Mormon Battalion Historic Site is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

1. Mormon Battalion Historic Site

8.2
2510 Juan St, San Diego, CA
Historic and Protected Site · Old Town · 17 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom M: Free tour, they have a great story. Wonderful how they shared their faith.

Dezzie H.Dezzie H 🌸: Interesting place. I had no idea that a group of Mormons helped build San Diego.

Brian C.Brian Chase: The pictures will go all Harry Potter on you.

GLBT Rainbow Pride Flag-Hillcrest is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

2. GLBT Rainbow Pride Flag-Hillcrest

8.7
3900 Normal St (at University Ave), San Diego, CA
Historic and Protected Site · Hillcrest · 1 tip

S G.S G M: Got to be proud👑👠🎩👔💄⌚

Historic Barrio District of San Diego is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

3. Historic Barrio District of San Diego

8.0
Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, Grant Hill, Memori (5, 94 & 15 Freeway), San Diego, CA
Historic and Protected Site · Central San Diego · 1 tip

CafeMoto R.CafeMoto Roastery: We love being part of a transformative neighborhood.

Cabrillo National Monument is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

4. Cabrillo National Monument

9.1
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA
National Park · 86 tips and reviews

Nikki V.Nikki Vongnavanh: You can see San Diego here. The perfect view to take photos and watch. Love the whole scenery and place.

HISTORYHISTORY: This overlooks the spot where European explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo stepped ashore in 1542 naming the bay San Miguel; explorer Sebastian Vizcaino changed the name to San Diego in 1602.

NamNam: Your entrance ticket is good for 7 days!

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

5. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

9.1
4002 Wallace St (at San Diego Ave), San Diego, CA
State or Provincial Park · Old Town · 136 tips and reviews

SalSal: The best historic place in San Diego. Full of different museums. All shops keeping original style. Shops close at sunset...so go earlier

HISTORYHISTORY: The park preserves & recreates the old town from shortly after the Mexican War of Independence through the Bear Flag Revolt. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

DymphnaDymphna: I love Old Town San Diego... The birthplace of California... So much history and ghost stories in one spot!

Little Italy is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

6. Little Italy

8.9
San Diego, CA
Neighborhood · 103 tips and reviews

Brad H.Brad Hager: Nice area, especially walking down India street. Lot's of amazing restaurants, grab pizza by the slice or sit down & enjoy a real authentic Italian dinner & wine. Good shops & places to have drinks.

christian v.christian vantvlie: One of the best neighborhoods in the country. All around best spot for everyone!!

midwest l.midwest livin: Go to Filippi's Pizza Grotto

Giant Dipper Rollercoaster is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

7. Giant Dipper Rollercoaster

8.3
3146 Mission Blvd (at Belmont Park), San Diego, CA
Attraction · Mission Beach · 22 tips and reviews

Ricardo G.Ricardo Gutierrez: Can't miss this SD landmark. Walk around the Dipper and take some good pics.

Javier M.Javier Mendoza: Need an abortion? Ride this coaster

HISTORYHISTORY: The 2,600 ft. long coaster was built in 1925 in less than two months. It closed in 1976. The "Save the Coaster Committee" had it designated a National Landmark in 1987 and it reopened in 1990.

San Diego Museum of Us is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

8. San Diego Museum of Us

8.0
1350 El Prado, San Diego, CA
History Museum · Balboa Park · 33 tips and reviews

Patricia L.Patricia Leite Huamani: Don't miss the Instruments of Torture Exhibit. Creepy, but very good and interesting.

LAMPS PLUSLAMPS PLUS: The San Diego Museum of Man is punctuated by the California Tower, a stunning Spanish-Colonial structure completed in 1915 for an exposition celebrating the completion of the Panama Canal.

K12 IncK12 Inc: Did you know? Like the zoo, and other museums in Balboa Park, the Museum of Man began as “The Story of Man through the Ages,” an exhibit at San Diego's 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Read more.

The Whaley House Museum is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

9. The Whaley House Museum

7.8
2482 San Diego Ave (at Harney St.), San Diego, CA
History Museum · Old Town · 28 tips and reviews

Toni G.Toni Gutierrez: So cool want to come back when they do the evening tours. So much history for San Diego. A must along with the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

HISTORYHISTORY: The Whaley House is said to be the most haunted house in the U.S. The Museum offers a late night paranormal investigation tour every last weekend of the month, co-hosted by The San Diego Ghost Hunters

Bill N.Bill Najera: Don't smoke a doobie in the backyard after midnight!!!

Ferryboat Berkeley is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

10. Ferryboat Berkeley

7.5
1492 N Harbor Dr (San Diego Maritime Museum), San Diego, CA
Boat or Ferry · 3 tips and reviews

eric b.eric bornemann: Stunning interior- worth the price of admission alone.

Angelica D.Angelica Dongallo: CHL1031 1st successful West Coast-built & operated ferry driven by a screw propeller as opposed to side-wheels. Earliest double-ended ferryboat to survive w/ original historic fabric intact.

Helen K.Helen Kwan: Go to the very top on deck!

USS Recruit is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

11. USS Recruit

7.2
Laning Rd (at Harbor Dr), San Diego, CA
Monument · Naval Training Center · 6 tips and reviews

Chuck W.Chuck Wilson: 2/3 scale ship used for training sailors. Publicly accessible, nice walking area around the ship and some benches. Get a bite from any of the nearby restaurants for a nice picnic!

Jeff G.Jeff Garrett: This ship was used in the '70s TV show, CPO Sharkey starring Don Rickles.

Dirty B.Dirty Bird: Huge boat in the middle of no where

Old Point Loma Lighthouse is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

12. Old Point Loma Lighthouse

9.2
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA
Lighthouse · 20 tips and reviews

Brad H.Brad Hager: Great visit, certainly worth the time to drive out, & check it out. Good history, explore the life of the light keeper. GREAT views.

SoftubSoftub: It's a favorite San Diego landmark of mine. It has a fantastic walk- through museum, and is very educational. Watch our for the narrow winding staircase.

Scott R.Scott R.: Iconic & historic San Diego landmark.

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

13. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá

8.8
10818 San Diego Mission Rd, San Diego, CA
Church · Grantville · 18 tips and reviews

Jessica P.Jessica P.: It's great for a nice walk. Photoshoot and prayer time. All around beautiful!

Arthur M.Arthur Mitchell: Birthplace of the California Mission (Coastal) System. While admiring the beauty and cultural significance, remember it was built on the backs of Indian slave laborers--mainly women and children.

Darin S.Darin Stahl: Take the tour and stay for Mass.

Star of India is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

14. Star of India

8.4
1492 N Harbor Dr (San Diego Maritime Museum), San Diego, CA
Museum · Harborview · 14 tips and reviews

eric b.eric bornemann: Such a cool boat - so much history, told well and beautifully preserved.

Arthur M.Arthur Mitchell: Built in 1863, she is now a seaworthy museum ship at the San Diego Maritime Museum. She is the second oldest ship still sailing regularly & the oldest iron-hulled merchant ship still floating.

Lisa M. M.Lisa M. Mitchell: Ask about the letter "S" being drawn on our back!

Marston House Museum is one of The 15 Best Historic and Protected Sites in San Diego.

15. Marston House Museum

8.2
3525 7th Ave (at Upas St), San Diego, CA
History Museum · Hillcrest · 5 tips and reviews

KristenKristen: Beautiful place to explore San Diego's history.

Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO)Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO): William Hebbard and Irving Gill were the architects of this 1905 Craftsman home built for early 20th century philanthropist George Marston. Tour the 4-story Mansion and its Historic Gardens.

Jessica S.Jessica Siegfried: Ask for Victor - he's the best tour guide!