San Diego Attractions for Adults – 21 Amazing Activities to Try
Bricktacular theme parks, a world-famous zoo filled with cuddly companions, and plenty of saltwater sports. America’s Finest City may have made a name for itself as a family-friendly destination, but San Diego is rich with adult attractions.
Follow along to discover the best fun activities in San Diego for adults.
Embrace your outdoor warrior with a heart-pounding hike through Torrey Pines State Park, or channel your inner child with a roller coaster ride at Belmont Park.
Take to the high seas for a once-in-a-lifetime afternoon whale watch, or eat sample tons of tacos and tequila when you explore the local flavors of Old Town.
From classic sightseeing tours aboard an old-fashioned trolley to romantic Bay cruises with your paramour, the City in Motion is a mecca of adult adventure.
San Diego Hotels
Before we dive into all of the things to do in San Diego for adults this weekend, you’ll need to procure some premier lodgings. Lock down a stellar suite or recharge in a quaint oceanside inn, when you reserve any of our San Diego Hotels and Resorts.
Whether you are looking to stay close to the retail, restaurants, and nightlife of downtown San Diego or would prefer to splash around in an outdoor pool in Escondido, we offer accommodations for every traveler. As always, book stress-free, knowing you’re guaranteed our lowest rates online.
Things to Do in San Diego for Adults
A peek at our list of San Diego things to do adults edition: Groundbreaking Georgia O’Keefe exhibits, a mysterious Fossa, and stunning Victorian architecture come together to make America’s Finest City a veritable playground for the 18 and over set. So, if you’re searching for “adult activities near me”, get your fill of fresh air or brush up on military history when you visit any of the best San Diego sights for adults.
San Diego Museums: While San Diego County is blessed by 70 miles of pristine coastline, this beachy paradise doesn’t slack when it comes to educational entertainment. San Diego adult activities are filled with visits to the city’s world-class museums.
Related Post: San Diego in One Day: What to See and What to Skip
Looking for things to do in San Diego for young adults? Dive into East Asian Art or explore fossils and Foucault pendulum’s when you take an afternoon to meander through the city’s top museums.
- San Diego Museum of Art – for almost a century, the San Diego Museum of Art has sought to inspire and educate through many mediums. Today, visitors can take in vibrant outdoor sculptures, watercolors from Iran, and special exhibitions featuring the works of Georgia O’Keefe and Henry Moore.
- USS Midway Museum – pay your respects to the red, white, and blue when you visit the longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Outfitted with over 60 exhibits, guests can peek at vintage aircraft and experience a day in the life of a Midway sailor.
- Maritime Museum of San Diego – from sailboats to submarines, the high seas bound will have their hands full as they tour San Diego’s historic fleet. Glimpse the world’s oldest active ship. Or see if you recognize the masterful recreation of the H.M.S Surprise, the 18th-century Royal Navy frigate that was featured in the hit film Master and Commander.
- San Diego Natural History Museum – capture the curiosity of childhood when you uncover sparkling gems, Megalodons, and more, at the Natural History Museum. Learn all about the unique biodiversity of Southern Californians or figure out how the Earth is spinning thanks to the Foucault Pendulum.
Spend a Day at the San Diego Zoo: Unleash your inner animal lover when you swing by one of the U.S.’s most beloved zoos. Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo has been educating and entertaining visitors for over a century.
Related Post: What to Pack for San Diego: The Ultimate List
Spend a day traversing the park’s 100 acres as you spot great apes, Komodo dragons, penguins, and more. Hop on a guided bus tour, or take your exploration Down Under, when you ooh and ahh over the largest Koala colony outside of Australia.
Psst..on the hunt for some safari-themed thrills? Check out the Cheetah Run or enjoy an awesome aerial view of giraffes, zebras, and lions, when you combine your San Diego Tickets with a San Diego Zoo Safari Park stop.
Explore the Historic Gaslamp Quarter: Get your fill of the stunning history and culture of America’s Finest City, when you hop aboard a charming Trolley Tour. Put your sightseeing in the very capable hands of Old Town Trolley Tours San Diego: Hop-On Hop-Off.
Together with your intrepid group, you’ll spend 2 hours trekking through San Diego’s most popular attractions. Snap azure-hued selfies in front of the Big Bay and scope out the city skyline from atop the Coronado Bridge.
Embrace the past in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, and get a glimpse at Southern California’s own Little Italy. Your fully narrated tour even includes a stop at the world-famous Hotel del Coronado.
Feeling amorous? Inject your evening with an air of romance when you treat your partner to some after-dark tourism. Savor jaw-dropping panoramas, sparkling city lights, and a stop at Coronado’s Ferry Landing, when you reserve a San Diego City Lights Night Tour.
Visit Belmont Park: Bumper cars, Tilt-a-Whirls, and Dole Soft Serve, oh my! Nothing hits the spot quite like a sun-soaked day at the boardwalk. Considered one of San Diego’s most historic amusement parks, Belmont Park has been serving up smiles and splashtastic good times for nearly 100 years.
Related Post: Hidden Gems in San Diego: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Secret Spots
Hold on to your stomach as you tackle the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, or cool off with a refreshing dip in the Plunge San Diego pool. Looking for a more refined theme park experience? Ditch the arcade games and snag a seat at the oceanfront Cannonball to dine on bespoke cocktails, inventive sushi, and Californian cuisine.
Whale Watching Cruise: Have you dreamed about hearing Free Willy sing? Let an experienced naturalist unveil the mysteries of this marine paradise when you take part in Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari. Your year-round ticket to getting up close to whales, dolphins, sea lions, and sharks, this 2.5-hour eco-adventure features Capt.
Looking for things to do in San Diego today for adults? Dave’s exclusive Eye-to-Eye Underwater Viewing Pods is one of the most fun things to do in San Diego for adults. Embrace the wonders of the ocean as you ‘feel’ what it’s like to swim alongside these massive mammals without sustaining a single splash. Adding to the experience, your sturdy vessel also contains a hydrophone, letting you listen in on the hauntingly beautiful music of both dolphin and whale vocalizations.
End your sea sojourn with a delicious triple fudge brownie courtesy of Mrs. Captain Dave.
See the Hotel del Coronado: Dripping in nostalgia, the Hotel del Coronado’s cheery red roofs and Victorian-style architecture have made it a go-to for everyone from U.S. presidents to Marilyn Monroe. Indeed, many film buffs will recognize the hotel’s sprawling estate as the backdrop for Some Like It Hot.
A designated California Historical Landmark, a stay at the Coronado makes for some unforgettable memories. In the market for a more casual Coronado visit?
Related Post: Coronado Island Restaurants – Your In-Depth Guide to the Best Options
Stick your toes in the sand and enjoy an ice-cold Corona and snack at the Beach + Taco Shack. Or, sip a craft cocktail by the cozy fire pit on the Sun Deck as you watch the sky come alive with the colors of a San Diego sunset.
San Diego Activities for Adults
Cruise San Diego Bay: Salt-tinged Bay air, the quaint scenery of Seaport Village, and live narration are married together in perfect harmony on a San Diego Harbor Cruise by Flagship. Witness the beauty of the San Diego skyline, Point Loma, and the Cabrillo National Monument when you take part in this thrilling harbor experience.
Choose from a North, South, or full harbor tour as you savor quality time aboard a modern yacht facility. In the market to mix your sightseeing with some supper? Reserve a Classic Harbor Dinner Cruise and toast to an unforgettable three-course meal enjoyed underneath the SoCal stars.
See a San Diego Padre Game at Petco Park: Take me out to the ballgame! Load up on peanuts and cracker jacks! Even for the non-baseball obsessed, a ticket to Petco Park is quite the coup, arguably one of the most fun things to do in San Diego for young adults. Home of the San Diego Padres, this architectural marvel is located in downtown San Diego. And boasts state-of-the-art amenities and sublime Bay views.
Score tickets to a game, or dive deeper into the history of America’s #1 ballpark with a guided tour.
Related Post: Go City San Diego – How to Save BIG
Feast on a Food Tour: Ready to discover the gastronomic delight of America’s Finest City? Or are you wondering what to do in San Diego for adults? For the best trip ever, munch, sip, and sample your way through luscious creations. Ranging from fruity sangria to authentic Mexican tacos topped with Pico de Gallo when you try any of our top food tours.
- Brothels, Bites, and Booze Food Tour – Stingaree District history plus incredible microbrews come together to make an intoxicating 2.5-hour tour. Unveil the darker side of San Diego as you learn all about life post-Gold Rush era and sample morsels from 4- 8 restaurants.
- Pizza, Pasta, and Piazzas – mama mia! Prime yourself for the carb-fest of your dreams when you spend almost 3 hours filling up on the best eats of Little Italy. From homemade pasta and pizza to juicy burgers and glasses of full-bodied red this tour provides endless palate possibilities.
- Secret Food Tours San Diego – a melting pot of cultures and cuisine. In recent years the San Diego food scene has exploded in popularity. Indulge your taste buds with the fresh seasonal flavors of SoCal and the globe, when you chow down on fresh fish tacos, Beef Mulita, and the creamiest locally made ice cream.
- Tequila, Tacos, and Tombstones Tour – spine-tingling chills plus tequila make for an arresting evening. Travel back in time to the days of early Spanish settlements when you walk among the tombstones and eat your weight in fresh tortillas.
Embrace Nature: Our list of adult things to do in San Diego California will not be complete without dazzling hikes blessed by ocean views, plus tide pools crawling with crustaceans. Nowhere is the bounty of SoCal more evident than the great outdoors.
Related Post: Family Vacation San Diego: 13 Can’t-Miss Destinations
Slap on some sunscreen because some of our top San Diego activities involve fresh air.
- Ocean Beach – feeling deficient in Vitamin Sea? Make a beeline for Ocean Beach for days overflowing with surfing, fishing, and sunbathing. Just North of Point Loma, this beach boasts a vintage feel that attracts locals and visitors alike. Bring along a skateboard, or make it a fur-friendly date when you explore the Dog Beach.
- La Jolla Cove – this small coastal inlet is best known for its barking and basking sea lions. However, sharks and minnows of all ages will adore the snorkeling, diving, and swimming provided by the protected marine reserve.
- Torrey Pines State Beach – work on that tan as you bask in the rays at Torrey Pines State Beach. Or up that step count when you hit up the National Park for an advanced trail hike through a coastal wilderness of pine forests and sandstone canyon.
Beachy bohemian with a colorful history, it’s no wonder that millions of tourists visit San Diego each year.
There’s no doubt, California Dreamin’ must have had San Diego in mind. Nothing conjures up the SoCal spirit more than a day of surfing, skating, or swimming.
In addition to snorkeling or seeking out slippery pinnipeds at La Jolla, this metropolis of sand and sea is ripe with attractions for adults.
Attempt to catch a foul ball when you take in a Padres game at Petco Park. Or, show off your Italian when you say ‘Ciao’ to carbonara and margarita Pizza in Little Italy.
Related Post: San Diego at Night: 18 Best Nightlife Activities
Grab a beach cruiser and bike around Hotel Coronado. Or hole up on the Babcock & Story outdoor patio for a Some Like It Haute! cocktail and live music.
Brush up on your post-Gold Rush and Red Light District history. Or visit America’s Most Haunted House located in Old Town.
Can’t wait for your adults-only San Diego adventure? Don’t hesitate! Book your San Diego escape today!
San Diego Things to Do for Adults FAQs
What’s Nightlife Like in San Diego?
San Diego's nightlife, one of the best adult activities San Diego offers, is diverse and vibrant. You'll find everything from sophisticated rooftop bars and lively beachside clubs to cozy brewpubs and intimate live music venues. The Gaslamp Quarter is a popular nightlife hub, offering a variety of options all within walking distance.
Where Do Young Adults Go Out in San Diego?
Young adults in San Diego frequent trendy neighborhoods like North Park, known for its craft breweries and hip bars, and Pacific Beach, where the party atmosphere spills onto the boardwalk. The Gaslamp Quarter is always a popular choice for its high concentration of clubs and bars. Additionally, areas like Little Italy and East Village offer a mix of relaxed pubs, upscale cocktail lounges, and lively spots for dancing.
Tell us, Did we Miss Any of the Best San Diego Attractions for Adults?
Leave a comment below!
