San Diego is a large,clean and beautiful city on the coast of California, lined with palm trees and bordering the ocean. As it has an ideal climate and impressive beaches, it is a great place to head to if you want to get in some good beach time on your trip to California. The climate is amazing here most of the year except for May and June, when it is mostly covered by clouds. September is usually the hottest month, something to take into consideration if you don´t plan on spending all your time submerged in water! The city itself is divided less into districts than into individual neighborhoods, with Downtown being the center for business and nightlife alike, Point Loma and Ocean Beach offering a quiet, laid-back beachside atmosphere with great views, La Jolla with its upscale shops and the aquarium, and the very popular beach resorts of Mission Beach and Pacific Beach which have their own set of restaurants, shops and nightlife. Wherever you decide to go, there will be no shortage of accommodation to suit your needs, be it a luxury stay in a hotel, or a self-catering villa or apartment near one of the beaches.
Fun Facts
- The world´s oldest ship, the “Star of India” built in 1863, has completed 21 circumnavigations and has its home port in San Diego.
- On May 9th, 1927, Charles Lindbergh departed in his plane “The Spirit of St. Louis” to fly to New York and then Paris.
- 200 cruise ships berth each year in San Diego´s harbor.
- Rather randomly, hypnotism is banned by San Diego´s public schools.
- You´re not allowed to swim in any of the lakes in the city, but as these are all man-made, and there are great beaches nearby, it´s no great loss.
- The largest oceanographic museum in the States is found in the Birch Aquarium in San Diego´s La Jolla.
Things to Do
The Go San Diego Card gives you free admission and faster entry into around 50 attractions throughout the city, including Sea World, Legoland, the famous San Diego Zoo and the Balboa Parks. These parks feature a vast landscape of fascinating museums, parks, arboretums and flowering gardens. For some upmarket shopping and a pleasant stroll around a beautiful coastal community, head to La Jolla. There are numerous secluded coves, cliff walks and beaches to explore here as well. Ted Geisel, aka Dr Seuss, spent many years living La Jolla until his death in 1991. San Diego has a high proportion of outdoor sports to engage in, including golf, hang-gliding, rock-climbing, sailing and kayaking. There are numerous beaches to head to and catch the surf, or just relax and sunbathe, including Imperial Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and La Jolla´s clothing optional Black´s Beach. Should you want to see the migration of the Californian gray whales in February, go either to the overlook at the Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma, or else head out to sea on one of the whale-watching sailing tours.From the lookout and up by the lighthouse at Point Loma you also get a great view of the distant mountains and amazing views of the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
San Diego´s Food Delights
Food from all over the world is represented in the restaurants of San Diego. Fancy eggs for breakfast down by the beach, then head to Broken Yolk Cafe in Mission Beach, or Cotijas for a breakfast burrito. The hip Cafe Japengo in La Jolla on the other caters to sushi lovers, while the Shores restaurant serves up good American food with oceanfront views. In Downtown, head to theKnotty Barrel for some tasty pub food and a great selection of draft beer.
Speaking of beer, San Diego has over 40 breweries, many of which are tiny nano-breweries that consist of a hole-in-the-wall in an industrial park, others which feature large restaurants in which you can sample the goods in style. For night life, the best bar scene is to be found in the Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown.
Getting Around
San Diego International Airport is less than 10 minutes distance from downtown San Diego. There are a number of airport shuttles going to and from the airport that usually cost around $15 per person. A cheap alternative is to take the Metro bus #992 and connect with other transport options at the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. Getting around in the city itself is easiest by car, which can be rented at the airport, however if you do want to avail of public transport, you can get a day pass for $5 with which you can take the trolley and bus services that run across town. A bike is a great option for exploring the beach-side communities, but be careful to have a good lock!
Accommodation and Apartments for Rent in San Diego
When visiting San Diego, you have a broad choice of accommodation options from the luxury hotels in Downtown to the beachside apartments in the coastal districts of Mission Beach, La Jolla and Point Loma, amongst others. Should you want to avail of a self-catering rental, why not look for an apartment for rent or a room with bed and breakfast on Wimdu. You get the benefit of looking right into the life of a true San Diego local host, who can also be helpful with insider tips about the area. It´s most definitely a unique way of staying in this beautiful city!