Located in Southern California in close proximity to Mexico, San Diego is a beautiful coastal city full of culture and beauty. Though the city has a more relaxed pace compared to other Californian cities, there are still a lot of things to do. Whether you’re looking for gorgeous beaches, exciting nightlife, or outdoor pursuits, San Diego has something for everyone. Use this short guide below to create the ultimate day in San Diego.
Start the Day in Nature
After breakfast, start the day off with a visit to Balboa Park, which is a great place to find visually stunning gardens and architecture. All of the gardens are free and with eight of them in total, you can easily spend the whole day just doing this. If that’s not enough, the park also houses 15 museums and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. If you have more than one day in the city, consider spending the entire day here and following the rest of this guide another day.
Next, make your way over to the lovely beach town of Coronado where you’ll find gorgeous beaches and the famous Hotel Del Coronado, which is a great place to grab a meal and learn about its history. When you’ve filled your tummy, grab a boogie board and jump into the water or just relax under the sun. If you want more beach-style fun, make sure you visit La Jolla Cove, which is not only home to many seals but is also one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California.
Sprinkle in Some Culture
When you’ve had enough of the sun, check out the 4000 works of art at the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown San Diego. If you prefer a taste of culture, take a free guided tour of Old Town’s Historical Park. Here you’ll find adobe buildings, haciendas, museums, restaurants, and local shops. This is also a great place to see the Latino culture brought out with flamenco dancers and a Mexican flare.
Finish the Day with Food and Drink
Afterwards, finish off the day and night by visiting the famous Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego where you’ll find many delicious restaurants to choose from. Once you’re finished eating, walk the beautiful historic streets where you’ll find a number of Victorian buildings and other beautiful architecture. This is also a great place to find theatres, art galleries, and symphonies if you have more time. If you want to end the night with a bang, you’ll find a number of nightclubs and bars to party the night away as well.
San Diego is one of the best cities to visit in America. It has history, culture, world-class attractions, delicious food, and gorgeous beaches. The city also has good weather year-round, which adds to its appeal. Whether you’re visiting the city for business or for pleasure, book yourself into one of the many beautiful San Diego hotels and use this guide to explore the city’s best sights. If you have a few days to explore, expand this guide and spend more time in each place mentioned.
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Photo by Kala Carter via Trover.com
This article was written as part of the Hipmunk CityLove project. As a paid writer for Hipmunk, I’ve written many articles on world-class cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, and Hong Kong.