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San Diego’s Essential Sights, from Harbor to Coast

14 placesSan Diego

See San Diego’s headline attractions on a city-to-coast route: historic Point Loma, the downtown waterfront, Balboa Park and the Zoo, Old Town, Mission Beach, and La Jolla’s dramatic shoreline. Allow several days if you plan to tour the museums, zoo, and nature reserve in depth.

  • Pop culture
  • Art
  • Architecture
  • Science & Tech
  • Nature
  • Local culture
  • History
  • Social Justice
  • Food traditions
  • Sports
  • Religion

Places in this guide

  1. 1
    Cabrillo National MonumentFirst European landing on the West Coast 🌊
  2. 2
    USS Midway MuseumFirst large-rocket launch from a moving platform 🚀
  3. 3
    Maritime Museum of San DiegoHome of the world's oldest active sailing ship ⚓
  4. 4
    Little ItalyFrom tuna boats to trattorias 🐟
  5. 5
    Gaslamp QuarterVictorian streets, wild history, wilder nights 🌃
  6. 6
    Balboa ParkOne of America's oldest public parks 🌳
  7. 7
    San Diego ZooThe roar that started a zoo
  8. 8
    Old Town San DiegoBirthplace of California 🌟
  9. 9
    Mission San Diego de AlcaláSite of the first Christian burial in Alta California
  10. 10
    Belmont ParkOnce home to the world's largest saltwater pool 🏊
  11. 11
    Pacific BeachNo saloons in the college town 🚫
  12. 12
    Cave StoreLa Jolla's only sea cave accessible from land 🌊
  13. 13
    San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park🦈 World's largest leopard shark gathering
  14. 14
    Torrey Pines State Natural ReserveHome to North America's rarest pine 🌲
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