San Diego Tips

Get ready for a unique culture and enjoy the California lifestyle in San Diego. This city will enchant you with its warm sun, the best Mexican food, and its special flair!

San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the USA and is located in the southwest of California near the border with Mexico. You can feel the laid-back vibe, beautiful beaches, and warm sun! San Diego carries the title "America's Finest City" mainly because of the pleasant temperatures, as it's sunny here all year round. The expansive beaches with wonderful waves for surfing complete the overall package and make the city one of the most popular places to live and vacation in the USA! Stay tuned, as I will share my best San Diego tips for your trip to California.

With a bit of luck, you can already fly for under $400 for a round trip to the U.S. West Coast to San Diego Airport (SAN). Typically, you should expect at least one layover. From Frankfurt, there are even direct flights starting at around $750. You can fly cheaper to Los Angeles (LAX): Here, direct flights are already available for under $500 from Munich and Frankfurt.

Important: Remember that you need an ESTA for your vacation, which you must apply for at least 72 hours before departure for $14.

From Los Angeles, you can comfortably and conveniently travel along the coast to San Diego with the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. This alone is a highlight. The train travels from downtown L.A. along the Pacific to San Diego and costs about $35 one-way.

When it comes to accommodations, San Diego boasts both luxury resorts and charming vacation rentals or regular hotels. Most hotels are located downtown. But you can also find the perfect accommodation at the popular beaches in Pacific Beach and La Jolla or in Mission Valley.

If you prefer exclusivity and self-catering, I recommend booking an accommodation through Airbnb. From dream homes with private gardens to a loft with a rooftop terrace, to cool RVs, you'll find your perfect temporary home here. If you prefer a quieter setting, you should stay in La Jolla in the northern part of the city. For a vacation filled with sightseeing and action, Mission Valley or downtown is recommended.

There are truly no limits to the activities here in San Diego. Rarely have I experienced such a vibrant and lively metropolis. To ensure you don't miss anything during your vacation, I will show you the biggest highlights of the city, which I have marked on the following map:

In Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, you can learn all about the successful blend of Spanish, Mexican, and American influences. You can directly feel the proximity to the Mexican border here. The first European settlement is a very popular spot for tourists and should definitely be at the top of your list! Just for the heavenly Mexican food you'll find here, it's worth it. Additionally, there are small markets, museums, and spectacular buildings that remind you more of Mexico than the USA and offer a wonderful sight.

If you want to learn more about American history, you should make a stop at the USS Midway Museum. Here, a gigantic ship is docked that once served for transporting military aircraft and is now open for you to visit. During an exciting audio tour, you'll learn more about the stories of individual personalities who lived here on board years ago. The sight of historical military aircraft on the deck is absolutely astonishing and creates a great focal point against the skyline.

Just a few steps further in Seaport Village, you will get a glimpse of the California lifestyle. Enjoy the view of the harbor, fine dining, and unique shopping opportunities waiting for you here!

Feeling like shopping? If you enjoy shopping, I recommend the popular and extravagant shopping centers Fashion Valley and Horton Plaza.

Take a moment to listen to the sounds of live music or watch the different street performers with their acts. Take a small break and let the atmosphere of this place sink in. If you stroll south along the water, you'll have a lovely view of the endless Coronado Bridge. Here, you can wonderfully end your evening.

North of downtown lies the well-known Balboa Park. It is famous for its mixture of culture and nature and impresses with lush flora as well as magnificent buildings and numerous museums. My favorite among the museums is the Museum of Art, which features paintings from all over the world. The gardens are also divided into different themes, making it possible for everyone to find their favorite spot. I could really wander around here for hours, enjoying the tranquility and marveling!

Insider tip: With warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine year-round, it's also worth visiting during the Christmas season. Some of the coolest events include the December Nights at Balboa Park. With plenty of entertainment in the form of dance, music, and singing, you can try delicious food from various nations and stroll through markets. Truly spectacular! This year, they will take place from December 6 to 7, 2019.

To end a day in San Diego perfectly, I recommend the Sunset Cliffs in the west. The cliffs live up to their name, as you can experience the most beautiful sunsets here. During my time in San Diego, the evenings were blessed with numerous deep red sunsets that I will never forget. Where better to enjoy them than on the outskirts of the city in natural paradise? You are in the Point Loma neighborhood. At the very tip of the peninsula lies the Old Point Loma Lighthouse - a lighthouse over 150 years old that was significant for maritime navigation in the USA and which you should also visit.

Not just among surfers, San Diego is the go-to place for vacationers and sun-seekers when it comes to beaches. Thanks to mild temperatures and the warm California sun, you can enjoy some sunny days year-round. Here, you'll really find everything your heart desires: charming bays, seemingly endless beaches, and a variety of water sports. For an overview, I will now introduce you to the beaches:

Surfing in San Diego is a big topic and you'll find surf rentals, surf schools, or private instructors at every corner, ready to teach you how not to fall off your surfboard. Of course, if you're a pro, you can dive right into the waves and take advantage of the perfect surfing conditions along the California coast. If you get tired from all that activity, you can stroll along the boardwalk or try the traditional surfer's treat, 'fish tacos' - here in San Diego, you really get the perfect California beach experience.

Culinary options in San Diego truly cater to everyone. Whether in La Jolla, on the Pacific Beach promenade, in Little Italy, or in the Gaslamp Quarter downtown - you'll find a variety of restaurants for every taste at every corner. Since Mexican food is one of my favorites, I have tried as much as possible. My conclusion: Tacos, burritos, and other delights are excellent and melt in your mouth.

Three of my favorite spots include Tako Factory, The Taco Stand, and Casa de Reyes in Old Town. In Little Italy, you'll be served your meals in the authentic Mediterranean style, as the Italian culture is deeply rooted in this neighborhood. You can also enjoy a lovely meal in one of the romantic restaurants at Shelter Island harbor, followed by a stroll past the yachts while listening to live music.

Do you prefer something a bit fancier? Then La Jolla is just the right place for you. Here, there are plenty of restaurants that match the trend, and if you can snag a table at George's at the Cove, you will have a wonderful view of the bay! Especially in the early evening hours, it's a lovely experience when the sun bathes the beach in golden light and slowly disappears on the horizon.

Anyone who has ever visited the USA knows that it offers the best sweet creations. I realized this during my time in San Diego when I discovered The Baked Bear at Pacific Beach. Here you can indulge in full-calorie ice cream sandwiches. Between two cookies or two brownies of your choice, you can have different flavors of ice cream packed, creating a kind of sandwich or almost a sweet burger. Genius, I tell you! Frozen yogurt is also a huge hit. I especially recommend Sweet Things Frozen Yogurt south of the Gaslamp Quarter. You can mix various ice cream flavors, fruits, and sweets in your cup.

Just as exciting as the days are the nights you will spend in this vibrant city. Where to go out in the evening? Of course, in the Gaslamp Quarter, right in the heart of the lively city. Here, bars and restaurants line up, and where you can curl up in shops during the day, the fun really starts at night!

Alternatively, I would suggest bar hopping in Pacific Beach, a variant favored by many students. You can start at Mission Boulevard and make your way to Garnet Avenue until sunrise. San Diego is indeed a special city where tacos, tequila, and cheerful people will surely keep you entertained!

I hope you enjoyed this little excursion into "America's Finest City" and understood why the residents love their city so much. Here you truly have everything at once: a vibrant metropolis, dream beaches, and small oases combined with culinary highlights and a lot of joie de vivre!

California calling