Best Tourist Attractions in San Diego
This article helps you to find the best tourist attractions in San Diego (USA), which will helps you when are planning a trip to San Diego. This article also points out some of the famous tourist spots in San Diego.
In terms of attractions, San Diego probably has the best destinations in the whole of the US. Apart from annual events like the San Diego Comic-Con when pop culture enthusiasts and comic book geeks flood the California streets for a couple of days, it is home to world-famous sites like the Balboa Park, Legoland California, and San Diego Zoo. Not to mention, the miles of beaches and mansions in San Diego make it an exclusive retreat where you can detach yourself from stress and create a bubble of relaxation.
But popular destinations can feel a bit overrated especially when you get caught in big crowds and long lines. Which is why we searched really hard for all vacation posts and hashtags to bring you a list of hidden gems you can visit in San Diego!Harper's Topiary Garden
Let's start with something mild, like Harper's Topiary Garden! It is an elaborate garden made by the local artist named Edna Harper. Her garden is so intricately designed that she was given the name "Edna Scissorhands" and her skills more than match those of Edward himself. There are more than 50 shrubs cut to look like various animals, even surfers, just at her front yard. You can visit her garden at 3549 Union Street, Mission Hills. This is something that is great and also free!Noble Experiment
Have you ever been to a speakeasy before? Well, if you haven't, finding a speakeasy bar feels like finding a hidden cove because of the complicated instructions just to reach the destination. Noble Experiment is an example of a truly hidden speakeasy destination. To get inside, you will have the find its door behind a huge stack of empty kegs. Then, a secret passageway will lead you to a narrow hallway that will eventually end at the bar.
The first thing you will see is an eccentric decor like a wall of ceramic skulls or a stunning ceiling art. Additionally, their bartenders are some of the best mixologists in San Diego, so a cocktail or two might not cut it. Just make your way to 777 G Street - however, guests are not supposed to just show up, you need to inform them a week in advance to reserve a spot. Then all you have to do is wait for a reply to your text.La Jolla Secret Swings
You would think that a popular site like La Jolla would not have any secrets still intact, but surprisingly, there is still one place not a lot of people know about: the secret swings. When you find yourself on the La Jolla hillside, just above Scripps Pier, you will see the swings. To reach it would mean hiking up from Expedition Way. Don't worry, because apart from the swinging bench chair, the tire swings, and the handmade seats, you will also be treated to the most beautiful ocean view.Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
Built-in 1912 by engineer Edwin Capps, the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge spans 375 feet long and is at least 70 feet high. Initially, it was designed to help pedestrians move across the Sessions Canyon to the trolley lines on Fourth and Fifth Avenue. Now, it is a hidden destination where most locals enjoy a little downtime enjoying the lush green scenery around, before coming back to the city centre. The wooden bridge is supported by cables embedded in concrete slabs, and while it is very sturdy, a sharp gust of wind might still move it slightly. You can find the suspension bridge in the residential neighbourhood of Bankers Hill.Calvary Cemetery
Now for something completely different, this is a site known to attract a lot of enthusiasts of the macabre. The Calvary Cemetery was a Catholic burial ground in the 19th century. However, in the 1960s, the city of San Diego decided to remove the gravestones and turn it into a park, what is now known as the Pioneer Park. Still, at least 4,000 bodies are still buried under Mission Hills. You can drop by at 1521 Washington Pl, Mission Hills to see it for yourself.Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
You would not think that there are waterfalls in San Diego, but apparently, you just need to know where to find them. At Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, just 20 miles north of downtown, is a 7-mile trail that follows a creek through a thick green forest. Here you will find Oak and Sycamore trees, and fauna like the mule deer, aquatic birds, and various endangered or rare species. The trail will lead you to the waterfall, a stunning sight to see since it is surrounded by an untouched natural landscape. You definitely would not want to miss a selfie opportunity here.Gold Mine Tour
Perfect for the history buff, the historic Julian gold mine is open for tours, lead by the Eagle Mining Co. You will get to walk through 1000 feet of hard rock tunnels, the same ones that miners from the 1870s used to extract gold. You will even be treated to million and extraction techniques that were employed back then. The tickets cost $10 for adults, and you can reach the gold mine at 2320 C Street, Julian.Chula Vista salt mountains
If you have had enough of real mountains, then go to the Chula Vista shoreline and see a 40-foot high salt mountain. Here you will find the second-oldest commercial business in San Diego - the South Bay Salt Works, which was founded in 1871, stands as a reminder of the Industrial Revolution in the US. When you visit the salt factory, you will see old machinery, some of which has remained unchanged through time. This is more of an insider tip than a real tourist attraction, so make the most of it. You can find this site at 1470 Bay Boulevard, Chula Vista.
San Diego still has a lot more to offer other than hole-in-the-wall restaurants and eclectic beach towns. Make sure to visit any of these hidden destinations and turn an exciting San Diego trip truly unforgettable.
