San Diego Tourism and Attractions

 

San Diego Tourism Info

General information about San Diego:


Bus and Trolley Info

Bus between Old Town and USD: bus route #44 From USD to Downtown or Harbor Cruise: Bus route #44 to Old Town, Trolley to Downtown (Santa Fe Depot) SDCommute.com


Local Attractions

Gaslamp:

4th, 5th, 6th streets below Broadway, downtown - restaurants and night life


SeaWorld:

On Sea World Drive near USD visit Shamu and the gang


Seaport Village:

Trendy shops, very touristy, near harbor cruise


Mission Beach:

Beach-side board walk, roller coaster, skates, tattoos; Bayside mellow, strolls


Balboa Park:

1,200 acres just north of downtown, has museums, theatres, gardens, Zoo, and open space. 

 

Museums:

  • Mingei International Art Museum:  Changing exhibits of arts of peoples from all cultures.  Ceramics, textiles, toys, and other objects of daily life.  Adults $5. Closes 4 pm. 239-0003
  • Museum of Photographic Arts
  • San Diego Museum of Art: Special exhibits, plus Renaissance and Baroque paintings, American art, 19th century European paintings, Asian art treasures, and 20th century paintings and sculpture. Closes 4:30 pm. 232-7931
  • Timken Museum of Art: European Old Masters, 18th and 19th century American paintings and Russian icons.  Closes 4:30 pm. Free. 239-5548
  • Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: Five interactive exhibit galleries. SciTours simulator ride, Omni-Max domed theatre. 238-1233
  • San Diego Aerospace Museum: More than 65 aircraft and spacecraft, and thousands of associated artifacts. Closes 5 pm. Adults $6. 234-8291.
  • San Diego Automotive Museum: Rare and exotic automobiles and motorcycles. Adults $6. 231-2886.
  • San Diego Natural History Museum: Flora, fauna, mineralogy of the southwestern US and Baja in permanent exhibits; exciting traveling exhibitions of a more global nature. 232-3821.
  • San Diego Historical Society and Research Archives: Features changing exhibits interpreting San Diego's regional history. Adults $5. Closes 4:30 pm. 232-6203.
  • San Diego Museum of Man: Anthropological museum featuring American Indian art, Maya; Ancient Egypt, early man, mummies, life-cycles and ceremonies. Closes 4:30.

Theatres

The Globe Theatre

Tony award winning theatre with special emphasis on Shakespeare during the summer season. Three stages. 239-2255.


Starlight Musical Theatre

Features contemporary musicals. 544-7800.


San Diego Zoo

Home to 4,000 rare and endangered birds, mammals, and reptiles; 6,500 varieties of exotic plants.  Open until 10 PM.  234-3153.


Old Town:

Old Town Historical Park:

Historical buildings, museums, quaint shops, Mexican restaurants, entertainment. 

  • Heritage Park Village: San Diego Victorian era structures now used as shops, etc. (free)
  • Serra Museum: interpretations of San Diego history during Native American, Spanish, and Mexican periods. Closes 4:30. Adults: $5.
  • Seeley Stables, Wells Fargo Museum, Whaley House Museum, Johnson House
  • Theatre in Old Town: open ended run of nostalgic "Forever in Plaid."

Other Tourist Spots:

  • Fashion Valley, Mission Valley, and Horton Plaza: shop till you drop
  • La Jolla: great little cove, trendy shops on Prospect, where the beautiful people hang out
  • Coronado: great sandy beaches, yachts, the Hotel Del Coronado, island living
  • Tijuana: Mexican border city, nite life, shops, good food, good margaritas, music, ole.

Favorite Restaurants:

  • Hillcrest
    Kemo Sabe or Bombay Indian both on 5th Avenue and Arrividerci on 4th Avenue
  • Little Italy
    Filippi's, Buon Appetito and Indigo Grill
  • Downtown
    Croces, Rama Thai, Bepa Di Buco, Blue Point, Dakotas, Royale Brasserie and Panda Inn
  • Fashion Valley
    Cheese Cake Factory and P.F. Changs in Fashion Valley


Old Town Map (click for larger picture)