Wow what a great park. We stopped by to check out the out the play ground, and there was also a…read morehuge panda event. Which resulted in the playground being loaded with children and families having fun and relaxing in the cool breeze. There are ton of play activities for the kids: blue climbing mountain with slides, cool spaceship looking merry go rounds, swings, climbing, obstacle courses, etc. There are tons of tables, benches, and lots of shady areas for picnics or relaxing while the kids play. It was awesome to find this playground ride down the road from where we were staying. Too bad this is our last full day in San Diego.

This is a big park with a lot of grass area, a fountain, basketball and pickle ball courts, plus an…read moreoff leash dog park. What more can you ask for? What about great views of the harbor and city skyline on the other side? Yup it has that too. I come here many times with my dogs, as the dog park is a decent size for medium dogs to run around in. The dog area may not have grass, but it has dirt, and is usually kept clean. I actually prefer the dirt compared to artificial turf. Something to note is that there is only one park, so big dogs are combined with small ones. Theres a small obstacle course for dogs to jump and run through. And for the humans, there's also a few benches on the side to sit at.

I absolutely love the atmosphere at Balboa Park. There's something truly special about this place…read morethat is hard to put into words. Whether you're visiting one of the museums, taking a leisurely stroll, enjoying the gardens, or simply exploring, you can always find yourself in awe of the incredible views and beautiful surroundings. From the unique architecture and historic buildings to the botanical gardens, museums, restaurants, and charming little cafés, there really is something for everyone. Every corner seems to offer another beautiful backdrop or something interesting to discover. It's also an amazing place for photography--whether you're taking wedding photos, professional pictures, or simply capturing memories with family and friends. The architecture, greenery, and warm tones throughout the park create some absolutely gorgeous backgrounds. Hands down, San Diego has some of the most beautiful parks, and Balboa Park is definitely one of those places that deserves to be experienced. The people working throughout the museums, restaurants, and cafés also add to the overall experience and make it worth stopping by. You can spend a few hours here or an entire day and still feel like there's more to explore. If you're in San Diego, Balboa Park is a must-see!

A Beautiful Experience at Balboa Park!…read more Balboa Park is truly one of the most beautiful places to visit in San Diego! We especially loved exploring the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. The International Cottages are such a unique part of the park. Each cottage highlights a different country and culture, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about traditions, history, food, music, and so much more from around the world--all in one beautiful setting. We loved walking around, learning about the different cultures, and experiencing the welcoming atmosphere. It's a wonderful way to expose children to the diversity of our world and encourage curiosity and appreciation for other cultures. The beautiful architecture, gardens, cultural displays, and friendly volunteers made the experience even more special. It's definitely one of the areas of Balboa Park that shouldn't be missed! A wonderful place for families, culture lovers, and anyone who enjoys learning and exploring. Highly recommend adding the International Cottages to your Balboa Park visit!

i'm conflicted about this place. i love Point Loma, SO beautiful but i was shocked and kinda sad…read morethat kids are STILL jumping off the cliffs even though someone just got hurt here. We saw the lifeguards come and talk to them and they just waited and jumped anyway. SO dumb. but I guess that's what you do when you're young and foolish lol I'll try to post pics here. I don't have instagram bc i locked myself out of it! lol. Anyway it's really pretty here and def worth checking out.

We live by Pt. Loma and Sunset Cliffs is our go-to spot for a quick weekend walk. This is the…read moreperfect spot to watch the stunning California sunset and the ocean. It's even more beautiful in Spring! I knew about SC when I was living abroad and immediately fell in love then told myself that is where I'm gonna get married! I DID!! It's also a perfect spot for tide pooling. We found cute shells on the shore while exploring the cave. So if you see me, say hello!

They have several ping pong tables and a great playing schedule, and free play is available! All…read moreyou have to do is check their calendar online or at the gym, bring a friend, and sign up with your name. I believe the free-play tables on the right side when you walk in are available in 45-minute sessions. The tables on the left are reserved for members. If you're interested, you can sign up with a membership coordinator. It's very affordable--about $120 for the entire year--and you'll get to play with people of all skill levels. The facility is very clean, with well-maintained restrooms and vending machines stocked with snacks and drinks. The staff is always kind, welcoming, and respectful. Overall, it's a great place to play, whether you're just starting out or looking for more competitive games.

Love this place, as it is one of the few places in south San Diego where you can play some…read morebadminton, table tennis, indoor volleyball and indoor pickleball as well. And the best part at least for badminton is that it is free. Well now you have to pay for parking as of January 5th, 2026, but once inside badminton is free, you just have to sign up. The table tennis, and volleyball, are part of clubs where I believe you have to be a member (San Diego table tennis club). This is just a great place for people to meet outside, as they have a lovely park with a fountain and nice walkways. It's a hidden gem for a recreation center. Get there early as the place fills up. If you are going for badminton you have to have your whole party there before you can sign up. The only not so great part was the introduction of paid parking for balboa park in general. But you know what we had it free since 1915 or something, so not horrible. Besides the proceeds from the parking fees will go to making balboa park even better, I hope.

A cute little family-friendly place next to a beautiful beach!…read more After walking around the beach for a while, we decided to walk around Belmont Park to see what it was all about. It was a summer Thursday and the place was packed with kids and their parents, all having a blast. There was a zip line, bumper cars, an arcade, a giant pirate-themed play place - heaven on earth to rambunctious little people! The whole place was cutesy - beach themed photo ops everywhere. They also had plenty of "fair food" for those looking for a junky snack. My only complaint was that there wasn't enough shaded areas to sit in and enjoy a meal. Additionally, they didn't really have any vegetarian food options. We were starving (our main reason for checking out this place) and found cheese pizza slices as the only vegetarian friendly option. Seemed quite odd considering how popular vegetarianism has become, especially in places like California.. If you have kids or are just looking to let your own inner-child run wild, this place is worth checking out!

Belmont Park is an iconic tourist stop when in San Diego…read more The famous Big Dipper rollercoaster has been around for decades and is still a thrill worth trying. Over the past decade arcades, bumper cars, put-put golf and kiddie rides have been added to the beachfront experience as well as a handful of food options. Be prepared to spend some serious money when visiting though, this place is not cheap. Tickets are needed to ride each ride and can be purchased at a stand on either end of the park (under the roller coaster and next to put-put golf). The kiddie rides start around $5/participant and increase from there. Bring your patience, parking is a beast any day or time of the year!

After hearing about this spot from a friend, I have always wanted to come. I was able to on a hot…read moreday, despite it being hot, it was also very windy (cool). I would recommend a light jacket-- of course depending on the day. They have clean restrooms with sinks to wash your hands outside, but no paper towels or drying station. They had many choices of where to sit, where to play, even tables to eat, and more. People rollerblading, skateboarding, yoga, playing soccer, this spot is full of life! I really enjoyed my time here as even the birds and butterflies were all flying around. I will happily come back to explore more of what this park has to offer.

Pros: Spacious, plenty of walking paths, with nice clean facilities, which include 2 family…read morebathrooms with baby diaper changing stations and several drinking fountains. There's also a row of small fountains for kids to play, run through and splash in. Cons: It's a really nice park ON A COOL DAY. Lately, with temperatures 10 to 19° above "normal average" - or maybe it's just the new normal - it's hard to recall the last time we got to experience a cool day. But here, the way the gazebos, tables, and benches are set up reflects a pretty severe case of denial that this is Southern California, and not quite within walking distance from the beach. It WILL get hot whenever it damn pleases, with or without notice. It did so in February already, in case you missed it. We came a few times for the farmers market. Both days were unfortunately " 80°F" her weather report, which in reality feels like 92°F, and we had to scramble to find a little bit of shade, so that we could eat our street food without passing out from heat stroke. We huddled awkwardly on the curb under a small tree. Other people passing by with food in their hands looked at us with envy. NOT A SINGLE PERSON sat on the readily available benches with tables, because they were in the blazing sun, yet lacked any shade. Never mind an umbrella, not even holes to put one in!! Denial much?? It's really sad, because it's a beautiful place. It just DESPERATELY needs more shade for the visitors to feel comfortable without clinging to trees or the bathroom walls.

I always wanted to learn to sail a Hobie beach catamaran and MBAC is one of the very few places in…read moreCalifornia which has them for rent and also offers lessons. I signed up for 2 private lessons and had a great experience with their instructors, being very knowledgeable and patient with a newbie like me. At the end they certified me to take the Hobie out in Mission Bay under my supervision. I then signed up for their monthly membership when you can take a boat out (which you're instructor approved) daily, pending availability. This is the best deal ever! Besides the instructors, the staff and dockmaster are super friendly and helpful. Facilities are very nice with restrooms, showers, and lockers. Highly recommend for anyone interested to learn to sail and/or take one out for an afternoon.

Hidden gem in San Diego! With its own parking lot and plenty of tables, this is our go to for…read morepicnics and parties near the water. The tables are first come first serve, so we went early to snag two nearby a grill pit. Also saw some cute date night set ups near the ones on the sand if you're looking for a more intimate setting. Paddleboard rentals are also discounted for students! This place is dog friendly as well and had a grassy area near the water.

I am pretty spoiled to have dived some waters where visibility is great so it was a bit…read moredisappointing to snorkel here this morning. I came here at 6:45am and was able to find parking literally right at the cove, so come early, its worth it. Lots of wildlife hanging out there. I saw a bunch of sea lions sleeping, tons of cormorants and lots of badass pelicans flying and scooping down for food. By 7am, I was in the water and there were already plenty of people here. I tried out my wetsuit with all my gear and everything worked well. I wasn't too hot in my 4/3 wetsuits. Visibility was crap today and couldn't see much. I'll have to come back again to see if visibility improves. I got out in 30 minutes, no point wasting time with cloudiness. I used the local showers to get the sand and saltwater off myself and gear. Public bathrooms also available. After getting out, I walked around a bit and it was a lovely day. Beautiful area, no wonder everyone likes coming here. I'll be back!

My friends from the LA county area were in town. They were staying at the Welks or Hyatt's Vacation…read moreClub. They have never been to La Jolla so I decided to take them to go see the sunset at La Jolla Cove... It was also my FIRST TIME visiting the cove as well. First thing I noticed that was a challenge is... PARKING: Very challenging! If you have the time. Wait and follow people who are leaving or ask them if they are leaving and follow them to their parking spot. That's how we got parking... PENGUINS: So adorable! So many of them!! SEA LIONS: 10/10 For entertainment and humor! Making all those weird noises really lighten up the cove! SMELL: 4/10 It really stinks! It smells like sewage and salt... SUNSET: 10/10 Totally worth the wait. The sun sets at around 7:30pm. Lots of people were taking pictures... We then walked over to CRAB CITY for dinner!! And HAGEN DAZ FOR dessert!!! THE LA JOLLA COVE WAS WORTH IT!!!!!

Ringers is an awesome place to bring your kids for a weekend, birthday, or any other event. They…read moreare well fitted for children and families, and their staff are awesome. Dolores was awesome with the kids and was very helpful, as was all the other staff! Their crafts are fun and relate well to what they offer.

Nice outdoor skating ring, I brought my kids to a 6 year old…read morebday party here very clean good atmosphere great music Dj was playing however IRIS a employee there I caught her being very inappropriate mean and impatient towards some kids and parents some in the party I was in and even to others example a kid walks up to a arcade game presses a button she goes "I mean it's off for a reason" In a very rude manner . I just feel she isn't good with kids that's all .

I love Harbor Island Park! Harbor Island Park is the stretch of land along the bay, just across…read moreHarbor Drive from the airport. In my opinion, it has one of the most beautiful views of the San Diego skyline. On a clear day, it is just gorgeous both day and night. There are sidewalks on both sides. Parking can be tricky on busy weekends. There is free street parking and there are free lots, but it is much easier during the week or off-season. Normally, you see fishermen, joggers, and people walking their dogs. There are restaurants, hotel resorts, and conference and event venues. Some of San Diego's best known restaurants are on the edges of Harbor Island Park. You can find some lesser known cafes hidden nearby. There are also some boating clubs along the way. For several years, my husband and I would make a picnic at this park and watch the Fourth of July fireworks. It is one of the best venues, if not the best, to watch the fireworks. I often go for runs or walking with my dog there. Also, it is one of my favorite places to take out-of-town friends to simply check out the view and sit on a bench for conversation. Public bathroom facilities are limited, possibly non-existent, so plan accordingly. All in all, Harbor Island Park is a must for both locals and visitors.

Hard A-port Park…read morelocated inside the Port of San Diego that has some nice features and amazing views. The Good: * As mentioned above, the views are second to none and it's a great place to catch a sunset. *Shoreline path for running and walking *Leashed dogs ok *Restrooms *If you plan on visiting, you really should try and make reservations at Tom Ham's Lighthouse restaurant located right on the shore. The Meh: *Not the biggest park in the world but the views make up for it. The Ugly: *Not a whole lot of shade either, so probably not a place to be during a heatwave. Conclusion: Great place to come check out the Ha'bor and soak up some vitamin sea.