CityPASS San Diego articles

Every stretch of sand here has its own personality, whether you want gentle surf for the kids, a sunset worth photographing, or a boardwalk humming with skaters and surfers. This guide sorts San Diego's standout beaches by what each does best, and it highlights nearby stops that make them easy to fit into a single, well-rounded day.

San Diego makes a strong case for your next getaway, and not just because of the beaches. This Southern California city pairs world-class marine life with sprawling animal habitats, family theme parks loaded with rides, and historic neighborhoods worth a full afternoon of wandering.

The San Diego waterfront gathers an impressive amount of sightseeing into a few easygoing miles. You can walk the flight deck of a legendary aircraft carrier in the morning, cruise past the downtown skyline in the afternoon, and watch sea lions lounging near the piers before dinner.

Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, Birch Aquarium welcomes you to explore the wonders of marine life in an intimate, family-friendly setting. As the public exploration center for the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, this Southern California gem offers an extraordinary window into ocean science and conservation.

Anchored at Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway Museum is one of the most visited naval museums in the world. The retired aircraft carrier offers more than 60 unique exhibits, a growing collection of over 30 restored aircraft, and self-guided audio tours narrated by the very sailors who once called the ship home.

If you're planning a visit to Southern California, a hop-on hop-off San Diego tour is one of the easiest ways to see the city's top sights without worrying about traffic or parking. With flexible stops, live narration, and access to major attractions, the hop-on hop-off trolley in San Diego helps you explore at your own pace.