Nicknamed the “crown jewel” of San Diego, Balboa Park is a must-visit destination and a perfect way to start the day. You’ll find plenty of photo ops within this 1,200-acre urban park that houses more than 20 museums and cultural institutions. There’s the new Comic-Con Museum and newly renovated Mingei International Museum, plus old favorites like The San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Natural History Museum and San Diego Air & Space Museum. On weekends you can visit the charming House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, and on Sundays you can catch a free concert at Spreckels Organ Pavilion—home to the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ. Within the park you’ll also find ample hiking trails, gardens and restaurants. You can easily spend a full day here, but a quick trip to see the park’s Spanish Colonial Revival architecture is reason enough to fit this into your packed itinerary.
There’s certainly not a bad way to spend a day in America’s Finest City, with cool neighborhoods spread throughout the county from Oceanside to Chula Vista. Spending time on the sand is a no-brainer, but don’t overlook the parks, museums, beachfront hotels, shopping, dining and drinking opportunities that also await your 12-hour stint in San Diego. While many will tell you that fish tacos and craft beer are the go-to order, there’s so much more to San Diego’s culinary scene to get excited about. The city is also known for its scenic hiking, kayaking, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding—pretty much anything outdoors is a way of life here. Read on to see your perfect day in San Diego, from outdoorsy activities and sightseeing to dining and drinking.
