9 Reasons Why San Diego Is Worth Visiting This Year
The world is your oyster, and out of all of the possible places you could vacation, you’ve narrowed your search down to California. The Golden State’s reputation is staging a comeback more impressive than the Wild West, and San Diego is one of the cities bringing people there and keeping the San Diego airport car rental services hopping.
What’s so great about this sprawling city that it beats out nearby old favorites like Los Angeles? Here are 9 reasons you should join the countless others and visit San Diego this year.
Every Day is Paradise
San Diego’s weather is full of sunshine and temperate digits. Tolerable beach weather in the upper 70s and low 80s is the norm during late spring and into fall (from May to October), and the rest of the year stays comfortable, rarely dipping into freezing digits. If you want to hit the beach without the uncomfortable direct rays of the sun boiling you (we see you, Florida), or the chilly bite of upper Atlantic and Pacific oceans turning you into a temporary cold-blooded creature, San Diego is your place. Stick around when the sun goes down, and enjoy a magnificent sunset painting in the sky!
It’s Tourist-Friendly Without the Big Crowds
Residents of San Diego expect tourism, so you’ll find it easy to shop, book lodging accommodations, and stay busy. However, you don’t get the massively packed crowds, long lines, and too-busy-to-be-polite people. In general, you’ll find that people in San Diego are friendly and happy to offer advice or point you in the right direction. The city itself has safer crime rates than the average US big city, and you can feel at home while still being comfortable gawking and taking pictures outside your favorite attractions and landscapes.
Pacific Beach Makes It All Worthwhile
If you see nothing else while you’re in San Diego, you must stop at Pacific Beach. Easy parking within walking distance of the beach gives you an all-day way to travel. Keep your food in a cooler in your car, or stop and eat at one of the many restaurants around the area, like Sushi Ota and Taco Surf. Don’t worry if you forgot your bathing suit or need some beach supplies; there are plenty of small shops with everything you might require! Prepare to spend the day here soaking up the sun and sights and making memories.
The Food is Top-Notch
Whatever your culinary preferences are, from particularly picky to food snob, San Diego has you covered. The eateries here run the gamut from deliciously greasy cart food to upscale decadent delights.
For those who prefer high-end dining with breathtaking views, check out Madison on the Park and Juniper & Ivy. Craving spicy Mexican food? The list goes on and on, but we suggest El Borrego, Las Cuatro Milpas, and Aqui es Texcoco. Be sure to hit Cafe 21 for farm-to-table ingredients or Morning Glory in Little Italy for you pink lovers. While you’re in Little Italy, add Civico Buon Appetito to your meal itinerary. Finish your stomach off happy with extraordinary desserts at Wayfarer in Bird Rock.
The Architecture is Diverse
If you love exploring buildings and checking out the different types of architecture, San Diego’s neighborhoods will delight you. While they’re all within short driving distance, each one has something distinctly different about it. Take a drive around Little Italy, La Jolla, Mission Beach, Old Town, and Pacific Beach, and you’ll see the wonders of architecture as it evolved through cultures and over centuries.
The Attractions Will Keep You Busy
Not a beach person, or looking for ways to keep your family happy? The attractions in San Diego are diverse enough that there’s something for everyone.
Start with the San Diego Zoo, where you’ll see animals from everyone in the world. This zoo is famous because of its education and conservation efforts, so every animal lover can enjoy the day knowing that they’re exploring a zoo that truly cares for its inhabitants. Lions, tigers, and monkeys roam (not freely, though). Check the schedule early to see what shows and interactive exhibits are happening when you go, and you might land some behind-the-scenes experiences! (Animal lovers might also want to visit the new and lesser-known PetCo Park.)
Just outside the zoo is Balboa Park, where you can stroll through the Botanical Building and Japanese Friendship Garden for family photo ops and a peaceful way to recharge your soul before or after the zoon.
Not enough to keep you busy? Add the USS Midway Museum, SeaWorld San Diego, Belmont Park, the Birch Aquarium, and the San Diego Air & Space Museum to your list of things to do — you’ll realize quickly that you need more time to do it all!
The Waterfront
You don’t have to be a beach lover to enjoy the water in San Diego. Just stop at the Waterfront Park/Bayfront. This extensive area can be reached through many of the neighborhoods. If you’re at the USS Midway, there’s a pier that takes you to the waterfront to access the shops and restaurants (and views). You can also visit it while in Little Italy, where you’ll find children’s playgrounds and more. Take a walk along any of the waterfront and bayfront strips for the sights and sounds of the Pacific without the beach sand and crowds.
Ferry to Coronado
Spend a day in Coronado, which is still part of San Diego, although you can only get there by ferry at the Coronado Ferry Landing. Famous for its landmarks like the Frank Baum (Wizard of Oz fame) and the Hotel del Coronado, this area is upscale but also caters to tourists. The breathtaking Coronado Beach is just off the ferry landing and near the Coronado Bridge. Visit the quaint shops and eateries while you’re there.
And, Of Course, There’s the Sea Lions!
No trip to San Diego is complete without a stop to see the world-famous sea lions in La Jolla. You can kayak or swim to the coves where the sea lions like to frolic, but for those who prefer to see them from a distance, stop off at one of the many highway-side viewpoints and you’ll see the sea lions come up to the beaches and rocks. It can get windy and loud, so be prepared, but the memories are worth the extra jacket and headphones!