Self-proclaimed as America’s Finest City, San Diego is a goldmine of all things beautiful and upscale. From Spanish-Colonial architecture established by the first Europeans, to niche Italian food, the land’s hilly terrain offers volumes to admire. Based on local opinions, here’s the best we could dig up.
Photo Credit: Mission San Luis Rey Facebook
The Missions
Some of California’s oldest Missions are in San Diego, offering easygoing opportunities to take a self-guided Spanish Heritage tour. Popular missions include Mission San Luis Rey along Highway 74, while the 18th-century Mission San Diego de Alcala is famous for being the first Franciscan Mission in California – for something quietly desolate, visit Pala Mission for solemn views of Mt. Palomar.
The Bridges
An array of odd and historic bridges are sprawled across the city. One of the most popular is the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, a pedestrian-only walkway entrenched in canopy shrubs, while the Quince Street Bridge offers an urban wooded boardwalk path. The vehicle-only Coronado Bridge is also perfect for enjoying skyline views at night.
The Parks
A bevy of historic parks make park-hopping a must for tourists. Lovers of the 19th-century should visit Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, home to authentic adobe buildings, ghost tours, and live re-inactions, the distant Tecolote Canyon Natural Park offering views of the city’s iconic hills.
The Gaslamp Quarter
A small stretch of nightclubs, bars, and restaurants, the palm-lined Gaslamp Quarter is where it’s at. Simply walk down 5th Avenue to reach local emblems like the Rustic Root and Brian’s 24, also considering a night of entertainment at the iconic Balboa Theatre.
The Beaches
Looking out at the Pacific Ocean, clear waters and white-sand beaches make the region one of the best places to sunbathe. From the boardwalk vistas at Imperial Beach Pier to the epic lookouts atop Sunset Cliffs, there’s no better place to watch the sunset. Other beloved hangouts include Coronado Beach along the inlet and Pacific Beach north of Mission Bay.
The Weather
Ask a local what’s the best part of San Diego, and they’ll immediately answer, ‘the weather.’ Practically located on the Mexico-U.S. border, San Diego hardly gets a cloud, let alone rain. And with a constant breeze coming in from the Pacific, it’s never too hot either.
The Wardrobe
Laidback weather means laidback clothing. The culture of clothes in San Diego makes it a beautifully relaxed place to step out into the world. No fancy suit? No problem. Flip-flops, sundresses, and casual T-shirts are the norm here.
The Historical Homes
In addition to centuries-old Spanish Missions, historical homes are bountiful throughout the urban landscape. Take an audio tour through the small but impactful William Heath Davis House for local San Diego history, or enjoy a spooky stroll through the supposedly haunted Whaley House Museum for a creepy ol’ time.
Little Italy
Known for its rich Italian community, waltzing through Little Italy is as easy as following the scent. On Saturdays, the Little Italy Mercato offers fresh farmer’s market goods on India Street, while amazing appetizers at Mona Lisa Foods and savory sweets from Extraordinary Desserts make taste tours easy.
The Whales
Skip Sea World for the real deal by booking a Whale Watching tour instead. Popular options in the area include Hornblower Cruises, as well as San Diego Whale Watch. Be sure to bring your camera to catch them in mid-air!
