San Diego is one of Southern California’s most beloved coastal cities and is known for its near-perfect weather and easygoing spirit. The city and surrounding area make an ideal getaway for families, couples, and solo travelers wanting a balance between outdoor activities and cultural experiences. From iconic SoCal beaches and waterfront adventures to lively districts filled with history, dining, and entertainment, San Diego offers something special for every type of traveler.
San Diego is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own scenery, culture, and standout attractions. From world-class museums to waterfront adventures and iconic beaches, you’ll find plenty to do no matter which part of the city you’re exploring. It’s easier to plan your trip when you get a handle on what neighborhood is known for what attraction, landmark, or activity, so that’s how we’ve organized this section of the guide.
Balboa Park
The cultural heart of the city, Balboa Park is just the place for those who love wandering through gardens, museums, and scenic paths. This is where you’ll hit the museum jackpot, with the San Diego Museum of Art, Fleet Science Center, and the San Diego Air and Space Museum being only a few of the popular institutions. Stroll through the Japanese Friendship Garden, admire the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, or relax in one of the peaceful—and extremely beautiful—courtyards. And of course, the San Diego Zoo is a must-visit for families and animal lovers, as it’s one of the most famous zoos in the world! Other attractions and landmarks include the California Tower, Balboa Park Carousel, and The Old Globe, a professional theater with year-round productions, which is known for its annual Shakespeare Festival.
Downtown San Diego
Gaslamp Quarter
This portion of downtown is known for its Victorian-era architecture, bustling restaurants, diverse galleries, vibrant nightlife, and its many local boutiques. While Fifth Avenue is at the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter today, its future as a pedestrian promenade is in the works and will allow wandering through the district that much easier for locals and visitors. There are also plenty of tours available that will help you explore this district, such as food and drink tours, history tours, and even ghost tours.
Marina District
Stretching along the Embarcadero, the Marina District is where you’ll find popular attractions like the USS Midway Museum, the Maritime Museum of San Diego, and, of course, the scenic Seaport Village, a hub where you can find shops, galleries, and restaurants on the water. It’s a great area for waterfront strolls, walks through Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, beautiful bay views, and family-friendly sightseeing. Families will also love the Children’s Museum Park. Lots of whale watching tours leave from the Embarcadero area, but you’ll find other tour companies operating from Mission Bay and La Jolla as well.
East Village
This area of Downtown San Diego feels more modern with Victorian homes sprinkled within. East Village is where you’ll go to catch a San Diego Padres game at Petco Park, or if you’re looking for a fun mix of cafes, breweries, art galleries, and public art—or all of the above!
Little Italy
Just north of the waterfront, Little Italy is one of the city’s most popular dining districts. With trattorias, bakeries, gelato shops, boutiques, and open-air piazzas, it’s a favorite for food lovers. If you’re visiting on the weekend, don’t miss the Little Italy Mercato, one of the best farmers’ markets in San Diego.
Coronado Island
Hop in the car and go for a quick drive or even a ferry ride to Coronado Island from Downtown San Diego. Coronado is actually a completely separate city from San Diego, but is still within San Diego County. This city feels like a peaceful escape, with its wide beaches, calm waters, and charming streets. With Coronado being so close to San Diego, visitors should think about spending an afternoon at Coronado Beach or taking their family’s best friend to the leash-free Coronado Dog Beach.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Explore the history of early San Diego within this open-air museum that includes restored historic buildings, including five original adobe buildings that show how San Diego transformed from a Kumeyaay village into a Mexican pueblo, and finally to an American Settlement. You’ll find museums, shops, restaurants, as well as gardens and lively historic plazas where you can listen to music and enjoy activities that teach you about the early ways of California life.
Mission Bay & Mission Beach
Farther north along San Diego’s waterfront is Mission Bay and Mission Beach. Head here for sunny days full of outdoor fun and to experience those classic Southern California vibes. If you’re interested in kayaking, paddleboarding, and even sailing, Mission Bay’s smooth waters and beautiful views have you covered. Mission Beach offers a bit more of a lively scene with its gorgeous stretch of sand, boardwalk, and Belmont Park, an amusement park on the beach. SeaWorld San Diego can also be found along the waters of Mission Bay.
La Jolla
Keep heading up the coast and you’ll reach La Jolla, a neighborhood of San Diego known for its dramatic coastline and upscale feel. One of the most picturesque areas, you won’t want to leave your camera behind! This is a great area for kayaking and snorkeling, as well as hiking many of the coastal trails around La Jolla Cove or within the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Stop by the Birch Aquarium for impressive exhibits and hands-on learning, or even see sea life like fish and crabs up close at the La Jolla Tide Pools, or harbor seals swimming at the Children’s Pool.
North County
This is where outdoor adventure meets family-fun attractions in the northern area of San Diego County. Families will love LEGOLAND California, where there’s more than 60 rides and attractions, including a water park and SEA Life aquarium. If you have time, stop by the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for an amazing safari experience! North County has plenty of beaches connecting surf towns, as well as lots of hiking trails inland and along the coast. This is where you’ll also find the San Diego Botanic Garden, Mission San Luis Rey, and the California Surf Museum.
Because of San Diego’s gorgeous year-round weather, you’ll have a great time regardless of what time of year you’re visiting. With that said, as with any travel destination, the region does have its busy seasons and quiet periods. As one of the best places to visit for Spring Break, San Diego is popular from March to May—and with good reason! With average highs in the high 60s, it’s a great time to get out and explore the beautiful outdoors without working up a sweat. Attend highly anticipated annual events like the Cherry Blossom Festival in early spring, La Jolla Concours D’Elegance, or the Sicilian Festival in Little Italy, and of course, you can always catch a Padres game at Petco Park at the start of their season!
Summertime—June to August—is about the busiest San Diego gets. Who wouldn’t want to soak up the summer sun on the beautiful California coastline? And better yet: summers in San Diego aren’t excruciatingly hot. With less humidity in the air and its coastal location, the combination allows the area to stay pretty temperate in the summer months. So, plan for beautiful beach days, surfing sessions, and trips to local parks, Mission Beach boardwalk, and theme parks. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
The stretch between September and November is another great time to visit the area. Average highs during this period drop from high to low 70s—sounds like perfect weather to us! With the summer crowds gone, San Diego does seem a bit quieter, and you’re more likely to find reasonable hotel prices. There are multiple annual festivals held in San Diego during this time, as well as many in nearby towns and cities that make for an easy day trip!
San Diego sees most of its rain in the winter. While the average highs from December to March never dip below the 60s, the combination of cooler weather, more rainfall, and the colder temperatures of the Pacific Ocean keeps beach days and crowds at bay. That’s not to say that you won’t see a sunny day during your trip to San Diego in the winter months! Its temperate winter weather will surely be welcomed by those trying to escape the snow.
San Diego is a combination of coastal and urban neighborhoods, and where you choose to stay can set the tone for your trip. First-time visitors who want to be close to the waterfront and major attractions might opt for booking accommodations in Downtown San Diego. For more beach-focused getaways, consider Mission Beach for the fun, boardwalk energy, or La Jolla for more scenic and upscale accommodations. Families will love Mission Bay for the resort-style hotels and proximity to SeaWorld.
Palmera Vacation Club members have the option to use their points on stays booked through the RCI Exchange or receive discounts on accommodations, transportation, and activities by using Quest Travel Club. We’ve included a few examples of where you can stay using either of these tools below:
Examples of accommodations available on Quest Travel Club. Prices and availability subject to change.
