So you’re traveling to London? It’s a massive city with so many hotels and apartments that deciding on just one place to stay can be an overwhelming task. But don’t fret – I’ve compiled this very detailed guide on the best London hotels, and I’ve got options for everyone! 

Whether you want to stay at a cheap hostel or the city’s most lavish hotel, you’ll find at least a few suitable options here. And no matter which hotel you book, you’ll never be too far from the tube. 

Listen to me because I’ve spent way too many hours going through hotels in London to select the best ones. They’re all close to the tube and offer clean rooms with comfortable beds. Nearly all of them have windows, too!

Where To Stay In London 

London is a huge city, and no matter where you stay, you’ll inevitably have to ride the tube at one point or another. So, look for a hotel near a tube station, and you’ll set yourself up for success. 

Also, consider which attractions interest you the most, and try to find a hotel within your budget in that area so you can explore a good part of the city on foot. 

Don’t Have Time To Read The Full Article 

Where We Stayed

We stayed in Southbank because I had to be near the Globe! We managed to get a good deal at the Sea Containers Hotel and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The views were my favorite thing about the rooms. 

Southbank: Our Recommendation 

Southbank is the area south of the Thames, which is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. It’s already home to some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including the London Eye, Tate Modern, and the Borough Market. 

And it’s also just across the river from other legendary sights like the Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Stay in Southbank for easy walking access to popular attractions in London, as well as for good deals on hotels and apartments.

Also, Southbank is home to several Tube stations, so you can easily get to farther parts of the city. All the hotels I’ve selected in Southbank are within easy walking distance of a tube station. 

Highlights of Staying in Southbank 

Southbank offers plenty of interesting attractions and things to do, from historic buildings to fantastic museums. It’s the neighborhood you’ll come to even if you stay elsewhere, especially if you’re into art. 

Tate Modern is London’s most visited art gallery/museum. Featuring amazing modern works of art and a cafe with panoramic river views, it’s one of the best places in London for art lovers. 
The London Eye is the most recognizable landmark of the UK’s capital and one of the top tourist attractions in the city. Go for a ride on the iconic Ferris wheel to enjoy a fabulous view of Londo’s skyline. 

Head to Borough Market for fresh groceries, artisanal baked goods, and unique souvenirs. The vast open-air market is situated under railway lines, and it’s the best place for food shopping in Southbank. 
I’m an English major, so I couldn’t possibly leave Shakespeare’s Globe Theater out of this list. Visit The Globe to see replicas of Elizabethan costumes and purchase unique, Shakespeare-themed souvenirs in the gift shop.   

Best Places To Stay in Southbank

Southbank is a great area for virtually anyone in London. It’s got everything, from $30 hostels to the city’s most expensive luxury hotels, all within five minutes of one another. Plus, no matter where you stay, you won’t be more than 10 minutes from a tube station or a bridge. 

Shangri-La The Shard, London

The Shard is one of London’s most iconic high-rise buildings, and the Shangri-La Hotel is the perfect destination for visitors looking for luxury. With rooms that average $850 per night, Shangri-La The Shard is a hotel only for travelers with very deep pockets. 

All 202 rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows with mesmerizing panoramic views of London. And thanks to The Shard’s excellent location, you’ll be able to see Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and London Bridge from the comfort of your bed. Other room amenities include a spacious ensuite bathroom, TV, seating area, and a desk. 

Additional facilities at this lavish hotel include an infinity swimming pool, a spa and wellness center, and a gym. There are three venues for drinking and dining, including the building’s iconic cocktail bar on the 52nd floor. 

Sea Containers London 

Sea Containers London is a five-star hotel in the same price range as most midrange hotels in Southbank. I figured if you’re going to pay $300-350 per night for a hotel room, you might as well book one in a premium hotel with views of the city and the Thames.

Featuring spacious double rooms and private suites, the hotel is ideal for couples in London. It’s very close to the Blackfriars Bridge, which will take you to the Blackfriars train and tube stations in just under 10 minutes. The City of London is within walking distance, and even the Covent Garden market is only a 25-minute walk from the hotel. 

The hotel rooms are quite spacious and modernly furnished. Every guest room offers an ensuite bathroom, flat-screen TV, and a desk area. Other amenities at the hotel include a restaurant, a spa and wellness center, a gym, and a bar. 

PubLove at Rose & Crown 

Rose & Crown is a pub and hostel in Southbank with dorm beds starting at roughly $30 per night. The hostel location is excellent; it’s just a short walk from Shakespeare’s Globe and only five minutes from the London Bridge tube station. 

The accommodation is great for travelers who want to explore the south bank of the Thames thoroughly, and still be within walking distance of the City of London. The hostel features a pub, a restaurant, and a garden, and anyone staying there gets a 10% discount on food and high-speed internet. 

There’s one shared bathroom per dormitory, which fits up to nine people in the triple bunk beds. The hostel is generally clean, but it’s nothing special. Stay here if you’re on a tight budget, but don’t expect bells and whistles. 

Westminster: Great Tourist Attractions 

Westminster is a great neighborhood for tourists, especially for first-timers in London. Many of the city’s major attractions will be within walking distance if you stay in this part of the city, from Buckingham Palace to Big Ben. 

The area also features excellent museums, sprawling parks, and easy tube access to the rest of the city. But it’s pretty central and packed with fun things to do, which usually translates to pricey accommodation and crowds of tourists. 

Highlights of Staying in Westminster 

Westminster is one of the best areas of London for sightseeing. It’s home to several world-famous landmarks, including the iconic Big Ben and countless red telephone booths. Even if you stay in Covent Garden or the City of London, you’re bound to make a trip or two to Westminster just to see the sights. 

Westminster Abbey is the most famous religious building in London. The Gothic church is absolutely stunning both inside and out and it’s a top attraction to visit in the area. Here is our take on How to Visit The Palace of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament in London. 
The Big Ben is by far the most famous landmark in this London borough. The iconic clock tower is a symbol of the city and an attraction everyone should check out in person when they get the opportunity. 
Buckingham Palace is legendary, and you can’t come to London without at least walking past it. Visit the palace to tour the staterooms or just watch the changing guard – either way, it will be a fascinating experience.  

Best Places To Stay in Westminster 

Westminster is an upscale area of London, so it’s generally best for mid-range and luxury travelers. There are very few options for budget travelers, and I don’t recommend this area if you’re trying to save money in London. 

Raffles London at The OWO

Raffles London at The OWO is one of London’s most exquisite luxury hotels. Featuring spacious rooms with opulent decor and nice city views, this five-star hotel is one of the top options for those who want to be pampered in London. 

My only issue with this hotel is that the nightly rate is over $1,000, and yet breakfast is not included. Other than that, I have no complaints. The rooms are modern and beautifully furnished, the private bathrooms are spacious, and the grand staircase is mesmerizing. 

Hotel facilities include a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a spa center. There are four restaurants at the hotel, and all are top-notch. 

citizenM London Victoria Station

CitizenM is a chain hotel with a four-star rating known for small rooms and excellent hotel facilities. It’s a good mid-range option for travelers who prioritize location, as this hotel is right next to Victoria Station. 

The rooms are somewhat small but feature comfortable beds and ensuite bathrooms. Every guest room also has a desk and a TV, plus all guests get access to free WiFi. There’s also an iPad in every room, which is a nice addition. 

Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar, and a lounge. Overall it’s a nice hotel with a decent nightly rate, but some travelers might be put off by the fact that the shower is practically in the room. 

hub by Premier Inn London

hub by Premier Inn London is the most affordable hotel in Westminster. The nightly rate for this budget hotel starts at $150, and that’s as cheap as it gets in this part of London. The upside is that the hotel is right next to Westminster Abbey.

St. James tube station is also very close to the hotel, and Buckingham Palace is just a 10-minute walk. If you’re mainly concerned about being centrally located in London, this affordable hotel is a top option. 

The rooms are small and equipped with just the basics – a double bed, ensuite bathroom, and TV. Guests can all make use of the free WiFi and the hotel lounge is pretty nice, but the rooms are a little cramped.  

Covent Garden is Central London’s hub for entertainment and shopping. Some of the best attractions in the city are within easy walking distance, which is quite rare in London. It’s a huge metropolis, after all, and it’s common that you need to ride the tube for an hour and then walk a while to reach an attraction that interests you. 

That won’t happen as much if you stay in Covent Garden because you’ll be very close to all the fabulous sights. Even if you have to ride the metro, it shouldn’t take more than 15-20 minutes, plus you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to hotels and apartments. 

Covent Garden isn’t my ideal suggestion for travelers on a tighter budget, though; London City Center is expensive, and unless you’re willing to overpay for a hostel, you’re better off staying in a different area, like maybe Camden Town. 

Highlights of Staying in Covent Garden 

Covent Garden is a relatively small area, best known for shopping, nightlife, and its gastro scene. It’s also known as Theaterland, thanks to the abundance of historic theaters in the neighborhood. 

Shopping is the number one thing to do in Covent Garden. The historic market sits at the center of the neighborhood, offering an overwhelming amount of shops and eateries. It’s particularly nice at Christmas time. 
See the theaters! Covent Garden is home to many historic theaters, especially along St Martin’s Lane. 
London’s Royal Opera House is right next to the Covent Garden Market, and it’s one of the most spectacular buildings in the area. Visitors can choose between several tours that allow them to discover the fabulous interior of the building. 

Best Places to Stay in Covent Garden 

Covent Garden offers a wide variety of mid-range and luxury hotels, but it seriously lacks options for budget hotels. Don’t get me wrong; there are plenty of “budget” options even in this neighborhood, but they’re not necessarily affordable enough for true budget travelers.

The Savoy

The Savoy is a lavish five-star hotel with spacious rooms and excellent facilities. If you want top-rated accommodation in Covent Garden, it’s easily one of the best options. The hotel is just a five-minute walk from the Covent Garden Market, and it’s equally close to three tube stations. 

The location of The Savoy is excellent for exploring London on foot. 

It’s right next to the Waterloo Bridge, which takes you to Southbank in no time. The City of London’s landmarks are also accessible on foot, as are some of Westminster’s best-known attractions. 

This fabulous hotel offers an indoor swimming pool, a free airport shuttle, and a spa center. The rooms are spacious with an ensuite bathroom, desk, seating area, and flat-screen TV. Guests can also relax in the cocktail bar or one of the hotel’s two restaurants. 

Strand Palace Hotel

For mid-range travelers, the Strand Palace Hotel promises the best value for money. With average nightly rates of around $250-300, the hotel offers modern and comfortable rooms. Every guest room has a TV, coffee machine, and ironing facilities. 

The rooms are somewhat small, but I think that can be forgiven considering how great the hotel location is. Hotel amenities include a fitness center, free WiFi, room service, and two restaurants on the site. 

Strand Palace is on the same street as several historic theaters, excellent restaurants, and great shops. It’s also just five minutes from the Charing Cross tube station. 

Travelodge London Covent Garden

Travelodge is a hotel chain widespread in the UK, known for basic rooms and affordable nightly rates. Travelodge London Covent Garden offers rooms starting at around $125 per night for two travelers, which is a pretty good deal for London’s West End. 

The three-star hotel is just five minutes from the Covent Garden tube station and only 10 from the historic market. It offers basic rooms with double beds and ensuite bathrooms, with a TV, desk, and seating area in each room. 

Coffee-making facilities are also available in every guest room, which is a nice addition. Breakfast isn’t included in the nightly rate, but you can add it on for an extra £10.55 per person. Dinner is another £14, and it’s one of the cheaper meals you’ll be able to eat in London. 

The City Of London: Best For Sightseeing 

The City of London is the oldest part of the city, with some streets dating back to the Roman Times. Nowadays, it is mostly London’s financial district, with tall skyscrapers and numerous business hotels. Most of those hotels are surprisingly affordable, making the City of London a good place to stay even for tourists. 

The oldest part of the metropolis might not have as many interesting landmarks as Westminster or Covent Garden, but it has enough. St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Tower, and the Sky Garden at the Walkie-Talkie attract tourists from other boroughs. The architecture of the oldest area in East London is a sight for sore eyes and makes walking around the town very enjoyable. 

Highlights of Staying in The City Of London

One of the best things to do in the City of London is to just roam the streets and admire the historic buildings. And when you’ve taken it all in, make sure to check the following landmarks off your list. 

St. Paul’s Cathedral dates back to the 17th century and it’s one of London’s most famous churches. Visit it to marvel at the intricate detail on the ceiling, and to climb the clock tower for a fantastic city panorama. 
The Sky Garden at the Walkie-Talkie is popular with both locals and tourists. Come here for a coffee or even lunch, with countless plants and a stunning panoramic view of London.  
The Tower of London is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and a place you should visit no matter where you stay. Tour the castle to learn about its bloody history and see the Crown Jewels. 

Best Places To Stay In The City Of London

The City of London is vast and can be challenging to navigate for first-times, so being close to public transport is essential for quick and easy exploration of London. Luckily, plenty of excellent hotels are just a couple of minutes from the underground stations. 

The Ned

The Ned is a five-star hotel set in a historic building with a fantastic location. It’s roughly a minute from Bank Underground Station, where three subway lines intersect. Offering direct access to West End, Southbank, and Northern London, the location is excellent for exploring the city. 

The location is obviously the main selling point for me, but the hotel amenities and rooms shouldn’t be disregarded. The guest rooms are spacious and feature decor that reminds me of boutique hotels, with plenty of quirky and colorful accents. Every room offers an ensuite bathroom, a seating area with a table, and a flat-screen TV. 

The hotel facilities include concierge services, a pool, a gym, and a spa center. However, it’s important to note that the base rate of the rooms (which starts at roughly $400) doesn’t include access to the spa or the gym. 

YOTEL London City

The Yotel is a chain hotel known for small rooms, good facilities, and low nightly rates. I’ve seen the rooms at this hotel priced as low as $160, but the average nightly rate is around $220. 

The rooms at the Yotel are tiny – the smallest room is just 11 m², including an ensuite bathroom. But the bed is comfortable, you get a TV and WiFi, and they’ve even managed to squeeze a footstool into the room. My main issue with the room is that no real door separates the bathroom from the bedroom. There’s just the frosted glass of the shower, and the sink is basically in the room. 

That can work if you’re traveling with a partner or someone you’ve known your entire life, but it’s not the best option for friends. One big advantage of this hotel is that it’s super close to Farringdon station, which offers easy access to London’s West End. 

YHA London St Paul’s Hostel

YHA London St Paul’s Hostel is a good option for budget travelers. I’ve seen double rooms (with a shared bathroom) go for as low as $50, which is an insanely good deal for Central London. On average, the hostel charges $50 for a night in a dorm, but lots of deals are available. 

This hotel is a stone’s throw away from St. Paul’s Cathedral, and it’s a five-minute walk from three different tube stations and one train station. The location is excellent for exploring London, and you can even walk to Trafalgar Square in about half an hour. 

The rooms are clean, simple, and have windows. Hostel facilities include a lounge area, a meeting room, and a dining room. For an extra $12 per night, you can get breakfast included in the stay, and it’s worth noting that the guests aren’t allowed to use the hostel kitchen.  

Soho: Trendy Area With Luxury Hotels 

Soho is an energetic neighborhood in West London bordering Covent Garden and St. James Park in the southwest. With easy access to St James’s Park, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street, and Tottenham Court Road, it’s one of the best areas of London for travelers who want to explore a good chunk of the city on foot.

Even the massive Hyde Park is just a 20-minute walk from Soho, which is a quick stroll by London standards. Soho is one of the best areas for dining, shopping, and nightlife, making it ideal for travelers who prioritize having fun in London over everything else. 

Highlights of Staying in Soho 

Soho is a vibrant area of London offering a ton of bars, restaurants, and excellent nightlife. The main thing to do here is go out for drinks and London food, party, and shop. But the neighborhood also features a few interesting landmarks and attractions that you’ll want to check out. 

Soho Square Gardens is a small green park that offers a welcome escape from the crowds on the street. 
Trafalgar Square is to London what Times Square is to New York, so you don’t want to miss it. Situated just a short stroll from central Soho, the busy square offers landmark sculptures, a fountain, and The National Gallery with fantastic artworks. 
Strictly speaking, the British Museum is not in Soho, but it is just a short walk from most hotels in the area. It’s one of the museums in the UK for global antiquities, including mummies from Egypt and stunning Greek sculptures. 

Best Places To Stay In Soho

Soho is a top location for luxury hotel stays because the area offers many five-star hotels. But it’s a poor neighborhood for budget travelers, as the best options for them are either hostels or tiny hotel rooms without windows. 

Broadwick Soho

Broadwick Soho is a boutique hotel that offers exceptionally stylish rooms and elegant furnishings. If you’re going to spring for a five-star hotel in London, you might as well go for the one with colorful rooms with character. 

Every hotel room offers an ensuite bathroom, seating area, and windows. You’d think that last one was a given, but it’s apparently not, even in hotels that are in a similar price range as this one. The service is also impeccable, and you will feel at home at this luxury hotel. 

One thing to note is that Broadwick Soho lacks some facilities that would make it a fantastic luxury hotel. There’s no gym, spa, or pool, so might want to consider different accommodations if those amenities are something you usually prioritize. 

Hazlitt’s

Hazlitt’s is a four-star boutique hotel near Soho Square Gardens. It offers small but elegantly decorated rooms with wall panels and antique furniture. Every guest room has an ensuite bathroom with luxury toiletries and a desk area. 

The hotel building dates back to the early 18th century and still contains many original features like chandeliers and Victorian baths. It’s truly a special place in London and a great place to stay if you want to experience a small slice of the city’s history. 

Hotel breakfast is served in the rooms and includes delicious pastries and coffee. Hazlitt’s also offers an honesty bar but lacks a bit in other amenities as there’s no gym, spa, or pool. 

The Z Hotel Tottenham Court Road

With an average nightly rate of $220, the Z Hotel is one of the cheapest options in Soho. I must note that I’ve seen the nightly rate drop to $125, but I’ve also seen it skyrocket to $299. And that’s for the cheapest double room, which doesn’t include a window. 

The guest rooms are tiny and simple. They’re 9 m², which makes them some of the smallest hotel rooms I’ve seen in London. But they’re clean and include a reasonably comfortable bed, flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. 

Also, this hotel is only five minutes from the Tottenham Court Road tube station, which is one of the best for getting around London. You can be in Southbank, the City of London, and even Kensington within minutes. 

Kensington: Best For Budget Travelers

I’ve mostly focused on Central London so far, and I wanted to offer an alternative to travelers who prefer being away from the city crowds. London has nearly 9 million residents, and the crowds are perpetual in such a large city. So, if you want to avoid the constant stream of tourists in the city center, consider a hotel in an area far from the noise and bustle. 

Kensington is a really good option because it has lots of interesting museums and attractions, but it’s far enough from Soho and the City of London that it’s not swarmed with tourists. Stay here for easy access to Hyde Park and some of the city’s best museums, but also for more affordable hotels. 

Highlights of Staying in Kensington

Even though it’s quite far from Central London, Kensington has some excellent attractions. The likes of Kensington Palace, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum attract even those sleeping near Big Ben! 

The Natural History Museum is the most visited museum in London. It boasts a fantastic collection of animals and natural phenomena, and it’s the one museum in the city I think everyone should visit. 
Kensington Palace is a historic royal residence in London, and it has an exhibit of its former residents. Both the palace and its gardens are open for tours. 
Victoria and Albert Museum is the largest museum of applied art and design in the world. It features a huge collection of sculptures, architectural elements, and even stained glass windows. 

Best Places To Stay In Kensington

Kensington offers accommodation in every price range, so it’s an option for everyone. Just choose a hotel near the tube, for the convenience of traveling into Central London. 

The Kensington Hotel

The Kensington Hotel is one of the best five-star hotels in the area, with a nightly rate equivalent to that of some mid-range hotels in Central London. The rooms are somewhat small but adorned with luxurious decorations. 

Every guest room has a desk, TV, and an ensuite bathroom. The hotel location is excellent; it’s a short walk from the South Kensington tube station and some of London’s best museums. 

As for the hotel facilities, the Kensington offers room service, a restaurant, a bar, and a fitness center. The staff is friendly and professional, and everything at the hotel is absolutely spotless. 

Blackbird

Blackbird is a four-star hotel situated above the namesake pub. It’s just a couple of minutes from Earl’s Court tube station and a 20-minute walk from the Natural History Museum. 

The hotel offers nice rooms with colorful modern furnishings. The beds are very comfortable, and every room has an ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. A coffee maker and a TV are also included in the rooms. 

One thing I really like about this place is that they include breakfast during the stay. The nightly rate for two travelers is $290 on average, which is a good deal when you also get to eat something for that price. 

The Crown and Sceptre

The Crown and Sceptre is a hotel and pub in Kensington, just a five-minute walk from the nearest tube station. It offers chic and affordable rooms for around $150 per night, although I’ve seen the nightly rate drop even further. 

All rooms include an ensuite bathroom, a desk, and a tea/coffee maker, as well as interesting, colorful accents. Although the hotel is close to the underground station, it’s a bit of a walk from other attractions in the area. 

Because this is a pub and hotel, it doesn’t have many amenities. Guests can dine at the pub restaurant, but there’s no gym or wellness center. 

Where To Stay In London FAQs

What area of London is best for tourists to stay? 

Central London is the best area for tourists. This includes the City of London, Westminster, Soho, Covent Garden, and Southbank. 

Where not to stay in London as a tourist? 

Canning Town, Hackney, and Tower Hamlets are some of the areas tourists should avoid. These neighborhoods have a higher crime rate than others and are quite far from the popular tourist attractions. 

What are the safest boroughs in London to stay in? 

Statistically speaking, the safest boroughs in London are Harrow, Kensington and Chelsea, and Richmond Upon Thames. Out of these three, Kensington is the most suitable option for tourists. 

What is the nicest area in London?

Camden Town is often named the nicest area in London. It’s close to Kings Cross Station and is known for its shops, markets, and an excellent arts scene. 

We were pulling into a lock north of Peterborough after a few days of navigating the Trent-Severn waterway in southern Ontario. We’d passed through the same lock maybe 72 hours earlier on our way north in our 42-foot Le Boat craft, and one of the Parks Canada lock workers recognized us on our return journey.

“Hey, guys! It’s Jim and Barbara, right? How’d it go?”

There are many things I’ll remember about our five-day, 20-lock trip on the Trent-Severn: my wife admitting she was scared to death at the idea of me piloting a massive boat with almost no boating experience; majestic blue herons gliding over still morning lakes; evening glasses of wine and night-time barbeques on the open-air top deck. But it was the people we met along the way that stood out for me.

First Timer

I was too busy navigating to keep proper notes on our trip, especially since there were only two of us on board and I did all the “driving.” But a young woman at Lock 19/Scotts Mills, the first one I had to maneuver our big boat into, gave me a wide smile and a thumbs-up as I slide the boat inside. Observers lining the locks to see how things worked – and to watch nervous boat operators – offered more words of encouragement.

I came in a little too fast at the next lock.

“A little hot, sir. Back it off. That’s it,” one of the workers called out.

At one of the locks, a Parks Canada worker explained that there was a movable roadway/bridge ahead of us that she would have to open before we could head north. The road was only a short distance away, so she hopped on her bike and rode on ahead, then sounded a horn to let us know we could proceed. Charming.

Navigating Locks

We got to the Peterborough Lift Lock, Lock 21 on the Trent-Severn, about five minutes before it was to close for the night.

“Sorry we’re so close to the deadline,” I said to Nick, one of the workers.

“No problem,” he replied. “Wait for me at the top, and I’ll help you tie up.”

Entering Lock 21 is pretty much the same as the others. But the Peterborough Lift Lock, as it’s also known, is the tallest hydraulic lift lock on the planet (65 feet). Other locks on the route usually take 15-20 minutes to go through, but this lifts you up or lowers you down in just 60 seconds.

The top of the lock looked a quarter-mile above our heads, not 65 feet, but we practically raced to the top. It was a gee-whiz boating moment if I ever had one, and I couldn’t stop grinning.

Once we had a docking place up top, I took photos of the lock at dusk and chatted with a lovely couple from Ottawa who stopped – one of many admirers we had along the way – to check out our boat and hear our story. There was only one other boat tied up at the top of the lock, which sits high on a hill and offers great views of the surrounding countryside.

What do You Do For Dinner?

Le Boat rentals come equipped with a gas barbeque, so we opened a bottle of wine and grilled some lovely chicken kebabs that the Le Boat people had bought for us (along with a whack of other local goodies, such as cheeses, fresh bread and tortilla chips) and dined on the top deck. 

It was a perfectly quiet, tranquil night in late May, and we didn’t hear a sound. We woke up to a sunny morning with a kayaker practicing on the water, his paddle rhythmically dipping into the shiny surface as birds twittered in the nearby trees. The shops and homes of Peterborough were only a few blocks away, but on our boat, it felt like light years.

Rookie at the Wheel

There were no other craft in the first few locks I pulled into as we sailed north on the waterway, and I thought I had the hang of it. But on day two, I believe at Lock 22 at Nassau Mills (again, with just my wife and I on board, my note-taking was beyond terrible), there were already two big boats tied up on the right side when I pulled up. I swear the opening was no more than two or maybe three feet wider than our boat. The lock worker waved me in, and I was suddenly sweating like a nervous bridegroom.

The folks on the other boats obviously wanted to avoid a collision, so they eagerly helped with a couple timely pushes. I pulled into the lock at a snail’s pace and used the thrusters to push our boat sideways so Barbara could get our bow line tied.

My heart was pounding, but I got another thumbs up from the lock workers.

“First time I’ve had to pull in with other boats,” I said. “That was not a lot of fun.”

“Pretty nice job for a rookie,” said the guy in the fancy boat next to ours.

By the time we got to Lakefield, I was again feeling pretty good about myself. But not for long.

Docking Can Be a Challenge

Rather than having us dock just past Lock 26 in Lakefield, which is quite protected, the folks from Le Boat had set us up to go past the lock and try the Lakefield Marina so we could look around and see what marina life was like, and also try a nice, local restaurant called The Loon. It was a solid plan, but there’s a pretty strong current at the Lakefield Marina, and it was windy that day.

I couldn’t make it into the spot the marina worker had called out to me as we approached. Our boat was 42 feet, and the suggested opening looked like 42 feet and six inches to me. I wasn’t sure what to do, but a group of friendly boaters who had gathered on one of the Lakefield docks pointed out an open spot behind a very large and very expensive-looking boat. I moved slowly forward and back and tried to judge the current, and I used the thrusters to move the boat closer to the open dock space. Finally, I got within a few feet and Barb tossed a rope to one of the people on the dock.

I think it took four adults and a helpful girl of about eight years to pull us in, but they managed. One of the fellows who did a lot of the grunt work and helped guide us in, Perry, gave me a pat on the back, as well as a power cord extension for the night to charge our batteries.

“Don’t feel bad,” he said. “When the current’s strong like this it can be very tough. See that slip over there? Nobody ever tries to dock there. Nobody.”

It’s All About Confidence

With a cold local beer in hand and the sun dipping towards the horizon, we sat on the top deck and relaxed. It was about then that Barbara confessed she had been “dreading” the trip.

“Dreading?” I replied. “I know you were worried. I get it. But ‘dreading’ is a pretty strong word.”

“I honestly wasn’t sure you could do it,” she said. “But I was wrong. You’re pretty good at this.”

The next two days were fantastic. We made it past Young’s Point, admiring a small marina with an attractive restaurant/patio. We puttered (top speed on Le Boat craft is about seven mph) along vast Clear Lake, and then made our way through narrow passages in Stoney Lake, which is dotted with small, pretty islands in shades of beige, pink, and orange. We took a minute to appreciate a pretty church on one of the larger islands called St. Peter’s Church-on-the-Rock, which, oddly enough, is only a short distance from a narrow, pretty passage called Hells Gate. (It’s not very tricky, truth be told, but it’s got a good name.)

Friendly Locals

We had a bit of trouble finding the lock at Burleigh Falls, but a friendly local escorted us most of the way there and told us where to find the entrance.

“It’s a bit hidden,” he said. “But it’s right over there, near that fancy cottage.”

We sailed through the lock and into Lovesick Lake, an attractive body of water that was apparently named for a heartbroken settler or perhaps an Indigenous woman who was unlucky in the affairs of the heart.

With plenty of time on our side, we made it all the way back to Young’s Point that night and docked on the far side of Lock 27, where we chatted with friendly locals out with their rods and reels and again dined on the top deck.

The next day we pulled up to the Lakefield Lock a few minutes before it opened for the day. A couple who live an hour or so away, Ken and Jo, were on their boat and came aboard for a look-see as we chatted about the area, and about our trip.

They were a delightful couple, and again, my wife and I found ourselves drawn to people who had been complete strangers a minute before. But we shared a boating bond, and I was quickly learning that those are some of the deepest kind.

We made it back to the Peterborough Lift Lock that night. It was Barb’s birthday, so we had a special toast on a superb, quiet, late spring evening.

Feeling Like A Pro

The next day, we made our way through Peterborough. A line of boats was coming upstream, and we had to nudge our boat to the side of the canal to let them through. But it was a glorious sunny day on a beautiful boat, and I wouldn’t have cared if they had taken an hour.

Pretty soon, we were through Little Lake, home to the new Canadian Canoe Museum. After going through Lock 19, it was a straight shot down the Otonabee River to Del Mastro Horseshoe Bay Resort Marina, where we had picked up the boat five days earlier. With the current pushing us along, our final stop came into sight far too early for my liking.  

Forty five minutes later we were heading back to the city on Highway 401, with cars whizzing past me and darting in and out of traffic.

“Damn,” I said to Barb as the cars crowded around us. “I miss that boat already.”

Just The Facts

This is the first year Le Boat has had ships for rent on the Trent-Severn Waterway. The company has been renting holiday boats since 1969 and has 18 destinations around the world, including the Canal du Midi and Burgundy region of France, Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal in Scotland, northern Italy, Holland, Ireland, and more. They’ve been operating on the Rideau Canal in Ontario for several years.

You don’t need a boating license to rent a craft from Le Boat. So that’s one worry out of the way. Does it help to have some boating experience? Undoubtedly. I have driven my friend’s boat, maybe a 20-footer, many times. But I had never tried to dock it.

A couple of weeks prior to our trip, the Le Boat folks sent us links to several videos that explained boating rules in general and their boats in particular. They also give you a roughly one-hour intro on the boat before your rental begins, going over buoy rules, offering navigation tips, and explaining the bells and whistles. After that, they take you out with an experienced boater to assess your skills.

Alan, our boating teacher, took us out on the Otonabee River south of Peterborough and showed me how to turn and slow down (in case you’re a novice, there’s no brake on a boat, so you just kick it into reverse, which takes a 50-year automobile driver some getting used to). He turned the boat over to me so he could see how I handled her and asked me to take some turns.

“Doing good,” he said. “I don’t think you’ll have any problems out there.”

Just in case, we had an emergency number that we could call anytime. And we had the fabulous lock workers and fellow boaters to lend a hand.

The Boat

The boats don’t go fast (top speed is 10 km/hour), and there are bumpers galore. They also give you detailed charts to help you navigate the waterway, as well as useful information for potential stops along the way.

We went in early June when it was not as busy as it would be at the height of the summer season. If you’re a first-timer, going early in the year, or perhaps in September, might be easier on your nerves.

One of the keys to my mind is the thrusters, which move the boat from side to side with ease. If you can drive slowly into a lock at a mile or so an hour, and it’s not hard, the thrusters should help you with the rest.

If you’re still leery, Le Boat is floating a new “Skipper for Hire” program on the Canal du Midi for next year. The program will see an experienced navigator help out on the ship on the first day and, pardon the pun, show newbies the ropes. If successful, the program will be expanded onto other Le Boat routes.

The folks at Le Boat have a variety of boats available. Ours was a 3-bedroom Horizon 3 Plus model. The main bed was spacious, with a small, en-suite bath with a toilet, sink and shower. The other two bedrooms were quite small, but had two beds, some storage area, and also en-suite baths with a toilet, sink and shower.

Costs

I looked for September and found a Le Boat rental for a week on the Trent-Severn Waterway in mid-September for four people for $3,272. That’s less than $500 a night.  Mooring fees often apply, and you’re responsible for your own fuel, any added electricity you may need, and extra water, and for any cost for pumping out your boat’s toilets and used water from doing dishes or having a shower.

When it comes to California, there are many places to choose from, but if it’s your first time in the Golden State, you should start in Southern California. The region has some of the best cities, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara, to name a few. And that’s before you even get to the natural beauty. California has iconic road trips, beautiful scenery, and famous landmarks.

The best way to see Southern California is to rent a car so you can pull over and see all the little nooks and crannies. Southern California has outdoor adventures where you can visit islands, explore sea caves and spot seals. Or you can go to desert hot springs, theme parks and wine tasting. It’s a very versatile region.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best things to do in Southern California to help you plan your trip.

Having a Southern California bucket list is a must. There’s just so much to do and see in the region; you’ll want at least a week to even begin to appreciate it. People spend months traveling just the West Coast – and that’s without even heading inland to spots like Death Valley.

Before you get into the meaty stuff, check out our quick guide on the most incredible things to do in Southern California.

Best of Southern California: A Quick Guide

Must See: Joshua Tree National Park, Alabama Hills, Santa Cruz Island, LA, and Death Valley.
Where to Stay: The Rumi ($), Tarantula Ranch Campground & Vineyard ($$), and Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club ($$$). Also, check out these best all-inclusive resorts in California.
Fun To Do: See the sea lions at La Jolla, visit an amusement park in LA, go wine tasting in Santa Barbara, and visit Newport Beach.
Day Trips: Head to Runyon Canyon Park, take a tour of LA and its famous Hollywood sign, take a day trip to Las Vegas, and take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park.
Must try Foods: California sushi roll, cobb salad, fish tacos, and anything using avocados.

Best Things to Do in Southern California

You now have a brief idea of how to spend your time in Southern California. As you can see, the region offers the perfect opportunity to experience city life and natural adventures. It has the best of both worlds.

It is time for a definitive list, though. So, what are the best things to do in SoCal? Let’s take a look at which top 23 made the final cut.

1. San Diego

First up, San Diego. Visiting this city is one of the best things to do in SoCal. This big city has great weather, 252 days a year of it. It’s the place to be for coffee strolls through beautiful parks like Balboa Park and beach days. Here’s our guide to the best San Diego beaches.

Downtown San Diego has the Gaslamp Quarter, all the nightlife, and dive bars. The rest of San Diego county has plenty of preserves and beaches to take advantage of good weather.

Insider Tip: Use the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.

Practical Info: Many attractions like Balboa Park and beaches are free. $20 a day for entertainment.

2. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best national parks in the US. It coins its unique name from the bizarre-looking Joshua Trees – they have spindly wooden trunks and branches that look like overgrown cacti. The trees were named by Mormon immigrants in the mid-19th century, who named the strange-looking flora after Joshua in the bible.

Visiting this park is easily one of the best things to do in Southern California. The novelty of the trees, the number of hiking trails, and the beautiful dark sky make it the perfect addition to an itinerary.

You’ll love this national park if you love natural beauty and exploring remote areas. It is easy to add to a visit to LA or Laguna Beach, another reason we had to include it on this list.

Insider Tip: Plan an overnight trip to make the most of the incredible dark skies – you have almost zero light pollution.

Practical Information: The Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm. The park has a $15 per person entrance fee.

3. Death Valley National Park

We can’t discuss things to do in Southern California without mentioning Death Valley National Park. Albeit named pretty morbidly, this park is one of the most extreme and fascinating places of natural beauty to visit in the region.

It has previously reached the highest temperature recorded on Earth – imagine experiencing 134 degrees Fahrenheit – and is the US’ hottest, driest, and lowest-elevation national park.

You should definitely visit Zabriskie Point for sunrise. Natural Bridge is also a beautiful hike to plan. There are many things to do in Death Valley, but this park earned its spot mostly from its record-breaking extremities.

Insider Tip: Needless to say, you should avoid visiting in the peak of summer.

Practical Information: The park regularly closes based on weather conditions and safety concerns, so keep an eye on the website. Entrance is $15 per person.

4. Santa Monica Mountains

Mountain lovers, the Santa Monica Mountains are a gem of a coastal range. You might even see the Pacific Ocean from some of the summits. There is no better place for mountains, and it’s right in LA.

There are many hiking trails in the Santa Monica Mountains, over 500 miles of them. The range is also a key habitat for mountain lions and a great place to see wildlife. Get to the Santa Monica Mountains early to hit the trails before midday heat.

After you hike, head into the city. In the city you have Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Pier to hang out at.

Insider Tip: Bring binoculars so you can do some wildlife spotting on the trails. 

Practical Information: Open 24/7 and no entrance fee.

5. Huntington Beach

Just south of LA sits Huntington Beach, aka Surf City, in California’s Orange County. Visiting Huntington Beach is an absolute must for any surfing enthusiast. There’s everything from longboard rentals to the International Surfing Museum. You could spend a morning ripping waves in the best surf and an afternoon learning about the city’s surfing history and culture.

Southern California has such a strong surfing culture, so we had to add this goldie to the list. It is an ideal single-day activity, or for the surfing-obsessed, you could stay for a week or more, making the most of the excellent surfing conditions.

Insider Tip: Take advantage of the Surfing Walk of Fame.

Practical Information: Budget around $20 for sightseeing and upwards of $10 an hour for board rentals.

6. Venice Beach

Visiting Venice Beach is one of the most bucket list things to do in Southern California – especially if you love bodybuilding. The Venice Beach Gym is the core of this coastal community and has seen the greats, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, hit its weights.

Venice Beach is also famed for its boho vibe. Here, you can embrace the salty-hair Californian aesthetic, stopping to pick up takeout smoothies and watching the talented street performers.

Venice Beach is also a top contender for budget-friendly things to do in SoCal. This city offers tons of free activities.

Insider Tip: Book a day pass at Venice Beach Gym.

Practical Information: Budget around $15 for a day of entertainment in Venice Beach.

7. Pacific Coast Highway

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway in SoCal is amazing if you have 4-5 days to do it. This is the ultimate road trip, 575 miles from just north of San Francisco to San Diego. It’s the whole West Coast.

Along the way, you can stop at Big Sur and iconic SoCal cities like LA, Santa Barbara, and Laguna Beach. You’ll have ocean views and some of the most beautiful roads you’ll ever drive.

Look for viewpoints, especially around beautiful spots like Bixby Creek Bridge. The Pacific Coast is something to take your time with. Take your time and stop for plenty of photo opportunities, beaches, and hikes.

Insider Tip: Plan to stop at plenty of scenic bridges, especially near Carmel Highlands.

Practical Information: Only fuel and accommodation costs.

8. Los Angeles

Of course, LA was always guaranteed a place on this list. It is the home of Hollywood – and with the famous Hollywood sign, don’t you dare forget it – and one of the most famed cities in the world.

LA has the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and Universal Studios, as well as all its rides and theme park attractions. You also have Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory. It uniquely blends celeb living and nitty gritty US city culture. This means you get bucket list attractions as well as cultural experiences.

LA is a must when visiting Southern California. It is also the easiest place to fly into, so we’d suggest starting your experience in LA and branching out across the region.

Insider Tip: Don’t try to see everything in LA in just a few days. Pick a couple of areas and prioritize nearby attractions. 

Practical Information: Budget around $100 a day on entertainment when visiting LA – there’s just so much to do and see.

9. Channel Islands National Park

Fancy pushing the boat out, quite literally? Check out some of Southern California’s most beautiful islands. The Channel Islands National Park is a stunning archipelago of five islands with dramatic ridges and pristine beaches.

In the park, you can camp overnight seasonally, visit on a tour, or just take a day trip. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot dolphins, sea lions, and even whales. On land, there are plenty of bird-watching opportunities and a beautiful fox population.

You can’t beat this park for an island experience. It is adventurous to get to and absolutely overflowing with nature and animal encounters.

Insider Tip: Arrange water activities like kayaking or scuba diving for the best experience.

Practical Information: Ferries have variable schedules, so check individual operator websites. There’s no entrance fee, but budget up to $100 for ferry fees.

10. Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park is stunning. It is the best choice if you want an alternative to Redwood National Park in Northern California. Sequoias are giant redwoods, and this national park has over 400,000 acres.

You must visit the General Sherman Tree, one of the largest trees in the world. Driving through Sequoia National Park’s Tunnel Log is also great fun. There are plenty of trails, like the Redwood Canyon Trail, that you can also hike.

Allow at least a full day to visit Sequoia National Park. In an ideal world, you’ll give yourself at least a few days. Hiking amongst these gigantic trees is easily one of the best things to do in Southern California.

Insider Tip: Plan to drive through some of the tree tunnels for some extra fun.

Practical Information: There’s an entrance fee of $20 per person.

11. Palm Springs

Palm Springs is best known for its setting in Coachella Valley. If you are heading here in April, you should definitely bag Coachella Festival tickets – it’s one of the most famous music festivals in the world.

However, visiting Palm Springs is also ideal for getting a taste of desert city life. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs has plenty of hot springs, hiking, and horseback riding trails.

When you aren’t enjoying the desert locale, you can visit its art galleries and boutique stores. Palm Springs has a luxurious, creative atmosphere.

Insider Tip: Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for the best views.

Practical Information: Budget $15 a day for entertainment.

12. Crystal Cove State Park

Visiting this gorgeous state park is one of the most fun things to do in Southern California. Crystal Cove State Park has over 3 miles of beach to relax on, plus 2,400 acres of coastal terrain for hiking and biking. We love its coastal setting.

Crystal Cove State Park offers the best mix of outdoor adventure and beach day relaxation. In the early morning, you can hike to Moro Ridge Lookout. Then, you can spot dolphins and sunbathe in the afternoon. Just remember water and sun cream because both are quite exposed.

Insider Tip: Check out the view from the Crystal Cove State Park Tunnel.

Practical Information: $15 per vehicle charge per day.

13. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is a sneaky addition to this guide. It is right on the cusp of being classed as Northern California. Still, it is so amazing that we’ll include it as one of the best things to do in Southern California.

Yosemite National Park is the perfect storm of striking granite landmarks and scenic hiking trails to waterfalls and towering redwoods. Regarding natural landmarks and beauty, Yosemite has it in bucket loads. You can see why it’s so popular.

Allow at least a full day to visit Yosemite, if not staying overnight to hike a few different trails. Half Dome and Yosemite Falls are the best hikes in the park. You can check out our guide on the park’s best things to do here.

Insider Tip: Start early to avoid the crowds.

Practical Information: $15 per person entrance fee.

14. Catalina Island

Catalina Island is a beautiful spot just 22 miles off the Southern California coastline. You can easily reach it on a day trip via ferry, or you can camp there overnight and make it an even more adventurous thing to do.

Catalina Island has two tiny resort towns, Two Harbors and Avalon. You can book scuba diving tours, hire water equipment like kayaks, and go wildlife spotting on nearby hiking trails.

Visiting Catalina Island is a beautiful way to embrace SoCal’s islands and get off the mainland. If you visit out-of-season, you’ll even get many trails to yourself.

Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Cat Harbor Overlook Trail.

Practical Information: Budget around $100 for return transport by ferry.

15. Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a gorgeous small city on the Southern Californian coastline. The city is sandwiched between the ocean and Los Padres National Forest, and the wider Santa Barbara County is known for its wine production. Visiting this city is one of the top things to do in Southern California, and here’s why.

Walking around Santa Barbara is a treat, with Spanish colonial architecture throughout its downtown area. You’ll want to allow plenty of time to snap photos of the Mediterranean-style white stucco architecture. There’s also the Old Mission Santa Barbara, introduced in 1786 by Spanish colonizers.

You can hit the beach when you aren’t wandering scenic streets and visiting religious and historical attractions. Santa Barbara has some beautiful beaches, including the centrally located West Beach and Leadbetter Beach.

Insider Tip: Check out the architecture at the MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation

Practical Information: Budget around $30 for entertainment per day.

16. Long Beach

Long Beach is a coastal city just outside the metropolis of LA and on the outskirts of Orange County. It is where to head for sophistication and marinas lined with fancy seafood restaurants. It has a brilliant shopping scene and also a glitzy coastal atmosphere – offering more yachts and marinas than beaches.

Visiting Long Beach is a brilliant way to experience a more fancy, urban side of California’s coastal living. To experience coastal SoCal modernized, it’s the perfect place for a day out. Hop between the museums, shop, and dine out overlooking the marina and Pacific Ocean views.

Long Beach is also super accessible from LA. You can drive from central LA to Long Beach in just 30 minutes or hop on public transport, which takes an hour.

Insider Tip: Book a table on the oceanfront patio at Parkers’ Lighthouse restaurant.

Practical Information: Budget around $150 on entertainment, including a meal out and shopping.

17. La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove is technically close enough to San Diego to fall under this city’s category. However, it’s such a popular Southern California attraction that we are giving it its own section. La Jolla Cove is a tiny bay area most famous for its hundreds of resident sea lions.

If you’ve never seen a sea lion in the wild, head to Jolla Cove. There is plenty to photograph from a distance and many information boards detailing the animals and how to safely see them.

If you are even luckier, you can also spot whales during migration seasons. Visiting Jolla Cove is the best thing for any animal lover or conservation enthusiast.

Insider Tip: Bring binoculars and a camera with a long-ranging lens to see wildlife from a distance.

Practical Information: Free and open 24/7.

18. Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz might not be one of the famous trio in California – aka San Fran, LA, and San Diego – but it is a brilliant coastal city to visit for a traditional, fun atmosphere. Visiting Santa Cruz is one of the most fun things to do in Southern California.

Santa Cruz has a vintage-style esplanade with an iconic amusement park. You can brave its Haunted Castle, ride the Giant Dipper, or indulge in classic beachfront treats like ice cream and hot dogs. Who doesn’t want a traditional beach day when visiting Southern California? Santa Cruz is ideal if you want more amusement park than surfer vibes.

You can visit Santa Cruz for a day and enjoy its traditional beach entertainment. Or you can stay for a weekend or even a whole week. Either way, a trip to Santa Cruz is one of the most fun things to do in SoCal.

Insider Tip: Sample the seafood on the Santa Cruz Wharf pier.

Practical Information: Budget $30 a day for entertainment.

19. San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum just south of LA. It is easily one of the best things to do in Southern California, especially if you’re interested in religious history or architecture.

The mission building was founded over two hundred years ago and once tried to convert and sell the Christian faith. Nowadays, this isn’t the case. It now documents the multi-cultural history of California and the development of religions over time.

San Juan Capistrano isn’t just a religious building but a time capsule of the religious dynamics that created California’s modern communities. It only takes a few hours to visit, but you’ll gain a ton of knowledge from the experience.

Insider Tip: Stop by the nearby Laguna Niguel Regional Park after visiting. 

Practical Information: It opens from 9 am until 5 pm on Tuesdays to Sundays and costs $18 per adult.

20. Santa Ynez Valley

If wine tasting is on your Southern California bucket list, visit the Santa Ynez Valley. This gorgeous valley is most famed for its grape vines, and there are hundreds of opportunities for wine tasting and vineyard tours.

The valley is primarily known for its Pinot Noir, chardonnay, and Syrah wines. And when you aren’t sampling those, you can book horseback riding tours or hot air balloon rides. Visiting Santa Ynez Valley is one of the most romantic things to do in Southern California. It is a leading romantic getaway in the US.

Make sure to visit Sunstone Winery. This beautiful winery has a French-style villa with wine caves and a stunning courtyard full of lavender.

Insider Tip: Santa Ynez Valley is also famed for Danish bakeries – so make sure to sample some baked goods.

Practical Information: Budget around $25-30 for a flight of five wines.

21. Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is only a small city, but it packs a punch. The city is a serene mix of art galleries and beaches. Visitors can spend their mornings at Laguna Art A Fair or the Laguna Art Museum and then head to the beach in the afternoon. You are in luck, too, as Laguna Beach has some of the best California beaches.

Laguna Beach has a super walkable city center and a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere. If you want to experience Southern Californian coastal culture, this is the place to do so.

The city is ideal for those on a budget, with only food expenses and gallery entrance fees to pay. You can relax on its beaches and walk its boulevards the rest of the time.

Insider Tip: Allow time to walk the Laguna Boardwalk.

Practical Information: Budget around $20 on entertainment when visiting for a day.

22. Alabama Hills

Believe it or not, visiting the Alabama Hills is one of the best things to do in Southern California. Despite its name, this beautiful mountain range is set in inland California, next to Sequoia National Park. The landscape is distinct, with sharp granite ridges and alpine meadows filled with yellow flowers come spring.

If you want to get off the beaten track, hiking in the Alabama Hills is ridiculously scenic. There’s the Shark Fin Trailhead and Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead. You are just a short drive from Lone Pine and its Museum of Western Film History.

Insider Tip: Visit Lone Pine’s museum for fascinating memorabilia. 

Practical Information: Budget around $10 per day for entertainment.

23. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

If you drive the Pacific Coast – which we mentioned earlier – you’ll pass the stunning Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. But honestly, it is worth visiting in its own right. Visiting Pfeiffer is one of the top things to do in Southern California.

The 1,000-acre state park hugs the Pacific Ocean coastline, with stunning beaches, dramatic coastal roads, and beautiful hikes through surrounding redwood forests. Make sure to check out McWay Falls and Partington Cove.

If you have time, we’d suggest camping for the ultimate experience. This way, you can catch some sunrise viewpoints as well.

Insider Tip: Visit out of season to minimize crowds and get the best experience.

Practical Information: No entrance fee.

Where to Stay in Southern California

Once you know what you’d like to do and see in Southern California, you can decide where to stay. There are so many accommodation options. You can find hostels, luxury resorts, or mid-range boutique properties across the region.

We’d suggest initially basing yourself in Los Angeles, as it’s the easiest place to reach by plane and is centrally located for onward travel around Southern California. You can find hotel accommodations in cities like San Diego and Palm Springs. Or you can find remote luxury bases near the national parks.

Here are some of the best hotels in Southern California for all budgets:

Luxury: Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club: For luxury accommodation in the sleepy celeb spot of Malibu, the 5-star Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club is a high-quality choice.
Mid-Range: Tarantula Ranch Campground & Vineyard: Tarantula Ranch Campground & Vineyard is an amazing glamping property with tiny trailer houses outside the Death Valley boundaries.
Budget: The Rumi: It doesn’t get much more budget-friendly than The Rumi. This hostel is located in Koreatown, Los Angeles, and offers low-rate dorm rooms.

Tips and Information For Visiting Southern California

Before you start ticking off all these top things to do in Southern California, you need to get practical. It is fabulous knowing which of the region’s famous attractions you want to visit. But this section will make those dreams realities.

We’ll cover all the essential bits of information, like seasonal considerations and how to get around. Get ready to make some notes.

Best Time To Visit

We’ll start by saying that Southern California is beautiful all year round. You’ll find fun things to do and good weather for 12 months of the year.

Many people would say that summer is the best time to visit, with the most days of sunshine and the highest temperatures. However, we suggest choosing the shoulder season, either June or October.

You still get the high temperatures in June or October, but you skip the summer crowds. Similarly, you can visit the desert regions without the risk of extreme temperatures. Did you know that areas like Death Valley National Park can get so hot in summer that there’s a risk to human life? You might handle walking Santa Monica Pier in soaring temperatures, but the desert, probably not. Sticking to-the-shoulder months will make your Southern California experience much more enjoyable from a crowd-avoiding and safety perspective.

Getting There

The easiest way to reach Southern California is by flying into Los Angeles or San Diego’s airports, especially if traveling internationally. From here, you can easily access trains, buses, and rental cars. You can also fly in and then use the major cities as launchpads to explore the rest of the region.

If you’re traveling domestically, you can equally reach Southern California by train. Amtrak connects major cities like Los Angeles with Northern California and nearby states. You can book comfortable seats and sleeper compartments, taking the scenic, most sustainable route.

You can also take buses like Greyhound if you’re on a budget when traveling domestically. You can also take a road trip to Southern California – just check out these amazing US road trips if you need any more convincing.

Getting Around

Getting around Southern California is easy. You can fly between many cities, but we recommend renting a car most of the time.

Southern California is meant to be driven. For city breaks, you can just walk and use public transportation. But if you’re traveling regionally across Southern California, you’ll need to think again. If you want to visit its national parks and remote areas of natural beauty, you’ll need your own wheels. Renting a car is the most freeing way to get around the region. And you won’t miss out on any of the best bits.

If you’re not heading to the national parks – or willing to pay for group tours with transfers included – you can also get around using trains and buses. There’s a train between San Diego and LA.

How Much Time Do You Need

You could spend months in Southern California if you want to do everything on your bucket list. As a rule of thumb, give yourself at least two weeks to get the most out of the area.

You need at least 3-4 days per city, which is a week in San Diego and LA. Then, give yourself another week to visit some of the coastal towns and one of the two inland national parks, Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Park.

Of course, if you have more time, stay more. With more time, you can visit the national forests and get to some of the more off-the-beaten-path spots like the Channel Islands National Park. The more time you spend in southern California, the better.

It’s easy to see why Southern California is so special. Not only do you have some of the most famous cities in the world to visit, but you also have some of the most beautiful natural areas. Southern California has everything from cacti and red rock desert landscapes to iconic boulevards in LA. It has some of the most beautiful and famous attractions in the world.

Why We Love Southern California

Once you’ve embraced all there is to see in Southern California, head north to San Fran, Redwood National Park, and Yosemite National Park. Or you can cross the border to visit Las Vegas or Utah and its mighty five national parks. Southern California has a fantastic collection of things to do. Still, it’s also ideally located to venture into other areas of the US. Definitely make the most of your experience.

Heading to San Antonio, Texas, and not sure what to do. Well, you’re in the right place because this guide is full of fun and cool things to do in San Antonio for all ages!

San Antonio has something for everyone. Want to visit a museum? There are at least 6 of them in the city and they cover everything from natural history to the Wild West. Want to take the kids to an amusement park? You’ll be spoiled for choice since the city has several of the best and biggest in the state.

I’ve only gotten started on the fun things to do in San Antonio so stick with me as I tell you about all the other cool things you need to see in this Texas city.

San Antonio is good for couples, families, and solo travelers. Everyone can find something to do here whether it’s touring a historic landmark or eating at a restaurant inside an 18th century brewery building.

Best of San Antonio Quick Guide

Must See: The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio Mission Trail, La Villita, Pearl District, San Fernando Cathedral
Where To Stay: The Gunter Hotel, The Menger Hotel, Hotel Emma
Fun To Do: River Cruise, The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, Ghost tours, Tower of The Americas, Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Day Trips: Austin, Natural Bridge Caverns
Must-Try Food: Puffy tacos, Barbecue, Bean burger, Chicken on a stick

Best Things To Do In San Antonio, Texas

The things to do in San Antonio range from fun tours of historic neighborhoods to sightings of Teddy Roosevelt’s ghost. The city has so much to offer that anyone can have fun here regardless of their age and personal interests. 

Kids love the amusement and theme parks, young adults enjoy the colorful city center with fun shops and eateries, while proper adults can tour the Alamo and the historic Mission churches. Or have a blast at the largest Six Flags in Texas because adults can enjoy amusement park rides too.

1. San Antonio River Walk 

San Antonio’s River Walk is the top attraction in this Texas city. Landscaped walking paths are available on either side of the San Antonio River for roughly 15 miles. Shops, eateries, and hotels line the promenade, which sits one level below the city’s main roads. The Downtown area of the River Walk is the most popular with tourists and locals, but the promenade extends many miles north, and you could continue walking for more than an hour. 

The River Walk can get awfully crowded in the summer months, but finding a more tranquil area shouldn’t be a challenge. Just keep walking past all the busy restaurants and bars; the further down the River Walk you go, the smaller the crowds you’ll encounter.

How iconic is the San Antonio River Walk? Enough that the San Antonio Spurs celebrate winning the title by doing a victory boat parade. 

Practical Information: San Antonio River Walk is a 15-mile promenade accessible for free at any time of day. 

2. Tour La Villita Historic Village

La Villita is a historic artsy neighborhood sitting one level above the San Antonio River Walk. The district is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places for its 19th-century buildings that serve as examples of early residential development in San Antonio.

This old neighborhood is home to art galleries, shops, and colorful sculptures. If you like the sugar skull motif, you’ll love it in this picturesque little village. 

La Villita assembly hall is also in this district, and it’s an iconic sight in the San Antonio skyline. The building is known for the painted flower on its concave roof, and you can easily spot it from the observation deck at the Tower of the Americas. 

Practical Information: La Villita Historic Village is accessible any time of day, for free. Most shops in the neighborhood are open from 10 AM to 6 PM. 

The Historic Market Square is in western San Antonio, outside the center of the city. And it’s absolutely worth it to go out of your way to see it because it’s one of the city’s best destinations for souvenir shopping and cheap food. 

Come here for authentic Tex-Mex food, colorful clothes, jewelry, and all sorts of trinkets and crafts. Even if you’re not very hungry when you visit the Historic Market Square, I recommend you try at least the puffy tacos. They’re an iconic San Antonio delicacy and one of the best local foods. 

Bean burgers, chicken on a stick, and sweet potato fries are other San Antonio specialties to try if you’re doing a culinary tour of the city. I will say that it’s a good thing most of the city center is walkable because it will take thousands of steps to burn off all those delicious calories. 

Practical Information: The Historic Market Square is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. Entrance to the area is free of charge. 

4. Appreciate The View From The Tower of The Americas

The Tower of the Americas is one of two observation decks in Texas and the only one in San Antonio. It was built for the 1968 World Fair and took 18 months to finish.

It’s the centerpiece of HemisFair Park in Downtown San Antonio. Has an observation deck on top and a revolving restaurant where you can get a nice (but expensive) meal with great views. If you buy tickets for the observation deck, you also get access to the 4D theater, where you can take a ride in 4D over Texas.

Insider Tip: Come here after dark for a fabulous view of the San Antonio skyline. 

Practical Information: The Tower of the Americas is open from 10 AM to 10-11 PM. Tickets for the observation deck are $18.50 for adults. 

5. Walk The San Antonio Mission Trail

Head to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park to discover one of only 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States. San Antonio missions were important outposts for Catholic religious orders established by the Spanish colonists. The purpose of the missions was to help spread Christianity among the native population. 

Four out of five San Antonio missions are preserved in the park; the fifth is by far the most famous known, known as the Alamo. The Mission Trail is a walking path through the national park, which allows you to discover all four missions on the grounds. Bicycles are available, and they’re the best for getting from one mission to another quickly. 

It’s also possible to just drive from one spot to another, and this is the best option if you have very limited time in San Antonio. If you only have time to visit one of these landmarks, make it Mission San Jose. It’s the best-preserved building with period furnishings and an exhibit that offers insight into the lives of the local population in the early 18th century. 

Practical Information: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Entrance to the park is free of charge. 

6. Go On A River Cruise 

Don’t have enough time to explore the historic River Walk on foot? That’s fine because you can tour the entire pedestrian area in a boat in about 30 minutes! Go Rio cruises are available at multiple spots on the River Walk, so just walk along the river until you spot a Go Rio ticket booth or empty boats. 

The boats depart every 15-20 minutes, so you might have to wait a little while for a free seat. Buy tickets online if you don’t want to wait in line at the ticket booth, but keep in mind that they’re not timed tickets. Seats on the boat are given out on a first-come-first-served basis. 

I recommend doing the river cruise at night for the absolute best experience. The boats all light up in bright colors, and there’s something special about the River Walk after dark. All the cruises are narrated, and the guide will tell you a lot about the history of the River Walk and its importance for San Antonio and its residents. 

Practical Information: Go Rio cruises take place every 15-20 minutes. A ticket for adults is $14.5. 

7. Ghost Tour of San Antonio

San Antonio is an excellent destination for ghost hunts and haunted tours. If that doesn’t sound like something you would enjoy, just skip to the next thing on this list before I traumatize you with ghost stories. 

The most haunted building in the city is of course the Alamo, where people to this day report seeing ghosts of Texan soldiers. Opposite the historic fort is the Menger Hotel, another popular destination in the city for ghost sightings. Guests have reported hearing strange noises in the hotel, seeing faces in the mirror, smelling cigar smoke, and even encountering the ghost of Teddy Roosevelt at the bar. 

Visit all of San Antonio’s haunted sites on your own, or arrange a guided ghost tour of the city. They take place after dark, of course, and are my recommendation if you want to end the night terrified and lie in bed restless. 

Practical Information: Ghost tours of San Antonio take place at night and usually last for 2-3 hours. 

8. Get Lost At The Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden is close to the San Antonio Zoo, north of the city center. The botanical garden dates back to the early 20th century and features koi ponds, stone bridges, a pagoda, and a waterfall. Countless plants and trees adorn this lush garden, and the mesmerizing landscaping is the best thing about it. 

Come here if you ever need to escape the busy streets of Downtown San Antonio. You can forget you’re in Texas for a moment as you roam around the grounds of the captivating botanical garden. 

Practical Information:  The Japanese Tea Garden is open from 7 AM to 5 PM. Entrance to the botanical garden is free of charge. 

9. Visit The Alamo 

The Alamo is probably the most well-known landmark in Texas. The legendary fort is one of the first missions in Texas and was originally called  Misión San Antonio de Valero.

It became world-famous after the Battle of the Alamo, which was a turning point in the Texas Revolution. Today, the small fort is a museum with artifacts from the revolution era, one of the biggest events in Texas history. The Alamo is one of the most visited historic sites in the US so it’s always busy.

It’s small and doesn’t take long to see. But the lines are long, and you will have to wait in line at a place that is so popular. The church on-site is free, but you need to buy tickets for the other buildings.

Practical Information: Tickets for the Alamo exhibit are $14 for adults. A guided tour of the complex with entrance to all the buildings is $45. 

10. Sightseeing in The Pearl District 

The Pearl District is the area of San Antonio surrounding the historic Pearl Brewery. Originally founded as the City Brewery in 1881, it would quickly become the largest brewery in Texas and the only one to survive the prohibition. 

The brewery closed down in 2001, and the building today houses shops and restaurants. Come here to discover a different part of San Antonio, one that’s full of history and interesting landmarks but away from the city center. 

The Grotto is also in the Pearl district, situated on the River Walk south of the brewery building. It’s an artificial riverfront cave with faces carved into the rocks, walking paths through the cliffs, and man-made waterfalls. 

Practical Information: The Pearl Brewery is approximately a 30-minute walk from the Downtown, accessible by walking paths on the San Antonio River Walk. 

11. Discover The Collection at  The San Antonio Museum of Art

The San Antonio Museum of Art is located in the old Lone Star Brewery building, just a 15-minute walk from the Pearl District. It has an amazing collection of Latin American, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art spanning nearly 5,000 years. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, furniture, everyday objects, and more are all on display.

The American collection is on two floors and has a section dedicated to Texas artists. The Asian collection is the largest in the Southwest, so if you are an art lover in San Antonio, you have to see this museum.

Practical Information: The San Antonio Museum of Art is open from 10 AM to 5/7 PM every day except Monday. Tickets are $20 for adults. 

12. Amusement Park Rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas

If you’re in San Antonio with kids, there’s no better place to take them than Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The theme park is also known as The Thrill Capital of South Texas with more than 60 rides throughout the grounds, including a water park with at least 15 slides. If you’re looking for even more water rides, I suggest you check out SeaWorld San Antonio instead. 

Rising to an impressive 205 feet, the Scream drop tower is the park’s scariest ride. If you want to feel adrenaline coursing through your veins, it’s THE ride for you. But the centerpiece of the amusement park is the Boomerang rollercoaster, featuring insane twists and turns at a speed of almost 60 miles per hour. 

The amusement park can be done in a couple of hours if you’re short on time, or you could spend an entire day here going on different rides and having the time of your life. If you decide to stay at the Six Flags Fiesta for at least half a day, consider getting a One-Day Dining Deal to save money on food. 

Practical Information: One-day passes for the Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park start at $45. 

13. Explore The Natural Bridge Caverns

One of the best natural landmarks in Texas is just a 30-minute drive from central San Antonio. Come here for underground tours of the caverns but also to have some fun on the adventure courses above ground. 

The caverns are remarkable to see with all the different geological formations. However, I don’t recommend this tour for travelers with limited mobility because it can get very strenuous at times. Also, the humidity is constantly at 99% and the temperature is normally around 70 degrees, which is uncharacteristically warm for underground caves. 

The adventure park features a maze, rope courses, and multiple zip rails above the ground with panoramic views of Texas Hill Country. Everything here is kid-friendly, and there are even a couple of exhibits that are specifically designed for the youngest visitors. 

Insider Tip: Wear sturdy shoes because the cavern floor is wet and slippery. 

Practical Information: The fee for cavern tours is approximately $30-50, depending on the day you visit and the type of tour you choose. Natural Bridge Caverns Park is open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. 

14. Native Flora at San Antonio Botanical Garden

San Antonio Botanical Garden is a vast green space in the northern part of the city. Featuring ponds, landscaped walking trails, and lush greenery all around, the place is a sight for sore eyes if you’re tired of looking at the downtown buildings. 

Several conservatories are at the botanical garden, and they’re special not only for the plants you’ll see inside but also for their shape. The glass structures are practically pieces of art and wonderful to see. The plants and flowers inside are mostly the ones that are native to the region, but they’re nonetheless lovely. 

The botanical garden also features a cafe, and it’s a great place to sit down for a quick break before you move on to the next San Antonio landmark. 

Practical Information: The San Antonio Botanical Garden is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. The entrance fee is $18-22 for adults. 

15. Jump Into an LED Ball Pit at Hopscotch San Antonio

Hopscotch San Antonio is a modern art gallery with very fun interactive exhibits. There are only two Hopschotch galleries in the United States, so a trip to San Antonio is the perfect opportunity to discover this fabulous space. 

It’s unlike any art gallery you’ve ever visited. Many exhibits are interactive and extremely fun. You can play in an LED ball pit, walk around a rainbow cave, and jump around on a quantum trampoline. The exhibit also features murals and sculptures, but they’re far from traditional artworks. 

The art gallery is also one of the most Instagrammable places in San Antonio, so you must come here if you want to commemorate your trip to this city with epic photos. 

Insider Tip: To engage with some of the interactive exhibits, visitors must take off their shoes and wear socks. 

Practical Information: Hopscotch San Antonio is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM. General admission to the art gallery is $24. 

16. Travel Back In Time At The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum

Go to the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum in Downtown San Antonio for a taste of the Wild West. The restaurant is a full-on Western saloon and has two museums on the property. One ticket gets you into both museums.

The Buckhorn Museum has a weird collection of taxidermied animals. I didn’t like it very much. I mean, it’s an interesting collection, and I’ve never seen anything like it in my life; I just don’t like taxidermy very much.

I liked the Texas Ranger Museum much better, with its recreation of a Wild West town, complete with a saloon and a jail cell. You can walk through those swinging saloon doors and pose for pictures behind bars, like a real outlaw. The exhibit has guns of famous Texas rangers, their badges, and photos.

Practical Information: The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission tickets are $22.99 and include entrance to all the exhibits in the building. You can book them here.

17. Tour The Spanish Governor’s Palace

The Spanish Governor’s Palace is somewhat of a hidden gem in San Antonio. Include it in your San Antonio itinerary if you want to see a fascinating stucco palace complete with period furniture and ghosts. The palace is rumored to be haunted, and it’s often included in San Antonio ghost tours. 

You won’t see any ghosts if you visit during the day, and you can focus on the impeccable colonial architecture and stunning antique furnishings. Beautiful artworks adorn the interior of the palace and its grounds, but I personally found the kitchen area the most interesting.  I’ve never seen anything like it before, especially in such good condition. 

Insider Tip: The Palace is situated between the San Fernando Cathedral and the Historic Market Square, so you can see three popular San Antonio attractions in one afternoon. 

Practical Information: The Spanish Governer’s Palace is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. Tickets are $5. 

18. Day Trip to Austin 

San Antonio is only an hour and a half from Austin. The bustling state capital is one of the best places to visit on day trips from San Antonio, both for the proximity and wonderful attractions it offers. Austin is known for its excellent cultural scene, great food, live music, and just a great atmosphere all around.

If you consider yourself an art lover, you’ll have the time of your life in Austin. The city is home to many wonderful museums and art exhibits, which range from a museum dedicated to Charles Umlauf’s works to a modern art installation named Cathedral of Junk. 

The Texas Capitol is an iconic building that you can’t miss while you’re in Austin. It is absolutely incredible to see and visitors can get free, 30-minute guided tours of the landmark complex. 

Practical Information: Austin is 80 miles northeast of San Antonio. It takes about an hour and a half to reach the city both by car and local bus. 

19. Learn About Texas at The Witte Museum

The Witte Museum is located in Brackenridge Park and is one of the oldest museums in San Antonio. It tells the story of Texas from prehistoric times to today. The museum has a vast collection of historic artifacts and some of the highlights are dinosaur bones and Sheriff’s badges from the 1800s.

It’s great, and there’s something for everyone, no matter what age. Kids love the giant dinosaur replicas, and adults have more fun with the Texas art, textiles, and everyday objects from a bygone era.

Not in downtown San Antonio but public transportation is available. Bus from Alamo to Witte Museum is 20 minutes.

Practical Information: The Witte Museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. Tickets are $16 for adults. 

20. See The Historic San Fernando Cathedral 

San Fernando Cathedral is yet another in a string of historic landmarks to be found in Downtown San Antonio. The landmark church was initially constructed in the early 18th century and serves as a wonderful example of Spanish colonial architecture. 

The opulent altar and marvelous stained glass windows are the highlights of San Fernando Cathedral. Free guided tours are available to all visitors, although you won’t get to see the interior of the church. Instead, the tours take you around the cathedral grounds while the local guide recounts the church’s history. 

This church is often included in ghost tours of San Antonio. If you come here at night, you’ll get to see a spectacular light and music show, and you might even experience some paranormal events. 

Practical Information: San Fernando Cathedral is open from 9 AM to 5 PM and is accessible free of charge. 

Frequently Asked Questions For San Antonio, Texas

How Can I Spend 3 Days In San Antonio? 

Three days are enough time to see all of San Antonio’s best landmarks and do a day trip to a nearby city or national park. Visit the Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio Mission Trail, the River Walk, the Witte Museum, the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, the San Antonio Botanical Garden, and the Pearl, and go on a river cruise in the downtown. 

What Is The Most Visited Place In San Antonio, Texas? 

The Alamo is the most visited landmark in San Antonio, Texas. The San Antonio River Walk is a close second, with a much more touristy atmosphere than the historic battleground. 

What Is San Antonio Best Known For? 

San Antonio is best known for the Alamo and the Spanish mission churches. Its rich and battle-ridden history has also made it famous for ghost sightings. 

How Do I Spend A Day In San Antonio? 

If you only have a day in San Antonio, spend it visiting the River Walk, the Alamo, Historic Market Square, San Antonio Mission Historic National Park, and the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. One day is enough time to see all these landmarks, and you might just have enough time to squeeze in a trip to one of the botanical gardens.

Tips And Information For Visiting San Antonio, Texas

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit San Antonio is from November to April. March and April are generally the most popular months for trips to this Texas city because of the mild, warm weather. It’s perfect for long walks around the city center and excursions to nearby parks and national landmarks.

Avoid traveling to the city in the summer if you can. San Antonio has very hot summers, and the temperatures often exceed 90 degrees throughout the day. That’s too hot to be comfortable when you’re outside most of the day, especially with the city’s high humidity. 

Getting There

Look for flights to San Antonio International Airport. It’s only a 15-minute drive from downtown San Antonio, so you’ll be at your hotel in no time. Buses also run from the airport to the city center; tickets are inexpensive at $2.5, and the ride is only 30-40 minutes long. It’s worth considering if you’re on a tighter budget and don’t want to spend money on taxis. 

Alternatively, you can fly to Austin and then get a ride to San Antonio. The airport in Austin is bigger and busier than the one in San Antonio, with more domestic and international connections. The capital is just an hour and a half from San Antonio by both car and bus. 

Getting Around

Much of central San Antonio is walkable, so you can explore a large portion of the city on foot. Cycling is popular here and an excellent alternative to taxi rides and car rentals. San Antonio has a good bike-sharing system, and you can visit most of the attractions listed in this guide on a bicycle. 

A rental car would help you get around San Antonio quicker, but it’s not a necessity. The public transport network in San Antonio is good and can even help you get all the way to Austin. So, consider renting a car only if you have very limited time in the city and you want to visit as many landmarks as possible. 

How Much Time Do You Need

Three days is the perfect amount of time for a San Antonio trip. It’s more than enough time to cover all the top landmarks in the city, as well as a day trip to a nearby city or national park. I recommend incorporating a day trip to Austin in your three-day itinerary because it’s very close to San Antonio. 

The city can be done in two days, but you’ll need to choose between a day trip or city attractions for the second day of the trip. And if you only have one day in San Antonio, prioritize all the historic places and buildings. 

San Antonio City Pass

The San Antonio City Pass is really good value for money and I highly recommend you get it if you’re serious about sightseeing in the Texas city. The pass offers free entrance to four out of eight attractions of your choice for $59: 

Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises ($14.5)
San Antonio Zoo ($25)
The Tower of The Americas ($18.50)
The DoSeum ($18)
San Antonio Botanical Garden ($18-22)
Witte Museum ($16)
San Antonio Museum of Art ($20)
The Alamo – Exhibit and Church ($14)

You can get your money’s worth if you visit just three exhibits and the fourth one is practically free of charge! Getting the San Antonio City Pass is a no-brainer if at least three of these places have already made it onto your itinerary. Grab your Pass here.

Where To Stay in San Antonio, Texas

First-time visitors should look for hotels in Downtown San Antonio for easy walking access to all the best tourist attractions. Many hotels are available along the historic River Walk, and they’re some of the best hotels in the city. 

The Pearl district is also a lovely part of the city to stay in, with plenty of interesting attractions nearby. Here are some of the best hotels in San Antonio for all budgets: 

The Gunter Hotel is an affordable option in the Downtown, close to all the best San Antonio landmarks. 
The Menger Hotel is a good mid-range option in the city center, with the added bonus of ghost sightings.
Hotel Emma is a high-end luxury hotel on the River Walk in the Pearl District of San Antonio.  

Whether you stay at a haunted hotel or an all-out luxury resort, I’m pretty sure you’ll have a great time in San Antonio. Especially if you prioritize visiting the attractions that you are genuinely interested in, as opposed to queuing at popular places just because it’s what you’re supposed to do.