In San Diego, you could spend years exploring a single neighborhood (and many locals do), yet still not discover every hidden gem and weekend ritual. That said, there are a couple key spots you can’t miss that truly capture the spirit of the city and deserve a spot on the itinerary. Whether you’re a born-and-raised San Diegan, a first-time visitor, traveling with kids, grandparents, or even flying solo, these attractions are universal crowd-pleasers:
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum (JFGP)
For a day filled with peace, nature, and even a koi fish or two, stroll through San Diego’s Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, located within Balboa Park. Tucked away from the hustle-and-bustle of the park, one step into the JFGP transports you into a world of tranquility, with winding paths guiding visitors through trickling waterfalls and koi-filled ponds. First opened to the public in 1991, the JFGP now invites over 300K visitors a year to enjoy its Japanese-inspired architecture and plants native to both Japan and San Diego. It also serves as a living symbol of San Diego’s long-standing sister-city relationship with Yokohama, Japan.
While it’s worth visiting any time of year, the JFGP is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season, when the gardens transform into a pink fairytale scene. To celebrate, JFGP hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Festival in mid-March, where visitors can enjoy traditional live music, merchant and food vendors, as well as a beer and sake garden amongst the flowers.
With 12-acres to explore, it’s easy to just spend your day at the JFGP wandering around and enjoying the scenery. As a non-profit and accredited museum, however, the JFGP also offers opportunities for education, particularly when it comes to its Japanese art and sculpture exhibits. Their permanent collections include late 18th century woodblock prints, colorful kimonos, a bonsai tree garden, and cast bronze statues. To dive even deeper, sign up for a cultural class, where you can learn everything from kumiko (an ancient Japanese woodworking technique) to koto (Japanese string instrument). If wellness is more your jam, the museum also offers weekly yoga classes, tai chi, and sound meditation.
San Diego Opera
By day, San Diego is known for its perpetually perfect weather and laid-back, board-shorts vibe. But when the sun sets, a whole other world of music and drama comes alive at the San Diego Opera. Located in the heart of downtown, the SD Opera invites audiences into worlds shaped by powerful stories, voices, stage design, costumes, and the music of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. With over 60 years of history, the Opera produces a blend of classic and modern productions, most of which are performed in their original language, such as Italian or French (with English and Spanish subtitles).
Beyond the stage, the Opera plays an active role in the community with a robust lineup of educational and outreach opportunities. These include free Student Night at the Opera, complimentary community concerts, and Words & Music, an in-school residency program to help children create and perform their own operas. For those looking to deepen their appreciation, Pre-Opera Talks offer background on the show, while Post-Opera Talk-Backs invite audiences to engage directly with cast members for a Q&A on the creation of the show. The Opera also hosts Opera Uncorked events, pairing behind-the-scenes insights with Resident Conductor Bruce Stasyna with wines and light bites a few weeks before the opening show.
The San Diego Opera operates out of two locations: the San Diego Civic Theatre holds large-scale productions, while the historic Balboa Theatre is reserved for smaller or specialized shows. Enjoy performances Friday and Saturday nights or Sunday afternoons, with seasons typically beginning in the fall and lasting through late spring. Individual tickets and season passes may be purchased online or in-person at the ticket office.
