Cost – $26. Need tickets? Ask the bride! (It’s her workplace. She’s not allowed to fly the planes.) San Diego’s #1 Attraction on TripAdvisor! America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, the USS Midway today is an interactive museum with flight simulators, the Battle of Midway Theater and its lifelike 3D holograms, and a huge flight deck home to 30 restored aircraft and Midway’s island, which was the command center for the naval ship’s operations. Give yourself 3-5 hours to tour this unbelievable piece of history – many tourists say they wished they’d had 2 days on board. Next to Midway is “Unconditional Surrender” (aka “The Kiss”), a 25-ft statue of the famous sailor-and-nurse embrace in Times Square at the end of World War II.
Cost – Free (Museums and theatres – cost varies.) One of the U.S.’s most popular urban parks – and a great place to lose yourself for an afternoon – this idyllic 1,200-acre park is historic, urban, and cultural. Alongside open green areas, gardens, and hidden hiking trails, it’s home to many museums, theaters, and the San Diego Zoo. The International Houses are rows of tiny houses representing 33 cultures from across the globe. Spanish Village features 200 local artists of varying mediums and an Insta-worthy plaza of rainbow-colored tile (stop at Daniel’s Coffee when you’re there; it's so good!). Brian and Robin's favorite spot in the park is Panama 66, an open-air eatery flanking the Museum of Art. It's a great place for a quick bite, a beer or glass of wine, and some fantastic live music.
Cost – Free to watch; $165-$225 to fly. No flying required to enjoy! Hang out on their park benches and enjoy a cold drink and a snack (bring your own or buy some at their Snack Shack) for a great afternoon and even better photos. If you DO want to fly, just show up – they don’t take reservations – and sail into the sunset!
Cost – $65. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an expansive, non-profit wildlife sanctuary that’s home to over 3,000 animals. Over half of the park’s 1,800 acres serves as a protected native-species habitat. The park is located in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido.
Oceanside has some of the best breaks on the California Coast, and many surfing legends who grew up surfing them. The Surf Museum is dedicated to the history of surf and the story of Surf Culture, and features significant surfboards, vintage magazines, surfing equipment, surf art and videos, trophies, rare photographs and more.
Looking for your next Insta post? Or just some trippy art? Located in the Iris Sankey Arboretum in Kit Carson Park, Queen Califia’s Magical Circle is an outdoor sculpture garden that’s as colorful as it is whimsical.
Nearly 2,000 feet long, the Oceanside Pier is one of the most iconic landmarks in North County! Loved by visitors and locals alike, the wooden pier is the perfect location to take a leisurely stroll, fish, watch surfers, or see a sunset.
Mellano Farm Stand is a family-owned and operated farm that’s both operational and a fun place to tour. They’ve got fresh flowers, vegetables, fruit, and, honey; live animals; tractor-tire games; and tractor-pulled farm tours and live music on the weekends.