San Diego Attractions

San Diego California Attractions - There are plenty of attractions to indulge in when you visit San Diego. Many of the annual events in San Diego have a marine theme. Thunderboats Unlimited (619-268-1250), holds the World Series of powerboat racing on Mission Bay every December. This family festival features rides, fireworks, as well as unlimited hydroplanes and drag boats. If you visit during January, you will be able to enjoy the San Diego Boat Show (619-274-9924), where you can view more than 350 exhibitors and their boats at the convention center and in the water at the San Diego Marriott Marina.

During the summer, visitors can enjoy activities such as stargazing at San Diego State University's Mount Laguna Observatory (619-594-6182). If you love the movies, try to catch the Sunset Cinema Film Festival (619-485-7373) which occurs in early to mid-August. You can sit on the beach and watch classics and cartoons which are projected onto a screen on a barge. Fun for the whole family. For something interesting and fun to watch, visit during mid-August and participate in the U.S. Open Sand Castle Competition at Imperial Beach pier (619-424-6663) This event is open to both children and advanced sculpture artists. Below you will find a few attractions to explore while touring San Diego.

San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Drive
Telephone: 619 231 1515
Hours: 9am-4pm daily
You can choose to walk or ride a double-decker bus through the home of over 4,000 rare and exotic animals. When you’re there, try to visit Polar Bear Plunge and Hippo Beach.

Balboa Park
2145 Park Blvd, (Main Entrance: Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street)
Telephone: 619 239 0512
Hours: Visitor's Center: 9am-4pm daily
Within this 1,200-acre city park, a visitor will find plenty of things to occupy their time. Visit the park and you will find a zoo, 14 museums, a pipe organ pavilion, botanical gardens, a theater, as well as an antique carousel and a miniature-scale train.

Seaport Village
849 West Harbor Drive
Telephone: 619 235 4014
Hours: 10am-10pm daily
When you visit this area, you will be able to browse 75 specialty shops, 13 eateries, as well as four full-service restaurants. A feature to check out: a carousel dating from the 1890s.

Gaslamp Quarters
Downtown San Diego, (Bordered by Broadway, Harbor Drive, Fourth and Sixth streets)
Take the time to walk about the sixteen city blocks, offering a slew of trendy restaurants, interesting shopping and beautiful art galleries. This attraction is within walking distance from the San Diego Convention Center.

Wild Animal Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road
Telephone: 760 747 8702
Hours: Summer: 9am-8pm daily; Winter: 9am-5pm daily
Animal lovers will appreciate this park, featuring animals from Africa, Asia and Australia. 3,500 animals representing 260 species are on display for you to enjoy.

SeaWorld
500 Sea World Drive
Telephone: 619 226 3901
Hours: 10am-7:30pm daily
Where can you go where you can feed a dolphin, view a shark’s many teeth or and come face-to-face with a polar bear? Here is the place to be for all your underwater enjoyment. Admission Price: $46.95 for adults; $37.95 for children (ages 3-9)

Bazaar del Mundo
2754 Calhoun St
Telephone: 619 296 3161
Hours: 10am-9pm daily
Come and visit this colorful, exciting marketplace, located on Calhoun St. Wander about exploring the area’s five restaurants, 15 international specialty shops, as well as plenty of historic sites to enjoy.

Little Italy District
Downtown San Diego, (Bounded by the waterfront, Interstate-5 to the East, and Laurel and Ash streets)
Telephone: 619 233 3898
This neighborhood offers enjoyment and warmth, as you explore Italian markets and bakeries. If you visit in October, expect to enjoy a three-day festival, which brings 50,000 visitors to the area.

Star of India
1492 North Harbor Drive, (Bayside at Ash Street and Harbor Drive)
Telephone: 619 234 9153
Hours: 9am-8pm daily; Summer Hours: 9am-9pm daily
Come explore a wonder that used to travel the exciting waters surrounding California. Admission also promises you admission to the Berkeley ferryboat and the Medea yacht, both anchored nearby.

Spanish Village Art Center
1770 Village Place
Telephone: 619 233 9050
Hours: 11am-4pm daily
When you visit this attraction, you will have the pleasure of viewing wonderful works of local artists and artisans. You will also be able to watch sculptures, painters, craftsmen, jewelers and photographers create works of art on a rotating basis.