Whether you’re into scarfing fish tacos and craft beers or hitting up the waves, San Diego has it all.
It’s often overlooked by its bigger brothers LA and San Francisco, however, this city is in many ways a better place to visit. With a near-perfect temperature all year round many flock here to experience those summer vibes even in winter months. It is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the US and arguably one of the most beautiful. You can experience everything from the military town of Coronado Island, the Mexican-American neighbourhood of Barrio Logan or the funky surfer vibe of Ocean Beach.
One thing I particularly love about SD is its proximity to everything. LA is just a 2 hour drive away or you can venture 30 minutes down south and see what Mexico has to offer (for the wine lovers out there Valle de Guadalupe in Ensenada is definitely worth a visit. Some of the views and wines are absolutely incredible). San Diego tourist attractions are rife and there are so many things to see and do here that you’re utterly spoiled for choice.
It’s easy to follow the tourist spots and these places are visited a lot for a reason. Having a San Diego native by my side, I had an excellent guide to show me these special spots.
San Diego Temple
When I first saw this building I was dumbfounded by its beauty, so much so that I missed giving a direction in the car which left my boyfriend rather annoyed, but you seriously can’t miss the view. With tall pointed spires and glowing white exterior finish, it stands out against the bright blue skies of San Diego. Located just off the Interstate 5 you’ll most likely come across it on the way to La Jolla.
La Jolla Caves
Speaking of, visiting La Jolla is a must. Directly translated as ‘The Jewel’, La Jolla offers many upscale restaurants and gorgeous hotels with stunning beaches. It is one of my favourite places in Southern California and a dream to live there. Million dollar homes line the coasts and look over the sparkling ocean. Palm trees define the skyline and contour every street. It is also a first class destination for culture and arts with many museums. The mural Brain/Cloud located near George’s at the Cove is loved by the locals. There are many beautiful caves to explore here, but Sunny Jims Cave is by far the best. Most require a kayak to explore, but Sunny Jims is the exception with just a short walk down. From there you can watch the sea lions, enjoy the unique scenery or just take some really cool photos.
Balboa Park
Unsurprisingly ranked as one of the Best Parks in the World, Balboa is home to 15 museums, several performing arts spaces, gorgeous gardens and of course, the famous San Diego Zoo. This is a place where you can spend all weekend and still not see everything. A visit here makes for an incredibly relaxing one, whether you decide to stroll around galleries or admire the flowers in the gardens. Be sure to check out the ‘Free Museum Tuesdays’, where many are the museums are free to visit on this day.
Horton Plaza
I love shopping malls, but this one is different to your average mall as its spread out among 5 levels; like an adult playground with split walkways, gorgeous architecture and a myriad of surprises around each corner. One of the best things about this place is that it’s completely open, so you can still enjoy the sunshine while shopping. Nordstrom, Macy’s, Gap and Forever21 have stores here, but there are many cute boutiques too.
Now most importantly, what kind of food does San Diego offer? Well, you can have pretty much anything. I’ve had Filipino, Greek and Vietnamese as well as the expected American and Mexican. Whatever flavour you desire, SD has got you covered.
I particularly enjoy carne asada fries whenever I come here. Everyone I know has mentioned to me how much they want to try In N Out. Originally just in California, but now expanded to Arizona and Nevada, In N Out is a place where all your burger dreams come true. Seriously, I have yet to try a burger that beats it. It’s so good, they only have to offer four food items but here simplicity is key. If you take a trip to The Golden State, be sure to visit one (and check out their secret menu). Double – double, animal style fries and a Neapolitan shake please.
For a more stylish dining experience check out Ironside which is situated in Little Italy, an area bursting with eclectic eateries and fancy restaurants. The place is visually enticing with a grandeur yet relaxed vibe. A giant octopus tentacle cradling a light bulb and a wall of golden piranhas captures your attention and these elaborate details give what could almost be a contemporary interpretation of Titanic. Different fish related puns are written on a board often, my favourite previously being ‘Fish Don’t Kill My Vibe’ a la Kendrick Lamar. The menu here changes daily depending on what is freshly caught and the Octopus a la plancha and the Monchong fish were both faultless dishes. The place also boasts amazing craft cocktails, a bakery, an expansive oyster bar and still manages to pull off excellence in every area. Be prepared to spend a moderate amount of money though as here you really do get what you pay for – and you will want to keep those oysters coming!
I was celebrating a belated birthday when I was last in SD, and for dessert, my boyfriend took me to a really fun place. Apple product lovers will love iDessert by Jean Philippe, where you can use one of their iPad stations to customise your own dessert layer by layer. To build it you will need to select your Crust, Gelato and Cream, and then have the option to add cake, sauce and some fruits and/or crunch. I can’t remember what we ordered but I know it was delicious. For mine, he even went as far as to put a little candle in the top for me, which was so adorable.
If you’re wondering if you should take a trip to ‘America’s Finest City’, I say do it. 70 miles of sun drenched coast, a waterfront city with light breezes and surf waves for days. A perfect, endless summer.
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