San Diego > Attraction Overview

With a strong diversity in attractions, sightseeing in San Diego can be enriching, educational and even inexpensive. Perhaps the only thing as appealing as the city’s consistently beautiful weather is its devotion to the cultural arts. Theater, music, dance, sculpture, painting, film, natural history and local history thrive in San Diego, and all are showcased in the city’s numerous museums and art venues. Additionally, San Diego is dotted with several parks and gardens, historical landmarks, neighborhoods and modern amenities as well. A large percentage of San Diego’s attractions are concentrated at the internationally renowned Balboa Park. Larger than New York’s Central Park and older than San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, Balboa Park is the cultural heart of San Diego. The Park is home to the acclaimed San Diego Zoo, as well as a community of 15 museums, most of which line El Prado—the crux of Balboa Park. Museums range from the Natural History Museum, to the Automotive Museum, to the San Diego Art Institute. Also lining El Prado is the renowned Old Globe Theater. San Diego is rooted deep in its Hispanic heritage, and there are several locations that capture this amazing culture and its effect on the city today. Old Town State Historic Park preserves the early California experience, offering a swath of authentic Mexican restaurants, handcrafted arts and specialty shops. San Diego County is home to four Missions, the most popular being the San Luis Rey de Francia, which is often referred to as the “King of Missions.” All the missions reflect the daily lives of some of San Diego’s earliest residents.  In keeping with the city’s history, San Diego’s most celebrated neighborhood – the Gaslamp Quarter – is also one of its most historic. The neighborhood recreates the spirit of Victorian times through the restoration of old buildings that now feature antiques, crafts, arts, offices and business establishments, all in the authentic tradition of that 19th century era. It is also a hotspot for dining and nightlife entertainment. With one of the most beautiful harbors in the country, it’s no wonder that San Diego has strong maritime culture. The Embarcadero is a paved pedestrian path that leads all who follow to three of the city’s most prominent nautical attractions, in addition to numerous shops, markets and restaurants. Docked at the Embarcadero is San Diego’s seafaring claim to fame, Star of India, an historic windjammer built in 1863. The Star of India is the world’s oldest ship still able to head out to sea. The Star is also a part of the San Diego Maritime Museum, the headquarters of which are docked right next to the windjammer. A quarter-mile-long boardwalk connects the Embarcadero with Seaport Village, a tiny district of about 14 acres of paved and cobblestone waterfront, offering a unique harborside setting of nearly 70 shops, 20 restaurants, and a swath of entertainment opportunities. These are just a few of the attractions San Diego has to offer. Check out our individual attractions page, with sites listed by name, category and rating, to find out in more detail what this city has to offer.--- Words and photos by Michael Rando