Locals love to spend their days overlooking the sea, lounging on the beach, or strolling down the golden shores of this small beach. The area is renowned for its surf, sunbathing, and eating and drinking spots, including surf shops, taco stands, and eclectic local boutiques. You’ll also find a laid-back, retro California atmosphere with friendly locals, great dining, and microbrews. This area is alive with a vibrant nightlife vibe.
Ocean Beach has a pleasant boardwalk, nightlife, and sunset views. Everything you want and need is within walking distance. The California sun is best enjoyed while surfing, swimming, skating, playing beach volleyball, basketball, or just soaking up the heat of the sun.
This is the perfect spot for a memorable and wonderful family vacation. Explore the following list of Ocean Beach activities and attractions, and make your visit one for the books.
The 98 Most Popular Things To Do In Ocean Beach, San Diego
98. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
4.6 (16 reviews)
Credit: Jim Balderrama, Google Maps
Location: 1008 Wall Street La Jolla CA
Tel: 858 454 5872
Web Address: http://ljathenaeum.org/
97. Silver Strand
4.6 (22 reviews)
96. Central Beach
4.4 (31 reviews)
95. La Casa de Estudillo
4.6 (49 reviews)
Credit: Steve Azer, Google Maps
Location: 4000 Mason Street San Diego CA
Tel: 619 220 5422
Web Address: https://nps.gov/nr/travel/american_latino_heritage/Estudillo_House.html
94. Port of San Diego
4.2 (52 reviews)
Location: 3165 Pacific Hwy San Diego CA
Tel: 619 686 6200
Web Address: https://portofsandiego.org/
93. Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House Museum
4.1 (106 reviews)
Credit: Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House Museum, Google Maps
Location: 410 Island Ave San Diego CA
Tel: 619 233 4692
Web Address: http://gaslampfoundation.org/
92. ICA San Diego – Central
4.5 (113 reviews)
Credit: RUXANDRA PREDESCU, Google Maps
Location: 1439 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 236 0011
Web Address: http://icasandiego.org/
91. San Diego History Center
4.5 (135 reviews)
Credit: Stuart Rankin, License, Flickr
Location: 1649 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 232 6203
Web Address: http://sandiegohistory.org/
90. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
4.3 (140 reviews)
Credit: Victor Angelo, Google Maps
Location: 700 Prospect Street La Jolla CA
Tel: 858 454 3541
Web Address: http://mcasd.org/
89. Marston House
4.8 (148 reviews)
Credit: Lotty Soulatha, Google Maps
Location: San Diego CA
Web Address: https://balboapark.org/museums/marston-house
88. Manta
4.6 (159 reviews)
Credit: Ray Osburn, Google Maps
Location: 500 Sea World Dr San Diego CA
Web Address: https://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-sandiego
87. Junípero Serra Museum
4.4 (160 reviews)
Location: 2727 Presidio Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 232 6203
Web Address: https://sandiegohistory.org/serramuseum/
86. California Tower
4.7 (168 reviews)
Location: California Tower 1350 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 239 2001
Web Address: https://museumofus.org/exhibits/california-tower/
85. Mission Bay
4.7 (203 reviews)
84. Coronado Historical Association
4.6 (228 reviews)
Credit: Coronado Historical Association, Google Maps
Location: 1100 Orange Ave Coronado CA
Tel: 619 435 7242
Web Address: https://coronadohistory.org/
83. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego – Downtown
4.2 (228 reviews)
Location: 1100 Kettner Blvd San Diego CA
Tel: 858 454 3541
Web Address: http://mcasd.org/
82. Soledad Mountain
4.8 (239 reviews)
Credit: Kevin Baird, License, Flickr
81. The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
4.7 (245 reviews)
Location: 2115 Park Blvd San Diego CA
Tel: 619 239 2300
Web Address: http://veteranmuseum.org/
80. Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave
4.2 (285 reviews)
Credit: Genna Suchomel, Google Maps
Location: 1325 Coast Blvd La Jolla CA
Tel: 858 459 0746
Web Address: http://cavestore.com/
79. Lake Murray
4.6 (287 reviews)
78. Mingei International Museum
4.6 (304 reviews)
Credit: Mingei International Museum, Google Maps
Location: Balboa ParkPlaza de 1439 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 239 0003
Web Address: http://mingei.org/
77. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
4.9 (311 reviews)
Location: 1700 Cabrillo Memorial Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 553 2084
Web Address: http://cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftrosecrans.asp
76. Windansea Beach
4.8 (330 reviews)
Credit: Photos By Clark, License, Flickr
75. Tourmaline Surf Park
4.6 (424 reviews)
Credit: Photos By Clark, License, Flickr
Web Address: http://sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches/northpb
74. Coronado Tidelands Park
4.8 (436 reviews)
Location: 2000 Mullinex Dr Coronado CA
Tel: 619 725 6001
Web Address: https://portofsandiego.org/wonderfront/coronado/coronado-tidelands-park
73. Museum of Photographic Arts
4.5 (467 reviews)
Credit: Museum of Photographic Arts, Google Maps
Location: 1649 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 238 7559
Web Address: http://mopa.org/
72. Giant Dipper Roller Coaster
4.5 (470 reviews)
Credit: photolibrarian, License, Flickr
Location: 3146 Mission Blvd San Diego CA
Tel: 858 488 1549
Web Address: https://belmontpark.com/ride/giant-dipper-roller-coaster/
71. Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier
4.8 (480 reviews)
Credit: Tim Buss, License, Flickr
Location: 8650 Kennel Way La Jolla CA
Web Address: https://scripps.ucsd.edu/
70. Comic-Con Museum
4.0 (480 reviews)
Credit: K. Flewelling, Google Maps
Location: 2131 Pan American Plaza San Diego CA
Tel: 619 546 9073
Web Address: http://comic-conmuseum.org/
69. San Diego Bay
4.8 (498 reviews)
68. Coronado Bridge
4.6 (587 reviews)
Location: CA 75 Coronado CA
Tel: 619 688 6699
Web Address: http://dot.ca.gov/
67. Black’s Beach
4.7 (589 reviews)
Credit: Tony Webster, License, Wikimedia commons
66. Ellen Browning Scripps Park
4.8 (614 reviews)
Credit: Sergei Gussev, License, Flickr
Location: 1100 Coast Blvd La Jolla CA
Tel: 619 235 1169
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/regional/shoreline/ebscripps
65. Coronado Island
4.8 (715 reviews)
Credit: US_Navy_101022-N-8040H-094_The_aircraft_carrier_USS_Carl_Vinson_(CVN_70)_is_moored_at_Naval_Air_Station_North_Island_with_the_San_Diego_skyline_vis.jpg, License, Wikimedia commons
64. Alcázar Garden
4.7 (729 reviews)
Location: 1363 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 239 0512
Web Address: https://balboapark.org/gardens/alcazar
63. Timken Museum of Art
4.6 (731 reviews)
Location: 1500 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 239 5548
Web Address: https://timkenmuseum.org/
62. San Diego Model Railroad Museum
4.6 (760 reviews)
Credit: Sergei Gussev, License, Flickr
Location: 1649 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 696 0199
Web Address: http://sdmrm.org/
61. Living Coast Discovery Center
4.6 (776 reviews)
Credit: Living Coast Discovery Center, Google Maps
Location: 1000 Gunpowder Point Dr Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 409 5900
Web Address: http://thelivingcoast.org/
60. Fiesta Island Park
4.6 (899 reviews)
Location: 1590 E Mission Bay Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 525 8213
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/regional/missionbay/fiestaisland
59. Spreckels Park
4.7 (1,034 reviews)
Credit: photolibrarian, License, Flickr
Location: 601 Orange Ave Coronado CA
Tel: 619 522 7342
58. Star of India
4.7 (1,076 reviews)
Credit: Nathan Rupert, License, Flickr
Location: 1492 N Harbor Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 234 9153
Web Address: http://sdmaritime.org/star-of-india/
57. Coronado Beach
4.8 (1,218 reviews)
Credit: SanDiegoBay3800ppx44.jpg, License, Wikimedia commons
56. Tecolote Canyon Natural Park and Nature Center
4.6 (1,273 reviews)
Credit: Ken Kondo, Google Maps
Location: 5180 Tecolote Road San Diego CA
Tel: 858 581 9944
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/osp/tecolote
55. Balboa Theatre
4.6 (1,330 reviews)
Location: 868 Fourth Ave San Diego CA
Tel: 619 615 4000
Web Address: https://sandiegotheatres.org/
54. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
4.7 (1,342 reviews)
Location: 10818 San Diego Mission Road San Diego CA
Tel: 619 283 7319
Web Address: http://missionsandiego.com/
53. San Diego Automotive Museum
4.4 (1,386 reviews)
Credit: San Diego Automotive Museum, Google Maps
Location: 2080 Pan American Plaza San Diego CA
Tel: 619 231 2886
Web Address: http://sdautomuseum.org/
52. Presidio Park
4.6 (1,457 reviews)
Location: 2811 Jackson Street San Diego CA
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/regional/presidio
51. Whaley House Museum
4.4 (1,512 reviews)
Location: 2476 San Diego Ave San Diego CA
Tel: 619 786 1143
Web Address: https://whaleyhousesandiego.com/
50. The San Diego Museum of Art
4.6 (1,782 reviews)
Location: 1450 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 232 7931
Web Address: http://sdmart.org/
49. Spanish Village Art Center
4.7 (1,913 reviews)
Location: 1770 Village Pl San Diego CA
Tel: 619 233 9050
Web Address: https://spanishvillageartcenter.com/
48. Museum of Us
4.3 (1,962 reviews)
Location: 1350 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 239 2001
Web Address: http://museumofus.org/
47. Old Point Loma Lighthouse
4.7 (1,968 reviews)
Credit: Sergei Gussev, License, Flickr
Location: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr San Diego CA
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/digital-archives-photos/old-point-loma-lighthouse
46. Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market
4.7 (2,017 reviews)
Location: 600 W Date Street San Diego CA
Tel: 619 233 3901
Web Address: http://sandiegomarkets.com/
45. San Diego California Temple
4.8 (2,020 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: 7474 Charmant Dr San Diego CA
Web Address: https://churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/san-diego-california-temple
44. La Jolla Cove
4.8 (2,129 reviews)
43. Mormon Battalion Historic Site
4.8 (2,130 reviews)
Credit: Gregory Schmidt, Google Maps
Location: 2510 Juan Street San Diego CA
Tel: 619 298 3317
Web Address: https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/subsection/historic-sites/mormon-battalion-historic-site
42. Torrey Pines Golf Course
4.7 (2,215 reviews)
Credit: Photos By Clark, License, Flickr
Location: 11480 N Torrey Pines Road La Jolla CA
Tel: 858 552 1662
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/torrey-pines
41. The New Children’s Museum
4.6 (2,299 reviews)
Credit: Michael R Perry, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 200 W Island Ave San Diego CA
Tel: 619 233 8792
Web Address: http://thinkplaycreate.org/
40. Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
4.7 (2,362 reviews)
Location: W Spruce Street San Diego CA
39. San Diego Natural History Museum
4.6 (2,747 reviews)
Location: 1788 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 232 3821
Web Address: http://sdnat.org/
38. Fleet Science Center
4.5 (3,027 reviews)
Credit: Fleet Science Center, Google Maps
Location: 1875 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 238 1233
Web Address: https://fleetscience.org/
37. Maritime Museum of San Diego
4.7 (3,375 reviews)
Credit: Michael R Perry, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1492 N Harbor Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 234 9153
Web Address: http://sdmaritime.org/
36. la Jolla Shores Beach
4.7 (3,569 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
35. Chicano Park
4.6 (3,615 reviews)
Credit: Johnny Flores, Google Maps
Location: San Diego CA
Web Address: http://chicanoparksandiego.com/
34. Silver Strand State Beach
4.6 (3,866 reviews)
Location: 5000 CA 75 Coronado CA
Tel: 619 435 5184
Web Address: http://parks.ca.gov/
33. San Diego Air & Space Museum
4.6 (3,974 reviews)
Location: 2001 Pan American Plaza San Diego CA
Tel: 619 234 8291
Web Address: https://sandiegoairandspace.org/
32. Mission Beach Boardwalk | Ocean Front Walk
4.7 (4,117 reviews)
Location: W Mission Bay Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 232 3101
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/
31. Botanical Building
4.7 (4,157 reviews)
Location: 1549 El Prado San Diego CA
Tel: 619 239 0512
Web Address: https://balboapark.org/gardens/botanical-building
30. Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
4.8 (4,160 reviews)
Location: 6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr S La Jolla CA
Tel: 858 459 2314
Web Address: https://soledadmemorial.org/
29. Liberty Public Market
4.7 (5,135 reviews)
Credit: Liberty Public Market, Google Maps
Location: 2820 Historic Decatur Road San Diego CA
Tel: 619 487 9346
Web Address: https://libertypublicmarketsd.com/
28. Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
4.5 (5,841 reviews)
Location: 2300 Expedition Way La Jolla CA
Tel: 858 534 3474
Web Address: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/
27. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
4.8 (5,979 reviews)
Location: Ladera Street San Diego CA
Tel: 619 525 8213
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/regional/shoreline/sunset
26. La Jolla Shores Park
4.7 (6,659 reviews)
Location: 8300 Camino Del Oro La Jolla CA
Tel: 619 221 8899
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches/shores
25. Japanese Friendship Garden
4.6 (6,664 reviews)
Location: 2215 Pan American Road E San Diego CA
Tel: 619 232 2721
Web Address: http://niwa.org/
24. Mission Trails Regional Park
4.8 (7,261 reviews)
Location: 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail San Diego CA
Tel: 619 668 3281
Web Address: http://mtrp.org/
23. Children’s Pool La Jolla
4.7 (7,324 reviews)
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches/pool
22. Coronado Ferry Center
4.7 (7,815 reviews)
Location: 1201 1st Street Coronado CA
Tel: 619 435 8895
Web Address: http://coronadoferrylanding.com/
21. Waterfront Park
4.7 (8,150 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: 1600 Pacific Hwy San Diego CA
Tel: 619 232 7275
Web Address: http://sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/parks/Waterfrontpark.html
20. Cabrillo National Monument
4.8 (9,948 reviews)
Location: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 557 5450
Web Address: http://nps.gov/cabr/
19. Coronado Beach & Dog Park
4.7 (11,643 reviews)
Location: Ocean Blvd Coronado CA
Tel: 619 522 7342
18. Torrey Pines State Reserve
4.8 (12,754 reviews)
Credit: Navin75, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 12600 N Torrey Pines Road La Jolla CA
Tel: 858 755 2063
Web Address: https://parks.ca.gov/
17. Belmont Park
4.5 (14,308 reviews)
Location: 3146 Mission Blvd San Diego CA
Tel: 858 488 1549
Web Address: http://belmontpark.com/
16. Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton
4.5 (16,290 reviews)
Credit: Thank You (22.5 Millions+) views, License, Flickr
Location: 1500 Orange Ave Coronado CA
Tel: 619 435 6611
Web Address: https://hoteldel.com/
15. Petco Park
4.7 (16,659 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: 100 Park Blvd San Diego CA
Tel: 619 795 5025
Web Address: https://mlb.com/padres
14. Seaport Village
4.6 (23,165 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 849 W Harbor Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 530 0704
Web Address: http://seaportvillage.com/
13. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
4.7 (24,286 reviews)
Location: 4002 Wallace Street San Diego CA
Tel: 619 220 5422
Web Address: http://parks.ca.gov/
12. USS Midway Museum
4.8 (37,549 reviews)
Credit: Alyse & Remi, License, Flickr
Location: 910 N Harbor Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 544 9600
Web Address: https://midway.org/
11. SeaWorld San Diego
4.4 (40,035 reviews)
Location: 500 Sea World Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 222 4732
Web Address: https://seaworld.com/san-diego
10. Balboa Park
4.8 (64,660 reviews)
Location: San Diego CA
Tel: 619 239 0512
Web Address: http://balboapark.org/
Our Top picks
9. Bermuda Beach
4.7 (10 reviews)
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/
8. Robb Field Skate Park
4.6 (228 reviews)
Credit: Christian, Google Maps
Location: 2525 Bacon Street San Diego CA
Tel: 619 531 1563
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers/skateparks/robb
7. Ocean Beach Tide Pools
4.7 (359 reviews)
Credit: Sean Foster, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1779 Ocean Front Street San Diego CA
6. Dog Beach
4.7 (573 reviews)
5. Ocean Beach Farmers Market
4.7 (588 reviews)
Location: 4900 Newport Ave San Diego CA
Tel: 619 279 0032
Web Address: https://oceanbeachsandiego.com/attractions/annual-events/farmers-market-wednesdays
4. Dog Park
4.6 (636 reviews)
Credit: Negin Neghabat-Wolthoff, License, Flickr
Location: Soto Street San Diego CA
3. Dusty Rhodes Park
4.3 (643 reviews)
Location: 2469 Sunset Cliffs Blvd San Diego CA
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/dogs/leashfree
2. Ocean Beach Pier
4.6 (8,481 reviews)
Location: 1850 Ocean Front Street San Diego CA
1. San Diego Zoo
4.7 (46,746 reviews)
Location: 2920 Zoo Dr San Diego CA
Tel: 619 231 1515
Web Address: https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Ocean Beach, San Diego! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
Join the TouristWire community
At TouristWire, our team works tirelessly to bring you the most comprehensive itineraries and reviews to help you plan your next trip. Don’t miss out, join our mailing list and our reviews delivered directly to your mailbox!
