Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Steph
San Diego is a dreamy destination for anyone who grew up with Minnesota winters. Seeing the beaches, palm trees, and perfect weather in people’s spring break vacation photos made me fall in love without ever stepping foot there. We had the opportunity to help with a two-week housesit while on our long road trip, and it was the perfect way to enjoy San Diego without having to pay for a hotel. Those two weeks were in March of 2020, and we ended up staying for an entire year and calling it home.
During our year there (and our annual trips back), we enjoyed the laid-back vibes and consistent sunshine. San Diego will always hold a special place for us, and the friends we made there became like family.
I wanted to put together a complete guide to San Diego and share our favorites and must-dos for anyone visiting southern California. Whether it’s your first trip there or you call this spot home, this guide has something to offer. I even organized our ideal itinerary for a weekend in San Diego. Let’s dive in and help you plan a San Diego getaway.
Learn More About San Diego
- San Diego has over 70 miles of coastline with 80 different beaches.
- The city is the largest producer of avocados in the country. More than 90% of the nation’s avocados come from California, and over 60% of those are from San Diego.
- Traffic is common in this city, and commuters spend an average of 256 hours in their cars each year.
- The population is around 1.3 million people.
- Comic-Con started in 1970 in San Diego with around 100 people attending, and today, the event has more than 130,000 attendees.
- San Diego was part of Mexico until the Mexican-American War in 1848.
- California burritos are a staple here. They are filled with carne asada, guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, and french fries.
- It has the nickname of America’s Finest City, thanks to more than 260 sunny days each year.
- The top employer in the city is the United States Navy.
- San Ysidro is the border crossing between San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico. It’s the busiest land border crossing in the world.
A Complete Guide to San Diego, California
With so much to explore and enjoy, we’ve broken down this San Diego City Guide into sections to make it easy to find what you’re looking for. Find spots to enjoy the famous California sunshine, neighborhoods to explore, attractions not to miss, and our favorite restaurants and bars. We also put our favorite hotels and spots to stay when you visit and some frequently asked questions to save you another Google search. You’ll have everything you need to plan your San Diego adventure.
Our Favorite Spots to Enjoy the San Diego Sunshine
This city has many parks, beaches, and beautiful places to enjoy nature and the golden California sunshine. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and your camera, and check out these spots.
Sunset Cliffs
Plan to visit this stunning spot close to sunset because it’s one of the best places in the city to watch the sun dip below the horizon. It’s usually easy to find parking, get out, and walk on top of the cliffs until you find the perfect spot. The park is located along Point Loma and stretches over 1 ½ miles of the coast. Staying back from the edge and following the signs are important because some unstable spots could lead to a fall.
Balboa Park
This large park is located just north of downtown San Diego. It’s one of the oldest in the country since the land was placed in reserve in 1835 for public recreational use. It has over a dozen museums, public gardens, sporting venues, and attractions. If you just want somewhere to walk and explore, this park is a perfect option.
Coronado Beach
Located just across the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, you can visit the beautiful beach community of Coronado. The beach is vast, and it’s easy to find space to spread out and enjoy the sunshine. There is a great little strip of markets, restaurants, and bars where you can grab snacks and drinks on your way to the beach. You can also visit the historic Hotel del Coronado, which sits right on the beach. The waves are gentle here, and it’s a great place to splash around and enjoy the sun.
Pacific Beach Boardwalk
The 3.2-mile concrete walkway runs along the Pacific Beach community and its quintessential Southern California scenery. You’ll see rollerbladers (no matter what decade), volleyball games, families heading to the sand, and people enjoying the bars along the boardwalk. There’s a whole amusement park that borders this boardwalk as well. It’s a great place to stay entertained for at least a full day if you want that beach experience.
Encinitas
Get out of the city limits of San Diego and visit one of the beach communities in North San Diego County. Encinitas is our favorite. It’s 25 miles north on the Pacific Coast Highway and sits between two lagoons. Enjoy the cliffs along the water for incredible views, or climb down the stairs and hang out at one of the beaches.
Favorite Walks in San Diego
With near-perfect weather year round, exploring San Diego on foot is easy. While there isn’t great public transportation, you can drive to any neighborhood, get out, and walk for a while. Finding the best places to explore on foot in San Diego can be hard, so we’ve shared a few of our favorites.
Torrey Pines Reserve
For a hiking area close to the city and the beach, check out Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. This 1,500-acre park is one of the quietest sections of the SoCal coast. The area was established to help protect the Torrey Pine, a critically endangered tree. Because of this, there are strict rules for visitors. You cannot bring food, drink, pets, or drones, and it’s essential to pack out everything you bring. The Guy Fleming trail is one of our favorites, but there are many to choose from.
Use AllTrails to find all trails
Mission Trails
The other hiking area we love to visit is the Mission Trails Regional Park. Climb to the top of any of the three peaks in the park and enjoy expansive views of the city and the surrounding metro areas. In my opinion, these are best enjoyed in the winter months because it can get hot in the summer, but if you bring plenty of water, you’ll be fine.
Downtown La Jolla
I love walking through neighborhoods and picking out dream homes. La Jolla is a fantastic beach neighborhood with houses that will probably never be in my price range, but it’s fun to take in the landscapes and extraordinary architecture. Walk to the tidepools and check out the seals hanging out along the shore. Before leaving this area, drive up to Mount Soledad Memorial Park to get a bird ‘ s-eye view of the area.
North Park
University Avenue is a thoroughfare that runs through the middle of some of San Diego’s coolest neighborhoods. We lived in North Park, which remains one of my favorite parts of the city. This area has so many restaurants, unique shops, and fun breweries. The picture below is from Verbatim Books. It’s a perfect place to walk around and stumble on a treasure. You’ll find every kind of cuisine and such great people watching. Plus, it’s just north of Balboa Park (hence the name), so it’s easy to pair with a visit there.
Seven Bridges Walk
The Spruce Street Suspension Bridge is a spot that a few people recommended we check out, so when I searched for the location, I realized that it’s not the only bridge in the historic Banker’s Hill neighborhood. A great 5.7-mile loop crosses seven different bridges and allows you to explore some older communities in San Diego, plus it starts and ends in Balboa Park. You’ll be close to many food and drink options to take breaks as needed. I love this walk, and I’m happy we discovered this route.
Click here to save the route info
Favorite San Diego Attractions and Excursions
Now, let’s get into the main attractions. If you are visiting San Diego on vacation and want to pack in some of the city’s famous spots, I’m sharing my favorites with some tips in this section. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the top attractions.
Petco Park
I love baseball games in the sunshine. Petco Park is home to the San Diego Padres. It’s right downtown, which offers some of the best views for a baseball game. It’s one of the most pet-friendly parks in the country (thanks to the name on the building). If you are a big baseball fan, you can get a behind-the-scenes tour of the park, which is offered daily.
Liberty Station
Located in a former naval training center, this might not seem like an exciting attraction, but it’s one of my favorite places to explore. There are small museums, art centers, restaurants, local shops, and a beautiful public market. Stop at Eppig Brewing Waterfront Biergarten to view the boats in the harbor and incoming planes.
Cabrillo National Monument
This national monument marks the first place that European expeditions hit the west coast of the United States in 1542. It’s a stunning park with views of the city, Tijuana to the south, and the Pacific Ocean. It’s a great place to do some whale watching on land from December through April. Explore the lighthouses, historic exhibits, and the well-maintained trails in the park.
San Diego Zoo
You might not be much of a zoo person, but comparing the San Diego Zoo to others is hard. It’s the most visited zoo in the US and was a pioneer in the open-air, cage-less exhibits for the animals. They have one of the world’s largest and most diverse animal collections. In addition to the original location in Balboa Park, they also operate the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, about 30 miles northeast of the zoo. The zoo is famous for their conservation and education efforts and is worth visiting if this interests you.
Consider grabbing the GoCity Pass to get the best deal on admission.
Old Town
The oldest settled neighborhood in San Diego is a fun place to explore. Many of the historic buildings have been protected and have been turned into museums and markets. According to the Travel Channel, the Whaley House is the most haunted house in the United States. Visit that if you’re brave, or just wander and find a restaurant to enjoy some fantastic margaritas.
USS Midway Museum
With so much Navy activity happening in San Diego, it makes sense that an incredible waterfront museum is located downtown. The USS Midway Museum is inside of an aircraft carrier. It was active from 1945 until 1992, and over 200,000 sailors served aboard. Take a self-guided audio tour and explore more than 60 areas inside. It’s a popular destination for families because the tour is very kid-friendly.
Gaslamp District
This downtown neighborhood is another historic district with over 90 buildings constructed in the Victorian era. This is the best place to hang out if you like nightlife and the bar scene. There are plenty of festivals and parades, but any night of the week, it’s easy to find some entertainment in the Gaslamp District. The city of San Diego put a lot of resources into revamping this area to help bring in visitors a few decades ago, and it hasn’t quieted down since.
Surf Lessons at the Beach
San Diego has a few beaches that make great spots for surfing. If you’ve never tried before, you can sign up for a lesson through a local company. We recommend going with a guide if it’s your first time to ensure you have all the appropriate supplies and safety information. That Pacific Ocean water is a lot colder than you may realize.
E-Foil in Mission Bay
Maybe you’ve seen people zipping around on something that looks like a hoverboard on the water, and you can do it, too. E-foils are becoming more popular, and our friend gives lessons to beginners in the calm waters of Mission Bay. Check out his website for more information and tell him that Justin and Steph sent you.
Kayak the Sea Caves
We love the team at Everyday California, and they offer a great kayak tour of the La Jolla Sea Caves. It’s such a terrific vantage point of the cliffs and the coastline. The La Jolla Ecological Reserve is a marine protected area home to many incredible creatures. You might even see whales or seals.
Julian
Most people don’t go to San Diego to visit the mountains, but I think some incredible spots just outside the city might surprise you. Highway 79 winds through the mountains that sit to the east. Along that highway is the little town of Julian. It’s famous for its apple harvest in the fall, and it’s the spot where San Diegans go to escape the beach climate once in a while. You can sometimes see snow there in the winter months.
Temecula
This town is about an hour north of San Diego and is home to several wineries and vineyards. It’s a great day trip from the city. Main Street is lined with historic buildings and tons of restaurants. I recommend getting out to at least one of the beautiful properties in the area to sample their wine. There are many options along Rancho California Road if you want to visit more than one.
Walk to Tijuana, Mexico
The border crossing south of San Diego is incredibly busy, but it’s usually quick if you walk across the border. If you have your passport and want to check out this bustling Mexican border city, just hop over the border. The signs are easy to follow, and it’s a fun adventure.
Grab a GoCity Pass to Maximize Your San Diego Trip
Don’t sleep on the GoCity pass for your trip. This pass will give you access to 58 attractions in San Diego for a fraction of the cost. It’s a great way to maximize your time in the city and see the top-rated attractions.
Favorite San Diego Breweries and Cocktail Bars
If you enjoy an ice-cold beer on a sunny day, I’ve got some places to check out while you’re in San Diego. It’s known for the craft beer made here, but I have a couple of cocktail spots too if beer isn’t your thing. Let’s start with breweries:
- Modern Times (multiple locations)
- Kairoa Brewing Company (North Park)
- Seek Beer Co (North Park)
- Thorn Brewing Company (Barrio Logan)
- Pure Project (multiple locations)
Here are a few of my favorite spots to have a drink:
- Mothership (South Park)
- Cutwater Tasting Room (Miramar)
- Baja Betty’s (Hillcrest)
- Vin de Syrah (Downtown)
Favorite San Diego Food Spots (including Desserts)
We were spoiled with fish tacos and good Mexican food when we lived in San Diego, but that’s not all there is for good food. The city is filled with great restaurant options for any type of appetite. Here are a few of our go-to spots whenever we visit:
- Eat tacos at one of these spots: Tacos El Gorgo in Chula Vista, Oscar’s Mexican Seafood, The Taco Stand, and City Tacos.
- Grab a cup of coffee at a coffee/plant shop, Communal Coffee, with locations in multiple neighborhoods, or my new favorite in North Park, Lovesong.
- Enjoy churros from any small cart. Our favorite is typically off University Ave in the Cherokee Point neighborhood.
- Grab sandwiches at one of the Ike’s Love and Sandwiches locations and take them to the beach. I wish this spot would open a franchise in Seattle.
- Have a burrito at Lucha Libre Taco Shop.
- KINDRED in South Park has excellent vegan food and cocktails.
- Order quick enchiladas at the drive-thru at Colima’s Mexican Food.
- Brunch at Matteo, where part of your bill goes towards local non-profits.
- Stop in at MRKT SPACE in La Jolla after a beach walk.
Where to Stay in San Diego
I’ve pulled together this list of some of our favorite places to stay when visiting San Diego. Whether you want a beachside hotel or a party spot downtown, we’ve got some great options here to help you narrow down your list.
Lafayette Hotel & Club
My favorite hotel in San Diego is the Lafayette Hotel. The pool is epic and is perfect for a sunny California getaway. The vibes are so unique, and you’ll definitely have an experience that differs from regular chain hotels. The restaurants on site are great, and you’ll be centrally located to many spots on our list.
Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter
Stay downtown at the Hotel Indigo and enjoy their rooftop space. If you want to explore San Diego without a car, this would be a great destination because so much is walkable. We also love the Moxy hotels but haven’t stayed in this one in downtown San Diego before. It has a vibe similar to that of the Hotel Indigo.
The Historic Hotel Del Coronado
We haven’t stayed here yet, but someday I will. The hotel is iconic, and it’s right on Coronado Beach with stunning ocean views. We’ve explored the stunning property, but haven’t gotten a peak in any of the rooms yet. If you’re curious or want to splurge, check it out.
San Diego Mission Bay Resort
Stay on Mission Bay, which connects to the Pacific Ocean. It’s a perfect destination to enjoy the beach and watersports. Plus, Pacific Beach is nearby with the boardwalk and the amusement park. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of the water and palm trees from your hotel. This is a great, family-friendly area to stay.
Pet-Friendly Rental with Patio
Located right in the heart of North Park, this rental is perfect for two people. There is a patio area to enjoy your morning coffee or any beers you bring back from a brewery visit. You’ll be able to walk to the many restaurants and stores in the North Park area.
A Backyard Cottage in North Park
This Airbnb is where we first fell in love with San Diego. It’s in a great central location and has everything you need. If you are planning a more extended stay or just a quick weekend, you’ll feel right at home here. The backyard area even has games and activities for guests, like ping pong and a lovely firepit.
How to Get Around in San Diego
I wish I could say that San Diego is easy to get around on public transportation like Boston or New York City, but it’s not ideal. There are some options for trolleys and buses, but we never lived somewhere that made them easy to navigate. Having a car is the easiest way to get around if you want to explore a lot of America’s Finest City. It’s also easy to bike and walk once you’re in the neighborhood you want to explore.
Check out car rental prices here.
An Itinerary for a Long Weekend in San Diego
Sometimes, having a loose plan when traveling to a new city is nice. I’m sharing my ideal weekend itinerary for San Diego to help give you a place to start. This will cover some of my favorite things in the city and group together some of the places that are closer together.
Thursday
- Land at the airport and get to your hotel to check in and drop off suitcases.
- Find fish tacos for takeout and head to Sunset Cliffs to watch the sun drop over the Pacific Ocean before an early bedtime.
Friday
- Hike in Torrey Pines in the morning. Hopefully, there’s a cool marine layer settled over the coast.
- Grab a coffee and a healthy breakfast at MRKT SPACE in La Jolla and shop the stores along that drag.
- Kayak in Mission Bay and watch the kiteboarders fly around in the wind, followed by a little treat at Mr. Frosty in Pacific Beach.
- Enjoy a dinner in Little Italy at one of the restaurants that opens their big windows.
- Take in a Friday night baseball game at Petco Park, followed by a post-win celebratory drink in the Gaslamp district before falling into bed.
Saturday
- Grab a coffee at Lovesong in North Park before heading to the San Diego Zoo or walking the paths of Balboa Park and the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge.
- Spend the lunchtime hour brewery hopping through North Park and enjoying snacks and shopping in between drinks.
- Enjoy happy hour at Mothership in South Park.
- Dine at KINDRED nearby.
- Unwind at the hotel with a hot tub soak or late-night swim.
Sunday
- Grab coffee in the morning and head to Coronado Beach for a walk in the sand.
- Head to the airport to head home.
Final Thoughts on San Diego—America’s Finest City
San Diego is a great place to escape for a long weekend with your friends or take the whole family. Kids love Legoland and the zoo, plus everyone loves the beach. Pack sunscreen and sunglasses and enjoy the blast of vitamin D and ocean air. Let us know if you have any questions about San Diego, and we’ll be happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
San Diego has excellent weather year-round, but winter is cooler. The late summer and fall months are best if you’re hoping for beach activities and lots of water sports. Locals will tell you about May Gray and June Gloom because those are the months with the most marine layers and clouds.
California is known for its lousy traffic, and San Diego is no different. The city is pretty spread out, so sitting on the highway is inevitable. If you are planning a trip there, try to group things that are close to each other on the same day to minimize your car time.
San Diego has a number of fun neighborhoods to check out, each with its own personality. My favorites to stay in are North Park, Ocean Beach, and Little Italy.
San Diego is packed with family-friendly activities. The San Diego Zoo is one of the best in the country, plus there are amusement parks, beach sports, and kid-friendly museums. There is no shortage of outdoor adventures to enjoy.
There is no bad beach in San Diego. My favorites for hanging out and people watching are La Jolla and Pacific Beach. If you want peace and quiet, head to Blacks Beach. For calm water to play in, head to Mission Bay.
Take advantage of the GoCity Pass, which offers admission to many of the coolest attractions in San Diego. It gives you a discount as a package instead of purchasing and organizing each activity separately and it’s perfect to pack a lot in your San Diego trip.
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