Top San DiegoAttractions.
The best way to see San Diego is on your own schedule. From world-class beaches and wildlife parks to historic landmarks and hidden coastal gems — a CMW rental gets you there with no mileage limits and no stress.
Must-See Destinations
San Diego is one of America's most diverse cities for travel. Whether you're here for a weekend or a month, these are the landmarks, parks, beaches, and neighborhoods worth the drive.
San Diego Zoo
One of the most celebrated zoos in the world, the San Diego Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 650 species. Spread across 100 acres inside Balboa Park, it features immersive habitats — including the giant panda exhibit, Africa Rocks, and Elephant Odyssey — that set the global standard for animal care and conservation. A full day is barely enough.
Old Town San Diego
California's first European settlement, preserved as a State Historic Park. Adobe buildings, costumed guides, authentic Mexican restaurants, craft shops, and the Whaley House — one of the most haunted buildings in America. A rich living history experience just minutes from Kearny Mesa.
SeaWorld San Diego
Marine-life theme park on Mission Bay featuring roller coasters, dolphin and sea lion shows, shark exhibits, and immersive ocean experiences. Electric Eel and Manta are among the top thrills. The recently added Electric Ocean nighttime event is a popular summer draw.
Pacific Beach & Mission Beach
San Diego's classic beach boardwalk experience — miles of sandy shoreline, the famous 3-mile boardwalk lined with cafes and surf shops, volleyball nets, and the vintage Belmont Park amusement park. A quintessential California afternoon. Parking fills fast on weekends.
Mission Bay Park
The largest man-made aquatic park in the United States — 4,600 acres of water and shoreline purpose-built for recreation. Kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, and electric boats are available to rent. Twenty-five miles of shoreline includes 19 miles of sandy beaches, plus playgrounds, fire rings, and grassy parks. Fiesta Island within the bay is a popular off-leash dog beach. Sunsets here over the calm water rival anything in San Diego.
Balboa Park
San Diego's cultural heart — 1,200 acres of gardens, walking trails, 17 museums, outdoor theaters, and the world-famous Zoo. The Spanish Colonial architecture of El Prado alone is worth the trip. Free to enter the park itself; individual museums charge separately.
Balboa Park Museums
Seventeen world-class institutions in one walkable park — the Museum of Natural History, San Diego Museum of Art, Fleet Science Center, Air & Space Museum, and more. Many offer free admission on select Tuesdays through the museum council program. The free Botanical Building, with over 2,000 plants and a tranquil lily pond, is a must even if you skip the ticketed venues.
La Jolla Cove
A stunning natural cove flanked by cliffs, sea caves, and clear emerald water. Watch sea lions sunning on the rocks, snorkel among leopard sharks, or simply walk the coastal trail for some of San Diego's most dramatic ocean views. La Jolla Village nearby offers excellent dining.
Belmont Park
San Diego's only beachside amusement park, open since 1925 and still anchored by the Giant Dipper — a wooden roller coaster that's a National Historic Landmark in its own right. Rides, laser tag, mini golf, an indoor wave pool called "The Plunge," and a mid-way arcade sit steps from the Mission Beach boardwalk. Entry is free; attractions are pay-per-ride or via wristband. Lively on weekends, easy to combine with a Mission Bay kayak rental next door.
Little Italy
San Diego's most walkable and vibrant urban neighborhood — packed with acclaimed restaurants, art galleries, the weekly Mercato farmers market, and lively piazzas. Home to some of the city's best Italian food, rooftop cocktail bars, and the popular Waterfront Park. An ideal dinner destination.
USS Midway Museum
America's longest-serving aircraft carrier — now permanently docked on the downtown waterfront as a nationally acclaimed naval aviation museum. Walk the flight deck, explore the hangar bay, and sit in the cockpit of restored fighter jets. Over 30 restored aircraft on display.
The Embarcadero
San Diego's iconic waterfront promenade stretching along the bay from the Convention Center to the Maritime Museum. Walk past the USS Midway, the Unconditional Surrender statue, and fish markets to reach the Star of India — the world's oldest active sailing ship. Harbor cruises, whale-watching tours, and bay-view dining line the route.
Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego's historic Victorian-era district is now the city's premier entertainment hub — 16 blocks of restaurants, rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique shops. The preserved 19th-century architecture makes it visually striking by day and electric by night.
Seaport Village
A picturesque 14-acre waterfront shopping and dining complex along San Diego Bay. Over 50 unique shops, galleries, and eateries are connected by cobblestone paths, waterfront boardwalks, and lush gardens. Street performers, a historic carousel, and panoramic bay views make it a relaxed afternoon destination for all ages.
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
A mile-long stretch of dramatic sea cliffs in Ocean Beach, carved by waves into arches, grottoes, and caves. The walk along the bluffs at golden hour is one of San Diego's finest free experiences. Popular with surfers, photographers, and anyone who wants to watch the sun sink into the Pacific.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Home to the Star of India — the world's oldest active sailing ship, built in 1863 — alongside the HMS Surprise (used in the film Master and Commander), a Cold War-era Soviet submarine, and the reconstruction of the San Salvador, the first European ship to land in California. Step aboard multiple historic vessels. The $10 historic bay cruise add-on is one of the best deals on the waterfront. Open daily 10 am–5 pm.
The New Children's Museum
A contemporary art museum designed specifically for children, located in the heart of downtown. Interactive installations by real artists turn every room into a hands-on creative playground. Art-making studios, sensory rooms for toddlers, and a free outdoor sculpture courtyard keep families engaged for hours. Discounted admission on the first Sunday of each month. Directly across from Petco Park, making it easy to combine both visits.
Petco Park
Home of the San Diego Padres and one of the most architecturally celebrated ballparks in Major League Baseball. The open design integrates the city skyline and even a historic Western Metal Supply building into the outfield. Guided stadium tours run year-round (~$25 adults). The Park at the Park berm beyond center field is free and family-friendly. Catch a game March–October or stroll the waterfront Western Metal Building Plaza on non-game days.
Torrey Pines State Reserve
One of the wildest stretches of land left on the Southern California coast. Hike dramatic sandstone cliffs above the Pacific, through canyons of rare Torrey Pine trees found nowhere else on earth. Several trails lead to the beach below. Sunrise is exceptional here.
Cabrillo National Monument
Perched at the tip of Point Loma, this national monument marks where Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo became the first European to land on the West Coast in 1542. The views of San Diego Bay, the downtown skyline, and the Pacific are among the best in the city. A historic lighthouse and tide pools complete the visit.
Coronado Ferry Landing
A charming waterfront marketplace on the bay side of Coronado, offering stunning views of the San Diego skyline and the Coronado Bridge. Browse shops, dine at bayfront restaurants, rent bikes to explore the island, or catch the ferry back to downtown. The adjacent Centennial Park beach is a hidden gem for families.
La Jolla Shores Beach
A mile-long, gently sloping sandy beach that's the calmer counterpart to the rocky La Jolla Cove. Perfect for swimming, bodysurfing, and beginner surfing — surf schools operate here daily. Kayak and snorkel gear rentals are steps from the waterline, and the adjacent Kellogg Park has grassy picnic areas. Leopard sharks gather in summer in shallow water, making for a unique snorkeling encounter.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The public face of UC San Diego's world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Home to giant sea bass, garibaldi, seahorses, and one of the most impressive kelp forest tanks in Southern California. The outdoor tide pool plaza overlooks the Pacific with sweeping coastal views. Strong ocean conservation focus makes it especially engaging for kids. Open daily 9 am–5 pm (extended Sunday hours).
Hotel del Coronado
A National Historic Landmark since 1977 and one of the last surviving examples of American Victorian beach resort architecture. Built in 1888, "The Del" has hosted 14 U.S. presidents. Day visitors can walk the grounds, dine at Nobu or Serẽa, grab a drink at Babcock & Story Bar, and access the beach — no room key needed. The iconic turret-and-red-roof silhouette is one of San Diego's most photographed sights.
Coronado Beach
Consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States, Coronado's wide, powdery strand stretches 1.7 miles with the Hotel del Coronado as its backdrop and the Coronado Bridge framing the north end. The sand has a faint golden shimmer from mica deposits, and the gentle surf makes it ideal for families. Metered parking is plentiful, and the nearby Orange Avenue strip has excellent cafés and ice cream shops.
Del Mar Beach
An upscale coastal village north of La Jolla, Del Mar is famous for its wide sandy beaches, the Del Mar Racetrack ("where the turf meets the surf"), and a charming downtown lined with boutiques and restaurants. Dog-friendly North Beach is one of the best off-leash beaches in Southern California. Summer race season and the county fair draw big crowds.
Living Coast Discovery Center
A zoo and aquarium tucked inside the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista — the only facility in the US located within a national wildlife refuge. Home to sea turtles, sharks, rays, shorebirds, and California native wildlife. The outdoor boardwalk trails through actual refuge habitat give it a completely different feel from a conventional zoo. Accessible only by free shuttle from the E Street trolley station, making it easy to reach car-free.
San Diego Safari Park
Unlike the Zoo, the Safari Park puts animals in vast open habitats resembling the African savanna. Take the Africa Tram through 100 acres of free-roaming rhinos, giraffes, lions, and elephants. Gorilla Forest, Tiger Trail, and a floral garden round out the experience. A must for families.
San Diego Botanic Garden
Thirty-seven acres of curated gardens in Encinitas featuring one of the largest bamboo collections in North America, a rare plants conservatory, a sensory garden, and a Hamilton Children's Garden that consistently ranks among the top in the country. The canyon trail winds through native coastal sage scrub above a seasonal stream. Excellent stop on any North County itinerary alongside LEGOLAND (15 minutes away) or Torrey Pines (20 minutes south).
LEGOLAND California
The original American LEGOLAND, located in Carlsbad just 35 miles north of San Diego. Fifty-plus rides and attractions built around LEGO themes, including Miniland USA — a jaw-dropping LEGO-brick recreation of American cities. Perfect for kids ages 2–12 and LEGO enthusiasts of all ages.
Kearny Mesa's Neighborhood Rental
CMW Car Rentals is a family-owned business in the heart of San Diego's Kearny Mesa, just 10 miles north of San Diego International Airport. For over 20 years we've helped locals, travelers, students, and business professionals get on the road quickly and affordably.
We welcome drivers 18 and up, accept cash, debit, and credit cards, and honor international driver's licenses. Our fleet serves San Diego with travel to the greater Los Angeles area — call us to confirm coverage for your specific needs.
| Address | 7789 Othello Ave., San Diego, CA 92111 |
| Phone | 858-560-1919 |
| rent@cmwcarrentals.com | |
| Service Area | San Diego (all areas) |
| Hours | Mon-Sat 9am-6pm — After-hours phone & text support available |
| Payment | Cash · Debit · Credit Card |
Reserve Your Vehicle Today
Fill out the form and a team member will respond quickly with availability and pricing. Or call us directly — we love talking to customers.