Ellen’s Guidebook to San Diego

Ellen
Ellen’s Guidebook to San Diego

Natural Beauty (Free Activities)

San Diego is known for its beautiful landmarks and spaces. Here is a list of some amazing views and scenery you have to check out if you are a lover of nature and the outdoors. I've listed activities you can prepare for that would be great if you check out these spots such as a picnic, grilling, hiking, etc.
What you can do here: -hiking -picnic -bbq -swimming
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines Road
1108 locals recommend
What you can do here: -hiking -picnic -bbq -swimming
What you can do here: -hiking -picnic -bbq
8 locals recommend
Black Mountain Open Space Park
8 locals recommend
What you can do here: -hiking -picnic -bbq
What you can do here: -hiking -picnic -bbq -swimming -park -rollerblading -biking
189 locals recommend
Mission Bay
189 locals recommend
What you can do here: -hiking -picnic -bbq -swimming -park -rollerblading -biking
What you can do here: -hiking
314 locals recommend
Cowles Mountain
Cowles Mountain
314 locals recommend
What you can do here: -hiking
What you can do here: -hiking
Miner's Ridge Loop Trail
Black Mountain Hike
What you can do here: -hiking
What you can do here: -hiking -picnic -swimming
580 locals recommend
Sunset Cliffs
580 locals recommend
What you can do here: -hiking -picnic -swimming
What you can do here: -hiking
10 locals recommend
Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail
Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail
10 locals recommend
What you can do here: -hiking
What you can do here: -hiking
53 locals recommend
Annie's Canyon Trail
2550 Solana Hills Trail
53 locals recommend
What you can do here: -hiking
What you can do here: -hiking (An iconic rock that all hike lovers should see)
203 locals recommend
Potato Chip Rock
203 locals recommend
What you can do here: -hiking (An iconic rock that all hike lovers should see)
What you can do here: -hiking
47 locals recommend
Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center
1 Father Junipero Serra Trail
47 locals recommend
What you can do here: -hiking
What you can do here: -hiking -picnic -bbq -swimming -cave tour -art museum
1327 locals recommend
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast Blvd
1327 locals recommend
What you can do here: -hiking -picnic -bbq -swimming -cave tour -art museum
Encinitas Beach County Park
700 locals recommend
Pacific Beach
700 locals recommend
487 locals recommend
Coronado Island
487 locals recommend

Iconic Destinations (Paid Activities)

Here's a list of must-do activities that San Diego is known for. This includes museums, theme parks, etc. These all require purchase of a ticket but if some museums have discounted tickets or free entry on certain days of the week.
San Diego Safari Park( Insidegate) station
165 locals recommend
1754 locals recommend
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.
1754 locals recommend
126 locals recommend
The San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado
126 locals recommend
San Diego Natural History Museum
1788 El Prado
99 locals recommend
76 locals recommend
San Diego Air & Space Museum
2001 Pan American Plaza
76 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
700 Prospect St
133 locals recommend
Escapism Puzzle Room
3919 Fourth Ave
13 locals recommend
Boomers! San Diego
6999 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
13 locals recommend
Legoland Drive
Legoland Drive

Shopping Malls

San Diego is also known for its large shopping malls with endless possibilities to add to your wardrobe. A MUST see mall is Westfield UTC La Jolla. It is newly renovated and beautifully designed.
381 locals recommend
Westfield UTC
4545 La Jolla Village Dr
381 locals recommend
833 locals recommend
Fashion Valley
7007 Friars Rd
833 locals recommend
241 locals recommend
Westfield Horton Plaza
324 Horton Plaza
241 locals recommend
400 locals recommend
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del Norte
400 locals recommend
Mission Valley Center Station

Breweries, Drinks, and Nightlife

Here is a list of different ares where locals will go to bar hop and enjoy the nightlife. Although there is only one bar listed in a given area, there are plenty of bars next door or down the street in these neighborhoods you should check out. San Diego is also known for their local craft beer so included are the most famous breweries and some microbreweries for the true beer lovers who want to try something new.
84 locals recommend
FLUXX Nightclub
500 Fourth Ave
84 locals recommend
118 locals recommend
PB Shore Club
4343 Ocean Blvd
118 locals recommend
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station
2816 Historic Decatur Rd
175 locals recommend
Ballast Point Brewing Miramar
9045 Carroll Way
48 locals recommend
31 locals recommend
Green Flash Brewing
6550 Mira Mesa Blvd
31 locals recommend
21 locals recommend
Iron Fist Brewing San Diego
1985 National Ave
21 locals recommend
60 locals recommend
Karl Strauss Brewing Company
9675 Scranton Rd
60 locals recommend
51 locals recommend
SHELTER Encinitas
540 S Coast Hwy 101
51 locals recommend
41 locals recommend
Modern Times Beer
3725 Greenwood St
41 locals recommend
31 locals recommend
Societe Brewing Company
8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
31 locals recommend
17 locals recommend
Common Theory
4805 Convoy St
17 locals recommend
133 locals recommend
Seven Grand San Diego
3054 University Ave
133 locals recommend