Diner, Mr. Wasabi for sushi, Knott’s Soak City, Del Mar (Horse Races, concerts, and fairs/exhibits), hike Cowle’s Mountain right before sunset, Mission Trails, Chula Vista Nature Center.”

{Pink Flamingos at SeaWorld}

Sherry said: “I live in San Diego…best city ever…the beaches (LaJolla Cove), Belmont park, SeaWorld, the waterfront Embarcadero….the list goes on.  To eat Phil’s BBQ, Hob Nob Hill, Point Loma Seafood and Corvette Diner.”

San Diego Hilton Pool

Frugal San Diego Travel Tip: Learn How to Travel for Free or Cheap to San Diego! {Budget Travel Hacks}

What To Pack for San Diego:

Best Baby Travel Gear

Traveling with Baby?  Don’t leave home without these Baby Travel Gear Essentials!  I’ve taken my babies on the long flights so many times and these must-have items will make traveling with Baby so much easier!

11 Carry On Must Haves for your next flight

12 Beach Bag Essentials

Be sure to leave extra room in your suitcase to bring home some souvenirs!

Now that you’ve had fun reading these San Diego travel tips, start dreaming of more vacations in California with these fun tips below…

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So Don’t Miss Anything!! Get even more fun Frugal Girls Travel Tips, Recipes + More here…

So… do YOU have any fun San Diego Travel Tips to share?

What are some of your favorite places to see, things to do, beaches to visit, etc?

Leave a comment & share!