San Diego, CA
Where to Stay..
Hotel Republic San Diego, Autograph Collection, San Diego $99-$152
4 star hotel, near Port of San Diego.
Rooftop terrace
Within a 10 min walk to Little Italy (where you’ll find many restaurants)
Little Italy Apartments by Barsala, San Diego
4 star upscale apartment with all amenities $150 - $200
In the heart of Little Italy
Rooftop terrace with free welcome drinks.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego $134 - $197
Luxury hotel with outdoor pool
Located in downtown
Within walking distance to all bars/restaurants
Transportation:
LA → San Diego is a 2h drive. (Coastal) → you can rent a car from LAX and return it to the San Diego airport for as little as $35. The drive is about 2hrs.
While in San Diego, I recommend you rent a car to be able to drive to the different areas.
Traffic is not bad like in LA.
UBER is also available and very affordable since distances are short.
Top Things to do in San Diego…
Balboa Park → is a 1,200 acre cultural park located north of downtown San Diego.
It is completely free to walk around and take pictures
Here you’ll find a total of 17 museums, gardens and cafes along with the famous 200 ft tall California tower and the San Diego Zoo.
Modeled after the Real Alcazar de Sevilla (Very photogenic)
During the summer you’ll find food trucks lining the Plaza de Panama and El Prado walkway every Friday from 4:30pm to 8:30pm.
San Diego Zoo → voted the #1 zoo in the world.
Cost ranges from $46-$52 for children and $56-$62 for adults for a one day pass.
They also have 2 day passes available or 3-for-1 that includes entrance to the zoo, safari park and Seaworld at San Diego.
La Jolla → known as San Diego’s jewel.
Stretch of coasts with restaurants, hotels, charming streets, and cliffs (La Jolla Cove)
Can also do snorkeling or kayaking in the sea caves.
Great place for sunset watching
Old Town:
Historic center with old courthouse, cemetery, etc.
Filled with mexican restaurants where women dressed in traditional mexican fashion sit making handmade tortillas from scratch.
Torrey Pines Natural Reserve:
Hike to amazing views of the ocean, enjoy the beach or watch gliders from Gliderport
You’ll find a cafe and plenty of tables to sit and enjoy a lunch with a view.
Tip: you can also bring your own food and just enjoy the view.
Here you can also take tandem flights or learn how to fly a paraglider.
Chicano Park:
A 32,000 square meter park located beneath the San Diego-Coronado bridge in Barrio Logan.
Outdoor murals great for pictures and “instagramable shots”
Open daily from 6am to 10pm
Sunset cliffs natural park
South Oceanside Beach → The most popular beach in Oceanside.
Wide sandy beach with restaurants, shopping and the pier closeby.
Ruby’s Diner is located at the end of the pier and it offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
You can also rent bikes for a small fee and bike around the stretch of the beach and the neighboring area.
Bike rental is located just under the pier.
Little Italy → chic, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood filled with cocktail bats, pubs and restaurants.
Weekly Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market
Given California’s steep prices on food, look for special “Early bird” deals. These can be found in a lot of restaurants throughout Little Italy. Just ask for them!
Farmer’s Table Little Italy → great restaurant with very nice decor and outside sitting located in the corner of W Date St.
You’ll truly feel like you are in Italy, employees here speak italian and locals come by to say hello and catch up. Early Bird Special: Monday through Friday 8am - 10am
Extraordinary Desserts → A MUST TRY! It is well worth the hype.
You can order to go or sit down and enjoy your dessert (or desserts) with a cup of tea.
They have two locations, I visited the one in Little Italy.
Hours are between 9am to 11pm, depending on the day that you visit.