San Diego Landmarks and Attractions

San Diego Parks

San Diego may be large urban city, but the people here have made sure it’s more than just a big city full of large buildings and winding streets. From the beaches to flora and even barren canyons, elegant land and abundant parks created or preserved for the promotion of nature and art can be found throughout San Diego. These parks cannot be truly experienced in a single day, so when you’re here, be certain to take a stroll through San Diego’s many public parks.

Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego

One Father Junipero Serra Tr., San Diego, CA 92119
San Diego’s 5,800-acre Mission Trails Regional Park is the largest municipally-owned park in California, and the sixth-largest in the United States. Its craggy landscape includes the highest point in San Diego, Cowles Mountain, as well as Lake Murray.
Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego Website

Balboa Park

1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego’s Balboa Park happens to be the nation’s largest urban cultural park as well as a bonafide National Historic Landmark. Open areas for recreation, 15 major museums, and famed performing art venues make the park a popular place to get away and learn new things all at the same time.
Balboa Park Website

Belmont Park

3146 Mission Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92109
Belmont Park is the ultimate stop for living the San Diego lifestyle. Situated adjacent to the Mission Beach boardwalk and filled with unique carnival rides, The Wave House’s wave machine and amusement ride, California-themed clothing stores, and multiple eateries, Belmont Park is the definition of fun in the sun.
Belmont Park Website

Mission Bay Park

Mission Bay Park, San Diego, CA 92109
San Diego’s Mission Bay Park spans a vast 4,235 acres of recreational land consisting of approximately 46% land and 54% water. The area is ideal for jet skiing, water skiing, boating, tanning, picnics, jogging, and sports. Even when the weather appears dull, you can find people enjoying the relaxing and expansive man-made water park that is Mission Bay Park.
Mission Bay Park Website

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

San Diego Avenue at Twiggs Street, San Diego, CA 92110
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park was made to recreate the early Spanish settlement era between 1821 and 1872. In addition to cultural shops and restaurants, one can find structures of historic Spanish ancestry, such as a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, San Diego's first newspaper office, and a stable with a carriage collection.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Website

San Diego Zoo

2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
The San Diego Zoo is one of the most visited and talked about zoos in the world, proven by the moniker of the “World-Famous” San Diego Zoo. The habitats, containing more than 4,000 animals, include a faux-rainforest and a giant aviary that makes guests feel they are really in the wild. The zoo is also famously known as the home to the largest population of Giant Pandas, outside of mainland China.

Fun fact: Every time new Giant Pandas are born in the zoo, the public is invited to participate in the naming of the cub(s), allowing the local community to feel a stronger attachment to the young ones of the endeared, but endangered species.
San Diego Zoo Website

Sea World San Diego

500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Sea World San Diego is a rare marine zoological park, and is usually one of the first places a tourist travels if they are visiting San Diego for the first time. An enormous array of aquatic animals and sea life inspired exhibits and entertainment shows can be found at SeaWorld. The park’s most popular attraction, Shamu the Killer Whale, is a staple in American culture.
Sea World San Diego Website

San Diego Beaches

San Diegans can often be found wearing shorts and flip-flops during the city’s occasional torrential rains or mind-numbing tundra-like nights; a true sign of beach culture. Luckily for San Diego, such weather is rare and sunshine is aplenty. Hot weather typically equals less clothing, the want for water, and the desire to kick back by the beach, under the warm San Diego sun.

La Jolla Shores

Located approximately on Camino del Oro in La Jolla, San Diego San Diego’s La Jolla Shores beach is approximately one mile of shoreline complete with palm tree covered picnic areas. La Jolla Shores is an immensely popular ocean front for easy access waves. A large, but often crowded, parking lot is conveniently located right next to the boardwalk.

La Jolla Cove

Located approximately on Coast Boulevard in La Jolla, San Diego La Jolla Cove is a small and scenic beach that some visit for mere visual and atmospheric enjoyment. The Cove is popular for snorkeling and scuba diving, and a picture perfect grassy picnic area can be found on the bluffs above the beach. Special note: Floatation devices are prohibited in La Jolla Cove.

Children’s Pool Beach

Located approximately on Coast Boulevard in La Jolla, San Diego Walking distance from the aesthetic shores of La Jolla Cove is San Diego’s Children’s Pool Beach. Be warned - this is not actually a pool for children, but more of a harbor for seals and sea lions, which are often found relaxing on the lower rocks. Special note: The seals and sea lions are considered “protected” in this area, and humans must not interfere.

Pacific Beach

Located approximately on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach, San Diego Pacific Beach is a popular beach in the San Diego area because of the nearby clubs and bars on the neighboring Garnet strip. Pacific Beach’s Garnet Avenue area is the most popular location for local college nightlife. Starting by Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach continues south for a few miles and turns into Mission Beach.

Mission Beach

Located approximately on Mission Boulevard in Mission Beach, San Diego San Diego’s Mission Beach is arguably the most popular beach in the city. Mission is part of a continuous stretch of land that includes Pacific Beach at its northern end. Belmont Park and its famed giant wooden roller coaster, The Giant Dipper, are located only a short walk from the actual beach.
Fun fact: The Giant Dipper Roller Coaster in Mission Beach was constructed in 1925, which makes it one of the world’s oldest roller coasters. But don’t worry – safety regulations are up-to-date!

Ocean Beach

Located approximately on Sunset Cliffs Blvd. in OB, San Diego San Diego’s Ocean Beach is considered one of the city’s true beach communities. Often stereotyped as a place to find hippies and eternal beach bums, Ocean Beach is a friendly community featuring San Diego's largest Farmers Market, the famed Dog Beach, and the longest concrete pier on the west coast.

Black’s Beach

Located approximately on Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla, San Diego What sets San Diego’s most infamous beach apart from other local beaches is the fact that Black’s is a clothing optional beachfront. However, there is no need to fear a nude fest when visiting. The strong waves also make this beach a popular destination for (clothed) surfers. Special note: Street access to Black's Beach is difficult for some because of high cliffs and the lack of an improved stairway.

San Diego Historical Landmarks

Other than the natural beauty of San Diego’s sandy beaches and abundant attractions, our city also features man-made structures with equal beauty and brilliance. While many of these select San Diego landmarks don’t always offer clear labels to describe their respective significance to the city, one can still enjoy the picturesque sights.

San Diego Coronado Bridge

Located approximately where the I-5 and meets the San Diego Bay The San Diego Coronado Bridge connects Coronado Island in the San Diego Bay to the mainland. The big blue bridge is very majestic in appearance and has a distinct near-90 degree angle at its center. A wonderful view of the San Diego Bay and of Coronado Island can be viewed from the bridge. Not-so-fun fact: A sad, but true, tidbit about the Coronado Bridge is it has a strong history of jumping suicides, ranking it one of the top three “suicide bridges” in the nation.

Cabrillo National Monument

1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr., San Diego, CA 92106 San Diego’s Cabrillo National Monument commemorates Captain Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. Cabrillo was the first European to set foot on the west coast of the US. One can experience some of the most magnificent views of the San Diego Bay and city’s skyline when standing on the 360-degree lookout point where the heroic statue of Cabrillo is located. Fun fact: Another significant aspect of the Cabrillo National Monument is the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The lighthouse is one of the first eight original lighthouses on the Pacific Coast. A functional “new” Point Loma Lighthouse has since been built near the original.

Mount Soledad

La Jolla Scenic Drive South and Via Capri La Jolla, CA 92037 San Diego’s Mount Soledad has been featured in the media more than any other landmark in the city because of a prominent cross that sits atop the mountain. The main argument is the cross is religious and that such a noticeable structure on public land is an illegal mix of religion and government.

The Whaley House

2476 San Diego Avenue, San Diego CA 92110
The Whaley House in San Diego’s Old Town district is a building known by many throughout the world. Other than serving as a home, the Whaley House has also been a general store, a funeral parlor, a theater, a saloon, San Diego's first Sunday school, and a court house. One of the largest fascinations, and what most say is the most interesting aspect of the structure, is reports of the house being haunted.
The Whaley House Website

Star of India at the Maritime Museum of San Diego