23 Best Outdoor Activities in San Diego, CA

1. Walk the Embarcadero

One of the top outdoor attractions in downtown San Diego is the Embarcadero – the perfect spot to walk along the water and take in the views of the San Diego Bay. It’s also home to a few popular museums, as well as some shopping and dining options. 

As you walk, you’ll spot the Star of India (the world’s oldest active sailing ship), which is part of the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Continue walking south, and you’ll pass by the USS Midway (which has a museum onboard) and the Unconditional Surrender Statue in Tuna Harbor Park before making your way to Seaport Village (an outdoor shopping and dining center).

Itinerary Suggestion: Grab a coffee or a bite to eat in Little Italy before or after walking the Embarcadero!

2. Go on a Whale Watching Boat Ride or Harbor Cruise 

One of the most popular San Diego activities is taking a boat out in the bay. There are a few different excursions you can consider booking for your trip:

• San Diego Harbor Cruise: During this narrated cruise of the bay, you’ll see the city’s skyline, cruise under the Coronado Bridge, check out the naval fleet, and potentially spot some aquatic life. 
• Small Group Sunset Sailing Excursion: This intimate (limited to six people) sunset sailboat excursion is the perfect way to end a day in San Diego. You’ll pass by Point Loma, the USS Midway, Coronado Island, and more. There’s also an afternoon excursion option if that works better for your itinerary. 
• Whale Watching Cruise: On this excursion, you’ll cruise on a replica of a historic sailing schooner to go spot whales, dolphins, and other sea life. 

3. Walk Through Balboa Park

Balboa Park is easily one of the most iconic San Diego attractions. The cultural epicenter is known for its gorgeous Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean-inspired architecture and beautiful landscaping. This makes it an ideal spot to go for a scenic stroll.  

While you’re there, be sure to walk through the Spanish Village Arts Center and the Botanical Building (both of which are free to visit!). Another outdoor spot worth visiting is the Japanese Friendship Garden (which is ticketed). 

Besides being a great place to soak up the sun, Balboa Park is home to some of the best museums in the city. If you’re down to head inside for a bit, consider checking out the San Diego Museum of Art, the Comic-Con Museum, the Museum of Us, or the Fleet Science Center.

5. Bike on Coronado Island

Coronado Island is located right across the water from downtown. It has great beaches and amazing shopping and dining, and is also home to the famous Hotel del Coronado. It’s also the perfect place to go on a bike ride!

Consider booking a bike tour of Coronado Island, where a professional guide will take you out on the bike paths and show you some of the coolest spots on the island. Alternatively, you can rent a bike from Holland’s Bicycles and go off on your own.  

7. Walk Around Old Town

Old Town is another amazing destination to stroll around while soaking up the sun. Located just about a 10-minute drive north of downtown, this is considered to be the birthplace of California. Old Town features reconstructed and preserved buildings from the 1800s, giving visitors the chance to to get a look at California’s history.

As you walk around Old Town, be sure to spend some time in Fiesta de Reyes, a vibrant outdoor shopping and dining center. It’s also worth walking by Heritage Park Row, which was built to preserve San Diego’s Victorian homes from the late 1800s. 

8. Watch the Sunset at Sunset Cliffs (Point Loma) or the Gliderport (La Jolla)

Two of the best San Diego sunset spots are Sunset Cliffs (in Point Loma, about a 15-minute drive from downtown) and the Torrey Pines Gliderport (in La Jolla, about a 20-minute drive from downtown). 

At Sunset Cliffs, there is a walking path right on top of the bluffs that is over a mile long – it’s a great spot to go on a stroll as you watch the sun go down! There are also stairs at the south end of the path that go down to the beach (just be mindful of the tides). 

The Torrey Pines Gliderport (pictured below) is more compact compared to Sunset Cliffs, but is an incredibly scenic spot. You’ll see La Jolla Shores to the south, and Torrey Pines Reserve to the north. You can also watch hang gliders and paragliders launch from the port. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even do a tandem paragliding or hang gliding flight from the gliderport! 

No matter which spot you visit, I recommend getting there at least 20 minutes before sunset to fully enjoy the view. 

12. Explore the La Jolla Tide Pools (Great for a Late Fall to Early Spring Visit!)

If you’re visiting sometime between November through March, consider going tide pooling in La Jolla. This is the optimal time to see the tide pools, as you have more daytime low tides. You can refer to the tide charts to determine the best time of day to visit. 

Some places to see tide pools in La Jolla include the stretch between Wipeout Beach and Whispering Sands Beach, as well as in La Jolla Cove and Shell Beach. As you explore, remember to leave creatures and shells undisturbed! 

13. Go Kayaking or Snorkeling in La Jolla 

If you want to go kayaking or snorkeling during your San Diego trip, La Jolla is the place to go. Consider booking a kayak tour of the scenic sea caves and La Jolla Underwater Park, where you’ll get a chance to spot marine life. Alternatively, rent snorkeling gear and explore the waters of La Jolla Cove. 

14. Walk the Coast Walk Trail (& See the Sea Lions!) in La Jolla

If you don’t want to get in the water but still want to explore the beauty of La Jolla, go on an easy walk along the Coast Walk Trail. The short (just over half a mile long) coastal bluff trail offers incredible views of the sea caves, La Jolla Underwater Park reserve, and La Jolla Shores Beach. 

While you’re in the area, extend your walk and stroll on the paved path by La Jolla Cove and Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Not only is this area picturesque, but it’s also the prime place to get a closeup view of the famous La Jolla sea lions. You can even take this walking path down to the tide pools mentioned above. 

15. Hang Out at La Jolla Shores Beach

Another amazing beach day spot in greater San Diego County is La Jolla Shores Beach. The expansive beach is about a mile long, so there is plenty of space to go on a seaside walk or lay out your towels and soak up the sun! 

16. Hike at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in La Jolla

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of my favorite places to hike in all of San Diego. The coastal bluff reserve is home to a system of interconnected trails that offer scenic views of the water. Guy Fleming Trail and Yucca Point Trail are both excellent options if you’re looking for a shorter hike. 

You can also connect to the Beach Trail to hike down to the sand, but be sure to check the tides before doing so. For your safety, you’ll want to only go to the beach during low tide. 

Note that the area is popular, and parking at the trailheads is limited. You’ll likely need to park at the Torrey Pines Beach Parking or the North Beach Lot, or street park on N Torrey Pines Road. You can walk up to the trailheads from these lots. 

17. Hike to Potato Chip Rock in Ramona

If you’re up for a longer hike (and are willing to explore beyond downtown!), one of the most iconic hikes in the county is the Potato Chip Rock and Mt. Woodson Summit trail. As it says in the name, this challenging 7.3-mile out-and-back trail leads up to the photo-worthy, super thin Potato Chip Rock. Something to note is that this trail is popular – there is often a line to get a photo on the rock!

20. Hang Out at a North County Beach Town

There’s nothing better than spending a chill day hanging out in a charming beachside town. In addition to La Jolla, some of the best beach towns in San Diego include Del Mar, Encinitas, and Carlsbad – all of which are in North San Diego County. 

In Del Mar, you can grab lunch in town (I love Board and Brew for sandwiches) and have a picnic at Powerhouse Park, a spacious oceanfront park. Of course, you can also head down to the sand for a beach day!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Encinitas, but one of my favorite outdoor activities is strolling through the stunning (and peaceful!) Self-Realization Temple Meditation Garden. If you want to spend some time by the water, head down to Moonlight Beach. While you’re in the area, stop for a bite to eat along the 101.

Some outdoor Carlsbad activities to enjoy include walking along the boardwalk and relaxing at Carlsbad State Beach. Carlsbad Village is also a great walkable town with tons of shops and eateries. 

Itinerary Suggestion: Read through my Carlsbad day trip guide for inspiration on how to spend your time in this charming seaside village!

23. Visit The Flower Fields in Carlsbad (Great for a Spring Visit!) 

If you’ll be in San Diego in the spring, be sure to plan a visit to the famous Flower Fields in Carlsbad. The property has over 50 acres of fields featuring nearly 80 million ranunculus flowers in bloom at the peak. It’s a gorgeous place to walk around and capture some great photos! Note that it is popular, so you’ll want to get your ticket in advance online.