View Attractions Related to: *Top San Diego Attractions*
by TourGuideTimExplore San Diego’s Top Attractions
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Are you ready to make the most of your San Diego vacation?! You would need weeks to visit all of the great attractions in San Diego. There is an old saying among locals that people who visit San Diego for vacation end up staying for a lifetime.
Since most visitors do not have weeks to spare, here are the most popular attractions to visit in San Diego. These are the most recognizable attractions that your family and friends will ask about when you return home. Don’t leave them disappointed.
Click on each of the pictures of San Diego’s top attractions above or select one of the tabs to get a full description of what to expect and do at the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, Wild Animal Park Safari, Balboa Park, Old Town, La Jolla, and of course, the Beaches.
Then, continue to scroll down the summaries of the Most Popular Attractions below to see several more of the best places to visit during your vacation.
The World-Famous San Diego Zoo
Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: Entrance allowed 9AM – 4PM (8PM during Summer)
Cost: $42 ($32 for Kids ages 3-11; Discounts available)
Features: World Famous; 4,000 Animals on 100 Acres; 700,000 Exotic Plants; Pandas; Koalas
SeaWorld San Diego
Location: Mission Bay (6 Miles Northwest of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: Hours vary by day. Ranges from 10AM – 5PM during Winter to 9AM – 11PM during Summer.
Cost: Several options starting at $73 ($65 for Kids ages 3-9). Parking is $14 for cars.
Features: Shamu, Shows, Amusement Rides, Aquariums, Dolphins, Polar Bears, Penguins, Sesame Street Rides
LEGOLAND California
Location: Carlsbad (35 Miles / 40 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: Generally Open 10AM – 5PM (8PM during Summer); Additional Hours during School Vacations
Cost: Several options starting at $67 ($57 for Kids ages 3-12 and Seniors 60+). Parking is $12
Features: More than 50 Family Rides; Focused on Kids ages 2 – 12; Attractions built out of LEGO blocks include Pirates, Dinosaurs, Animals, and National Monuments.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Location: San Pasqual Valley (33 Miles / 40 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM (8PM during Summer)
Cost: $42 ($32 for Kids ages 3-11; Discounts available). Parking is $9.
Features: African Safari-like Experience; 3,500 Animals on 1,800 Acres; Tours; Sleepovers; Lion Camp; Formerly Known as the Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a separate animal park from the San Diego Zoo.
Mission Bay Park Beach Activities
Location: Mission Bay (7 miles / 8 minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Largest Man-Made Aquatic Park in the Country; Nearly 20 Miles of Beaches and Paved Trails
Balboa Park Museums and Attractions
Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: Park and Gardens are always open; Many Museums are Open Daily, including Holidays
Cost: Parking is Free; Most Museums offer Discounts for Seniors, Students, and Military.
Features: Home to the San Diego Zoo, 15 Museums, 7 Performing Arts Theatres, 4 Cultural Centers, IMAX Globe Theater, Antique Carousel, Miniature Railroad, and Countless Gardens.
Old Town Historical Area and Attractions
Location: Old Town (4 Miles North of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: Attractions are Generally Open 10AM-6PM; the Dining Scene Stays Alive Late into the Evening.
Cost: Most Attractions are Free while a Few have a Nominal Cost.
Features: 1st European Settlement in California; Historic Landmarks; Parks, Shops, and Restaurants; Most Haunted House in America
Village of La Jolla
Location: La Jolla (12 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Art Galleries; Exclusive Shops; Luxury Cars; Fine Dining; Spectacular Setting; Accessible from downtown San Diego on a top-rated Sightseeing Tour
Coronado Island Attractions
Location: Coronado (6 Miles / 15 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Features: California’s Best Beach; Fine Dining; Theatre; Boutique Shops; Famous Historic Hotel; Magnificent Skyline Views
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