San Diego, CA // Travel Guide
Ah, California. The beach, the mountains, the city....they hog all the good stuff. SoCal is one of our favorite places on Earth. San Diego, Laguna Beach, San Clemente; we love it all. Luckily, Hannah has wonderful, hopsitable family in San Diego, so we see many SD trips in our future. Here are some of our favorite spots from our last trip in August!
What To Do:
Sunset Cliffs
Sunset Cliffs offers undeniably spectacular views of the San Diego coastline. Hannah enjoyed the view of several million dollar homes that sit across from the sunset cliffs. Be careful while walking here, as it is right near the road and there are several areas where the cliffs are eroding.
Torrey Pines State Park
In the spirit of giving credit where due, Hannah’s cousin Brianne and her husband Austin, gave us the recommendation to check out Torrey Pines. While most likely known for its golf course of the same name, Torrey Pines State Park has many hiking trails, all of which vary in length and challenge (though none of which cause overexertion). You will enjoy surreal vistas of the Pacific Ocean. We enjoyed the 3 mile hike and walked back on the beach, where the tide occasionally soaked us in water. I’d wear old shoes, especially if you go down to where the paths meet the beach as it can be a bit wet!
La Jolla Cove
Drive to La Jolla...park on Coast Blvd or by Culvier Park (there are many free parking spots if you drive past the very popular area where all the seals and sea lions gather). Get out and walk 30 steps to the accessible and lovely overlooks of the Pacific. Many locals bring food and have picnics and hang out playing music and the like at this pseudo park. So nice an atmosphere, that we we drove back and went twice. With sea lions, seals, and even the occasional whale making an appearance, it’s good for the whole fam. It's amazing how close you can get to these sea creatures!
Old Town
Old Town is known for its festive, authentic Mexican atmosphere and sits very near downtown San Diego. The area feels straight out of the southwest, and is worth the visit. We loved the margs and tacos at Cafe Coyote! (food recs below).
Coronado
The world famous hotel sits on the beach not far from downtown and is a sight to behold! We "beached" here for an afternoon and enjoyed it! I will note it was very busy!
Encinitas Beach
We have been to many beaches in California. The beach at Encinitas (across from Las Olas Mexican restaurant), is one of our favorites (behind Crescent Bay and Pebble Beach). What we loved about this beach was the ever changing topography. As we walked a few miles along the coast, we watched the beach change from flat sand to rocks to cliffs.
Where To Eat :
Las Olas (en ingles "The Waves")
The food was excellent, the location was better. Literally, this restaurant is a tourist and local favorite, sitting across the street from the beach in Encinitas. Absolutely worth the 30 min drive from San Diego. After you eat a bevy of tacos, you can walk across to the beach and work it off.
Cafe Coyote
In the heart of Old Town, this ENORMOUS restaurant has been lauded as the best Mexican in San Diego. As you enter, women are hand making tortillas fresh all day and the margaritas leave nothing to be desired...except another. Great portions, delicious and fresh. Very traditional Mexican atmosphere too.
Liberty Public Market
This public market, near Sunset Cliffs, has several offerings and enough variety to please even the pickiest of eaters. We LOVE markets for this very reason. We don’t have to have a lengthy discussion about kind of food we want, don’t want, and the like… we can cut to the chase and each person can find something that fits their mood and appetite.
San Diego Market (Downtown San Diego / Little Italy)
On weekends, the San Diego market has fresh food, vegetables, spices, lunch, decor, art, clothing and much more. It’s packs the downtown streets and has unique and memorable items and food. After a bite, take a few hours to enjoy downtown San Deigo.
We love traveling, obviously, but California is our favorite US destination. Go, enjoy, experience, avoid the cheesy tourist traps. Make travel great again by seeing and experiencing the immense beauty THIS incredible country has to offer. What are you waiting for..!?
Thanks for traveling with us! :)