A FIRST-TIMER’S GUIDE
San Diego is the southernmost city on the California coastline. Given the title of America’s Finest City, here you’ll find temperate weather all year round, a vibrant dining and bar scene, a rich military history, green parks and peaceful harbours, all within a very walkable city grid.
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BALBOA PARK
The cultural hub of San Diego is Balboa Park. The park spans 1,200 acres and is packed with attractions and events. There are museums to cover every interest, like the Museum of Us, the Natural History Museum, the Comic-Con Museum, and the Model Railroad Museum, just to name a few. There is the Spanish Village Art Centre, a very colourful complex filled with studios where local artists both develop and sell their work. There are gardens and walking trails, offering a green escape from the busy city streets, as well as cafes, bars, restaurants, marketplaces, theatres and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
GASLAMP QUARTER
If you are looking for a great nightlife scene, look no further than the Gaslamp Quarter. This downtown neighbourhood is a popular location known for its bars, clubs, lounges, rooftops and restaurants. This area is also rich in history, with many beautiful historical buildings still standing within the 16 blocks of The Gaslamp.
LITTLE ITALY
For lovers of Italian food, you cannot miss San Diego’s Little Italy. There are many great restaurants to choose from in this neighbourhood, some with umbrella-covered patios, some with balconies or rooftops, some with higher prices and others more affordable. However, the one they all have in common is the incredibly delicious Italian food and a range of drink options to suit all preferences. What better way to spend an afternoon than lunching in the sun, a refreshing drink in hand and a feast to graze on.
EMBARCADERO
San Diego’s Embarcadero is an expansive waterfront district that curves along the bay Downtown. This area offers dining, shopping, entertainment, museums, parks, a waterfront walk and beautiful views of the harbour. Seaport Village is a popular outdoor shopping precinct with clothes, art, souvenir and toy stores and a range of restaurants and take-out joints. Keep an eye out along the waterfront walk for the many public art installations and statues, including the Embracing Peace monument and learn about San Diego’s rich naval history at the USS Midway.
CORONADO
Across the bay is the island neighbourhood of Coronado, accessible from Downtown via the 3.4 km (2.1 mi) long Coronado Bridge or by boat. This part of the city is popular for its beautiful beaches and resorts, most notably the famous Hotel Del Coronado. The main street of Orange Avenue is lined with shops, museums, theatres, restaurants and bars. The Ferry Landing also offers shopping and dining as well as a beautiful view of San Diego’s city skyline.
OUR GOOGLE MAPS
When planning our travel destinations, we pin our bucket list of sites to see and recommended places to eat and drink on Google Maps. We are then never lost for ideas when travelling, and can easily share these lists for our friends and family to use too.
Click here to see our Google Maps for Things To Do in San Diego.
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