Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Mission Bay

We've collected top 10 mentioned free attractions in Mission Bay from other articles such as Busy Tourist, LaJolla.com, Around the Embarcadero.

Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Mission Bay

La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove
4.8 (1188 ratings)4.5 (12342 ratings)
Popular with divers, this quaint beach houses permanent lifeguard stations, picnic tables & showers.
San Diego, CA 92037, USA
BeachOutdoor ActivitiesParks
Balboa Park
Balboa Park
4.8 (56270 ratings)4.5 (11675 ratings)
Sprawling outdoor destination is home to the city's renowned zoo, 17 museums, gardens & more.
San Diego, CA, USA
ParkFun & GamesHistory museumPlaygroundsGardens
Mentioned by Culture Trip
Must-Visit Attractions in San Diego
"A sunken butterfly garden, the San Diego Zoo, museums, gardens, the California Tower – this 1,200-acre (486ha) park contains a slew of attractions. It was built in 1868 and hosted the Panama-California Exposition, which celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal, in 1915. Key museums include the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the Museum of Us (formerly the San Diego Museum of Man), the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Timken Art Museum and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum."
Mentioned by Trip101
10 Best Romantic Places in San Diego, California - Updated 2021
"A post shared by Daniel Deming (@grubyoface619) on May 10, 2016 at 9:44pm PDT. Wander through the attractions in Balboa Park before you make your way to The Prado. This full-service restaurant is perfect for a relaxing dinner where you can spend quality time together."
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines State Reserve
4.8 (11036 ratings)4.5 (3514 ratings)
Acres of oceanside trails for exploring or exercising while spotting occasional dolphins or bobcats.
12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
Nature preserveNature & ParksParkState parkNature & Wildlife AreasHiking Trails
Seaport Village
Seaport Village
4.6 (18125 ratings)4 (4366 ratings)
Waterside complex with shops, eateries, entertainment & relaxed grounds featuring fountains & ponds.
849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Shopping mallShoppingPiers & BoardwalksPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Maritime Museum of San Diego
4.7 (2737 ratings)4.5 (1598 ratings)
Waterfront venue showcasing many types of restored vintage ships & historical exhibits.
1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
MuseumSights & LandmarksHistorical landmarkMaritime museumOutdoor activity organiserShipsSpecialty Museums
Old Poway Park
Old Poway Park
4.8 (719 ratings)4.5 (116 ratings)
Bustling park offers a Saturday farmer’s market, vintage train rides, a museum & historic buildings.
14134 Midland Rd, Poway, CA 92064, USA
ParkNature & ParksFarmers' marketHistorical society
Kellogg Park
Kellogg Park
4.7 (1383 ratings)4.5 (24 ratings)
Besides a playground with swings & slides, this beachfront park offers grassy areas & sunset views.
8277 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
ParkNature & ParksPlaygrounds
Mentioned by LaJolla.com
The Top 5 Parks in La Jolla
"This is a little park lining the back of La Jolla Shores Beach. It’s very family-friendly due to its vast green space, playground and restroom & shower facilities. The playground is quite new, with one area geared towards babies and toddlers and another part made for older children."
La Casa de Estudillo
La Casa de Estudillo
4.6 (42 ratings)4 (21 ratings)
4000 Mason St, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
MuseumSights & LandmarksHistoric Sites
Mentioned by San Diego 3 days itinerary
3 Days in San Diego Itinerary – What to See and Do
"Within Old Town don’t miss Casa de Estudillo, which is one of the few original buildings (many are reproductions), Whaley House and Museum, which is believed to be haunted and Junípero Serra Museum, literally the place where California began. You can get more information here."
Martin Luther King Jr Promenade
Martin Luther King Jr Promenade
4.4 (240 ratings)
Tree-lined promenade of manicured lawns & flowerbeds, with a hedge maze, sculptures & a fountain.
326 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Park
Mentioned by Old Town Trolley Tours
Literally The Only List of San Diego Attractions You Need 2020-21
"Honoring the slain civil rights leader, the tree-lined Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade features sculptures like the stainless steel “Breaking of the Chains” by renowned artist Melvin Edwards. There is also a fountain and a hedge maze."
Chicano Park
Chicano Park
4.6 (2905 ratings)4.5 (27 ratings)
Colorful murals can be seen at this public park located beneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.
San Diego, CA 92113, USA
Memorial parkNature & ParksPark
Mentioned by blog.frankiefoto.com
Frankie Foto » 15 Best Spots to Photograph San Diego
"Chicano Park is not your typical tourist destination but it is home to some rich Latino history in San Diego. The park is located underneath the Coronado Bay Bridge and it has some of the most beautiful murals and art that are painted on the pillars and sides of the freeway. The murals are constantly being changed by local artist and they tell some amazing stories."
Mentioned by Sidecar Photo
Great Places to Take Pictures in San Diego
"Chicano park is a small park with incredible murals from renowned Latin-American artists. It’s a national historic landmark that few know about in San Diego and worth visiting. You can read more about the stories behind the murals here."

Best Lunch Restaurants in Mission Bay

Cove House
Cove House
4.5 (148 ratings)
8030 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
RestaurantBarBar & grillBrunch restaurantFamily restaurantLunch restaurant
Mentioned by San Diego Explorer
Best Brunch in La Jolla For Every Budget
"8030 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037(858) 999-0034$ | Hidden Gem | Coffeehouse. This low-key spot has a cheery, comfortable yet funky vibe but serves up some rockin’ food suitable for every diet. Their menu is clearly marked so you don’t have to go through the trouble of reading through every single menu item until you see what you could have."
Grapes & Hops Deli
Grapes & Hops Deli
4.6 (60 ratings)
811 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Liquor storeBeer storeCatering food and drink supplierCatererDeliLunch restaurantSandwich shopWine store
Taco Bell
Taco Bell
3.9 (476 ratings)
Fast-food chain serving Mexican-inspired fare such as tacos, quesadillas & nachos.
3195 Market St, San Diego, CA 92102, USA
Fast food restaurantBreakfast restaurantBurrito restaurantLunch restaurantTakeout RestaurantMexican restaurantRestaurantTaco restaurantTex-Mex restaurantVegetarian restaurant

Top Best American Restaurants in Mission Bay

The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole
The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole
4.5 (793 ratings)
Casual neighborhood hangout for pub grub, a rotating selection of craft beers on tap & happy hour.
1065 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
American restaurantLunch restaurantSports bar
Coaster Saloon
Coaster Saloon
4.5 (821 ratings)
Breezy, basic sports bar draws crowds for beer selection, unique pub fare & buzzy beachfront patio.
744 Ventura Pl, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
Barbecue restaurantAmerican restaurantCatering food and drink supplierTakeout Restaurant
Anna's Family Restaurant
Anna's Family Restaurant
4.1 (609 ratings)
Low-key cafe serving straightforward American grub such as sandwiches, burgers & pancake breakfasts.
8099 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945, USA
Family restaurantAmerican restaurant

Must See Sights and Landmarks in Mission Bay Area

Piazza Basilone
Piazza Basilone
4.5 (17 ratings)4 (7 ratings)
621 W Fir St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Sights & LandmarksMemorial parkPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mentioned by Old Town Trolley Tours
Literally The Only List of San Diego Attractions You Need 2020-21
"With tables and chairs, benches and stoops, with a fountain constantly gurgling a serene background noise and the bay just within eyesight, this urban piazza in the heart of Little Italy is just amazing. Enjoy a coffee, a rendezvous or a book while you bask in a sunlit day with a cool bay breeze. This memorial to neighborhood soldiers who died during the Korean War is a beautiful monument to these heroes."
Immaculate Conception Church
Immaculate Conception Church
4.6 (180 ratings)4.5 (30 ratings)
2540 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
Catholic churchSights & LandmarksChurchPlace of worshipChurches & Cathedrals
Old Town
Old Town
4.5 (1550 ratings)
Known as the state's birthplace, this colorful area has a range of historic buildings & attractions.
San Diego, CA 92110, USA
Sights & LandmarksPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mentioned by San Diego 3 days itinerary
3 Days in San Diego
"Day 2: Old Town, The Midway & Coronado [Skip to Page] Day 3: La Jolla, the beaches, Cabrillo Point & Point Loma [Skip to Page]"

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Mission Bay

Best on the Beach I
House
$980 /night
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4.3 (717 reviews)
The Beach Cottages
Cottage
$140 /night
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Tangiers Oasis
House
$316 /night
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