San Diego
Beachside vibes and big-city excitement
With its 112 kilometers of beaches, welcoming residents, and fantastic climate, California’s second-biggest city offers the ideal blend of sophisticated metropolitan living and relaxed beach culture. While world-class attractions, a variety of outdoor activities, and a vibrant downtown invite visitors to play all year long, hotels and resorts urge people to unwind. San Diego’s culture is all about having fun, being creative, and being carefree. San Diego is the place to go if you’re searching for a real California beach city where “Happiness is Calling.”
The Ultimate Outdoor Playground
San Diego’s beaches, parks, and deserts provide an abundance of sunshine and breathtaking scenery. Walking routes abound in the dramatic cliff-top environment of Torrey Pines Natural Reserve, one of only two places in the world where Torrey pine trees grow. The reserve offers expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand, every spring, the vibrant wildflowers bloom in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which is the largest state park in California.
Visit Mission Bay Aquatic Park for both land and seaside sports. It has bike routes and sailboat rentals, among other things. Go to SeaWorld San Diego, one of the best attractions in the area, which is close by. Go to La Jolla for an unlimited supply of aquatic adventures, or take a surf or kayak class. In addition, Balboa Park boasts 17 museums, gardens, theaters, and the renowned San Diego Zoo, making it the largest urban cultural park in the United States. Snap a selfie near the recognizable California Tower, a notable illustration of Spanish Colonial Revival design.
Neighborhoods New and Old
Explore over 100 neighborhoods, ranging from the vibrant Little Italy food scene to the Mediterranean-style community of La Jolla. Discover the Gaslamp Quarter, one of the most popular nightlife locations on the West Coast, right in the middle of downtown. This area features 16 walkable blocks filled with a mix of contemporary and ancient buildings that house bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. San Diego, which is home to over 150 breweries, is particularly renowned for having invented the West Coast-style IPA. Go to the “Hops Highway” (Highway 78 Corridor), “Beer-a-Mar” (Miramar Road), or “Beer Boulevard” (30th Street) in the North Park neighborhood.
Here, the influence of nearby Mexico is strong, creating a unique “Cali-Baja” culture that can be seen in the food, art, architecture, and other aspects of daily life. Cali-Baja cuisine blends the Baja-Mediterranean movement of Mexico with the inventiveness and freshness of Californian food. Barrio Logan, a hidden gem for trend-setting art, genuine local galleries, boutiques, brewpubs, and handmade coffee, is also influenced by Mexican culture. Go explore Chicano Park, which was founded by the Latino community as a means of empowerment, under the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. The park is known for having the world’s biggest collection of Chicano murals and is currently a National Historic Landmark.
Hallowed History
California was also born in San Diego. Discover the story of Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo’s landing in 1542—the first European explorer to set foot on the USA’s West Coast—at Cabrillo National Monument. Explore the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, walk the Bayside Trail, ride the Cabrillo Memorial Drive, and watch the tide pools for signs of marine life at low tide.
Old Town A peek into California’s early colonies is provided by San Diego State Park, which also has historical sites with a Mexican influence, vibrant stores, real restaurants, museums, and a theater. Discover the maritime and military past of the city at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which features a replica of the ship San Salvador, which was sailed by Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo on his discovery of San Diego, and the floating USS Midway Museum, which is the longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century.