Essential San Diego sightseeing. Where culture, science, and nature collide, Balboa Park is home to more than 17 museums, multiple performing arts venues, lovely gardens, trails, and many other creative and recreational attractions, including the San Diego Zoo. With a variety of cultural institutions among its 1,200 beautiful and lushly planted acres, there is something for everyone.
Explore the diverse textures and vegetation native to California–meander through the Old cactus garden, the rose gardens, or sit and have a picnic in the grass with friends.
For those who enjoy more naturalistic jaunts, Balboa Park also offers a number of scenic hiking trails which removing you from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area–you’ll forget you’re even in an urban area as soon as you find yourself on one of these trails.
During the summer Balboa Park offers a free concert series, Twilight in the Park–here you can experience an eclectic array of acts, ranging from swing music to jazz and salsa. These concerts take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Cabrillo Bridge
The Cabrillo Bridge in San Diego, California is a historic pedestrian and automobile bridge providing access between Balboa Park and the Uptown area of San Diego. It was built for the 1915 Panama–California Exposition. The bridge was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Airplane landing taken from the Cabrillo Bridge (Laurel Street)
With 17 miles of coastline and 4,600 acres around Mission Bay Park, San Diego offers a wide variety of beaches and amenities. San Diego Lifeguards patrol the beaches from nine permanent lifeguard stations (Ocean Beach, South Mission Beach, Mission Beach, North Pacific Beach, Pacific Beach, Children’s Pool, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores, Black’s Beach) and dozens of seasonal stations during the summer.
We have maps and bus routes to all beaches at Lucky D’s Reception. Public transport in San Diego is a breeze. Jump on the bus and you will be at the beach in no time.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is a vibrant, bohemian neighborhood, with a classic SoCal beach vibe. Surfers and sunbathers fill the namesake beach, while Ocean Beach Pier is a popular local fishing spot with sweeping views. Nearby, Newport Avenue is lined with antiques shops, beachwear and surf boutiques, organic groceries, taquerias and brewpubs. The Ocean Beach Farmers Market features live music.
Mission Beach
Family friendly and also popular with 20-somethings, Mission Beach is San Diego’s lively take on the classic boardwalk beach town.
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach’s namesake stretches for miles from the Mission Bay jetty to the cliffs of La Jolla. The boardwalk, officially called Ocean Front Walk/Ocean Boulevard, is a pedestrian walkway that runs approximately 3.2 miles along the beach from the end of Law St. in the north down into Mission Beach, ending at the mouth of Mission Bay in the south. There are numerous local shops, bars, hotels, and restaurants along the boardwalk, and it is generally crowded with pedestrians, cyclists, rollerbladers, and shoppers. Adjacent to the boardwalk is the Crystal Pier, a public pier and hotel at the west end of Garnet Avenue.
La Jolla
La Jolla’s grandeur is nowhere more evident than along its coastline, where you’ll find some of the most breathtaking beaches in California. Dramatic cliffs, sandy expanses and secluded coves, La Jolla offers a range of beaches to please everyone—whether your interest is sunbathing, swimming, surfing… or seals!
Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach is a residential beach city in San Diego County, California, with a population of 26,324 at the 2010 census. The city is the southernmost city in California and the West Coast of the United States.
San Diego is home to more than 90 golf courses in every conceivable setting – from oceanfront to desert to mountains. Golf in San Diego is a year-round pursuit with more playable days than anywhere else in the United States. Hailed by Golf Digest as “one of the top 50 golf destinations in the world”, past host to the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, and home to the annual Farmers Insurance Invitational (formerly known as the Buick Invitational), San Diego is a favorite destination for golf-lovers.
San Diego’s varied terrain offers a perfect fit for every type of cyclist. Whether you’re an avid mountain bicyclist, a road bike warrior, or a breezy beach cruiser, there are plenty of paths, trails and roads in San Diego to explore on two wheels.
East County San Diego
About an hour’s drive east of Downtown, Laguna Mountain sits at 6,000 feet above the sea on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest. Mountain bike through the Jeffrey Pineson one of several trails based on level of difficulty. Head even further east to Borrego Spring and the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Here you’ll find the popular Indian Head – De Anza loop, a 14 mile paved ride that will lead you past the magnificent metal sculptures of Ricardo Breceda – larger than life creatures jetting out of the desert sand. Or, for the more extreme rider, try the 100 mile loop through the badlands or the Montezuma Grade where you’ll climb 4 thousand vertical feet in just ten miles.
Located just minutes from Downtown San Diego, Mission Trails Regional Park offers numerous mountain biking trails, beautiful scenery, and a family friendly visitor center.
Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH, stretches up the San Diego coastline and passes through some of the area’s most beautiful beach towns like Del Mar, Leucadia and Encinitas. Cyclists can begin their journey at any location north of the Mexican border, but the most popular rides start in La Jolla or Del Mar, as cyclists travel as far north as Oceanside before turning around and heading south again. The route combines miles of flat surface along with challenging hills like the Torrey Pines grade, all with picturesque ocean views.
Mission Bay and Beaches
The 27 miles of winding, paved bike paths that circle Mission Bay are car-free and provide a great experience for family bike rides and sightseeing. Cyclists can pick a range of distances along the bay, or branch off on side trips to explore the communities of Pacific Beach, La Jolla and Ocean Beach. View details of a 12 mile Mission Bay Bike Route or the laid back Ocean Beach Bike Path.
San Diego Bay
The Bayshore Bikeway is a 25-mile ride along San Diego Bay. The majority of the ride runs along bike lanes or separated bike path. Riders can start at the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego and head south to National City and Chula Vista. Loop around San Diego Bay into Imperial Beach, and then catch the Silver Strand into Coronado. Once in Coronado, riders have the option of turning around and following the trail back, or hop on the Coronado Ferry to cross over San Diego Bay back into Downtown San Diego. Map out your adventure on the iconic Bayshore Bikeway or ride from the Gaslamp Quarter to the historic NTC at Liberty Station via the San Diego Bay Bike Route.
Silver Strand in Coronado
The Silver Strand on the peninsula of Coronado offers an easy 10-mile ride between Coronado and Imperial Beach along a portion of the Bayshore Bikeway. The path on the strand parallels the beach and San Diego Bay, which is often referred to as the most beautiful and cyclist-friendly bike route in Southern California.
Point Loma Cabrillo Monument
The hills surrounding Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma offer intermediate and advanced riders a vigorous coastal path. After powering up the hill, you can gain insight into early San Diego history at the Cabrillo Monument as well as enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean to the west and San Diego Bay, Downtown San Diego and Coronado to the east. Try the Cabrillo Ride from Mission Bay Visitor Center for the whole experience.
From the fine arts, including classical, contemporary and folk art, to science and natural history, San Diego’s museum and galleries world offers an abundance of experiences. Wherever your interests may lie, you’re sure to find a collection that will provide you with deeper insight, engagement and inspiration.
Balboa Park
Often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West,” Balboa Park is the largest urban park with cultural institutions in the United States. Fifteen museums devoted to topics as varied as anthropology, art, aviation, natural science and technology are spread throughout the pristine gardens and historic Spanish Colonial architecture in Balboa Park.
The USS Midway Museum
A former naval aircraft carrier, the Midway was America’s longest serving naval warship; it is the only carrier to have served through the entire length of the Cold War and beyond, active from 1945-1992. Consistently voted the best museum in San Diego, admission includes a self-guided audio tour of over 60 exhibits—access to the crew’s former sleeping quarters, the ship’s jail, a grandiose galley, the engine room, etc., as well as a tour of 29 restored aircrafts.
Unconditional Surrender Statue
Lifelike waterside sculpture resembling the famed “V-J day in Times Square” photo from 1945
National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military
Outdoor bronze statues depicting armed forces personnel listening to comedian Bob Hope
Thanks to its mild, sunny climate and a wide array of landscapes and natural features, San Diego County contains diversity so spectacular that it takes even local residents by surprise. Hiking is one of the best ways to get close to nearly all of it. Blessed with over 2,100 plant species, over 500 species of birds, and hundreds of species of reptiles and mammals, San Diego County’s 4,261 square miles are the most biologically diverse in California, if not the United States. In few other places can you watch the sun rise from a palm grove in the desert, build a snowman in a pine-shaded meadow at noon, and watch the sun set into the Pacific Ocean.
On San Diego’s coastline, you’ll find miles of sparkling beaches overlooked by hikable sandstone bluffs containing the rare Torrey pine. Head inland just a few miles, and you can climb rugged peaks to attain panoramic views of landmarks over 100 miles away. A trip to the mountains will let you wander tranquil, stream-lined meadows under the shade of oaks and pines. You can discover hidden palm oases and contemplate silence and space in the vast expanses of Anza-Borrego Desert. This hiker’s paradise truly has something for everyone.
San Diego has routes appropriate to hikers of all ages, skill levels, and ambition, as well as routes that are perfect for dog lovers and families. You can also experience some of the county’s famous natural events, including the wildflower bloom in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the arrival of migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway, the best times to experience fall color in the county, and peak spring times when every living thing is vibrant with fresh growth and kaleidoscopic color.
Anyone can enjoy kayaking from their very first outing, with challenges ranging from two-hour coastal tours to epic multi-day expeditions. Couples and families with small children will particularly like the tandem models that can accommodate two or more paddlers. On any given day, hundreds of visitors and locals paddle these brightly-colored vessels all around San Diego’s coves and coastlines. For those who want to learn the ropes from a pro, the Mission Bay Aquatic Center offers courses for beginning and advanced paddlers.
Kayak Tours
While you can kayak virtually any place along the San Diego coast, La Jolla Shores beach is among the most popular. Protected from the brunt of the summer swells, it’s an ideal launching point to explore kelp beds, sea caves and sea lion colonies.
Everyday California
Everyday California offers kayak tours of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, giving you an opportunity to explore one of Southern California’s richest and most diverse marine ecosystems.
Original La Jolla Kayak tour – kayak around the beautiful sea cliffs and explore the seven sea caves of La Jolla, lead by an experienced EC guide. (90 minutes)
Kayak/Snorkeling tour – kayak through the reserve lead by a senior guide to find the ideal spot for snorkeling, then drop anchor and get up-close-and-personal with marine wildlife including sea lions, sea turtles and leopard sharks. (2 hours)
They offer private group tours as well, and a whale watching kayak tour during the winter months (from the beginning of December through the beginning of March). In addition, Everyday California offers a 20% discount for all Lucky D’s guests!
La Jolla Kayak
La Jolla Kayak offers a variety of oceanic and dry land activities, including a sunset kayak tour, a kayak/snorkeling combination tour, bike/kayak tour, and more! Head over to their website to figure out which expedition will best suit your needs.
Seasonality
Summer and fall are prime time for kayaking in San Diego. The conditions are generally calm and the air and water temperatures are warm enough to wear simply a bathing suit or light wetsuit top. Launch ramps and beaches within San Diego’s protected bays are the surest bet for easy launching and landing any time of year. Any local kayak service or the lifeguards can advise you about when and where it’s safe to go paddling at coastal beaches.
One of the first things that comes to mind with Southern California is surfing. When the surf is up, you can be sure to find a steady stream of grommets and pros alike slipping into wetsuits to shred some barrels and ride the gnarly tubes of the Pacific Ocean. When they’re not in the water or on the beach they’re in their cars, boards strapped to the roof and heading for such fabled breaks as Bird Rock, Oceanside Pier, or the legendary Windansea (featured in the Tom Wolfe bestseller, The Pump House Gang).
The California Surf Museum in Oceanside celebrates San Diego county’s deeply ingrained surfing tradition, where you can see historic boards and exhibits honouring legends who have carved the waves over the last 50 years. Throughout the county, especially in beach towns like Leucadia and Encinitas, you’ll find plenty of board shops, including Hansen Surfboards (open since 1961), where you can stop by to get tips on local lessons. Even if you never plan to get in the waves, you can still buy a pair of board shorts and power up with breakfast at such classic surf hangouts as Pipes Cafe in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Beach Break Cafe in Oceanside.
Surfing Lessons / Rentals
Eager to give it a try yourself? Everyday California in La Jolla offers surfboards and paddle boards for rent, and all Lucky D’s guests get a 20% discount!
Surfari
Our staff recommends Surfari in Mission Beach. Their lessons are traditionally 90 minutes long, and they offer private, semi-private, and group surfing lessons. Private lessons (1 instructor: 1 student) are $85, semi-private (1:2) are $65, and group lessons (1:5) are $55.
Next Level Surf School
Highly rated on Yelp and other websites, Next Level Surf School in Ocean Beach offers the longest surfing lessons time-wise and also the best bang for your buck. For a more personalized learning experience that won’t break the bank, we recommend checking them out. Lessons are two hours long, with both private and group options—private lessons (1:1) are $75, while group lessons (2-5 students) are $65 per student.
San Diego Surf School
Located in Pacific Beach, San Diego Surf School offers private surfing lessons as well as bundle packages. 1 hour private lessons (1:1) are $75, though with 4 or more people the price drops to $55 a person; private 90 minute lessons (1:1) are $95, though with 4 or more people drops to $70 a person. If you think you’ll need a little more time to learn the ways of the waves, they offer a special of four 90-minute lessons for the price of three ($285). Group surfing lessons are an hour and a half in length, at $55 a head.
Ocean Beach Surf School
Ocean Beach Surf School guarantees that you’ll be able to surf your own wave by the end of your session, or the lesson’s on them! Their lessons are 90 minutes long, with private, semi-private and group class offerings. Private lessons are $89, semi-private lessons (class of 2-3 people) are $69, and group lessons of 4-5 people are $59.
Not quite ready to tackle the waves of the Pacific? Check out WaveHouse in Mission Beach.
A 7 acre beachfront entertainment complex with an artificial wave pool, WaveHouse embodies the quintessential SoCal vibe—sunshine, surfing, and beautiful oceanside views in an entertaining and chilled out atmosphere. Located in the heart of Mission Beach, it’s renowned for its premium people watching; eyeball surfers tackling waves in the ocean with a cold beverage in hand, and with a quick turn of the head check out others squaring off with simulated barrels in the wave pool. WaveHouse epitomizes the surfer lifestyle, and is a must-see for out-of-towners, providing a low-key, relaxed environment with plentiful opportunities for fun in the sun.
Been through one of these beginner surf programs (or another) and loved it? Let us know!
Petco Park is spectacular in every way, combining the best sight lines in baseball with breathtaking views of San Diego. Architecturally magnificent, it celebrates the sea, the sky, the natural beauty, cultural diversity and unique spirit of our region. Innovative design features evoke the timeless traditions of baseball in an intimate setting, with state-of-the-art fan amenities to suit every taste and budget.
Voted 2015 #1 Zoo in the world, the San Diego Zoo is an absolute must see. Founded in 1916, the Zoo has been an icon in San Diego for nearly 100 years, not to mention the scene of the infamous Baxter versus Bear face-off in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
Spend the day monkeying around in our tropical oasis as you visit beautiful habitats that are home to gorillas, eagles, tigers, sun bears, Asian leopards, rare reptiles, a palette of colorful birds, and more. Visit the Australian Outback to delight in our colony of 24 koalas, and travel along Panda Trek to experience giant pandas and other animals that share their bamboo forest habitat.
Go on the Elephant Odyssey to discover what animals used to roam Southern California and see what the elephants are up to. Enjoy a guided tour on a double-decker bus or the scenic view from the Skyfari aerial tram, and dine in the peaceful surroundings of Albert’s Restaurant.
Discover the wonders of wildlife with animal encounters, interactive experiences, and keeper chats. A leader in animal care and conservation, the San Diego Zoo is at the heart of the San Diego experience.
We offer discounted tickets for all of our guests in Reception! Ask a staff member to learn more.
As Southern California’s premier entertainment district, guests can bask in the rich Victorian architecture and history, indulge in some of the best restaurants on the West Coast, and dance the night away at the best clubs in SoCal. Tucked tightly into 16 ½ blocks, the Gaslamp Quarter is a walkable urban playground located in Downtown San Diego and adjacent to the Convention Center, Petco Park, and Horton Plaza. Just a few blocks west of Lucky D’s, we invite you to explore the Gaslamp for yourself and find out what makes it unforgettable!
Dine
Experiencing the native cuisine of a new place is one of the most delectable aspects of traveling, and the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego is a true foodie’s paradise. Dining in the Gaslamp is an intercontinental culinary journey, ranging from casual to upscale–whether looking for a bite post-Padres game or date night with the one you love, the Gaslamp Quarter is the perfect spot!
Play at Parq: downtown San Diego’s hottest nightclub. Parq features a 10,000 square feet main room, the largest HD LED wall on this side of the world (30 feet by 12.5 feet), aerial dancers, the industry’s best hosts, 21 VIP tables and so much more…
In the heart of downtown San Diego, the Gaslamp is the entry point for not only great restaurants, bars, and hotels but excellent shopping! 16 city blocks are filled with fascinating boutiques, national retailers, and professional services all within easy walking distance. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find in downtown San Diego.
Considered the “birthplace” of California, visitors can witness the living legacy of California’s origins in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. A short ride from Lucky D’s on the trolley, the preserved historic buildings and museums of Old Town allow you to “go back in time” and experience California’s history firsthand.
Restaurants in Old Town
Known for its authentic Mexican cuisine, Old Town’s culinary scene is lively and vibrant. For traditional flavors in an upscale atmosphere, diners head to El Agave. This second-floor hacienda-style hideaway boasts a mind-blowing tequila collection and a menu specializing in upscale dishes that celebrate indigenous Mexican ingredients. Café Coyote enchants with its, festive décor, massive margaritas, strolling mariachis and open-air atmosphere. You’ll also find authentic fare at Old Town Mexican Cafe y Cantina or any of the other local cantinas. Beyond the excellent Mexican cuisine, Harney Sushi offers creative Japanese dishes and sushi roll concoctions, such as the “Mike Check” roll featuring lobster, cilantro, garlic ponzu and wonton chips, as well as expertly prepared traditional nigiri.
Historical Buildings
The Old Town State Historical Park maintains a collection of 19th-century homes and businesses that give visitors a glimpse into colonial life in San Diego. Seek out the old adobe ranch homes, schoolhouse and graveyard spread among the occupied areas of the neighborhood.
There are also numerous rumors of ghost sightings in the area—most persistently at the old Whaley House Museum on San Diego Avenue. The Whaley House & Museum is one of only two officially designated haunted houses in California. Constructed in 1856 on a former gallows’ site, the house was once home to the Whaley family as well as San Diego’s first theater and county courthouse.
Constructed in 1825, Casa de Estudillo unveils the lifestyle of a prominent San Diego family. Standing as the the most famous of the original adobe buildings in Old Town, it’s furnished with representative items from the 16th to 20th centuries within its 13 rooms.
The Junípero Serra Museum in Old Town’s Presidio Park is one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego, recognized as the site where California began. Neighboring Heritage Park showcases San Diego’s Victorian era with six
Shopping in Old Town
Shopping in Old Town State Historic Park reflects the history of the 1800s and captures the essence of San Diego’s colorful past. A diverse selection of stores can be found in Old Town like Cousin’s Candy for fresh homemade taffy, Toby’s Candle Shop where visitors can make their own candles, the Johnson House specializing in hat-making. and Alvarado Provisions for unique gourmet foods. Old Town Market Place, an open-air courtyard, is home to a variety of carts and shops that sell handcrafted trinkets, clothing and accessories traditional to the Mexican culture.
Nestled in the heart of Old Town State Historic Park, Bazaar Del Mundo, a San Diego shopping and dining institution, is popular for food, folklore and fun. Translated as “marketplace of the world,” Bazaar del Mundo features award-winning restaurants and international shops with a dazzling array of ethnic clothing, jewelry, pottery, furnishings and many other treasures. Countless special events also make Bazaar del Mundo an attraction year-round.
Airplane landing taken from the Cabrillo Bridge (Laurel Street)
Lifelike waterside sculpture resembling the famed “V-J day in Times Square” photo from 1945
Outdoor bronze statues depicting armed forces personnel listening to comedian Bob Hope
