San Diego is a fantastic place to visit. The weather is always perfect, food options are abundant, and there are so many activities to choose from. You could easily spend more than a week here and still not do everything. I found that there are tons of fun activities in San Diego for couples. Not to say that families can’t find plenty to do, but San Diego is a great place for a romantic weekend or fun friend weekend for adults.
Table of Contents
- Old Town Historic State Park
- Balboa Park
- San Diego Zoo
- Point La Jolla
- La Jolla Kayaking Cave Tour
- USS Midway
- Sunset Cliffs
- Seaport Village
- Embarcadero Marina Park
- Gaslamp Quarter
Old Town Historic State Park
A walk around Old Town is the perfect way to start your adventures in San Diego. Old Town is the “birthplace” of California since it was the first establishment in the area by Spanish Settlers in the 1700s. Come prepared to explore the original and reconstructed adobe style buildings of the 1800s. Museums display the history while the shops and restaurants preserve the cultural integrity of its origin. If you’re looking for one of a kind, handmade items you will find an abundance here.
Old Town Historic State Park is free to all visitors. Some of the museums may charge a small fee for tours, but be sure to check times that they are open. Old Town is very accessible with street parking and public transit very close making it easy to visit.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a must see for any San Diego visit. Not only is it home to the infamous San Diego Zoo, but it is an incredible display of the Spanish influences of the area. The many Spanish colonial buildings ornately decorated provide a cultural center for visitors.
The beauty of Balboa Park is a direct result of Kate Sessions, a horticulturist, who introduced many plants to the area, and aided in the landscaping efforts. Visit the rose garden and the desert gardens to catch a glimpse of the park as it would have been and what it has become. The stunning architecture of the park is a result of the expositions that took place in 1915 and 1935. The park is a romantic setting for a stroll on a beautiful San Diego day.
There are so many things to do in Balboa Park that you could easily spend a few days here. Spend some time in any of the museums, stop to smell the flowers of the many gardens, watch a play, or listen to the largest outdoor pipe organ. Stroll through the international village on the weekends where volunteers will regale you with information and goodies from various countries. Take a hike on the various trails throughout the park. Bring your artistic eye to the Spanish Village Art Center where artists display their works for you to purchase.
Know Before You Go
Balboa Park is free, with plenty of parking and public transit routes nearby. There are several museums within the park, just make sure to check for times that they’re open. Some even offer free tours. Resident Tuesdays are for (you guessed it) residents of the San Diego area. If you’re a resident, you can get into select museums for free! Tuesdays at 11am, gather just outside the visitors center for a free, guided one-hour tour of the park, where you learn about the start of Balboa Park and how it came to be what we see today. This is a fun activity for couples to just walk around and take it all in.
There are many restaurants and cafes all over the park that offer everything from snacks to large meals for breakfast and lunch. I spent an entire day here hitting the highlights of the park, which was perfect. If you plan to go to museums and do tours, hiking, or other events, I would plan for more time here.
San Diego Zoo
With over 4,000 animals, it is easy to see why San Diego Zoo is the most well known zoo in the world. Opened in 1916, this zoo is a beacon of hope for conservation efforts. By visiting the zoo and spending any money while there, you’re aiding in efforts to save endangered species. Visiting the San Diego Zoo is a fun activity for couples, families, or anyone to enjoy while in the San Diego area.
Arrive right before 9am to see the official opening ceremony of the zoo, where macaws fly right overhead. While you’re waiting, ask one of the many volunteers in red shirts for advice on where to start your journey at San Diego Zoo; since it is 100 acres of over 650 species, it can seem daunting to know where to begin. Download the San Diego Zoo app before arriving so you have a list of the day’s events and can easily locate anything at the touch of a screen.
If you’re planning a full day at the zoo (which is my recommendation), then take your time with the animals, especially your favorites. It may seem like you have to rush to see everything, but you will most likely have time to see a few of them twice. Explore the west half of the zoo first since it will be in the sun by the afternoon. Be aware that there are some steep inclines and stairs throughout the zoo. Be sure to stay hydrated and take advantage of the many food options all over the zoo.
San Diego Zoo Tickets
San Diego Zoo tickets cost around $65 each for adults, but look for discounts offered or experiences you might like to add on. For more accurate pricing visit the San Diego Zoo website. The San Diego Zoo opens at 9am and closes at 6pm. You can easily see the entire San Diego Zoo in 4 hours depending on your pace.
San Diego Zoo ticket prices are dependent on the experience you want. A general admission ticket includes rides on the skyfari aerial tram, a guided bus tour, and rides on the kangaroo express bus. Take full advantage of the guided bus tour as you will get a more behind the scenes take on the animals. If you’re tired but you want to see your favorite animals one more time, take the aerial tram or kangaroo bus across the zoo to save time and your legs. Keep in mind that kids 11 and under get in free during the month of October.
If you have a stroller, be aware that you cannot take it on the aerial tram or into some of the indoor exhibits. If you’re not able to visit, you can always check in on the animals with the live cameras on the zoo’s website.
Fun Facts: The animals at the zoo are owned by the children of San Diego. The zoo is also the largest botanical garden in the world.
Point La Jolla
La Jolla Coast Walk Trail is a beautiful, easy, half-mile walk along the cliffs. This sandy trail offers great views of the Pacific, and those partaking in water activities such as swimming, surfing,or scuba diving. There are many birds as well as sea lions resting along the rocky cliffs. Watch the waves crash into the rocks and splash into the sea caves. The beach is accessible, so bring your swimsuit and take a dip.
La Jolla Kayaking Cave Tour
If you’re looking for a really fun experience, go on a kayaking cave tour in La Jolla Cove. Paddle out past the surf, head towards the cliffs and search for leopard sharks, garibaldi fish (California’s state fish), and have sea lions swimming right beside you. The best part is of course paddling into the caves.
While we were in the cave, some friendly sea lion pups were playing all around us. Getting up close to wildlife can be so thrilling, but always remember that’s their home, so visit responsibly. On your way back ashore, be on the lookout for dolphins and whales that have been known to come close to shore to say hello. Kayaking in La Jolla Caves is one of the best and most fun things for couples to do in San Diego.
I recommend La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks as your tour guide. They provide you with a life jacket and helmet to keep you safe. The guides are very friendly and knowledgeable. La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks also have changing rooms and lockers for anything you wish to leave out of the ocean. They do not recommend wearing anything that could potentially fall off, like sunglasses.
USS Midway
The USS Midway is a retired naval aircraft carrier that was named after one of the greatest naval victories in US history, and is now serving as a museum. The USS Midway was launched in 1945 and served in the Vietnam War, Cold War, and Gulf War, and was eventually decommissioned in 1992.
While on the ship you will get an inside look at the inner workings of a naval vessel of this magnitude. They are literal floating cities complete with a post office, barber shop, dentist, many kitchens, and so much more. See what it takes to feed 4,500 crew members, and do their laundry. You won’t complain about your chores ever again!
Experiences
There are so many experiences offered on the Midway that anyone remotely interested in aircrafts or naval ships would love. Climb into the cockpit of some of the aircrafts on display, get a close look at the reconnaissance maps used during Operation: Dessert Storm, and head up into the “island” to get the captain’s view of the deck. With jets landing and taking off every 45 seconds you can bet this ship’s crew ran like clockwork.
Take a seat and hear from a docent about the logistics of taking off and landing on a ship at high speeds at sea. The volunteer docents are all over the ship and ready to answer any questions. I recommend talking with a few docents as some have served in the military and might have flown some of the aircrafts you see or worked on a ship like the USS Midway.
Know Before You Go
The USS Midway opens at 10am and takes about 3-4 hours at a decent pace to completely look at everything there is to offer, but you could easily spend an entire day here really diving deep into each section of the ship and its aircrafts. There are extra experiences that you may want to try such as VR flight simulators.
If you get motion sick, there’s no need to worry. On a ship of this size you won’t feel any movement. If you’re claustrophobic, you definitely don’t want to go below deck or up in the island; it might be a large ship but it’s full of tight spaces. You should be okay on the main deck and flight deck where all the planes are. There’s a cafe on the ship so no need to worry about getting hungry during your visit.
Before your tour, walk around to the left of the Midway to Tuna Harbor Park. There you’ll find a recognizable figure of two people kissing. This statue is called “Unconditional Surrender” by J. Seward Johnson. This 25 foot rendition of the infamous kiss on D-day is fitting standing next to the USS Midway. Taking a picture in front of the statue is a fun thing for couples to do in San Diego.
Sunset Cliffs
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68 acre park along the coast that offers spectacular views. Walk along the 2.4 mile sandy trail to find the best views for sunset pictures. This is a great place to sit and relax. You might even catch a glimpse of a whale swimming by.
One of the best things to do for couples in San Diego is a romantic walk at sunset. Sunset Cliffs is a popular place for engagements, weddings, and date nights. We were only there for about three hours and saw three different engagements! There are so many areas to explore here so plan ahead for what you’d like to experience. What is more romantic than a walk along the shore as the sun sets? This is among the more popular fun activities in San Diego for couples.
Sunset Cliffs is free to visit and is open 24/7. You may want to get down to the beach in order to get a great sunset picture, but there are many ways to achieve this. There are stairs to the beach in some areas, and in other areas some climbing is involved. I would recommend wearing closed-toed, good gripping shoes to get down to the beach. There are many “best” spots for pictures, but I think it’s all about perception. Plus it’s more fun to explore and find what you think is the most incredible spot.
Seaport Village
If you’re looking for a place to shop and dine, Seaport Village is a great spot. There are several stores here offering anything from souvenirs, stylish clothes, pottery, and decor. When all that shopping and walking around gets to you, just stop at any one of the eateries for a pretzel snack, a quick piece of pizza, or a full meal.
There are benches and a pier to walk out on to enjoy boats in the harbor. Seaport Village also connects to the San Diego Bay walk where many local vendors as well as attractions are located. This is a great spot to spend time with friends in San Diego.
Embarcadero Marina Park
Embarcadero Marina Park connects to Seaport Village on one side and a marina on the other. This lovely little park juts out into the bay. It is a great spot to walk, sit, or enjoy other recreational activities. During the day you might find several kites being flown here. A fun thing for couples to do in San Diego can just be a walk in the park.
Embarcadero Marina Park is open from 9am to 9 pm. The name Embarcadero comes from Spanish origins meaning “The place to embark”; a fitting name for such a park. Bring your kite or skateboard and enjoy a day in the sunshine!
Gaslamp Quarter
If you’re looking for nightlife, the Gaslamp Quarter is a fun spot for couples or friends. After 5pm the streets come alive with music, chatter, and pedestrians spilling out onto the sidewalks. The street lamps that gave this area its name begin to heat up and light the way to some night time fun. Fifth Avenue is loaded with shops, restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs, but it also has some historic buildings you may want to stop for.
The sidewalks are paved with brick and the rustic Victorian style gas lamps lighting the streets are just part of the charm of the Gaslamp Quarter. Look for the Yuma building, Spencer Ogden building, Old City Hall, Keating, Luis Bank of Commerce, St. James Hotel, and Royal Pie Bakery building. Read about the Gaslamp Quarters historical significance that started what we know today as downtown San Diego.
End of the Road
My list is still growing with all the things I want to do when I go back to San Diego. Subscribe to get a look at my “next time” lists, there might be something on there that you want to do during your trip. Your interests will determine where you stay and how you get around while visiting San Diego.
I would recommend staying somewhere between Sunset Cliffs and Balboa Park. This area is near the airport and centrally located to everything I have listed. While staying closer to downtown or Little Italy areas we were able to walk to most of our dining choices. We also used public transportation to get to most of our destinations, and we used rideshare occasionally to save some time. Public transportation was very budget friendly, but it can take a little longer than driving.
If you need to fuel up for all of your activities you should look at my list of Unique Local Restaurants in San Diego. There are so many fun things for couples to do in San Diego don’t let fighting over where to eat ruin it all.
