Think of San Diego, and you’ll probably picture beaches and ocean sunsets. However, there’s more to San Diego than just the sand! Hang out in the city for a while, and you’ll realize that there’s so much to see and experience. Here is a list of some of the best San Diego excursions, complements of a local. What are you waiting for? Get out and get exploring!

Padres Game

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Catch a Padres game at Petco Park while you’re in town. Petco Park is one of the only baseball stadiums in America where you can enjoy a game at the edge of the ocean. There’s no ocean view from the stands, but spectators do get a great view of the San Diego skyline. Petco Park is one of the nicest stadiums you’ll find, and a good baseball game is always worth enjoying.

San Diego Harbor

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The waterfront area of San Diego has a lot to offer. There are parks to enjoy, museums to wander, and shopping to do! Start with a few hours browsing the shops. You can find the perfect beach cover-up, or just window shop for a lazy afternoon. As you’re walking around, you may run into a street performer or two! When you’re tired of wandering, enjoy a lunch at one of the many great eateries. Besides shopping, you can also do sightseeing at the harbor. The USS Midway Museum is a fun place for people of all ages. This is a maritime military museum located on an old boat. Aircraft, boats, historical items, and more fill the USS Midway from top to bottom. When you’re done with all of this, don’t forget to walk along the Embarcadero to get waterfront views and a glimpse of local art displays.

Seaport Village

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Go shopping in style on the waterfront at Seaport Village. There are about 75 different establishments with the complex, offering endless entertainment to fashionistas and foodies. The sprawling shopping center has miles of walking paths and no cars. It even has a carousel that’s over a century old, so kids can be rewarded (or bribed) for putting up with a long day of shopping. It’s a friendly and enjoyable place to hang out and get a taste of San Diego’s culture.

San Diego Zoo

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The San Diego Zoo is one of the most remarkable zoos in the country, if not the world. It has 3,700 different animals and hundreds of thousands of members. It was one of the first zoos to make steps toward more humane habitats, and it had taken great lengths to make the animals live as much as they would in the wild as possible. The result? Happy, healthy animals. This is one of the few zoos where pandas actually breed in captivity. Take a trip to the San Diego Zoo, and you’ll be amazed at the vastness and magic of this park!

Gas Lamp District

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There are several districts within San Diego, but the most interesting one is the Gas Lamp District. Besides having a delightful name, the Gas Lamp District also has a delightful atmosphere. This historic neighborhood features 16 blocks and nearly 100 historic buildings. Many of these buildings have become nightlife venues, fine restaurants, and shops.

San Diego Convention Center

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Not far from the Gas Lamp Quarter, the San Diego Convention Center is the host of many significant gatherings from corporate symposiums to political conventions. In fact, both Republican and Democratic conventions have been held at this center. When you’re in town, see if there’s anything interesting going on at the Convention Center. Comic cons and concerts are sure to entertain.

Balboa Park

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Balboa Park, located right next door to the San Diego Zoo, is home to 17 museums, performing arts venues, and some of the most beautiful gardens in San Diego.  If the museum exhibits don’t take your breath away the architecture of the over 100 year old buildings definitely will.  With the park being built in the early 1900s it is full of history and is a must see for anyone in the San Diego area.

Coronado Beach

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After a long day of playing tourist and seeing everything that San Diego has to offer there is nothing like kicking back, putting your toes in the sand and enjoy a nice day at one of the nicest beaches in the country! Coronado beach is only accessible by driving over the famous Coronado bridge (one of the best views of downtown SD there is) and home to the historic Hotel Del Coronado.  No San Diego visit is complete without having a little R&R on Coronado Island.