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Check out this list of four area attractions that affirm San Diego is a multifaceted destination that offers more than surf and sand.
Though San Diego is known for its beautiful beaches—and for good reason—the city offers an impressive array of attractions, activities, and cultural institutions that take the experience to another level. San Diego is home to a thriving arts scene that’s full of world-class museums, galleries, and performance venues. It features platforms that showcase San Diego’s role as a hub for the research and blue tech sectors. And don’t forget creative ways to see the sights and marvel at our magnificent sunsets.
These four area attractions affirm that San Diego is a multifaceted destination that offers more than surf and sand.
Cygnet Theatre
Cygnet Theatre has been entertaining audiences for more than 20 years with its bold storytelling and high-quality productions. The theatre company has grown into one of San Diego’s leading arts institutions and, in September 2025, moved into its new state-of-the-art home, The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center, located in Arts District Liberty Station.
Affectionately known as The Joan, the venue is a dynamic space that offers a modern, immersive theatre experience, exceptional acoustics, advanced production capabilities, and beautifully designed indoor and outdoor gathering areas. The venue includes two stages: the 280-seat Joseph Clayes III Theater and the Dottie Studio Theater, a flexible 150-seat space. A destination in itself, The Joan also features an open-air lobby, outdoor patio, multiple bar areas, and thoughtful nods to its history as a Navy exchange and recreation facility. Plus, there’s ample parking near the venue—a rarity in San Diego.
Cygnet’s inaugural season in its new home began in fall 2025 with Goldman’s and Sondheim’s Follies and continues through summer 2026, concluding with The SpongeBob Musical, a vibrant, family-friendly production. The 2026–2027 season builds on that momentum with a dynamic mix of classic and contemporary works, including Arcadia, Dear Evan Hansen, Job, Bat Boy: The Musical, One Man, Two Guvnors, A Christmas Carol, A Magical Holiday, and John Proctor Is the Villain, all presented with Cygnet’s signature Off-Broadway sensibility.
Cygnet Theatre attracts both longtime patrons and new audiences, welcoming more than 50,000 audience members each year. Additionally, Cygnet offers a wide range of education and outreach programs that engage tens of thousands of students and community members annually, including free select matinees for local students, youth workshops, and other community-based programs.
For more information, please visit cygnettheatre.org.
Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography offers far more than a glimpse at fascinating sea life; the beloved attraction atop La Jolla Shores invites guests into the exciting world of research and discovery. While many guests visit expecting to see a few hundred ocean friends, Birch Aquarium’s mission extends much further. Innovative exhibits and hands-on activities are carefully curated to highlight the vital work of Scripps Oceanography and UC San Diego researchers. By adding scientific context to unforgettable animal encounters, Birch Aquarium aims to inspire guests with its mission of conservation. The goal is to connect the public with the science that drives our understanding of the ocean.
As the public outreach center for the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Birch Aquarium invites guests to explore an array of habitats, encountering creatures like leopard sharks, jellyfish, and weedy seadragons. In addition, interactive displays allow visitors to model ocean currents, see the impact of climate change, and learn about the mechanisms scientists use to study the sea.
Birch Aquarium’s newest exhibition, “Imagine Wild: Mountain Yellow-legged Frog”, is now open. The installation transports guests into the world of the endangered California frog species and highlights the decades-long process of restoring its habitat. Additionally, the vibrant ecosystems of the Pacific are on display in the aquarium’s Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery. The exhibit highlights colorful coral and the tropical fish that cohabitate, and the open ocean home of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, and the hyper-local environment beneath the Scripps Pier. And don’t skip Tide Pool Plaza, a hands-on opportunity to interact with sea anemones, sea stars, and sea urchins.
Can’t make it to Birch Aquarium during business hours? Don’t worry. The aquarium stays open late on Sundays. Its “Birch After Hours” promotion features discounted tickets (must be purchased in advance) and a relaxed nighttime vibe. Get tickets at aquarium.ucsd.edu.
Mingei International Museum
The renowned Mingei International Museum is a large part of what makes Balboa Park San Diego’s cultural epicenter. Named for the Japanese word mingei, meaning “art of the people,” the museum is dedicated to showcasing the beauty and ingenuity of “arts of daily use” created throughout the ages by anonymous craftspeople. These everyday objects span centuries and continents and have been preserved as works of art that foster cultural connection and transcend borders. Mingei’s collection features textiles, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, and toys from around the world.
Among Mingei’s running exhibits is “Farm to Craft: Grains in Global Folk Art”, which explores how grains like corn, rice, and wheat are transformed into functional and expressive objects across cultures. Also featured is “Boundless: Reflections of Southern California Landscapes in Midcentury Studio Ceramics” showcasing how artists of the 1950s and ’60s drew inspiration from the region’s beauty.
Save the date for Mingei’s “To Catch a Fish”, opening May 2. The collection examines the relationship between various cultures and fishing practices through items such as tools, vessels, and spiritual representations, and how fishing helped shape their culture, belief systems, and daily life.
On May 16, Mingei will debut “India Thompson: Looks Like Home”. Contemporary artist India Thompson recreated everyday domestic objects using traditional basketry techniques as a reflection of memory, attachment, and the experience of living in temporary or rented spaces, inviting visitors to reconsider what it means to feel at home.
If perusing Mingei’s collections has worked up an appetite, the museum’s CRAFT CAFÉ has you covered with salads and bowls, sandwiches, and locally sourced pastries. Its full-service restaurant, ARTIFACT, pays homage to the museum’s exhibits with globally inspired dishes and ancient cooking methods. Treat yourself to a souvenir before you go at Shop Mingei, a thoughtfully curated retail space featuring handcrafted goods from 33 San Diego–based artists and makers from 48 countries. Learn more at mingei.org.
Sunset Charters
This is San Diego at its best: sunshine, on the water, with your favorite people. Sunset Charters’ quiet, all-electric boats offer relaxing, budget-friendly cruises for private groups of up to 10. Each charter includes a licensed captain at the helm, so you can unwind and take in the surroundings.
Whether you’re planning a romantic date, family outing or celebration, a private boat charter offers an ideal, comfy setting. It’s BYOB so bring your favorite drinks and snacks – what’s better than a picnic on the water? Plus, each boat is equipped with a Bluetooth sound system that lets you be the DJ for a day. Get that yacht rock ready so that you can sit back and relax under the canopy roof, with the bay breeze in your face.
Sunset Charters offers daily cruises from a convenient location on Harbor Island, with flexible departure times. It’s your boat and your captain, so choose your own adventure: see the Star of India, USS Midway, Rady Shell and Coronado Bridge. Or head straight out to see the Hotel Del’s iconic red turret. Better yet, do it around sunset, when the downtown skyline glistens long after the sun goes down.
Find out more or book a reservation at sunsetcharters.com.
Yes, Chef! winner Emily Brubaker leads the robust culinary program at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
For Executive Chef Emily Brubaker, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa feels like home. She grew up just a mile-and-a-half away from the 400-acre property and fondly recalls walking the golf course perimeter as a kid. Though her ambitions led her away from San Diego for nearly two decades in which she honed her craft in some of the highest of high-profile Las Vegas restaurants—including triple Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand—they ultimately brought her back to North County.
Today, the classically French-trained chef, who’s fresh off a victory on NBC’s Yes, Chef!, judged by Martha Stewart and José Andrés, oversees Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s seven distinct dining concepts. Her goal is to elevate the resort’s culinary program with her creative, hyperlocal ingredient-driven approach while maintaining the Spanish- inspired flavors and fresh California coastal cuisine that are the bedrock of its culinary identity.
“The San Diego food scene is really growing, and in North County alone, it’s really exploded in the last five years,” Brubaker says. “There are Michelin stars, beautiful tasting menus, craft bakers, and all this food—when I was growing up in La Costa, it was fish tacos. Now there are really cool things popping up, and I’m so happy to be here to see where it’s going to go.”
Brubaker gives chefs de cuisine at each individual restaurant autonomy, however, her influence is evident across the resort.
For example, lobby restaurant Bar Traza serves as Omni La Costa’s culinary centerpiece and features bold Spanish flavors in a lively, social atmosphere. Brubaker overhauled the menu to be more consistent and centered on casual bites with that signature vibe. Think smoky paprika, vibrant citrus, and Spanish meats and cheeses.
At VUE, the focus is on seasonal offerings, California coastal cuisine, and Baja-inspired dishes. She and Chef de Cuisine Cameron Dixon change the menu biannually, which heading into summer, will highlight farm-fresh produce and hyperlocal ingredients—the resort even has its own herb garden and honeybee hives.
Poolside dining options are leaning into the country’s 250th this summer with a selection of classic American dishes with an Omni La Costa twist. And Bob’s Steak & Chop House (Brubaker is a trained butcher) offers a classic steakhouse experience with elevated service.
The chef and company also plan menus for special events at the resort where her creativity can really shine. For an upcoming National Ski Association dinner, the banquet hall will be transformed into an Alpine-themed winter wonderland complete with a snow machine, savory sausages, and melty, decadent raclette. A recent dinner was built around the Carlsbad Flower Fields and each course was matched to a color of ranunculus (Did you know pink dragonfruit are grown in North County? You do now.).
“It’s my zen to be in the kitchen playing with food,” Brubaker says.
Omni La Costa’s culinary program is a key part of the resort experience. And with Brubaker’s leadership, it’s becoming a draw for visitors and locals alike.
“These aren’t just hotel restaurants, these are restaurants that you should go to. They’re destinations, and I’m really hoping for the future that’s where we’re going,” Brubaker says.
Brubaker is also channeling her experience on Yes, Chef! into the culture at Omni La Costa—more emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, empowering her staff to share constructive critiques, and embracing different perspectives. Alongside her leadership role, Brubaker has become an advocate for mental health in the hospitality industry, serving as chief ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Apex Culinary Program, where she mentors and develops future talent.
For more on Omni La Costa Resort & Spa and its dining program, please visit omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa.
Scripps study shows that some patients may be able to taper their dose and maintain results
While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
San Diego Magazine's 2026 Guide to Balboa Park.
Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart.
The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.
Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago.
Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.
Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14.
There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.
If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities.
If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.
Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).
Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.
BuyMyExplorer.com | Phone: 619-232-7502, Press 2 for Explorer
Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.
Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: FleetScience.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Phone: 619-238-1233
An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.
Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Niwa.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m.
Phone: 619-232-2721
A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.
Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: TheOldGlobe.org
Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain
Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623
Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.
Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-234-8291
History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.
By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.
Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoHistory.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday
Phone: 619-232-6203
Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre.
Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.
Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: JuniorTheatre.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-239-1311
This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.
But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.
Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SDNat.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer
Phone: 619-232-3821
The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.
Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Website: WorldBeatCenter.org
Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 619-230-1190
Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.
San Diego Air & Space Museum | 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.
San Diego History Center | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.
The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way,
San Diego, CA 92101
Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.
San Diego Junior Theatre | 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12).
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with guided birding, storytelling, soul food, native planting and an African peace drum circle.
WorldBeat Cultural Center | 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
La Gran Terraza, the University of San Diego’s signature restaurant, has been a campus favorite for over 16 years, offering California cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. This summer, its gastropub, O’Toole’s, is open for evening service —perfect for sunset bites and drinks.
At the helm is chef Marbi Becerra, a Culinary Institute of America alum with roots in the US and Mexico. She now leads culinary operations for La Gran Terraza and USD Catering, bringing bold Mediterranean flavors and a fresh perspective.
Seared Scallops: With charred broccolini oyster mushrooms corn puree herb cherry tomatoes and chimichurri
5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, California 92110
619-849-8205 | lagranterraza.com | @eatatusd
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
Labora Café offers so much more than premium ceremonial-grade matcha; it’s a lifestyle café where people come to feel more energized, inspired, and connected to their community. Labora partners with retailers and lifestyle brands, from local Pilates instructors to Neiman Marcus, so there’s always something new to learn about or browse when you’re here. As for the drinks, whether you’re thinking matcha or Vietnamese coffee with a specialty house-made foam on top, expect a natural pick-me-up, without extra sugars or syrups.
Pistachio 54: Pistachio foam layered with a slow drip Viet coffee or Matcha
8055 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 101, San Diego, California 92111
858-471-6970 | laboracafe.com | @laborasd
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
Happy Medium lives in the sweet spot: not too fancy, not too gritty. Think dive bar soul with cocktail bar standards. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a beer and a shot, a fancy cocktail, plus a killer spirits list. The menu includes all the best bar classics along with elevated plates. Some would call it a “happy medium.” With your favorite B-side tracks always playing in the background, Happy Medium is the ultimate neighborhood hangout spot.
Lava Flowgroni: Pineapple gin layered with strawberry Campari, banana vermouth and coconut, served over crushed party ice.
4002 30th Street, San Diego, California 92104
619-310-5642 | happymediumsd.com
