The Best Non-Touristy Things to Do in San Diego
Whenever I want to avoid the touristy spots and explore San Diego like a local, I love seeking out hidden gems scattered throughout America’s Finest City. Whether I’m on vacation or have lived here for years, I always find something new and exciting to explore.
Unveiling San Diego’s Hidden Gems
Take in the Gardens
Whenever I’m looking for unique things to do in San Diego, I take a leisurely stroll through one of the area’s many gardens. One of my absolute favorites is Queen Califia’s Magical Circle in Kit Carson Park. The sculpture garden is covered in Gaudí-esque mosaic artwork, designed by Niki de Saint Phalle—it’s like stepping into a vibrant, surreal dreamscape.
Another garden I always recommend is the Palomar College Arboretum, where I can see rare and endangered plants from around the world. It’s an incredible place to walk, relax, and learn about unique botanical species.
And then there’s Zoro Garden in Balboa Park—a fascinating spot with a bit of history. Believe it or not, this butterfly and botanical garden was originally a nudist colony in 1935! Now, it’s just a peaceful place to wander and enjoy nature.
View the Salk institute
If you’re into architecture and science, I highly recommend taking a Salk Institute Architectural Tour. Every time I visit this historic San Diego landmark, I’m blown away by the way the award-winning structure blends seamlessly with the sea and sky. It’s one of those places that makes you stop and appreciate the beauty of design and innovation.
Courtesy of San Diego Union Tribune
Stroll Across the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
One of my favorite hidden gems in San Diego is the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge. Walking 70 feet above Sessions Canyon, I always feel like I’ve stepped into another world. The lush landscape, city views, and slight swaying of the bridge make it such a unique and thrilling experience. If you’re into photography, this spot is definitely worth a visit!
Local Favorites and Insider Tips
Catch a Local Theatrical Production
Enjoy an evening out at the theater while in San Diego. The La Jolla Playhouse at UC San Diegowas founded by actors like Gregory Peck in 1947 as a Hollywood retreat. Nowadays, you’ll find Tony Award winning artists, musicals, and plays inspiring and empowering a new generation of theater goers. View the season line up and get your tickets fast! The Old Globe in Balboa Park is another professional theatrical venue that puts on roughly fifteen musicals and plays between the summer and winter seasons. In fact, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is an annual winter solstice experience for many San Diegans. Up for a wide range of productions and off-off Broadway shows? Visit Ocean Beach Playhouse for professional, semi-professional and children’s theatrical productions just blocks away from the beach.
Head to the Surf
Southern California is not short of sun and coastline, so when it comes to San Diego, I have my favorite spots that really shine. Topping the list of non-touristy things to do in San Diego is a visit to Swami’s Beach in Encinitas. Swami’s is an internationally renowned surfing mecca, as well as a wonderful destination for beach walks due to the sand density. Up for something a little out of the ordinary, visit Coronado Islandand you might get the chance to see the SS Monte Carlo Shipwreck. This ship has quite the history but it’s most infamous for being an illegal casino barge that drifted ashore during a storm, with no one claiming ownership due to the illegality of the vessel. The best opportunity you’ll have to see this hidden gemis immediately after a storm before the tides bury the ship again.
Courtesy of Mirror
Check Out the Local Music Scene
One of the best unique things to do in San Diego is catching live music in some of the city’s best venues. I always make time to check out at least one local band or visiting artist when I’m in town. I spend the evening listening to various types of music at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, featuring some of the best new artists and legends in an intimate, locals’ favorite venue. Looking for something a bit more upscale, the Music Box in Banker’s Hill offers live music, small bites and craft cocktails in an audiophile-grade acoustics, three-story venue. Interested in something a bit more casual? Brick by Brick in Bay Park is San Diego’s home for hard-rock bands in a dive bar-esq setting. Then there’s Winston’s Beach Club in Ocean Beach, which is two-blocks from the beach and offers that coastal community, laid back vibe.
Looking for something different?
Private Tours
Learn how to cook!
Private Cooking Classes San Diego
There is always room for improvement when it comes to cooking.
- Sushi Cooking Class
- Pasta Making Class
- Mexican Cooking Class
Local Brews and Views
Carlsbad Food & Drink
Tour
Journey through time and space on our Carlsbad food tours. Enjoy notable San Diego cuisines.
- History on the move
- A pour de force
- A tour designed for you
Craft Breweries, Local Flavors!
San Diego Brewery
Tours
Tour San Diego on foot, and you’re sure to find a tasty brew in your hand!
- North Park Brewery Tour
- Ocean Beach Brewery Tour
- Little Italy Brewery Tour
The heart of Downtown San Diego
Balboa Park Walking
Tours
Immersive walking tour with insights into the park’s extensive history and architectural marvel.
Sip Around Town
san diego Urban Winery
Tour
Taste great wine from the best urban wineries in San Diego.
- Wine Production
- Taste Award Winning Wine
- Explore San Diego
Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions
Annie’s Canyon Trail
One of my favorite hidden gems in San Diego is Annie’s Canyon Trail, tucked inside the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. Located along the Solana Hills Trail, this short detour leads from the lagoon to a stunning sandstone canyon, creating an unforgettable experience. Since it’s just over two miles, it’s an easy loop that I love to explore year-round—and I’m not the only one! It’s a local favorite for a reason.
Potato Chip Rock
If you’re looking for a bucket-list-worthy photo op, you’ve got to hike to Potato Chip Rock. The thin, curved rock formation makes for an epic Instagram shot, but getting there is part of the adventure! When I’m up for a challenge, I take the 7.4-mile round-trip Mt. Woodson Trail near Lake Poway. The moderate-to-strenuous hike takes about four and a half hours, so I always make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks. But if I’m short on time or want a less strenuous route, I take the Mt. Woodson Road trail off the 67. This 4-mile round-trip path takes me up the backside of the summit—a much quicker way to reach the iconic rock formation.
Courtesy of Indy100
Sunset Cliffs Caves
These beautiful caves along Ocean Beach’s Sunset Cliffs are worth the short hike down the cliffs to the beach. Be sure to exercise caution, however, as these smaller caves, slotted routes, and a larger open domed cave can only be accessible during negative tides. Since it’s not an easy hike, I always check the tide schedule before heading out. If you want a detailed guide on getting there, Chelsey Explores has a great step-by-step breakdown.
Sunny Jim’s Sea Caves
As California’s only sea cave that can be accessed by land, you can get to Sunny Jim through a tunnel that’s over 100-years old. Access to the trail head actually lies through a small gift shop on Coast Boulevard in La Jolla, which might be surprising to those browsing the shop unaware of its location. If you have a few dollars and 15-30 minutes to spare, the quick trip down to Sunny Jim is worth the experience. Just watch your step as it can get slippery.
Embrace the Authentic Side of San Diego
Chicano Park
Head down to Chicano Park to view San Diego’s most vibrant collection of frescos and the world’s largest consolidation of Chicano murals. Take a gander at the events calendar to catch a variety of festivals with music and traditional Aztec dance being held in Barrio Logan, the oldest Mexican-American neighborhood in San Diego.
Courtesy of San Diego
Pier Fishing and Fishing Charters
Whenever I want to spend a relaxing day by the water, I grab my fishing gear and head to one of San Diego’s many fishing piers. There are several locations along the San Diego coastline including the Imperial Beach Pier, the Shelter Island Pier in the heart of the Portuguese fisherman community, Crystal Pier if you want to stay in one of the over-the-sea lodgings for a unique experience, or Oceanside Pier with a Ruby’s Diner on the end for when you’d like to take a midday break. Ocean Beach Pier is the longest in San Diego and great for deep water fishing, but is currently closed for repairs. Interested in deeper water fishing? Opt to book a half-day or full-day fishing charter. H&M Landing and Fisherman’s Landing, as well as several other charters on the Point Loma peninsula, offer a variety of deep-sea fishing charters, with rates starting at $60 per person. Make sure to verify the fishing licenses required for whichever experience you choose before you go.
Farmers Markets
For truly non-touristy things to do in San Diego, discover local arts, crafts, eats and locally grown produce at any of the cities Certified Farmers Markets. Head down to the Ocean Beach Farmers Market to peruse over 100 vendors, located on the 4900 block of Newport Avenue, every Wednesday from 4pm until 8pm. Check out the amazing Hillcrest Farmers Market with over 175 vendors on Normal Street, every Sunday from 9am until 2pm, but make sure to leave your pooch at home as this is not a dog friendly event. In North Park and want to pick up some local goodies? The North Park Farmers Market has over 50 vendors, is located on North Park Way between Ray Street and Granada Avenue, and runs every Thursday from 3pm to 7:30pm, rain or shine. Or maybe show extra support for the community by visiting the La Jolla Open Aire Market. All proceeds from the Open Aire Market benefit La Jolla Elementary School for improvements and program funding. Enjoy over 120 vendors every Sunday from 9am until 1pm at 7335 Girard Avenue, at the corner of Girard Street and Genter Street.
Unveil the hidden side of San Diego by visiting non-touristy attractions and activities. Take a day or two to discover local favorites, off-the-beaten-path gems, and experience the authentic and less crowded side of San Diego.You’ll find that outside the popular tourist hubs, San Diego has so much to offer!
If you’re looking for a specially curated experience, contact us today to book a San Diego tour! So Diego offers many daily food tours, leading foodies through the vast culinary landscapethat San Diego has to offer. Whether you want to discover the best bites of the Gaslamp Quarter,Old Town,Little Italy, or La Jolla, we have a tour for you!
Written by: Melissa
Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Related Posts
Hi, I’m Bianca, San Diego native, tour guide, and founder of So Diego. From food tours to customized private events, we provide travel tips, places to eat, and more to help you explore the city like a pro. Let us show you the best of San Diego!
Categories
Daily Tours
The historic Gaslamp Quarter is famous for its entertainment, shopping, and nightlife, but most people don’t realize the historic district was once home to one of the most anticipated red light districts in the West. On this guided Gaslamp tour full of cuisine, culture, and curiosities, we’ll take you through the scandalous post-Gold Rush history of the heart of downtown San Diego.
On our Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones guided tour, we take you back in time to Old Town San Diego—also known as the Birthplace of California. Together with one of our expert tour guides, you’ll discover the events and learn about the individuals that led to Old Town’s current popularity as a cultural hotspot.
But don’t worry, we don’t believe in following the usual tourist paths when it comes to exploring a town so rich in history and culture. On our Old Town food tour, you’ll get authentic food tastings, elevated cocktail sampling, and a haunted location or two for an unforgettable historic Old Town experience.
No San Diego Little Italy walking tour would be complete without exploring this culinary hotspot’s best places to eat. Known for its variety of restaurants, America’s biggest Little Italy has become a food lover’s bucket list destination, and we’re here to show it off!
Join our Little Italy walking tour full of food, fun, and Italian culture.
Planning a romantic date or your next friend’s night out? Our Little Italy wine tasting tour is the perfect way to elevate your outing and get to know one of San Diego’s most unique downtown neighborhoods.
As we stroll through this historic fishing town, you’ll learn all about the area’s rich history and, of course, sample the food and wine that makes Little Italy one of the best dining locations in all of San Diego and, dare we say, Southern California.
