With miles of sandy white beaches, year-round sunshine and world-class attractions, San Diego has emerged from its status as an also-ran in the tourist stakes to a true front-runner with holidaymakers. The state's second biggest city has a range of colourful communities, a blend of trend-setting stores and busy restaurants, as well as hallmarks of the past in its historic Gaslamp quarter. With year-round sunshine, this near-perfect climate enjoys bright summers and mild winters, perfect to enjoy the golden beaches and array of watersports on offer. San Diego Airport can be reached with direct and connecting flights from the UK.
| those in search of relaxation can top up their tan on some of the best beaches in the world... |
Best for...
Once overlooked in favour of neighbours LA and San Francisco, San Diego has become a front-runner for family holidays...
San Diego attracts all types and ages of holidaymaker year on year. It is a much more relaxed city than the neighbouring Los Angeles and San Francisco, with the advantage of very little pollution and highway congestion. The area is rich in art and culture and has a bustling nightlife that will attract couples and single travellers alike. For families there are a host of activities to enjoy, including SeaWorld and San Diego Zoo while those in search of relaxation can top up their tan on some of the best beaches in the world. It is a working city and port, as well as a departure point for cruises to Ensenada and Catalina island.
What to do...
Nothing says California quite like bikini-clad beauties and suntanned surfers, and San Diego personifies the vibe along its sandy coastline. Watersports are popular with swimming, snorkelling, volleyball and surfing particularly drawing attention and the boardwalk from Mission Beach to Pacific Beach attracting rollerbladers and joggers. Indeed Mission Beach is the most popular resort in the area, though it can often be overcrowded. La Jolla has clear waters but has become renowned for high prices including expensive shops and restaurants. Ocean Beach is one of only two in the area that allows dogs, and Mission Bay is the most popular among watersports enthusiasts.
Coronado Island is an upmarket resort that is well worth a day trip. It has several beaches including the Silver Strand State Beach, which has won awards, and the historic Hotel del Coronado, which dates back to 1888 and has become an institution in the local area.
Downtown San Diego is filled with boardwalk shops, restaurants and museums. The historic Gaslamp quarter is home to nearly 100 restaurants, nightclubs and coffee houses. It is filled with unique shops and galleries, with blues and jazz festivals, offering something for every taste and there are a number of downtown hotels all set in a 16-block area of historic buildings and iron-wrought street lamps.
San Diego Zoo has a worldwide reputation and houses tigers, gorillas and Asian bears among other species. SeaWorld and its resident killer whale have become synonymous with the city. It is one of the world's largest marine entertainment venues with face-to-face encounters to endure with sharks in the walk-through tunnel.
There are also a number of established museums in the area such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum. History buffs will head to the Old Town State Historic Park, the site of the original village that sprang into San Diego in the 18th Century. Balboa Park meanwhile, is the home of the largest group of museums in the USA and houses not only San Diego Zoo, but also the Old Globe Theatre and facilities including golf courses, horticultural gardens, cycling trails, fountains and restaurants.
Much of San Diego's nightlife is in the downtown area with many stay-late restaurants and bars. The Airport Lounge is a chic bar that tends to attract a hip crowd, Cashbah in Middletown once played host to the likes of the Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana, while The Coaster Saloon at Mission Beach is an old-fashioned neighbourhood bar.
As much of San Diego is split between the Spanish and American culture, trips to Tijuana are popular if you like a frenetic getaway. It has managed to curb its image of prostitution and sex shows, and instead offers intense nightlife, a thriving clubbing scene, cheap shopping and non-stop entertainment. It's certainly a haven for clubbers and partygoers, though it does have some traditional attractions as well, including bullfighting.
