Best Attractions in San Diego

How to plan San Diego attractions

This list covers about 140 attractions across San Diego County, from headline experiences to the small tours locals rave about. Our ranking rewards places that delight nearly every visitor, which is why smaller experiences like So Diego Food Tours in the Gaslamp Quarter, the Mormon Battalion Historic Site in Old Town, The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon and La Jolla Cove top the list. The big names are here too, alongside museums like the USS Midway, which has its own list.

Plan by area to save driving: Old Town, downtown and the Gaslamp are walkable together; La Jolla Cove pairs with a coastal walk; East County's gardens and trails make a quieter day. Buy timed tickets online for popular attractions, and go early on weekends.

Before you go: a quick checklist

• Buy tickets online ahead of time: it’s often cheaper and lets you skip the ticket line.
• Visiting several attractions? Compare multi-attraction passes against single tickets for what you’ll actually do.
• Check parking: some attractions have free lots and others charge, and downtown spots fill up fast.
• Look for resident and military discounts, and for Kids Free San Diego in October.
• Go on a weekday morning to avoid the biggest crowds, especially in summer.

How we ranked San Diego's best attractions

We started with every attraction in San Diego County that is open, verifiable and reviewed by visitors, then scored each one on review quality weighted by review volume, so a perfect score from a handful of visitors can't outrank years of consistent praise from thousands. Museums, parks and trails have their own lists. Rankings are editorial and never for sale; paid placements are clearly labeled Sponsored and sit outside the ranking.