Things to Do in San Diego on Your Next Visit

San Diego is a bucket list travel destination for many vacationers. It has beautiful weather year-round, those enviable beaches, and many opportunities to spend time outside enjoying the best that the city has to offer.

From scenic coastal drives to time out on the water, the best things to do in San Diego revolve around taking advantage of those sunny skies no matter the season. Read on for more about the local spots that make this city unique and ways to upgrade your trip.

Take a Scenic Drive

San Diego is spoiled with choice when it comes to scenic drives in and around the city. For a broad overview of the city that hits all of the best highlights, consider the 59-mile scenic drive. You’ll see everything from downtown San Diego to luxe La Jolla to the panoramas of Mount Soledad on that stretch of road.

For a ride with day trip potential, head onto the iconic Highway 1, or the Pacific Coast Highway, driving as far north as time allows. Oceanside is about an hour north of the city and the perfect endpoint for a scenic coastal drive.

Supercar rentals in San Diego are easy to book, too, with a wide variety of options no matter where you’re exploring around the city. 

For an upgraded experience, consider the best luxury car rental San Diego has to offer from San Diego Prestige. Imagine yourself hitting the open road in one of the convertibles in our fleet or pulling up to your lunch spot in an exotic car straight out of your sports car dreams. 

Find Your Favorite Beach

San Diego has no shortage of shoreline, with a beach escape waiting for you no matter what you’re looking for in your patch of sand. 

Head up to Coronado for large, soft swaths of sand and views of the Hotel del Coronado or the beaches of La Jolla for access to boutique shopping after some fun in the sand. Test out Pacific Beach, Mission Beach or Ocean Beach if you’re seeking something more casual, with loads of opportunities for lunch options for spending time out in the sun.

If you’re pairing a scenic drive with your beach day, consider heading up to North County and Carlsbad. South Carlsbad State Beach is a popular option, with opportunities to swim, surf and sunbathe along its 3-mile stretch. 

Now imagine pulling up to that scenic seashore in a luxury convertible.

Embrace the City’s Best Tourist Spots

San Diego is one of the most popular travel destinations globally, consistently ranking on lists of the best tourist vacation spots in the United States.

Much of that is because of the variety of activities awaiting a visit to San Diego. There are things to do in San Diego for foodies, families, outdoor adventure seekers and couples. To see the best of the city, embrace what all the tourists do, as those tourist spots are popular for a reason.

Stroll through Balboa Park and visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Explore the Embarcadero, San Diego’s boating hub and home to the historic naval craft carrier at the USS Midway Museum.

Check out the wildlife at La Jolla Cove and the nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter. Find your favorite beach hike at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve or Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.

Consider finishing off your day with a sunset cruise and see why so many visitors return to San Diego again and again.

See the City from the Water

Some of San Diego’s best views are from the water. The city is surrounded by beaches on the oceanside and calmer bays and inlets that lend themselves to all kinds of watersports and boating activities on the bayside.

Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak from any rental shops along the beach boardwalks in La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and Mission Bay. 

If that sounds like too much work, consider yacht charters in San Diego. If you’re traveling with a group or celebrating a special occasion, yachting in San Diego is a great way to spend time seeing the city from the water in comfort and style.

Yacht charters from San Diego Prestige come at various price points, and you can add bar, catering and sunset cruise services to most bookings. It’s a magical way to experience San Diego’s harbors and the city’s impressive coastline.

Find Your Favorite Things to Do in San Diego

No matter when you visit San Diego, you’ll likely have a fantastic time. A great way to make your stay even more memorable, though, is by treating yourself to an exotic car rental or yacht charter. Add something special to your San Diego itinerary as you see the best of America’s finest city.