The best things to do in San Diego

26 things to do we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of San Diego’s best · Restaurants · Beauty · Shopping · Nightlife · Bakeries & Sweets · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Home & Garden · Arts & Culture · Cafes · Health & Wellness · Parks & Outdoors · Sporting Goods · Services · Pets

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Entertainment · 26 places · showing the latest additions first

Arena hosting rodeos and trade shows, including the El Cajon Gem and Mineral Show.

12584 Mapleview St (Lakeside)

Arena hosting rodeos and trade shows, including the El Cajon Gem and Mineral Show.

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The Santaluz Club

Entertainment

If your week needs wide-open headspace, The Santaluz Club delivers with a Rees Jones championship course threaded through native…

8170 Caminito Santaluz E

If your week needs wide-open headspace, The Santaluz Club delivers with a Rees Jones championship course threaded through native grasslands, panoramic views, and weekly golf events that keep the camaraderie real. Add the clubhouse spa and a full racquets and fitness scene, then call it balance.

From the Carlsbad newsletter, August 7, 2026

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Cottonwood Golf Club pairs the scenic championship Ivanhoe 18 with a full slate of lessons and clinics if the swing needs a tune-up this…

3121 Willow Glen Dr (El Cajon)

Cottonwood Golf Club pairs the scenic championship Ivanhoe 18 with a full slate of lessons and clinics if the swing needs a tune-up this week. Join a club or just hang at the Bar & Grill, then call it a very East County kind of day.

From the El Cajon newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Miramar Memorial Golf Course pairs a regulation 18 with a legit practice setup... full driving range, chipping and putting greens,…

3750 Anderson Ave

Miramar Memorial Golf Course pairs a regulation 18 with a legit practice setup... full driving range, chipping and putting greens, short-game area, and a clubhouse with a proper pro shop. Ideal for sneaking in nine or sharpening wedges before league night.

From the San Diego newsletter, August 7, 2026

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Run a San Diego business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

Vin de Syrah

Entertainment

Vin de Syrah nails that subterranean, New York-meets-Paris vibe with friendly wines by the glass, proper cocktails, and sneaky-good cheeses…

901 Fifth Ave

Vin de Syrah nails that subterranean, New York-meets-Paris vibe with friendly wines by the glass, proper cocktails, and sneaky-good cheeses and desserts. Book a tasting, catch DJs or a live band, maybe even a tarot reading, then toast to escaping the Gaslamp chaos for a bit.

From the San Diego newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Movie theater on a heated outdoor patio with lounge chairs shows a mix of new & classic films.

4040 Goldfinch St

Movie theater on a heated outdoor patio with lounge chairs shows a mix of new & classic films.

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Movie theater chain, offering state-of-the-art sound & projection technology.

12905 El Camino Real

Movie theater chain, offering state-of-the-art sound & projection technology.

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Old Town San Diego

Entertainment

Lively adobe-style area featuring shops and restaurants, along with historic buildings, plus museums devoted to early California history.

2829 Juan St

Lively adobe-style area featuring shops and restaurants, along with historic buildings, plus museums devoted to early California history.

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Challenging, 9-hole option surrounded by manufactured homes, offering flat, tree-lined fairways and water hazards.

11905 Riverside Dr (Lakeside)

Challenging, 9-hole option surrounded by manufactured homes, offering flat, tree-lined fairways and water hazards.

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Airy, outdoor rooftop cinema offers local brews & elevated snacks from retro-style counters.

1835 Columbia St 5th Floor

Airy, outdoor rooftop cinema offers local brews & elevated snacks from retro-style counters.

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The Grand Golf Club

Entertainment

Upscale rooms & villas at a posh golf retreat with various dining options, a spa & an outdoor pool.

5300 Grand Del Mar Way

Upscale rooms & villas at a posh golf retreat with various dining options, a spa & an outdoor pool.

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Movie theater in the Hazard Center with discount tickets and showtimes, plus a restaurant.

7510 Hazard Center Dr #100

Movie theater in the Hazard Center with discount tickets and showtimes, plus a restaurant.

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Parkway Bowl

Entertainment

Basic bowling alley & billiard hall also has laser tag & a grill serving straight-up pub grub.

1280 Fletcher Pkwy (El Cajon)

Basic bowling alley & billiard hall also has laser tag & a grill serving straight-up pub grub.

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Boardwalk

Entertainment

Multiple arcades, rides, laser tag, pizzeria & a neighboring bowling alley all in the same complex.

1280 Fletcher Pkwy (El Cajon)

Multiple arcades, rides, laser tag, pizzeria & a neighboring bowling alley all in the same complex.

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El Cajon Hobbies

Entertainment

Model aircraft & truck kits share space with racks of spare parts at this straight-up hobby shop.

1611 Magnolia Ave Ste 303 (El Cajon)

Model aircraft & truck kits share space with racks of spare parts at this straight-up hobby shop.

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Family-friendly, Sesame Street-themed amusement park with rides, waterslides, parades & shows.

2052 Entertainment Cir (Chula Vista)

Family-friendly, Sesame Street-themed amusement park with rides, waterslides, parades & shows.

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Vintage beachfront thrill ride, with a track reaching 75 ft in height & a maximum speed of 48 mph.

3146 Mission Blvd

Vintage beachfront thrill ride, with a track reaching 75 ft in height & a maximum speed of 48 mph.

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Palm-fringed golf driving range also offering PGA tuition, putting & chipping greens & mini golf.

15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd (Del Mar)

Palm-fringed golf driving range also offering PGA tuition, putting & chipping greens & mini golf.

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Designed for all skill levels, this 18-hole, par-3 public golf course offers a pro shop & disc golf.

4085 52nd St

Designed for all skill levels, this 18-hole, par-3 public golf course offers a pro shop & disc golf.

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Riverwalk Golf Club

Entertainment

Championship golf course at an upscale hotel with a pro shop & popular terraced grill restaurant.

1150 Fashion Valley Rd

Championship golf course at an upscale hotel with a pro shop & popular terraced grill restaurant.

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State-of-the-art wind tunnel facility offering indoor skydiving experiences to people of all ages.

2385 Camino Del Rio N

State-of-the-art wind tunnel facility offering indoor skydiving experiences to people of all ages.

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K1 Speed San Diego

Entertainment

Chain of indoor racing centers featuring electric go-karting for all skill levels, plus food.

1709 Main St

Chain of indoor racing centers featuring electric go-karting for all skill levels, plus food.

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City Fun Center

Entertainment

Family-friendly arcade featuring pinball machines, air hockey, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, kids' party options, mini bowling and more.

12900 Gregg Ct (Poway)

Family-friendly arcade featuring pinball machines, air hockey, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, kids' party options, mini bowling and more.

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Westwood Club

Entertainment

Tennis, basketball and baseball facilities, plus a playground and a pool. Kids birthday option.

17394 W Bernardo Dr

Tennis, basketball and baseball facilities, plus a playground and a pool. Kids birthday option.

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Stylish movie theater featuring plush reclining seating and at-your-seat dining (brunch, lunch, dinner and dessert), plus a full bar and…

2620 Truxtun Rd

Stylish movie theater featuring plush reclining seating and at-your-seat dining (brunch, lunch, dinner and dessert), plus a full bar and patio heaters.

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Public bayfront par-72 golf course, open since 1957 & offering clubhouse dining.

2000 Visalia Row (Coronado)

Public bayfront par-72 golf course, open since 1957 & offering clubhouse dining.

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