Get out of the house

Things to do in National City

Nine parks, a real bayfront, the country's first auto row, and food you'd drive across the county for. Here's where to start.

Pepper Park & the bayfront

Boat launch, fishing pier, playground and the best sunset view in the South Bay, right where the bay meets the working port.

The city's central green: skate park, aquatic center, ball fields, and the farmers market and Fourth of July crowd.

The original auto row in America. Worth a slow drive even if you're not buying — the neon signage is a landmark.

The 1868 home of the family that founded National City, run by the local historical society.

A Victorian concert hall from 1898, moved and restored, still used for recitals and community events.

Filipino, Mexican and Chamorro food, plus Niederfrank's ice cream, made in National City since 1948.

We wrote half-day and full-day routes through the city, built around when the light is good and when the lines are short.