6 ways to see sunny San Diego
Sitting just seven miles from the Mexican border, sun-kissed San Diego is all laid-back Californian cool and a fine alternative to its jaunty northern neighbour, Los Angeles. So fine, in fact, that it was once nicknamed "America's Finest City".
But does it earn that lofty nickname? Come and see for yourself, where you'll discover a city boasting languid beaches, over 150 craft beer breweries, magnificent Mexican food, some of America's greatest museums and a world-famous zoo. This underrated corner of SoCal has plenty going on, so here's where to begin.
Getting there: find great value city breaks to San Diego with Virgin Holidays*, which operates twice-daily flights from London Heathrow to LA.
Stretch your legs on a sun-drenched coast
Those beaches are a good place to start and, with pleasant temperatures nearly all year round, taking in that warm coastal air every morning is a good reason why so many Americans (or 'transplants', as they call them here) have made the city home.
Ocean Beach is a laid-back spot west of Downtown that oozes small-town, hippie vibes, epitomising the classic SoCal identity.
With streets flanked by airy cafés, quirky antique boutiques and neon-blasted microbreweries, it's ideal for a meander, while the gentle sands are perfect for watching the Pacific Ocean lap at the shores.
Further north at La Jolla, its gorgeous dipping cliffs and coves are reminiscent of a Californian French Riviera, and the neighbourhood's glamorous shops and restaurants only encourage that comparison.
For a truly spectacular oceanside experience, make the 30-minute drive north to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, where meandering trails through pine forests and sandstone canyons add a cinematic element to its four-and-a-half-mile-long beach.
Enjoy a tasty trip to the ballpark
With the heartbreaking relocation of their beloved Chargers (NFL) up north to LA in 2017, San Diego* is left with only one major professional sports team in America.
But going to a game of Padres baseball is where the city's heart lies now, and the team's stadium, Petco Park, sits conveniently in Downtown, making it accessible for visitors from far and wide.
With San Diego's gleaming skyline rising behind the ballpark, the gameday experience is a true slice of Americana with a SoCal twist. Yes, there are plenty of hot dogs and peanuts on offer, but here you can also drink from a souvenir baseball bat filled with local craft beer and sample the Hot Hen Sandwich stadium exclusive: agave-dipped fried chicken smothered in Fuego Sauce with pickles and Fresno chilli slaw between a fluffy brioche bun.
So, whether you know the rules or not, just kick back in the sun with some good food and enjoy 'America's pastime'.
Get stuck into San Diego's craft scene
Without trying to bludgeon you with nicknames, San Diego is also known as the 'Capital of Craft' for a very good (and tasty) reason. Counting over 150 independent craft breweries as part of its ranks, there's nowhere better in the States to sample sours, stouts and, of course, West Coast IPAs.
The ultra-hip North Park neighbourhood is a particular hotspot of great beer, from the big and airy North Park Beer Company to the dog-friendly Second Chance Beer Lounge. There's a host of excellent spots with plenty of outdoor seating under the California* sun.
Just south of Downtown, the graffiti-splashed Barrio Logan is home to several quality breweries, including the excellent Border X Brewing, the first 100% Latino-owned brewery in San Diego.
Little Italy is invariably home to myriad Italian restaurants but there's plenty for beer lovers too, including a taproom by Ballast Point, San Diego's oldest craft beer brewer. Sit back with a pint of their flagship Sculpin IPA and watch the planes roar in overhead as they land at the nearby airport.
Dive into a green oasis filled with museums
Almost double the size of New York's famous Central Park, Balboa Park is a vast green lung in the heart of San Diego. But as well as the usual walking trails and gardens that one might expect to find in a park this size, there's also an abundance of superb museums.
Sixteen, in fact, covering everything from eclectic collections at the charming San Diego Model Railroad Museum to the more conventional (but no less impressive) San Diego Air & Space Museum, which contains a replica of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St Louis.
After these educational trips, don't forget to explore the coral tiles of the Spanish Village Art Center or take in some spectacular panoramas from the 200-foot-high summit of Balboa Park's iconic Spanish revival California Tower.
Spy rare animals at a world-famous zoo
Also sitting in Balboa Park (though not part of the museums) is the most visited zoo in the United States. Stretching across 100 acres on the northern side of the park, San Diego Zoo is the city's biggest tourist attraction and houses 4,000 animals of more than 650 species, including polar bears, koalas and rare pygmy hippos.
Though well-loved for its open-air aesthetics and serious conservation efforts, the scale of the zoo means that preparation beforehand is essential. Arriving early at 9 am is a must, not only because it'll be less busy but also because the animals are at their most active in the morning.
Also, don't miss a gondola-style ride on the Skyfari Aerial Tram, which avoids walking up hills to the back of the zoo, while offering some delightful views of the park below.
Taste some of the US's best Mexican food
With the city's minimal proximity to the nearby border, it's no surprise that San Diego serves up some of the best Mexican food in the US. And while there are plenty of fresh fish tacos and generously-filled burritos on show, the city also boasts some sublime restaurants showing how creative Mexican cuisine can be.
The snaking line at Tacos el Gordo in Downtown's Gaslamp Quarter is long for a reason; the short but wonderfully prepared menu is delicious, especially their tender adobada tacos made with traditional adobada pork. It's worth the wait.
Further north at coastal La Jolla, Puesto's delicate filet mignon tacos and tangy ceviche burst with flavour, while their passionfruit cocktails blend perfectly with the umbrella-lined outdoor patio.
And if you are heading down towards Tijuana, make sure to stop at Aqui Es Texcoco. The house speciality is a buttery smooth slow-roasted lamb barbacoa that might make you reconsider any further travel plans (in the near future, anyway).
Climate in San Diego
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C |  19 |
19 |
19 |
21 |
21 |
 23 |
 26 |
27 |
26 |
 24 |
22 |
19 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall |  6 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
 2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
| Sea temperature °C |  15 |
15 |
15 |
 16 |
17 |
 18 |
 20 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
17 |
15 |
The above guide shows the climate in San Diego. Find out more about conditions across the state in our complete guide to the climate in California.
Ready to discover San Diego? Browse the latest offers on escapes, including flights and accommodation with Virgin Holidays.
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