Alex’s guidebook
Sightseeing
The thrilling centrepiece of this vintage amusement park in popular Mission Beach is called the “Giant Dipper” – and it's a national, historic landmark in its own right. Why? Because the construction of this incredible wooden roller coaster dates back to 1925, the so-called ‘Golden Age’ of wooden coasters, but it can still be ridden today thanks to a $2 million restoration.
689 locals raden deze aan
Belmont Park
3146 Mission BlvdThe thrilling centrepiece of this vintage amusement park in popular Mission Beach is called the “Giant Dipper” – and it's a national, historic landmark in its own right. Why? Because the construction of this incredible wooden roller coaster dates back to 1925, the so-called ‘Golden Age’ of wooden coasters, but it can still be ridden today thanks to a $2 million restoration.
No visit to San Diego is complete without taking in Balboa Park. The sprawling 1,200-acre public park is home to the Old Globe theater, a gargantuan outdoor pipe organ and no less than 15 major museums.
3290 locals raden deze aan
Balboa Park
No visit to San Diego is complete without taking in Balboa Park. The sprawling 1,200-acre public park is home to the Old Globe theater, a gargantuan outdoor pipe organ and no less than 15 major museums.
Tucked away within the vast, verdant Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is home to an astonishing amount of wild animals, from big cats to komodo dragons. You can also partake in one of the animal experiences and fulfill your dream of becoming a keeper for the day or enjoy a sunrise stroll, where you'll see everything that happens before the park officially opens to the public.
2510 locals raden deze aan
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrTucked away within the vast, verdant Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is home to an astonishing amount of wild animals, from big cats to komodo dragons. You can also partake in one of the animal experiences and fulfill your dream of becoming a keeper for the day or enjoy a sunrise stroll, where you'll see everything that happens before the park officially opens to the public.
The Whaley House in San Diego’s Old Town is one of only two officially designated haunted houses in California (yes, official!).
30 locals raden deze aan
Whaley House Museum
2476 San Diego AveThe Whaley House in San Diego’s Old Town is one of only two officially designated haunted houses in California (yes, official!).
Famous for its peaked red roof, classic Victorian architecture and serene ocean vistas, this hotel is an iconic San Diego landmark that puts on an iconic Sunday brunch.
519 locals raden deze aan
Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange AveFamous for its peaked red roof, classic Victorian architecture and serene ocean vistas, this hotel is an iconic San Diego landmark that puts on an iconic Sunday brunch.
Dubbed the “jewel of Southern California,” La Jolla is a curiously quaint Mediterranean-style village just a few minutes drive from downtown, (but feels like you’ve accidentally taken the exit for Greece or Italy).
1327 locals raden deze aan
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdDubbed the “jewel of Southern California,” La Jolla is a curiously quaint Mediterranean-style village just a few minutes drive from downtown, (but feels like you’ve accidentally taken the exit for Greece or Italy).
As the alluringly charismatic and historic heart of San Diego, the 16-and-a-half-block Gaslamp Quarter blends Victorian charm with a 21st-century entertainment and shopping scene. Impressively, the Gaslamp Quarter just celebrated it's 150th anniversary too.
1208 locals raden deze aan
Gaslamp Quarter
As the alluringly charismatic and historic heart of San Diego, the 16-and-a-half-block Gaslamp Quarter blends Victorian charm with a 21st-century entertainment and shopping scene. Impressively, the Gaslamp Quarter just celebrated it's 150th anniversary too.
The monumental USS Midway was the longest-serving aircraft carrier in US Navy history when it was decommissioned in 1992. Now the feted ship—the size of a floating city—is a maritime museum, berthed alongside San Diego Bay in downtown.
775 locals raden deze aan
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrThe monumental USS Midway was the longest-serving aircraft carrier in US Navy history when it was decommissioned in 1992. Now the feted ship—the size of a floating city—is a maritime museum, berthed alongside San Diego Bay in downtown.
Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of San Diego’s exceptional Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, by swooping serenely overhead in a paraglider. Torrey Pines Gliderport is home to one of the most successful paragliding schools in North America, and flight experiences start from $165.
268 locals raden deze aan
Torrey Pines Gliderport
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic DrEnjoy a bird’s-eye view of San Diego’s exceptional Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, by swooping serenely overhead in a paraglider. Torrey Pines Gliderport is home to one of the most successful paragliding schools in North America, and flight experiences start from $165.
The first and grandest of the California missions is Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, founded by the Spanish in 1769.
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San Diego de Alcalá-missie
10818 San Diego Mission RoadThe first and grandest of the California missions is Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, founded by the Spanish in 1769.
The region’s oldest, largest and most visited art museum, the San Diego Museum of Art has a nationally renowned permanent collection that includes Spanish and Italian old masters, as well as 19th-century American paintings and sculptures.
126 locals raden deze aan
The San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El PradoThe region’s oldest, largest and most visited art museum, the San Diego Museum of Art has a nationally renowned permanent collection that includes Spanish and Italian old masters, as well as 19th-century American paintings and sculptures.
Sitting proudly amongst the astonishing cliffs of Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the historic moment when Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay under the Spanish flag in 1542.
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Nationaal monnument van Cabrillo
Sitting proudly amongst the astonishing cliffs of Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the historic moment when Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay under the Spanish flag in 1542.
Grab your mesh bag and head for the Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market, where you'll discover an array of beautiful, fresh, local produce and straight-outta-the-ocean seafood.
10 locals raden deze aan
Farmers Market
434 W Cedar StGrab your mesh bag and head for the Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market, where you'll discover an array of beautiful, fresh, local produce and straight-outta-the-ocean seafood.
Food scene
Pretty much every local has an opinion on the best fish taco in town, but if there was one stand-out winner it would be Oscars, a traditional Mexican seafood joint with five locations around the city.
Oscars Mexican Seafood
703 Turquoise St