With a nickname like “one of America’s most creative cities,” it should be no surprise that San Diego is home to some of the best museums in the country. But, with more than 90 museums throughout the city, narrowing down the list of places to visit can be quite challenging. Luckily, we have museums to pique everyone’s interest, whether you are interested in fine art, natural history, science, wildlife, or local culture. Witness a historic aircraft carrier at the USS Midway Museum or visit America’s most haunted house in historic Old Town.
Regardless of your interests, Rental With a View puts you in the heart of the action with our collection of luxury vacation rentals. Read on to discover the best museums in San Diego that highlight the wonders of history, science, and art.
San Diego is often regarded as the birthplace of California, offering a rich and storied history. Immerse yourself in fascinating history and tales of our haunted past at these museums:
USS Midway Museum: This is the most visited museum in San Diego, welcoming over one million visitors annually. Explore over 10 acres of exhibits, including over 30 historic aircraft.
Museum of US: This Balboa Park museum highlights an interactive timeline of human history that connects us across cultures. The museum also offers tours of California Tower, a historical landmark offering 360 views of the city.
Whaley House Museum: Head to Old Town San Diego and visit America’s most haunted house!
San Diego is a city that reaches for the stars, offering several immersive museums that highlight our leaps in the science world. Unlock the wonders of science and innovation at the best museums in San Diego for curious minds:
San Diego Air and Space Museum: The Air & Space Museum highlights the history of flight and space travel with rare artifacts and exhibits.
Fleet Science Center: Discover the wonders of science and innovation with more than 100 interactive exhibits.
The New Children’s Museum: If you visit San Diego with kids, this museum is a must-visit. The exhibits use contemporary art to empower children to think, play, and create.
San Diego is the type of city where creativity and art thrive around every corner. Discover our impressive collection of art museums during your California getaway:
San Diego Museum of Art: Visit San Diego’s largest art museum located in the heart of Balboa Park. They have more than 20,000 works of art, including an impressive collection of Spanish, Italian, and South Asian paintings.
Mingei International Museum: Witness more than 20,000 folk art pieces from over 140 countries at this art museum.
Museum of Photographic Arts: This is only one of three museums in the country that is solely dedicated to photography. There are more than 9,000 images in the permanent collection from over 800 photographers.
Easily access the best museums in San Diego when you choose Rental With a View to host your California getaway. We are a leading boutique vacation rental company operating a portfolio of luxurious properties in the best locations in town. Browse our luxury San Diego vacation rentals for groups, and plan your vacation today!
When planning a family vacation, the biggest challenge is finding a destination that works for everyone in your group. Luckily, San Diego offers one of the best vacations for families in the country, offering a wealth of kid-friendly attractions. Whether you want to learn something new at a museum, spend time at the beach, see exotic animals, or explore the great outdoors, there is something for everyone in America’s finest city. Your San Diego family vacation is made easy when you choose Rental With a View to host your getaway. We offer luxury properties in the heart of the city, so your family can easily access the top attractions in San Diego!
The San Diego Zoo is one of the oldest and largest zoos in the country. This wildlife park spans over 100 acres and is home to over 12,000 rare and endangered animals. Purchase your tickets for the Safari Park at the same time and get up close and personal with animals like giraffes and rhinos.
Balboa Park is the culture, nature, and science hub of San Diego. There are sixteen museums to visit here, including the kid-friendly Museum of Us, the Air & Space Museum, and the Fleet Science Center. Don’t forget to explore the beautiful gardens, ride the miniature train, and stop at one of the many local restaurants.
If you are interested in visiting a museum specifically catered to kids and learning, stop at the New Children’s Museum, just over a mile from Balboa Park!
Belmont Park offers a historic beachfront amusement park, perfect for your San Diego family vacation! Start the day with some exhilarating rides before checking out exciting attractions like laser tag, mini golf, rock walls, and go-karts.
You can also find one of the best amusement parks just a 40-minute drive from San Diego in Carlsbad. Legoland California offers over 60 rides, a fun waterpark, and an interactive aquarium.
Take your family to the largest aquatic park in the country that offers 4,500 acres of fun on water and land. Popular water activities include surfing, swimming, boogie boarding, kayaking, and jet skiing. There are also 14 miles of trails around Mission Bay, where you can take a leisurely hike or bike together.
If you are a family who loves the great outdoors, there are plenty of kid-friendly trails to explore during your getaway. Mission Trails Regional Park offers 40 miles of trails, and Torey Pines State Natural Reserve offers eight miles of trails that wind through rugged cliffs, rare pine trees, and salt marshes.
These are just a few top things to do during your San Diego family vacation. Rental With a View is an excellent choice for your family with our spacious vacation rentals and special offers. When you stay four nights with Rental With a View, you will receive a $50 gift card to use at the San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, or Legoland! We recommend our Urban Oasis property for smaller families and our spacious four-bedroom Casa Paradiso for large families. Whichever rental you choose, we look forward to hosting your family for a memorable vacation!
As the second-largest city in California, San Diego is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country, attracting over 30 million visitors yearly! Those of you who have never visited San Diego are probably overwhelmed by the sheer number of attractions and things to do in the city. Luckily, Rental with a View is here to give you the inside scoop with our San Diego neighborhood guide, highlighting the must-see areas in the city for first-time travelers. Whether you are looking for a lively neighborhood with world-class museums or a neighborhood full of history, there is something for everyone in San Diego!
Mission Hills is a vibrant neighborhood in San Diego that offers one of the best places to stay in the city. Rental With A View offers luxury properties in Mission Hills, overlooking Downtown San Diego and the Bay. Staying in Mission Hills is within a ten-minute drive of all the major attractions, from Balboa Park to the Gaslamp Quarter.
Balboa Park is a must-see in San Diego, a dynamic neighborhood where culture, science, and nature collide. The 1200-acre park features 17 museums, over a dozen gardens, performing art venues, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
Gaslamp is located in the historic heart of downtown San Diego. The city’s old charm is around every corner, with Victorian homes and gas lamps lining the streets. This area is also the city’s dining, shopping, and entertainment hub. Watch the Padres play at Petco Park or explore a historic aircraft carrier at the USS Midway Museum.
If you are interested in San Diego’s history, we recommend visiting the oldest neighborhood in San Diego. Old Town features over 35 historic sites and museums, including the most haunted house in America. You can also find over 75 shops and 30 world-class restaurants here.
If you are a foodie visiting San Diego, then Little Italy is the San Diego neighborhood for you! Rich with Italian culture and cuisine, there are endless restaurants to choose from at the Little Italy Food Hall. Every Saturday, you can find one of the best San Diego farmers’ markets with the Little Italy Mercato market.
If you are looking for a welcoming and open-minded San Diego neighborhood, pay a visit to San Diego’s LGBTQ+ central hub, Hillcrest. Here you will find an array of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, coffee shops, and unique boutiques to explore.
Rental With a View offers the perfect properties in Mission Hills for groups visiting San Diego for the first time. Our Mission Hills vacation rentals provide the best of both worlds with the privacy of a residential neighborhood and proximity to major attractions. You can find many places mentioned in our San Diego neighborhood guide just a 10-15 minute walk away, such as Balboa Park and Little Italy. Discover our luxury vacation rentals in Mission Hills and find the ideal place for your group vacationing in San Diego.
There is nothing worse than the panic you feel when you wake up to realize your alarm didn’t go off and you probably won’t make your flight on time for that career changing business trip. Cab lines are long, cranky kids are holding up the security line, and you wore your favorite boots that take hours to lace-up. We’ve all been there.
Even more annoying is when you see relaxed businessmen walk casually through that security “VIP line”, and don’t have to take off their shoes and seem to breeze through (more…)
Traveling can get expensive, especially if you’re visiting popular destinations during peak season. Here are some ideas to keep the costs down as you plan your next vacation.
Travel in the off-season Many destinations have their “peak seasons” so try to avoid those times. Lodging will likely be cheaper and there will be fewer crowds as well. And many locations boast some of the best weather in off-season. Find out when “shoulder season” is from a local vendor (hotel, spa, etc) and see about booking during that time (more…)
You know the story: It’s your first “adult” vacation since giving birth to that bundle of joy who has graced you with many sleepless nights.
So you plan a big trip with your sorority sisters that you haven’t seen in 10 years. Billy Jane is on a budget; Sally Sue is vegan so dining out takes a bit of coordinating; and of course there is Milly Mae who snores at night and no one wants to share a hotel room with her.
This may be the perfect time to ditch the hotel and try a vacation rental (more…)
Nope, it’s not California. Alaska has the longest coastline in the USA. The Alaskan coastline stretches 6,640 miles (10,690 km), a distance greater than all the other states’ coastlines combined. And if you add in the Alaskan islands, it boasts 33,904 miles (54,563 km) of shoreline!
Now how about that for a nice stroll along the coast? (more…)
Living out of a suitcase can make traveling a drag. Whether you’re trying to jam everything into a small suitcase or you’re going to meet the soon-to-be-in-laws for the first time and don’t know what to wear, packing is not easy. Here are a few tips to help you pack efficiently and make traveling a breeze
Use Quality Luggage. High quality luggage is built to last, will maximize the storage room inside the bag, and navigate around airports effortlessly. You may also consider traveling with just “carry-ons”. This option gives you easy access (more…)
Legoland California is set to open the nation’s first Lego-themed hotel on Friday, a move that could transform the Carlsbad theme park from a daytime attraction to an overnight vacation destination.
Company officials said they expect the three-story, 250-room hotel will attract more visitors, both regionally and across the United States, and convince them to stay longer.
“It just puts us more in line with the Disney resort concept where you stay and play,” Frank Idris, the hotel’s general manager said during a tour last week, as crews placed finishing touches on the building.
The hotel is steps from the park’s entrance (more…)
RentalWithAView is very proud to announce the launch of our brand new website. We have a newly integrated booking system that enables guests to easily check up-to-date availability at all of our units and quickly book online through our secure reservation system. We provide visitors with the convenience, security, and comfort of a large hotel chain, but with the spaciousness, charm, and convenience of a high end home. We want our guests leaving our units saying “wow, that was a fantastic experience!” We look forward to rolling out the red carpet for you and making your trip to “America’s Finest City” (more…)