Ultimate San Diego Travel Guide: Itinerary By A Local
The ultimate San Diego travel guide is here! As a San Diego local, I regularly share my favorite restaurants, things to do, hotels & tips here on the blog and on my Instagram. But I wanted to put together a complete San Diego travel guide for anyone planning a trip to our beautiful city!
San Diego is amazing. I literally cannot believe I’m lucky enough to live here. The weather is beautiful, the people are friendly, there are tons of amazing restaurants & so many areas to discover.
Rather than overwhelm you with a long drawn out blog post – I literally hate having to scroll on and on trying to find the good stuff – I’m making this straight to the point. You can find each travel category, like places to stay, outdoor activities, when to visit, off the beaten bath recommendations & food by neighborhood.
Each category has my top 5 recommendations, links & other blog posts you might find helpful.
If you’re looking for more specific tips, feel free to reach out to me directly on Instagram or send me an email & I’d be be happy to help!
The Ultimate San Diego Travel Guide
SAN DIEGO NEIGHBORHOODS: THE BEST VACATION LOCATIONS
LA JOLLA
Located along the coastline of San Diego, La Jolla is a picturesque seaside gem known for its natural beauty and upscale charm. With its stunning cliffs, pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, La Jolla is often called “The Jewel of San Diego.”
CORONADO
Coronado is actually an island that you can get to by from downtown San Diego. It’s literally a postcard-perfect destination and known for its pristine beaches and charming, small-town atmosphere. Coronado is best known for the historic Hotel del Coronado, an iconic beachfront resort with Victorian architecture that has hosted presidents, celebrities and dignitaries since 1888.
CARLSBAD
Carlsbad is a coastal town just north of San Diego. It’s laid-back and known for its beautiful beaches, family-friendly attractions and a vibrant arts scene. The heart of Carlsbad is its charming Village, where you can wander through boutiques, dine in farm-to-table restaurants, and experience the city’s creative spirit in its numerous art galleries. It’s also a convenient location for families looking to visit Legoland, the Flower Fields or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
BALBOA PARK
Balboa Park is the perfect cultural and recreational destination in the heart of San Diego. The park has over 1,200 acres of gardens, museums, theaters and historical architecture. It’s home to the world famous San Diego Zoo, as well as the San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Man and the Botanical Building.
MISSION BEACH
Mission Beach is a lively neighborhood known for its iconic boardwalk, amusement park and beach culture. It has a variety of beachfront bars and restaurants, and a range of water sports and activities. Perfect for all types of travel from family vacations to bachelorette weekends.
LOCAL TIPS
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO AND THE GASLAMP QUARTER HAVE A TON OF HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS, BUT LESS TO DO ACTIVITY WISE. I DIDN’T INCLUDE IT IN THE LIST BECAUSE IT’S LESS OF A VACATION DESTINATION, BUT IS GREAT IF YOU’RE IN TOWN FOR COMIC-CON!
THERE ARE A TON OF OTHER AMAZING NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT I WOULD FOCUS YOUR TRAVEL PLANNING ON ONE OF THE ABOVE AREAS. IT’S EASY TO GET TO OTHER AREAS BY USING ONE OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS AS A STARTING POINT.
SAN DIEGO TRAVEL GUIDE: WHERE TO STAY
HERE ARE MY TOP 5 HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THE NEIGHBORHOODS ABOVE.
THE LODGE AT TORREY PINES – LA JOLLA
HOTEL DEL CORONADO – CORONADO ISLAND
FOUR SEASONS AVIARA – CARLSBAD
THE LAFAYETTE HOTEL – BALBOA PARK
CATAMARAN RESORT HOTEL & SPA – MISSION BEACH
LOCAL TIPS: IF YOU’RE VISITING WITH FAMILY OR A LARGER GROUP, THERE ARE A LOT OF VACATION RENTAL OPTIONS BY THE BEACH IN LA JOLLA, CARLSBAD & MISSION BEACH.
SAN DIEGO TRAVEL GUIDE: WHAT TO DO
LA JOLLA
MY TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LA JOLLA: RELAX AT WINDANSEA BEACH, CHECK OUT BIRCH AQUARIUM, EXPLORE SUNNY JIM’S CAVE & STORE, SHOP AND EAT ON GIRARD AVENUE & PROSPECT STREET, RENT KAYAKS FOR A TOUR OF THE LA JOLLA COAST
CORONADO
MY TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORONADO: RENT A DAY BED OR BEACH CHAIR AT THE BEACH AT HOTEL DEL CORONADO, RENT A BOAT OR JET SKIIS AND EXPLORE THE ISLAND, GRAB A STAND UP PADDLE BOARD TO CHECK OUT THE CAYS, CHECK OUT THE SUNKEN SS MONTE CARLO SHIP, GET A LESSON FROM THE FAMOUS SANDCASTLE MAN.
LOCAL TIP: IF YOU VISIT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, YOU CAN GO ICE SKATING AT THE HOTEL DEL’S ICE RINK BY THE BEACH! THE HOTEL ALSO HAS FIRE PIT RENTALS TO ROAST S’MORES AT SUNSET.
CARLSBAD
MY TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CARLSBAD: CHECK OUT LEO CARRILLO HISTORIC PARK, WANDER THROUGH THE FLOWER FIELDS, SHUCK OYSTERS AT THE CARLSBAD AQUAFARM, SHOP IN CARLSBAD VILLAGE, RENT JET SKIS OR KAYAKS IN THE CARLSBAD LAGOON.
BALBOA PARK
MY TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BALBOA PARK: ALL WITHIN THE PARK, DON’T MISS THE SAN DIEGO ZOO, EXPLORE THE JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN, CLIMB THE CALIFORNIA TOWER & WALK THE CABRILLO BRIDGE, RIDE THE FAMOUS BALBOA PARK CAROUSEL AND TOUR THE BOTANICAL BUILDING.
MISSION BEACH
MY TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MISSION BEACH: RIDE ONE OF THE OLDEST OPERATING ROLLER COASTERS IN THE WORLD – THE GIANT DIPPER, ENJOY THE OCEAN FRONT AMUSEMENT PARK BELMONT PARK, RENT A DUFFY BOAT AND RIDE ALONG THE BAY, SKIP THE CROWDS AND HANG OUT AT THE LESS CROWDED MISSION BAY JETTY, EXPLORE THE WRECK ALLEY SUNKEN SHIPS.
WHAT TO EAT IN SAN DIEGO
LA JOLLA
- CATANIA (ITALIAN)
- SHORE RIDER (AMERICAN)
- SHOREHOUSE KITCHEN (BREAKFAST & BRUNCH)
- THE TACO STAND (MEXICAN)
- AMBROGIO BY ACQUERELLO (ITALIAN)
CORONADO
- SEREA (SEAFOOD)
- THE HENRY (AMERICAN)
- LITTLE FRENCHIE (FRENCH)
- GARAGE BUONA FORCHETTA (ITALIAN)
- FEAST & FAREWAY (TAPAS)
CARLSBAD
- CAMPFIRE (AMERICAN)
- NICK’S ON STATE (AMERICAN)
- JEUNE ET JOLIE (FRENCH)
- BLUEWATER GRILL (SEAFOOD)
- BLACK RAIL KITCHEN & BAR (AMERICAN)
BALBOA PARK (IN OR NEAR)
- CAMP CUCINA (ITALIAN)
- ARTIFACT (GLOBAL)
- TRUST (BREAKFAST & BRUNCH)
- HAVANA 1920 (CUBAN)
- THE TACO STAND (MEXICAN)
MISSION BEACH
- CESARINA (ITALIAN)
- MATI’S BIRRIA (MEXICAN)
- MISS B’S COCONUT STAND (CARIBBEAN)
- OSCARS MEXICAN SEAFOOD (MEXICAN)
- CANNONBALL (ASIAN FUSION)
BONUS: 10 SAN DIEGO SECRET SPOTS
- SCRIPPS COASTAL MEANDER & LA JOLLA HIDDEN BEACH
- SUNSET CLIFFS SWING
- ANNIE’S CANYON HIKE (SLOT CANYON)
- SPRUCE STREET SUSPENSION BRIDGE
- ENCINITAS BOAT HOUSES
- HARPER’S TOPIARY GARDEN
- THE JULIAN GOLD MINE – EAGLE MINING CO
- THE HIGH PIE SHOP – THE TOP GUN HOUSE
- BLACK’S BEACH – THE CLOTHING OPTIONAL BEACH
- THE MUSICAL BRIDGE
