San Diego Travel Guide

San Diego is truly a special city - take it from someone who grew up there (me!). With countless beaches, amazing rooftop bars, and so many trendy neighborhoods, San Diego has so much to offer. Bonus - the weather is pretty amazing too. Keep reading for the top 3 must-do's when visiting San Diego. And if you're planning a trip to San Diego, check out my San Diego travel guide.

Top 3 Things To Do When Visiting San Diego

Explore The Gaslamp

The Gaslamp Quarter is San Diego's downtown area. It's filled with beautiful architecture, amazing food, fun bars/clubs, and an overall great atmosphere. There are also quite a few rooftop spots that offer amazing views of the gorgeous city. It's pretty central to other things you'll want to see during your trip to San Diego - close to the waterfront/Seaport Village and about a 7-minute walk from the home of the Padres, Petco Park (one of the top 5 stadiums).

Lay Out At The Beaches

Of course, San Diego is known for its gorgeous beaches. Whether the majority of your stay is in North County or you're spending more time Downtown, you can't go wrong with any of the beaches. Some of the best beaches are Coronado Beach, Carlsbad City Beach, Moonlight (great for bonfires too!), Del Mar Beach/15th Street, La Jolla Cove, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Spend A Day On Coronado Island

A day on Coronado Island is one of my favorite things to add to any San Diego travel guide. Coronado Island is located in the heart of the San Diego bay. It's filled with sweeping views of the San Diego skyline on one side and the beautiful coast on the other. Coronado has been voted one of the top beaches in the United States and is arguably the best beach in California. There are plenty of coffee shops and waterfront restaurants to try and lots of shopping to do. Renting a bike on the boardwalk is the most fun way to see the island, in my opinion. While you're there, heading to the historic Hotel Del Coronado is a must. Experience all that the Hotel Del has to offer with a drink at the Sun Deck or a delicious brunch at Serẽa.

Looking for more to add to your San Diego travel guide?

If you're traveling to San Diego and don't have time (or patience) to plan, check out the ultimate San Diego travel guide. It comes with recommendations for:

»Where to stay
»How to get around
»Top things to do
»Top places to eat & drink

*This post is not affiliated with any of the places mentioned.