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Things to do in San Diego
Family Beaches Trails Shopping HistoryHistory & Culture
More than just a sleepy beach town, San Diego has a rich history that can be explored at the following locations:
Balboa Park
Virtually every community in the United States boasts a city park, but not many compare to San Diego’s Balboa Park. The largest cultural complex west of the Mississippi and the largest urban cultural park in the United States, Balboa Park is often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West” for its vast concentration of major cultural institutions within its boundaries. Within its 1,200 lush acres are 85 cultural attractions including 15 museums, art galleries, sidewalk performers, theatres, sports facilities and an abundance of lush gardens and trees. For a listing of Balboa Park’s family-oriented cultural institutions visit:
www.balboapark.org
Cabrillo National Monument
Commemorating the arrival of Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo (sailing for Spain) on the coast of California in 1542, Cabrillo National Monument and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse provide a spectacular panoramic view of San Diego's harbor and coastline as well as an excellent vantage point for observing the California gray whale during migration season.
www.nps.gov
San Diego Missions
San Diego's Spanish heritage is preserved in its beautiful missions. Padre Junipero Serra's first mission in California, Mission San Diego de Alcala, still holds services daily in the original mission chapel. Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside, the largest and richest of all 21 California missions, is often called the "King of the Missions." View them all at:
www.missionsandiego.com
Gaslamp Quarter
Founded in 1867 and home to many beautiful Victorian buildings that have since earned historic status, the Gaslamp Quarter is the heart of downtown. However, back in the late 1800’s San Diego was the Wild West and the legendary Wyatt Earp ran three gambling halls in this notorious “red light” district. Today, excitement has returned to this lively dining and entertainment district with more than 100 restaurants, 35 nightclubs and bars, and 100 retail shops.
www.gaslamp.org