With over 100 days of sunshine and a gorgeous stretch of coastline San Diego is one of the best spots in California to explore the outdoors. Even though San Diego is the second largest city in California the pace of life here is relaxed and the various neighbourhoods and districts all offer something new and exciting.
The many charming districts that make up San Diego are spread across nearly 1,000km2 therefore a car is absolutely essential in order to fully enjoy your adventures in San Diego.
Balboa Park
The second largest urban park in the world, Balboa Park is home to the famous San Diego Zoo along with a host of other attractions. Spread across the lush open park is something for everyone, with various art galleries, science museums, theatres and botanical gardens.
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When visiting Balboa Park it’s best to bring your own lunch and snacks from one of San Diego’s famous food markets. There are a number of food stands and restaurants located at each of the museums and within San Diego Zoo however the fare offered is fairly standard at premium prices. After a day of exploring, head to Mister A’s for one of the best views of the sunset in the entire city and some divine food!
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There’s so much to do in Balboa Park that you could easily spend several days browsing the art galleries, relaxing in the tranquil green spaces and learning something new at the various museums. For nature lovers the iconic glass botanical house, the most photographed scene in the park that houses over 2,000 fascinating plants, is a must see there. Another top spot, San Diego Zoo, one of the world’s best, is home to an insane number of species, including the breathtaking polar bears that you can watch frolicking underwater. The park is so large there’s even an aerial tram to take you from one side to another whilst offering epic views across the park.
Parking is free around Balboa Park and there are plenty of parking lots dotted throughout the park. Download the Balboa Park app to find parking near to the attractions you want to visit. Some of the smaller lots can get full at the weekend, head to the larger parking lot by the zoo if you’re struggling to find a space.
Coronado Island
Part navy base, part holiday homes and resort hotels, Coronado Island is a charming little town directly across the bridge from downtown San Diego. With wide sandy beaches, quaint shops and spectacular sunsets it’s easy to see why this town has been dubbed “the Crowned One” in Spanish.
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Landmark hotel and popular tourist spot Hotel del Coronado is one of the last Victorian-style wooden resorts of its kind. Numerous celebrities have graced the rooms of this iconic property. Choose from the cost-effective Victorian rooms or splurge on the Beach Village cottages complete with your own hot tub and personal concierge.
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The best restaurants on Coronado Island are clustered around either the Hotel del Coronado or near Centennial Park. Some of the best places to eat in Coronado are actually the most casual, swing by Lobster West Coronado for some of the best lobster rolls in town or Poke 123 for healthy Hawaiian-style poke bowls.
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Coronado Beach has consistently been rated one of the best beaches in the USA and this blissful stretch of beach must be top of your list to enjoy in Coronado Island. For a fun way to explore Coronado Island take a Segway tour or hire a surrey to pedal along the beaches and make sure to stop off at either Bayview Park or Centennial Park for picture perfect views of the city skyline.
You can find free parking beside Coronado Beach and along the residential streets nearby. On busy summer days this area can fill up quickly, nearby Orange Avenue (the shopping district) has metered parking available at only 25 cents an hour.
Gaslamp Quarter
Central area of San Diego and the heart of the city, the Gaslamp Quarter is a buzzing spot to grab dinner and a night out. Named after the signature Victorian style gaslamps this historic region was the kickstarter that turned Rabbitville into the buzzing San Diego that exists today.
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There are many hotels in the midst of the vibrant downtown Gaslamp Quarter with options to suit all budgets. If you want to splurge, splash out on the exceptional Pendry Hotel with one of the only rooftop pools in the whole of San Diego and a luxurious feel throughout. For the more budget conscious traveller head to the funky Moxy where a 24/7 bar and pile of board games are laid out for you to enjoy whenever you’re not out pounding the streets of the city.
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With over 200 restaurants clustered within only 16 blocks there’s no shortage of excellent places to eat in the Gaslamp Quarter. Two of the most highly rated both reside in the super-luxe Pendry Hotel: Lionfish serving modern seafood dishes and Provisional Kitchen offering dishes made from farm fresh produce. For an after dinner tipple head to one of a number of excellent cocktail bars from speakeasies like Noble Experiment to rooftop gems like The Nolen.
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Although the majority of the Gaslamp Quarter is centred around eating, drinking and shopping make sure to check the schedule at Petco Park and grab tickets to a baseball game if the Padres are playing. The Gaslamp Quarter is also only a short walk to the marina where history fans can explore the gigantic USS Midway aircraft carrier and its extensive collection of airplanes.
Parking is extremely limited in the Gaslamp District and navigating the one-way system whilst trying to find a space can be pretty stressful. If you’re staying in the area take advantage of the valet service where you’re staying – although the price tag can be hefty, the ease of use is definitely worth it!
La Jolla
An upscale yet relaxed area of town, La Jolla has an incredible stretch of coastline home to many groups of sea lions basking on the rocks, and equally impressive fine dining options with an abundance of fresh seafood. Former home of Dr Seuss, who is believed to have found inspiration for his books from the landscapes and wild inhabitants of La Jolla, this is one of our favourite areas of San Diego.
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Head to the historic Grande Colonial Hotel for a night’s stay overlooking the ocean and steps away from both the boutique shops and cute cafes, and prime seal and sea lion spotting areas. The oldest hotel in the area, the Grande Colonial Hotel combines a historic feel of grandeur with touches of modern luxury.
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Many of San Diego’s best fine dining restaurants can be found in La Jolla in keeping with the affluent area. Opt for Nine-Ten, part of the Grande Colonial Hotel, one of the first restaurants to adopt a farm-to-table approach in San Diego or head to George’s at the Cove for sea-view dining focussing on fresh seafood.
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Life at La Jolla definitely focuses around the sea! Whether that’s observing the sea lions and seals basking in the sun, relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches or snorkelling amongst the waves watching out for leopard sharks, you can’t avoid the water. Away from the coast, downtown La Jolla is full of boutique shops and art galleries to meander through.
Parking in central La Jolla can be pretty tricky to find as most spaces have 2-hour limits, perfect for a spot of lunch or shopping but not ideal for longer beachside adventures. If you can manage to grab a spot on one of the quieter residential streets these spots are free and you’ll find everything in La Jolla is only a short walk away.
Little Italy
Originally an Italian and Portuguese fishing neighbourhood Little Italy has become one of San Diego’s most popular areas with lively outdoor cafes, craft breweries and boutique shops.
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As the name might suggest there’s a wide selection of Italian restaurants to pick from in Little Italy including Nolita Hall which serves up a cracking slice of pizza. Away from the numerous delicious hole-in-the-wall local trattorias, head to Herb & Wood or Kettner Exchange for more upmarket modern American cuisine.
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Most popular for their Saturday Farmers Market (weekly from 8am-2pm), there’s no better time to visit Little Italy. Streets are closed for rows and rows of market stalls to be set up selling all sorts of goodies from vivid sunflowers to oven-fresh bread, and just caught sea urchins to perfectly ripe fruit and veggies.
Little Italy has many pedestrianized roads especially during the farmers market. Aim to book your parking space in advance online to ensure you get a spot, or park slightly further out and wander in towards the bustling market.
Pacific Beach
Home to one of the best stretches of beach in San Diego, Pacific Beach is a surfer’s paradise with beachwear shops, board rentals and hip cafes lining the ocean. Pacific Beach has a fairly young crowd and buzzing bar scene, particularly when compared to most of the other districts of San Diego.
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When in Pacific Beach you’ve got to stay right by the beach and where better to wake up to the sound of waves crashing outside your window than Tower 23. Plump for a surf pad to enjoy spectacular views of the sunset from your balcony and borrow one of the complimentary bikes or surfboards for an early morning ride.
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In keeping with the general vibe of Pacific Beach, eateries around here are laid back affairs where you can grab a bite to go or chill out and enjoy the sounds of the ocean. Whether it’s pizza (Square Pizza Co.), tacos (PB Fish Shop) or ribs (Iron Pig Alehouse) that take your fancy, there’s a wide range of places on offer.
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It will come as no surprise that the majority of things to do in Pacific Beach revolve around the sandy beaches and crashing waves. Grab a board and join the hundreds that flock to Pacific Beach to catch some waves by learning to surf with San Diego surf school, take to two wheels and meander along the boardwalk on your bicycle or take the relaxed approach and simply soak up the sun’s rays.
Parking can get a little crazy in Pacific Beach especially on a sunny weekend or Taco Tuesday evenings. If you’re staying for the day, consider paying for one of the paid lots which tend to be capped at $20-$30 for an overnight stay.
Essential Info about San Diego
Is it easy to drive around San Diego?
American road systems are fairly simple to navigate as most cities are based on a grid system. Beware that American road rules are slightly different to those around the world, for example you are usually allowed to turn right when the traffic lights are on red. San Diego is such a sprawling city that you’ll often find it quicker to hop on the I-5 to get from one side to another. Most places within San Diego are no more than a half an hour drive even in traffic.
How much is petrol in San Diego?
The price of petrol in San Diego varies dramatically between gas stations even when they are literally across the road from each other. To ensure you aren’t overpaying for your petrol download the app Gasbuddy to find the cheapest gas near you. You can expect to pay between $3.25 and $3.99 per gallon, with small discounts often available if you pay in cash.
Laws regarding filling up your car vary by state. In California gas stations tend to be self-service; if you’re paying by card simply swipe at the pump (although some international cards don’t work that way) or if you’re paying by cash pop into the shop first to pay upfront.
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
San Diego is a great place to visit any time of year with sunny days all year round. July to October are the hottest months but also some of the busiest. From September onwards expect to see more visitors from Northern California visiting to take advantages of the warmer weather.
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Many thanks to Alamo for sponsoring our time driving down the West Coast of the USA. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely our own, we wouldn’t recommend something if we didn’t love it!
