After living in San Diego for 2.5 years, I wasted no time Instagramming my heart away on my account @lavendervines. As I prepare to leave, I can’t believe how iconic this city really is. It makes me love it all the more. ?
So I’ve decided to put together my favorite San Diego Instagram spots. Check them out, and don’t forget to Instagram them. ?
San Diego’s Most Instagram-Worthy Spots
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1. Communal Coffee
Even if you don’t drink coffee, you won’t regret a visit to Communal Coffee. The giant “coffee + flowers” wall drew me in, but the interior décor is simply drool worthy. @communalcoffee
2. Balboa Park Lily Pond
Balboa Park by itself is stunning to explore! There are a plethora of museums, parks, and beautiful architecture, everywhere. But the views of the lily pond and lagoon is extremely popular, and worth an Insta snap. @balboapark
Balboa Park is pretty large and there is a lot to see, so for time’s sake it might be best to take a tour. Here are are some great ones I’d recommend:
- Balboa Park Walking Tour – This tour is probably the best bang for your buck because it’s a small and intimate tour and you’ll get loads of information and ensure you see all the highlights.
- Balboa Park by Segway – Yes, there’s a Segway tour for everything in San Diego!
- Balboa Park Private Tour – This is like the VIP of Balboa Park tours. You’ll get a pick up and drop off in a luxury car from your San Diego hotel, water and snacks included, professional tour guide,, and free admission to certain attractions.
3. Pigment
Pigment is a beautifully decorated shop that’s located in San Diego’s trendy North Park neighborhood. Everything in it is instagrammable, and also purchasable. Good luck getting out without buying something! @shoppigment
Note: Of all the photo ops here, the California Dreamin’ sign is my fav!
4. “Greetings from San Diego” Mural
Quickly becoming a San Diego landmark, the Greetings from San Diego wall mural in North Park just screams Instagram me! #greetingsfromsandiego
5. Holy Matcha
Holy Matcha is the stuff Instagram dreams are made of. This ridiculously chic green tea café is located in North Park. The interior décor is simply gorgeous. ? It has a tropical, pink and green wall paper, pink sofas, and white marble table tops. #loveit @holymatchaa
6. Potato Chip Rock
Located about an hours drive from San Diego, Potato Chip Rock is an extremely popular hike. Many go just to take the photo, and waits of over an hour is not unheard of. @potatochiprock
7. Scripps Pier
Taking a photo underneath the Scripps Pier in La Jolla is one of the most popular “postcard perfect” photos from San Diego. It’s best to come at sunset to take a snap of this beauty! #scrippspier
8. Better Buzz Coffee
Better Buzz is a coffee chain around San Diego. What more do you need to know besides, Life’s Better Buzzed? 🙂 Such a great slogan, be sure to hashtag #lifesbetterbuzzed after you post! @betterbuzz
If you’re only in San Diego for a short period of time, you may just want to know what the best “bang for your buck” tours are. Below are some of my favorites!
- San Diego Hop-on Hop-off Trolley – I love these tours because you can see everything you want to at your own pace. You can choose from a one-day or two-day ticket.
- San Diego City Tour – This is a half-day tour and allows you to see a lot in a short period of time including the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and La Jolla.
- San Diego Scenic Tour – This is a 4-hour tour of the best scenic stops including La Jolla, Mount Soledad, Coronado Island, and downtown San Diego including Balboa Park, Little Italy and Gaslamp.
9. “Favorite Color” Mural
Brighten up your day by taking a photo in front of the “Favorite Color” wall mural! It’s located in La Jolla, and created by designer, architect, and furniture maker, Roy McMakin. #favoritecolor
Don’t want to bookmark this list? Why not take it with you instead?! Just click the image below so you can reference it at any time!
10. Hotel Del Coronado
This iconic, beachfront Hotel del Coronado is a beautiful representation of wooden Victorian architecture. Rooms here are crazy expensive, but if you can afford it, hey – definitely stay the night. It is sure to be a once in a lifetime experience. ? It also just so happens to be a Hollywood favorite! Many movies were filmed here, my favorite being Some Like It Hot. Don’t know it? It stars the one and only, Marilyn Monroe. @delcoronado
11. James Coffee Co.
Located in Downtown’s Little Italy, James Coffee Co. is the brainchild of former guitarist and band member David Kennedy, from Angels and Airwaves. There’s also a shop where you can purchase anything and everything coffee-related. ☕ @jamescoffeeco
12. Carlsbad Flowers Fields – Spring Only
April showers bring May flowers, and you can’t miss the picturesque Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. At $14.00 a person, these beautiful flowers attract visitors from all over. @the_flower_fields
13. Baked Bear
Good luck walking past Baked Bear (near the Mission Beach boardwalk) without stopping for a treat. This place is where your dessert fantasies can come to life. Create your own cookie or brownie ice cream sandwich and top it off with fun sprinkles, fruity pebbles, or caramel drizzle! @thebakedbear
14. Sunset Cliffs
It’s an absolute must that you head over to Sunset Cliffs at sunset. Witness one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen as the sun dips below the ocean. Bring a blanket or jacket though, it can get windy and chilly. #sunsetcliff
15. Square Bar Café
Have you ever wanted to drink bubble tea out of a light bulb? Well, your dreams can be made a reality at the Square Bar Café. @squarebarcafe
16. “One Pointed Attention” Mural
Wall art is fun, and this one is particularly intriguing. One Pointed Attention is located in La Jolla and was created by Kelsey Brookes. For this piece, he was inspired by molecular structure and scientific drawings. Kinda makes sense, eh? #onepointedattention
If you’re hanging out in La Jolla, one of the most popular things to do is to take a kayaking tour and see La Jolla from the sea. It is so beautiful, and a truly amazing experience. 🙂 During the winter months (December to March), you can even take a whale watching kayak tour and get up close to the grey whales as they migrate from Alaska to Baja, Mexico!
17. Donut Bar
Donut Bar is famous, so arrive early and be prepared to wait in a line. There are so many amazing choices! You can get red velvet, cake batter, or maple bacon cinnamon roll, just to name a few! #BestDonutsInTheWorld @donutbar
Is this list starting to feel like information overload? Don’t worry, I’ve put together a PDF so you can take it with you! Just click the image below to download it and print it out! Have fun!
Going to San Diego? Check out these popular posts:
- 20 Things to Tick Off Your San Diego Bucketlist
- San Diego’s Best Outdoor Activities
- A Guide to San Diego’s Best Beaches
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Did I miss any? What’s your favorite Instagram-worthy spot in San Diego?
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