With vacations, it always seems to be about trade-offs and choices. When it comes to San Diego, travelers don't have to choose the beach or the mountains, the desert and small town feel or big city vibe. The United States southernmost West Coast destination has it all in one place. San Diego is a California county with the state's 2nd largest city, also named San Diego.
Beaches, bays,
mountains, lakes and deserts within a short drive deliver a variety of experiences in just one vacation.
1. Beaches and Bays
San Diego delivers 70-miles of coastline with
pristine sandy beaches and to-die-for views. La Jolla is trend-setting spot, and
to its south is expansive Pacific Beach, known for its
boardwalk. Party options along la playa at day or night offer an unpretentious, classic beach town
look & feel some describe as laidback. South of this treasured beach gem is
the eclectic Ocean Beach, known for its spectacularly fun Ocean Beach
Pier, funky, surf and antique shops. If beach events are your thing, don't
miss the annual OB Oktoberfest each fall.
2. Lakes
Minnesota & its Land of Lakes can move over for San Diego's 20 freshwater lakes and reservoirs. One local favorite is
Lake Murray in the centrally located Mission Trails Regional Park. Fishing is at
its best December through September when black crappie, bass, bluegill and
catfish abound. But for those uninterested in catching dinner, boats (motorboat, rowboat, kayak or pedal boat)
may do the job. San Vicente Reservoir 25 minutes
northeast of downtown San Diego offers places to picnic and barbecue, but the real draw is fishing
as the clearwater reservoir is home to crappie, sunfish, channel catfish and
Florida strain largemouth bass. It is also great for waterskiing and wakeboarding.
3. Mountains
For those looking for the rustic feel of a mountain retreat, San Diego's East
County provides majestic ranges to explore. Located less than an hour from
downtown San Diego is the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, which is home to more than
100 miles of hiking trails, many open to horseback riders, as well as
campgrounds and picnic sites. On a clear day, the park's highest viewpoint, Cuyamaca Peak (6,512 feet), reveals views of Mexico, mountain ranges near Los
Angeles and wide expanses of desert. A little farther east is the pine-studded
Laguna Mountains, located within the Cleveland National Forest's 8,600-acre
spread. It offers opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and
mountain climbing during the summer months and sledding and tobogganing in the
winter.
4. Deserts
The San Diego region also offers up the stark and dramatic beauty of the desert
for visitors to explore. To the east is the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert
State Park, California's largest state park. Filled with sweeping landscapes of
cacti and other unique desert vegetation, the park is also home to roadrunners,
golden eagles, kit foxes, desert iguanas and lizards. During the spring, the dry
rugged landscape is transformed by winter rains into a kaleidoscope of colorful
flowers. For those looking for more pampering, the nearby desert community of
Borrego Springs is home a number of hotels and resorts, including La Casa del Zoro, which offers high-end accommodations, swimming pools, a spa, tennis and
pickleball courts, and yoga sessions.
5. Small town
San Diego might be the country's eighth largest city, but the region boasts a
number of small towns for those looking to escape the hectic pace of city life.
To the east there is the historic town of Julian, which dates back more than a
century and was home to the only gold rush in Southern California. The town is
known for its apple pies, quaint shops, art galleries, wine tasting rooms, and
charming hotels and inns. For those looking for small town beach feel, Encinitas
to the north is worth checking out as it harkens back to the historic Highway
101 beach culture of yesteryear. Its main street features high-end shops, chic
restaurants and coffee shops while its nearby beaches are among some of the most
coveted in the region.
6. Urban
For the more metropolitan-type traveler, downtown San Diego offers all the
hustle, bustle and culture they could desire. The historic Gaslamp Quarter is
home to a diverse lineup of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues as well
as spas, art galleries and artisan shops. Nearby Little Italy is perfect for any
urban enthusiast with its lively neighborhood feel fueled by outdoor cafés,
international restaurants, craft breweries, wineries, art galleries, unique
shops, boutique hotels, and the festive Piazza della Famiglia.
7. International
But the most distinctive destination that the region has to offer is that of
Baja California, Mexico — allowing visitors the chance for a two-nation
vacation. A short drive or trolley ride from downtown San Diego is the
U.S.-Mexico border providing access to Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada and Guadalupe
Valley, a cluster of cities known for their rich artistic and culinary
offerings. Tijuana is an energetic hub of activity day and night with duty-free
shopping, Mexican cuisine and a tremendous arts and culture scene — highlighted
by the Tijuana Cultural Center. Rosarito is a resort community known for its
beaches, oceanfront hotels, aquatic adventures, shopping, seafood dining and
nightlife. Ensenada, which is a 90-minute drive from San Diego, offers
breathtaking ocean vistas as well as taco shops, seafood carts, craft breweries
and mescal and margarita bars. Just outside Ensenada is the Valle De Guadalupe,
considered the Napa Valley of Mexico as it produces 90% of the country's wine
and features over 100 wineries. It also home to outstanding restaurants, serving
gourmet farm-fresh cuisine and local seafood.