The Top Things To Do And See In City Heights San Diego

City Heights is a large city neighborhood in San Diego, known for its ethnic diversity. Along the main streets you can find Hispanic, Northeast African, South Asian and Southeast Asian immigrant businesses. The area is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, landmarks, and other attractions. We have listed the best activities and sights in this lively San Diego neighborhood.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Copley-Price Family YMCA

Fitness, sport, training and lifestyle concept – Young women flexing muscles in fitness gym center

Copley-Price Family YMCA is a community-focused nonprofit organizations established in 1844. They offer recreational programs and services for all ages and focus their work in three key areas: nurturing the potential of kids, helping people live healthier, and supporting their neighbors. YMCA programs include child care, education, camp, fitness, sports, and swimming. This is a great place to visit if you’re planning an extended stay in City Heights with your family. The YMCA presents multiple family-oriented events.There’s plenty to do here, and not just for kids. The organization is great because of its philosophy and desired outcomes for children and adults alike.

Opening hours: 5am – 10pm (Mon – Thu), 5am – 9pm (Fri), 7am – 6pm (Sat), 8am – 5pm (Sun)

Watch out for: the 7500-square-foot gym

Community Actor’s Theatre

Community Actor’s Theatre is a nonprofit, all-volunteer theatrical troupe dedicated to providing drama and a creative outlets to the neighborhood. CAT started in 1982 and has since given a voice to local playwrights and actors. Their goal is to make this art available to the community. They also aim to educate and offer theatrical training through drama and theater workshops. These workshops are available to people of all ages and topics include theater acting skills, theater terminologies, stage presence, auditioning skills, enhance oratorical skills, and build self-esteem.

Price: Budget

Watch out for: what’s playing

Manzanita Canyon Trail

This beautiful trail is truly a sight to see with its flourishing greenery and tranquil environment. This is the perfect spot to go during the day for a walk with family and friends or a romantic date. The trail’s surface begins rocky but smooths out and remains that way. The trail is heavily wooded and easy to follow. It crosses over the Yerba Stream, which will require some rock hopping. This 4.2 mile trail provides access to Lobo Peak, Flag Mountain, and Gold Hill. On your visit to San Diego, make time to hike the Manzanita Canyon Trail and have a rewarding experience.

Price: Budget

Watch out for: the canyon incline

Pancho Villa Farmer’s Market

Pancho Villa Farmer’s Market‘s founder, Stephen W. Boney, began with Boney’s Market Place which specialized in health foods, produce, and vitamins. Then he decided to dedicate himself to something new: a Hispanic grocery. He began to collect an extensive variety of latin foods, flavors, and spices. At Pancho Villa the goal is to provide great customer service and to perfect their departments: grocery, meat, deli/hot foods, produce, bakery, and tortilleria. The departments encompass authentic hispanic culture and are something you won’t want to miss out on. Price: Budget Opening hours: 7am – 10pm (Mon – Sun) Watch out for: the rotisserie chicken.

Soda Bar

Soda Bar is a cozy music venue that calls upon indie artists and accommodates those who want to have a good time with standing areas, a room for dancing, seating in retro padded booths and more. This live music bar serves beer and mixed drinks. Soda Bar is a popular place among locals as well as visitors. On your visit to City Heights put this venue on your to-do list since this is a unique establishment. The bar plays different music genres seven nights a week, making it the perfect spot to host a party or event. Price: Budget Opening hours: 5pm – 2am (Mon – Sun) Watch out for: the upcoming artists.

Colina Park Golf Course

Colina Park is an 18-hole golf course open to the public seven days a week.This City Heights attraction offers guests of all skill levels a fun and challenging way to test their golfing. Guests can come and play here with family, friends, or colleagues if they’re looking for a bit of competition. They can enjoy walking an 18-hole round of golf in less than three hours, which is a great way to get some exercise while having fun and improving your skills.

Price: Mid-range

Opening hours: 7am – 6pm (Mon – Fri)

Watch out for: the food and beverages in the pro shop

Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center

Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center, a multi-purpose venue, hosts everything from dance classes to open mic nights, art shows, private parties, and much more. They feature large stages. Queen Bee’s mission is to support local musicians and artists by opening up their space to a wide variety of concerts and events. Inside, there are usually many things going on at once. The venue features a bamboo hardwood dance floor, crystal chandeliers, sound system, and several walls for hanging artwork.

Price: Mid-range

Opening hours: 2am – 8pm (Mon), 12am – 11:30pm (Tue), 12pm – 12am (Wed), 12am – 11:30pm (Thu), 12pm – 12am (Fri), 11am – 12am (Sat), 9am – 12am (Sun)

Watch out for: the comfy padded chairs & couches

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.