How to spend four sensational days in San Diego
San Diego, California should be top of your list of places to visit. From beer tours to beach vibes, we’ve mapped out five can’t-miss adventures in five days. Follow this guide and you’ve done San Diego right.
Day One: Neighbourhood Happenings
The urban neighbourhoods of San Diego are easy to explore on foot and they’re the hotspots of local culture. Don’t miss North Park - it’s San Diego’s hipster capital and it’s all about craft. Start with craft coffee (you’ll love Dark Horse Coffee Roasters) and check out the trendy shops along University Avenue and 30th Street, including the Instagram-ready Pigment.
Then there’s Little Italy - San Diego’s buzziest foodie neighbourhood. One section of Little Italy is known as “Top Chefs”, thanks to the various restauranteurs who are alumni of the “Top Chef” TV show. And every Saturday Little Italy is host to the insanely good Mercato Farmers' Market which has more than 200 vendors.
Day Two: Beer Tour
Beer lovers, rejoice. San Diego is the Craft Beer Capital of America, and you won’t be short of opportunities to learn why it has earned that reputation or for spots to stop and try some local suds. San Diego’s signature beer is the West Coast-style IPA - it’s big on hops and big on flavour. And you can easily invent your own bar crawl around areas like 30th Street in North Park (known as Beer Blvd.) or Miramar (also known as Beer-a-Mar), home to some of the best breweries, bars and tasting rooms including the Fall Brewing Company and Belching Beaver.
Or go on an organised city-wide brewery and behind-the-scenes tour. Scavengers Brew Tours will take you on a six-wheel safari bus from brewery to brewery. The ride-along is just as fun as the breweries, and you don’t have to work out who’s going to be the designated driver.
Day Three: Beach Vibes
San Diego’s Beaches Bays are simply awesome and you can feel the laid-back beach vibe wherever you are in the city. But of course, you need to dedicate at least one day to the sands and the sea. Miles upon miles of coastline is filled with people surfing, swimming, playing volleyball, kayaking or just soaking up the rays.
Head to Pacific Beach for the best beach parties and bar scene in San Diego, just a few steps off the sand. Just north is La Jolla, known as “the jewel of San Diego”. This charming, upscale neighbourhood has a long, picturesque beach (perfect for California dreamin’) with beautiful cliffs, and endless boutique shopping and fine dining.
The Place To Be In 2024
San Diego should be top of your 2024 travel wishlist. A holiday in San Diego will instantly transport you to your happy place. With crystal clear waters, year-round sunshine and the most beautiful natural surroundings, you’ll have a sense of total freedom. Lounge by the beach, kick back with a craft beer or explore the city’s culture and neighbourhoods. Explore ten top reasons why it's the place to be in 2020.
Day Four: Outdoor Adventures
San Diego has near-perfect weather year-round and incredible sports so it makes sense to spend as much time in the fresh air as possible. The cultural heart of San Diego is Balboa Park - the largest urban cultural park in the United States. Meander alongside the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and on pathways surrounded by nature. Or grab a beer at Panama 66 and lie out in the sculpture garden in the shadow of the impressive California Tower.
As for things to do for outdoor activity lovers and adrenaline junkies, you couldn’t be in a more exciting environment for taking part in your favourite sports or trying out new ones.
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