Must-see attractions in San Diego

The best go-to spots to kick off the school year

JESSICA MILLS / ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

Whether you’re new to San Diego or have lived here your whole life, finding must-see places is no easy task. Between the endless lists on Yelp and Trip Advisor, narrowing down what’s worth visiting can be daunting. With one-of-a-kind beaches, breathtaking views and thousands of family-owned businesses, there’s so much to see and do. 

Want to explore the city but don’t know where to start? Don’t stress; the USD Vista compiled an effective guide to ensure a memorable start to the school year. 

Best attraction: Balboa Park

Home to 20 unique museums, live performances, lush gardens, dance classes, foods and drinks, Balboa Park satisfies every craving. Originally called the “City Park,” Balboa was renamed to commemorate Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa during the 1915 Panama-California Exposition held in the park that year. Many of the Spanish-Renaissance-style buildings seen in Balboa Park today were constructed for this Exposition. Planted only a year prior, the famous Moreton Bay Fig Tree, which sits just north of the Natural History Museum (NAT), is a great spot to enjoy the park under shade. 

Like most museums on the grounds, the NAT is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Guests can purchase tickets online or in-person, and tickets are $18 for students. Balboa also rotates free admission to various museums every Tuesday for San Diego residents and active-duty military personnel. 

Gift and souvenir shops are stocked, and the Spanish Village Art Center— located between the NAT and Zoo— showcases the talent of over 200 local, unique artists and their art. There’s even an on-site glassblowing facility for visitors to watch the glassblowing process, and musicians play in the Spanish Village on most weekends, further enhancing the beauty of the park. Whether you head to Balboa with an itinerary or a ‘go-with-the-flow’ mentality, this will be an exciting experience all around.

Best bookstore: Verbatim Books

 Located in North Park, Verbatim Books offers a vast selection of used and rare titles in a cozy space. Owner and San Diego local, Justine Epstein, curated the shop for readers of all kinds when she opened Verbatim in 2015. The bookstore expanded in 2019 and now carries a collection of new titles, mostly from small and micro- publishers. Verbatim also helped produce the North Park Book Fair and San Diego Book Crawl, both popular among San Diego residents. The events provide the chance to win prizes, purchase local and popular books, listen to live music and meet other book lovers in various areas of San Diego. One highlight of the store is the picturesque 90-foot bookshelf mural created by Tijuana-based artist Armando Elizarrares in December 2021. Verbatim features the work of local authors, and residents of San Diego and Tijuana are welcome to join the local author program in-person during the business hours, listed on their website. There’s a selection for everyone and perhaps your next best read. Extra bonus: leashed dogs are welcome inside the store.

Best view: Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial

At the highest coastal point in San Diego, Mount Soledad, visitors have a 360-degree view of the ocean, mountain ranges and city skyline. The walls of the memorial are decorated with plaques honoring both living and deceased veterans, showcasing their names, pictures, stories and accomplishments. Recognition at the memorial is open to all service members with honorable discharge and is available by application on the memorial website. 

A grass area located in the center of the memorial is used for weddings, reenlistments, military retirements and many other celebrations. For those who want a quiet space to enjoy the views, benches are placed throughout the memorial and are typically shaded by trees. For the more adventurous visitors  there are numerous paths for bikes, motorcycles and hiking. However, hike with caution. The trails aren’t regularly maintained and can be slippery and they are home to many rattlesnakes. To recognize the important history of our service members and appreciate the 360-degree views of San Diego, individuals can visit the site daily from 7 a.m.- 10 p.m. 

Best snorkeling: La Jolla Shores Beach

As an open, mile-long stretch of sand and sea, La Jolla Shores is one of the longest beaches in La Jolla. The water in this area is considered warmer than usual and attracts various fish and mammals to its protected cove. Bottom-dwellers like leopard sharks, butterfly rays, and Garibaldi (the California state fish) are most commonly seen in the kelp forests and coral reefs of La Jolla Shores. Among these inhabitants are sting rays; be sure to shuffle your feet when entering the water to let them know you’re there. 

While ample parking is free, spots fill up quickly during warmer months, so arrive at the beach early. La Jolla Shores has permanent lifeguard stations that monitor the area daily to ensure safe beach enjoyment among surfers and swimmers. Many snorkel and kayak businesses near the shores have snorkeling equipment available to rent or purchase. ‘Snorkel Around the World,’ an organization passionate about the underwater world, provides helpful information on snorkeling basics, gear and safety for snorkelers of all levels. This is a great spot for solo or group adventures that allow visitors to see San Diego’s underwater scenery up close.

Best coffee: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

A hot spot for both coffee drinkers and art lovers alike, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters (BRCR) is a well-loved location in the San Diego community. Chuck Patton, a La Jolla local, opened the business in 2006 and named the spot in honor of the Bird Rock neighborhood of La Jolla. Focusing on sustainability and community, BRCR uses eco-friendly packaging on products and works directly with farmers dedicated to environmental health. They offer a variety of breakfast sandwiches, burritos and a variety of toast that range from $8–$9 and have a long list of signature coffees starting at $5.60. San Diego Eater, a food news and dining guide for the city, recently recognized BRCR as one of San Diego’s essential coffee shops and roasters of 2022. The shop also displays the talent of local artists and performers; live music and open mic nights are hosted frequently. Students can satisfy their coffee cravings in between classes from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. with a BRCR location close to campus on Morena Boulevard. With seven other locations along the coast of San Diego, there is a piece of this close-knit community for everyone. 

Best park: Kate O. Sessions Park

Located in Pacific Beach, Kate Sessions provides the ultimate backdrop of Mission Bay, the Pacific Ocean and city life of San Diego. Open from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., the 79-acre site has two different park areas. The first features a grass hill popular for picnics, listening to music and watching the sunset. Among this area are restrooms, picnic tables, drinking fountains and barbecues open to the public. Acro yoga sessions and touch football games are held in this area of the park, providing great opportunities for people watching. The other section of Kate Sessions is an open space for various hikes and exploring. A playground also sits near the trailhead on the west side of the park. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed, but glass and skateboards must stay home. As the weather begins to cool, this is a great spot for a break between and after classes. 

Best frozen yogurt:  Rockie’s Frozen Yogurt

Named as one of the best frozen yogurt spots in San Diego by Yelp, San Diego Entertainer Magazine and Foursquare City Guide, Rockie’s Frozen Yogurt is a favorite spot for many. With frozen yogurt, açaí bowls, smoothies, coffee and tea, Rockie’s features a large selection of treats after a long day of studying. Among the unique frozen yogurt flavors are Ghirardelli mocha chip, cold brew coffee and blueberry pomegranate tart. All flavors are organic, gluten free and made without artificial additives, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, cholesterol or trans-fat. Dairy-free options are available as well. A cup of yogurt starts at $5.25 and increases in price with added toppings. 

For students too busy studying, Rockie’s offers pick up and delivery services on Uber Eats, Postmates, Doordash, Grubhub and on their website. Orders are usually ready between 15 and 25 minutes after placing them. The yogurt shop is located on Linda Vista Road and is open weekdays from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and weekends from 12 p.m. – 10p.m. 

All over San Diego, there are hidden gems and opportunities to end any back-to-school jitters. While starting the semester off strong in the classroom is crucial, taking breaks and enjoying everything the city has to offer off-campus is equally as important.