Heart of San Diego
San Diego, Pacific Coast Highway
About This Activity
Explore San Diego's diverse neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Old Town is the birthplace of California with its historic adobe buildings and free museums. The Gaslamp Quarter pulses with restaurants, rooftop bars, and nightlife. Hillcrest is the city's LGBTQ+ hub with eclectic shops, while North Park draws craft beer lovers to its 30th Street corridor. Together they reveal a city far beyond beaches.
Seasonal note: Year-round; outdoor dining best in spring and fall
See This in an Itinerary
This activity appears in 45 of our curated itineraries.
Best 7 Days in Pacific Coast Highway — Food & Wine
San Francisco → Los Angeles → San Diego → Monterey
Best 7 Days in Pacific Coast Highway — LGBTQ+ Friendly
San Francisco → Los Angeles → San Diego → Monterey
Best 7 Days in Pacific Coast Highway — Food & Wine & Walking Tours
San Francisco → Los Angeles → San Diego → Monterey
Best 7 Days in Pacific Coast Highway — LGBTQ+ Friendly & Walking Tours
San Francisco → Los Angeles → San Diego → Monterey
Best 10 Days in Pacific Coast Highway — Food & Wine
San Francisco → Los Angeles → San Diego → Monterey → Santa Barbara
Best 10 Days in Pacific Coast Highway — LGBTQ+ Friendly
San Francisco → Los Angeles → San Diego → Monterey → Santa Barbara
More Activities in San Diego
San Diego Zoo
Spend a half day at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, home to 12,000+ animals across 100 acres in Balboa Park
La Jolla
Explore La Jolla's sea caves, tide pools, seal colony, and upscale village perched on dramatic cliffs
Balboa Park
Explore 17 museums, gardens, and 65 miles of trails in this sprawling 1,200-acre urban cultural park
Coronado Island
Cross the iconic bridge to white-sand beaches, the historic Hotel del Coronado, and a charming village
Beaches of San Diego
Hit the surf and sand at Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and Ocean Beach — San Diego's local favorites
Whale Watching from San Diego
Spot gray whales, blue whales, and dolphins on a guided boat tour from San Diego Bay
Surf Lesson on Pacific Beach
Catch your first wave with a guided surf lesson on San Diego's beginner-friendly Pacific Beach
Beaches of San Diego: App guided - half day
Spend a half day at a local beach. You can grab a book, walk the pier, take a dip in the ocean and just breathe in the f