What to do in Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Rancho Santa Fe Tourist Attractions & Activities

If you’re searching for an exciting holiday, count on Expedia.com.au to help you find interesting attractions, enlightening experiences, and tons of other fun things to do in Rancho Santa Fe AU$16. From first-rate tours to incredible deals on sightseeing trips – our extensive selection of local things to do and places to visit is just a few clicks away.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re travelling alone, alongside your main squeeze, or with your favourite friends or family members, Expedia has the inside scoop on what to see and do while in this corner of the world. And our search tool makes it simple to score the best deals around. So regardless of if you are on a tight budget or prefer to spare no expense, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for by browsing over 39 activities in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

The intuitive booking system here on Expedia.com.au makes planning your holiday easier—and more affordable—than ever before. And not only can you discover all the best Rancho Santa Fe attractions from AU$16, but you can also book flights, hire cars, and reserve hotel rooms all in just a few moments. A world of wonder awaits you and your travelling companions. Count on Expedia.com.au to help you plan the holiday of your dreams, and you’ll have the time of your life.

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Top places to visit

1. LEGOLAND® California

A fun spot for the youngsters, with more than 60 rides across a site that spans 52 hectares, LEGOLAND® California Resort is located by the ocean in Carlsbad, about 50 kilometres north of San Diego. It is home to a hotel and water park, along with shows and attractions based on the world-famous toy bricks.
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Legoland California showing rides

2. San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo welcomes around 5 million visitors every year, and it’s easy to see why. Spanning a huge site, the zoo houses about 4000 animals from over 650 different species and subspecies. All of these creatures live in realistic habitats, with most exhibits out in the open air.
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San Diego Zoo featuring zoo animals

3. Mission Bay

Mission Bay is great for sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, Jet Skiing, cruising, wakeboarding… and the list goes on. This natural lagoon is surrounded by endless sandy beaches and you can skate, cycle or jog along the famous Mission Beach Boardwalk. Or how about walking, sunbathing and picnicking in the bay’s many seaside parks? Reserve one day for SeaWorld, Mission Bay Park’s huge aquarium with theme park. Fiesta Island has sporting events, bonfire rings and dog parks.
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Mission Bay featuring a beach

4. Balboa Park

Spanning a vast space of 486 hectares, the huge Balboa Park contains an incredible and eclectic wealth of attractions. Home to gardens and trails, museums and galleries, theatres and restaurants—not to mention its own world-famous zoo—the park is a popular spot, frequented by visitors and locals alike.
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Balboa Park which includes a pond

5. SeaWorld

Ever since it first opened in 1964, SeaWorld® San Diego in Mission Beach has drawn kids and big kids alike. Visitors come here to get closer to the amazing marine animals on show. Why not head over to Dolphin Point where you can feed and even train the performing bottlenoses—these intelligent mammals love to do tricks. It is even possible to arrange to get into the water with the impressive beluga whales, but make sure you book in advance.
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beautiful creatures

6. Mission Beach

The first holiday homes were built along the shore at Mission Beach all the way back in the 1920s. The resort boomed in the 1960s with new developments re-invigorating the place. And ever since then the visitors have not stopped returning to lounge beneath the West Coast sun and wander along the boardwalk by the beach where street performers and artists, rollerbladers and skateboarders keep the atmosphere lively.
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Mission Beach featuring general coastal views, a bay or harbour and a sandy beach

Recommended things to do in Rancho Santa Fe

Number of things to do
39
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Discover UCSD: A Self-Guided Tour for Students, Parents and Staff: AU$16
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Rancho Santa Fe

Discover the most popular places to visit in Rancho Santa Fe

Ranch Santa Fe Golf Course

Play a round of golf in Rancho Santa Fe at Ranch Santa Fe Golf Course, and enjoy other activities such as surfing. Wander the beautiful beaches or discover the beautiful sunsets in this family-friendly area.

Ranch Santa Fe Golf Course

Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery during your travels in Rancho Santa Fe. Stroll along the seaside in this family-friendly area or seek out the surfing spots.

Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery

Explore areas of Rancho Santa Fe

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Covenant

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Covenant and surrounding area, you can visit Belly Up and Del Mar Racetrack.

Covenant
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Bridges

Though Bridges may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like La Costa Golf Courses - North and South and Lake San Marcos Executive Course.

Bridges

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Rancho Santa Fe

San Diego

San Diego

San Diego Botanic Garden featuring a park and a pond

Encinitas

Photo by Marcel Fuentes

Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Frequently asked questions

Is Rancho Santa Fe worth visiting?
From retail therapy to outdoor activities and history, there are loads of fun things to do in Rancho Santa Fe. Don't forget to experience the area's blend of awesome sights, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Rancho Santa Fe?
Moonlight State Beach and Torrey Pines State Beach are two great places to kick-start your getaway adventures. Remember to check out the retail and dining options in Rancho Santa Fe while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Rancho Santa Fe?
Moonlight State Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Rancho Santa Fe and deserves a spot on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Rancho Santa Fe?
You can easily tour top attractions like Moonlight State Beach, San Elijo State Beach and Del Mar North Beach with a three-day escape to Rancho Santa Fe. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stay a little longer and venture to San Diego County.
Is Rancho Santa Fe a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Rancho Santa Fe is a great place to visit on foot. Have fun wandering between Ranch Santa Fe Golf Course and Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery. Then take a stroll around Covenant, located 2 kilometres from downtown, and Bridges, which is about 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Rancho Santa Fe with kids?
If you are after attractions and activities for all ages, take a look at these awesome ideas for what to do in Rancho Santa Fe with kids.

What to do in Rancho Santa Fe for adults?
Stone Brewing and Bernardo Winery are just two of the things to do in Rancho Santa Fe. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Rancho Santa Fe?
From relaxing in parks to wandering around exciting neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to discover free things to do in Rancho Santa Fe. If you need inspiration, ask for tips from a local tour guide. Moonlight State Beach is a top spot for anyone looking to save on their travelling adventures.