5 Best Views San Diego

Why it made the list: Nobody who lives here watches the sunset from a restaurant patio, they drive to the bluffs at Sunset Cliffs, park along the road, and sit on the edge of the continent while the Pacific goes orange. It's free, it's better than anything you'll pay for, and it's the single most San Diego thing you can do.

Why it made the list: A hilltop war memorial with the only true 360-degree view in the city, downtown, the coastline, La Jolla, and on a clear day the mountains inland. You drive right to the top, which makes it the easiest big view on this list.

Why it made the list: At the very tip of Point Loma, looking back at the whole bay, the skyline, Coronado and the Navy ships coming in. There's an old lighthouse and, at the bottom, some of the best tide pools in the city. It's a national monument, so there's a small entry fee, worth it.

Why it made the list: The postcard skyline shot is from the water side, and the Coronado Ferry Landing gives it to you for free, the whole downtown across the bay with the Coronado Bridge arcing over it. Take the ferry across from downtown and the ride is half the view.

Why it made the list: A clifftop launch pad where paragliders and hang gliders step off into the wind over the Pacific, 300 feet above Black's Beach. You can watch for free from the edge, and it's the most unusual view in the city, the coastline, plus a sky full of gliders.