What to see and do in San Diego
Discover the Old Town
San Diego is home to a unique blend of Californian and Mexican culture – setting it apart from fellow Californian metropoles, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Dive straight in at the Old Town, a registered historical landmark about 10 minutes’ drive north of central San Diego. Vintage carts line the streets and shops overflow with sugar skulls and homages to iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. There’s free parking on site for your hire car, too.
Explore Balboa Park
The city’s downtown oasis since 1868, Balboa Park is a careful curation of blooming gardens and architectural grandeur. Make a beeline for the Museum of Man – instantly recognisable by its mosaic dome and ornate stone carvings – and the beautiful curves of the Botanical Building. The park hosts a thriving schedule of events, including open-air theatre shows, so make sure you check what’s on during your trip.
Watch live sports
Catch a game at Petco Park, widely acknowledged as one of the best baseball stadiums in the country. Enjoy America’s favourite pastime in the sun-kissed stands as you join the locals in cheering on the San Diego Padres. Sport doesn’t stop there either. Head to the city’s beaches where you’ll find year-round events, including California’s other favourite sport – surfing – in abundance.
Best beaches in San Diego
La Jolla
Head to the idyllic surfing community of La Jolla, where you’ll be transported to a serenity that feels worlds away from the buzz of Downtown San Diego. Swim in the sparkling waters of La Jolla Cove and hit the waves at surfing hotspot, Windansea Beach. Take a pair of binoculars and you might even catch sight of passing whales from the clifftops.
Coronado Beach
Venture out of San Diego, across the soaring bridge and into the welcoming arms of Coronado – the resort city that sits out in the rippling waters of San Diego Bay. Find a sandy spot and while away the hours or get stuck into watersports and volleyball. Make sure you stick around for the sunset too – it’s the perfect picture opportunity.
Hit all the best beaches in San Diego and beyond with our Surfing California Roadtrip.
Where to eat and drink in San Diego
Café Coyote
For a mouthful of Mexico, go to Café Coyote in the Old Town. Pull up a rainbow-painted chair in the bustling courtyard and feast your eyes on the traditional Mexican menu. Fill your table with nachos, tacos and quesadillas with a kick - and dig in while Mariachi singers lilt from table to table, ramping up the sense of authenticity that brings this eatery to life.
Little Italy
When you’re in the mood for pizza, the neighbourhood of Little Italy beckons. Isola Pizza Bar is a firm neighbourhood favourite – a stripped-back, industrial style restaurant where all the classics are wood-fired to perfection.
Charles and Dinora
For a slice of the San Diegan cosmopolitan dining scene, reserve your poolside spot at Charles and Dinora – the resident restaurant at The Pearl Hotel. This effortlessly cool venue serves up sumptuous seafood and sharing platters colourfully decorated with flower petals – with a side-helping of retro movie showings and bingo nights in the summer. It’s the perfect place to relax.