10 Reasons to Visit San Diego

BY TIFFANY NICOLE

With neighboring Los Angeles in close proximity, beachy and laid-back San Deigo can often times be overlooked. Having lived in San Diego for over two years, I love this city, and know you will to! Let’s check out the 10 reasons (although there are more!) why you should visit San Diego.

10 Reasons to Visit San Diego

1. Outdoor Activities

When it comes to outdoor activities, San Diego has it all. With sunny skies and temperate climates almost all year round, you’ll be itching to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Some of the most popular “can’t miss” things to do are:

Surfing
Paddleboarding
Harbor cruises
Biking along the PB boardwalk.

2. The Food

San Diego is a foodie city, with so many goodies you simply won’t have time to try them all. Many hot spots have been in the news and media where you can try the “world’s best burgers” from Hodad’s, drool worthy donuts from Donut Bar, and the top secret sauce recipe from Phil’s BBQ.

Source

If you’re an Asian food fanatic, head on over to Convoy Street for Asian food heaven! Here you can find everything your heart desires from ramen, to sushi, to Korean BBQ and bubble tea.

3. The Parks

There are so many beautiful parks in San Diego where you can relax and enjoy a lazy afternoon in the sun.

A few to check out are:

Mission Bay Park – One of the most popular spots to just be outside and enjoy the gorgeous San Diego sun. The options are endless here, you can have a picnic or bonfire, bike or run along the pathway, go paddle boarding, play volleyball, or even sail. It has it all!
Balboa Park – Balboa Park is a gorgeous area to explore with a plethora of museums, parks, beautiful Spanish architecture, and gardens everywhere.
La Jolla Cove – The park at La Jolla Cove can’t go without mentioning. It’s a super popular spot where you’ll find a large park for picnicking. Here you can also get up close and personal to the seals and sea lions that sunbath on the rocky shores.

4. The Vineyards

If you thought Sonoma and Napa Valley was all California had to offer in terms of wineries and vineyards, I’m pleased to inform you, they are not. Southern California has its own wine country that’s beautifully located in the Temecula Valley.

Note: Temecula Valley is located (almost!) right in between San Diego and Los Angeles.

But wait, that’s not all! If you’re feeling adventurous, I would highly recommend crossing the border and exploring Baja California’s booming wine scene in the Guadalupe Valley.

5. The Farmers Markets

I just love a good farmer’s market! One of my favorite things about San Diego is the healthy and organic atmosphere. Although there are many farmers markets to choose from, Little Italy Market is my absolute faaaavorite! With over 200 tents and live music on the streets, the vendor options are endless and the atmosphere is vibrant.

6. The Craft Brew Scene

San Diego’s bustling craft brew scene is making headlines around the country. Here it’s not just a beverage; it’s an art form. Before arriving in San Diego I had no idea it was a craft brew capital of America, but it didn’t take me long to find out. Scattered around San Diego County you’ll find over 140 breweries, not to mention brewpubs and tasting rooms. San Diegans clearly love their beer!

7. The Beaches

You simply can’t write a post on “reasons to visit San Diego” without mentioning the endless coastlines of sandy beaches! You really can’t go wrong with whichever one you choose, but Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla are great for tourists. However you just can’t overlook the legendary beaches on Coronado Island, either. It’s tough.

8. The Museums

If you want to spend the day marveling at art, history, and architecture, head on over to the Balboa Park museums. Here you’ll be in museum heaven. ? Balboa Park has more than 17 museums, combined with performing art festivals, and gorgeous parks and gardens. Top that off with beautiful Spanish architecture, and you’re never going to want to leave.

9. The Coffee Scene

I am thrilled to say that San Diego’s coffee scene is on point. As the San Diego Caffeine Crawl of 2017 summed up, “it isn’t sunshine alone that makes San Diego’s coffee and tea culture so fantastic”. You’ll find that many coffee shops take great pride in the coffee they serve, and even roast their own beans in-house.

For a person who always keeps an eye out for new coffee shops to explore, San Diego has a pretty amazing selection!

10. The San Diego Zoo & Safari Park

Located in beautiful Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is famous and is recognized as being one of the best zoos in the world. Here you can expect to see over 3,700 animals and 650 animal species. With roughly 100 acres to house all of the animals and flora and fauna, visiting the zoo is an all day affair. Not to mention the shows and 4-D theaters, it might become a little overwhelming to try to see everything in one day. Most notably the San Diego zoo has been able to successfully breed the Giant Panda. You can receive daily updates via the panda cam from the convenience of your own home.

North of the San Diego Zoo in Escondido is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The Safari Park is a not-for-profit organization that acts as a species conservation and breeding facility for the San Diego Zoo. It offers free-range enclosures, housing animals from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. Here you can go on safari and get up close to rhinos, giraffes, elephants, buffalo and more!

Going to San Diego? Check out these popular posts:

Like this post? Pin it for later!

What are your reasons for visiting San Diego? Love to know in the comments below!

Welcome to Lavender Vines

I’m Tiffany, a travel lover, small business owner, and expert-level cat cuddler. Sharing the love of Jesus is one of my favorite things ever, hence why I started this blog! You’re gonna find loads of goodies on this site, but one of my fav’s is my brand spankin’ new free ebook on your identity in Christ. Cut to the chase – Jesus thinks you’re pretty cool – but my ebook explains just how cool you really are. It’s kinda amazing.

MORE ABOUT TIFF