Address: 990 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101Phone: (619) 234-4111. Surfboard racks and yoga mats are the city's. San Diego is a major city in Southern California and is one of America's most popular tourist destinations. See beautiful cheetahs at Shiley's Cheetah Run on an early morning stroll along with an experienced guide. They serve the best of Creole and Cajun classics like gumbo, po' boys, crawfish, catfish, collard greens, and Southern flavors along with cocktails and unique shareable punches. Dine on World Class Cuisine. These 13 foot, 2 passenger boats are super safe and easy to drive, but what I like most is that its a self guided tour, which means I can go as fast or slow as I want. When it comes to breweries I love Mike Hess, Modern Times, and Thorn St Brewing. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination. Blogs that appear on this website may contain affiliate links. One-way tickets cost $7 per person, but children 3 years old and younger ride for free. This offer allows 10% off any activity that Everyday California offers. Two fun, popular (and crowded) events here each year are Cinco de Mayo and the Day of the Dead festival. Reservations are recommended. Onboard our 50 pristine Catamaran Yacht, our alwayslow passengercapacity makes foran intimate at sea experience. The following are average Fahrenheit lows and highs by month. You have to make time for Point Lomas Sunset Cliffs, an obviously great spot to watch sunset, but I think equally wonderful at sunrise. The waves are rarely big here and the further south you go the smaller they get. Four decades of personal experience to help you discover why so many people want to visit (and move to) Americas Finest City. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston. Legoland's app provides a park map and overview of rides, shops, dining, and ticket information. That being said, if you want to experience the modernized 50s era luxury hotel, stay at the Del. The third is to visit the Wild Animal Park, which is also part of the San Diego GO Card. One of my favorite things to do in OB is watch sunset from Wonderland Bar. Exhibits include more than 30 restored aircraft, flight simulators, flight deck, admiral's cabin, and more. If you will be sticking to one of the beach towns below like Pacific or Mission Beach, you could get by without a car and just use Uber/Lyft and electric scooters which are all the rage in these neighborhoods. I love surfing here! Address: 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101Website. Local travel tips for San Diego. San Diego's personality is a mix of Spanish, Hispanic and American influences. Address: 1001 Santa Clara Place, San Diego, CA 92109Phone: (858) 488-1000Website. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch provide a variety of opportunities to sample its dishes, from salmon benedict in the morning to butternut squash risotto at dinner. The 23 Best New Perfumes and Fragrances of 2023 - Harper's BAZAAR Home to Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean and Chinese cultures and cuisines. The views from Torrey Pines Gliderport is amazing and if you feel adventurous, you can do some hang gliding over the coast from here. More than likely youre going to want to rent a car when you visit San Diego. When you're ready to ditch your flip-flops and board shorts for more formal attire, you'll find pockets of vivacious nightlife throughout, especially near the historical Gaslamp Quarter. TRAVEL GUIDE GALLERY Introduction THINGS TO DO WHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT NEED TO KNOW Fodor's San Diego: with North County <p><b>Whether you want to find the perfect beach, visit the San. Discover San Diego Attractions | Official Ca. Travel Guide Solana Beach is where youll find Cedros Design District which has really cool shops, the rad music venue, Belly Up Tavern, and one of the locals favorite coffee shops, Lofty Coffee. Santee Lakes Campground also has floating cabins on the lake to rent. From extreme sports to extreme relaxation, Shop along these boutique-lined streets of San Diego, An elevated camp-like experience at stunning San Diego restaurants, Luxury Whale Watching Onboard Catamaran. Address: 1654 India Street, San Diego, CA 92101Website. Authentic Mexican food, artist studios, bakeries, and a brewery attract visitors as well. The hotel is set among nine acres of lush gardens, featuring a spa, saltwater pool, and outdoor wellness activities and yoga classes. The only bad thing is there arent a lot of food options within easy walking distance. Known as America's finest city and for its perfect weather year-round, San Diego is easily one of the most popular destinations in California. Summer is beach season, and visitors enjoy sunny weather and warm. 3 Day San Diego Itinerary | U.S. News Travel Remember they are more active in the morning and evening when the temperature is cooler so try to plan your trip accordingly. East county includes the areas of La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, and if you do choose this area as your home base for exploring, I recommend staying around La Mesa because its centrally located or if you are camping, stay at Santee Lakes. While you will see a lot of people living out of their cars here and there is no shortage of dreadlocks and guitars strumming, OB is safe, fun, and fairly affordable area to stay in. The 12 Best Hotels In San Diego - Forbes Address: 998 West Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109Phone: (858) 488-0551Book Now. Get a San Diego Go Card and check out all the rad tourist spots or go for the budget vacay and enjoy BBQs, bonfires, and walks on the bay and beach. If you can visit The Zoo during the school year on a non-holiday, you will love getting up close encounters with the animals. The colonization of San Diego's Native Americans brought in a Spanish influence to the city for the first time. Consider signing up for a guided tour to see a different side of the city with the help of a local. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. You dont want to be playing at the beach in Carlsbad for the day and then jump in your car at 4pm to get to dinner in the Gaslamp (although you could hop on the train). Seriously, all year round is a great time to visit, but if you have a flexible schedule, then honestly, January might be the best time. If its adventure you seek, then Id skip it. San Diego Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Eat, and More - MSN You can enjoy wide-open views of giraffe herds, rhinos, and a variety of African wildlife in a private cabana with a dedicated host to share stories about the animals. The event is free to attend! Ive complained about the traffic, the cost of living, and the rat race, but after four years of trying to escape this city for something smaller and with more sharp jagged mountains, Ive learned to understand why this is Americas Finest City. Situated about 9 miles due west of . Instead, try for an early spring or late fall getaway. Barrio Logan is home to Mexican street art, focused on Chicago Park beneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge overpass, where a display of colorful murals are painted on the bridge's pillars. 6 total guides Guide to San Diego Outdoors by JoAnna H Featuring: San Diego Zoo, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Balboa Park, & Temperatures vary, with warmer areas inland and cooler near the ocean often with morning clouds. UPDATED: Backpacking San Diego Travel Guide (2023) - The Broke Backpacker A more mellow way to enjoy the San Diego Harbor is on a Hornblower Cruise, which is also part of the San Diego GO Card. Or, for a comprehensive glimpse into San Diego's love of the brew, consider planning your trip for June, when the San Diego Brewers Guild hosts its Beer Weekend. Try the California burrito, which features carne asada, cheese, pico de gallo or guacamole and french fries. American cuisine with a modern touch and a menu of locally sourced meats, produce, and seafood is their specialty. Reservations are recommended. Authentic Mexican food is another good reason to visit Barrio Logan. Ultimate Travel Guide to San Diego: A Local's Guide on What to Do Start at the Visitors Center to plan your day or days you could spend a week there and not see it all. Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. If you surf, check out the south jetty, but really all along the beach is good for newbies on a fuller tide (stick to 3 foot tide or bigger). Watch sharks from their amazing underwater tunnel. San Diego Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia - YouTube My favorite part of Old Town is the Fiesta del Reyes section of Old Town. Address: 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101Phone: (619) 232-1234Book Now. Seafood is another important component of San Diego's culinary characterthanks to the city's close proximity to the ocean. Coronado is located across the bay from downtown San Diego. The extensive menu includes seafood, meat, salads, pasta, toasts, wood-fired pizza, craft cocktails, and a dessert menu that might tempt you to start there first. Consistently sunny weather and 70 miles of magnificent coastline are what draw active types and sun seekers alike to San Diego throughout the year: that and the mouthwatering Mexican cuisine, thriving nightlife and one of the country's favorite zoos. When you tell your friends you swam with sharks in San Diego, you might forget to mention that they were harmless Leopard sharks, named for their yellow and black markings. With over 100 days of sunshine, San Diego is one of the most amazing cities to explore in the U.S. While Eastlake has hundreds of new track homes and you can probably find a really nice Airbnb out there (I know, I used to own one for a decade), its total suburbia filled with strip malls and fast food. For breakfast, check out the The Mission North Park or Breakfast Republic. Together they are inspiring others to explore the outdoors, defy the norm, and live their dreams. Conchas and pan dulce (or sweet bread) found at Panchita's Bakery and chamangos, smoothie or sorbet mixed with mangos and chamoy (found at Tocumbo Ice Cream), are more authentic to Mexico. Visit for a behind-the-scenes tour, sit in the dugout, and see the pressbox, Visitors' Clubhouse, and more. The Best New Sneakers of 2023 - Esquire Address: 860 West Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103Phone: (619) 458-9929Website. Comic-Con International is the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States, attracting thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related San Diego's finest annual cycling event across the Coronado Bridge and around the bay! Skip summer This is the peak tourist season, meaning hotel rates skyrocket while availability plummets. View the best hotels, restaurants and spas in San Diego, with Five-Star ratings and more from Forbes Travel Guide. Throughout the park, museum stores and artisans provide the opportunity to take home a prized item, gift, or souvenir. Check the calendar There are numerous events and conventions throughout the year, ushering in thousands of visitors at any given time. This is a fun concert venue that we often take our kids too. Want to surf a chill wave? After having a business in Coronado for 20 years, Ive always been mixed on whether Coronado is a must see destination if you are coming to San Diego for your first time. Balboa Park Official Mobile App is an interactive guide to the park with details on museums, eateries, schedules, and more. And when it comes to rain, San Diego sees the most rainfall during the winter months, so a day at the beach is out of the question during this time (not to mention the ocean's waters are too frigid for swimming). La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve thrives with marine life, and in Torrey Pines, there's hiking and an array of native wildlife. Visit San Diego: 2023 Travel Guide for San Diego, California - Expedia Reservations are recommended. It can be a bit pricey but they have really delicious and unique vegan meals. $321 at StockX. Hang your hat downtown Hotels along the beach or ones overlooking the bay charge hefty fees for their views. San Diego is home to many of Southern California's top attractions, with plenty of options for adventure-seeking, fun-loving explorers. Coastal areas are generally cooler than inland parts of the city. Conveniently located near the Convention Center and Petco Park, this pet-friendly boutique hotel boasts a roof garden and Level 9 Rooftop Bar with cozy fire pits for chilly evenings. Hoppiness isn't far from happiness in San Diego. Find hotels, restaurants and a long list of fun things to do. Its the place to go for upscale Italian food and their wine list is incredible! PB may be known as the party town of San Diego but for the majority of the day, it isnt true. If you are traveling with a dog, dog beach in OB is where its at. I love surfing here when the swell is big. Last year I bought a 2003 Ford F350 Diesel truck, I officially fit in in east county now. You'll ride past SeaWorld and Belmont Park, enjoying the sea breeze and views on the way. Head to Silver Strand at low tide. With so many to choose from, you'll find one that's just your speed. In San Diego, you can find both ocean beaches with waves for surfing and calm bays for easy swimming. This is a great area to stay in if you want to be able to walk to a lot of great restaurants, bars, an amazing farmers market on Sundays, and Petco Park to catch a Padre game or concert. With seventy degree weather year round on average and very little rain, a visit to San Diego should be on everyones bucket list. The Bahia is set on a private 14-acre peninsula on Mission Bay less than five minutes from SeaWorld. Not only that, but oftentimes their kids commute into San Diego to go to school during the week. San Diego Travel Guide & Tips | Cond Nast Traveler The elegant Lodge offers early California Craftsman style with expansive public spaces with fireplaces, overstuffed furniture, leather chairs, and views of the Pacific and Torrey Pines Golf Course. The San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous and highly regarded zoos in the world, located in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. This national park celebrates the 1542 arrival of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the U.S. When you click through these links we receive a small commission at no charge to you. And, of course, you must sample the fish tacos. A post shared by Liberty Station (@libertystation) on Dec 18, 2019 at 5:40pm PST. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Swimming, surfing, kayaking, sunbathing, biking, jogging, hiking, boating, golfing, and dozens of other activities are easy and fun to enjoy. Traditional and modern Vietnamese dishes include a selection of pho, spring rolls, bowls, rice dishes, and banh mi sandwiches. Side dishes include Elotitos sweet corn, nopalitos, and mama's macaroni. Address: 11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037Phone: (858) 453-4420Website. Address: 550 J Street, San Diego, CA 92101Phone: (619) 738-7000Book Now. Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Address: 100 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101Phone: (619) 795-5555Website. I love IB but I would still recommend the Central San Diego Beaches of Imperial Beach. There are also multiple Marine bases and training centers there as well, so dont be surprised if you see members of the military walking about around town or training at the beach. Or even take a day trip to Disneyland, just a short drive north to Anaheim. Address: 1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106Phone: (619) 452-3138Book Now. If you go a little further east than this, youll go over the mountains and drop into the desert of Ocotillo. It has some pleasant hikes and a few challenging ones like Cowles Mountain, which can be insanely crowded (kinda a theme for hiking in San Diego). Taxi fares from the airport to downtown San Diego can fluctuate depending on traffic, but you should expect to pay about $12 to $15 for a one-way ride. Get your ass outta bed and grab those trainers because it's going to be a beautiful day! Famous for its pristine beaches, splendid weather, incredible craft brewery scene, and several opportunities for outdoorsy tourists. Refer to the map and timetable to plan your trip. This is a great place to go for a run especially in the early morning, have a picnic and let the kids play at one of the many campgrounds, rent a bike and cruise the bay + Fiesta Island. I rarely go here so I cant fully vouch for it. San Diego Travel Guide - Forbes Travel Guide And if wine is more your speed, check out nearby Temecula on a guided wine tour. Address: 4211 Camino de la Plaza, San Diego, CA 92173Phone: (619) 934-8400Website. Its $10 for the day but then you dont have to worry about fighting parking and there are bathrooms. Heavy tides and rough waves can make a leisurely Pacific swim unpleasant and even unsafe. Another nice spot to check out is Windansea. A post shared by Wonderland Ocean Pub (@wonderlandoceanbeach) on Dec 30, 2019 at 3:00pm PST. WHY IT RATES: For travelers looking to enjoy next year's solar eclipse, Holland America Line is adding experts to make the experience more enjoyable.Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer. My favorite is to hike Iron Mountain, but it can get crowded on the weekends so keep this in mind. Then finish the day with a bonfire while watching the Sea World fireworks from either Mission Bay (at 9:50 pm in the summer), Fiesta Island, or my personal preference, Ski Beach. Want to watch the best sunsets? With resorts, theme parks, restaurants, and 19 miles of beaches, everyone will find a few reasons to love Mission Bay. Welcome to SAN DIEGO VISITOR INFO CENTER The place for discounted tickets on San Diego tours & attractions GET ALL THE SAN DIEGO INFO YOU NEED RIGHT HERE Before you begin exploring the city, stop in and see us at the San Diego Visitor INFO Center. Sure to us locals its a little cold and youll see us walking around in our puffy jackets and Uggs, but seriously, January is usually a high on the coast of mid-sixties and a low of fifty and there is rarely rain. With near perfect weather year-round, 70 miles of spectacular coastline, world-class attractions and a thriving urban core, complete with a sophisticated art, dining and nightlife scene, San Diego has earned the name California's beach city. You can also sign up here for a Tequilla, Tacos, and Culinary Tour of Old Town. Their menu of shellfish, finfish, chowders, small plates, big platters, lobster, cocktails, beer, and wine along with weekday happy hours make this a popular spot. Take a wild ride down a 375-foot water slide. For transportation, apps for Uber and RideYellow make getting around easy. This intimate French bistro has an enthusiastic following of fans of their baked brie and duck fat truffle fries served during happy hour. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Travel Guide Explore > Things to Do > Tours & Sightseeing Discover San Diego Tours & Sightseeing Let a local show you around town Plan an adventure From guided sightseeing tours, to whale watching excursions and everything in between, find your perfect adventure in San Diego. More than 100 restaurants, 40 bars and nightclubs, theaters, art galleries, and shops as well as luxury hotels make it a popular destination. A better option for tide pooling would be Cabrillo National Monument or if you dont want to pay the entrance fee there, La Jolla Cove also has great tide pooling. PDF San Diego Travel Guide - American Automobile Association San Diego is as amazing as it sounds. Beachside attitude, Big city excitement. 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