HUGE San Diego Travel Guide

HUGE San Diego Travel Guide

Okay, so full disclosure – I made this guide almost a year ago but then never posted it because Covid happened, but I figured that it’s time to FINALLY post it as it is my favourite travel guide that I’ve ever made! It is also national plan a vacation day, cause we can still dream.. right? 😉

This is going to be a long one!! I have recently become obsessed with San Diego, like could it get any cuter?! So, I’m here to tell you allllll of the fun, adorable, and yummy things to do and see in my favourite Southern Californian city, San Diego!

PLUS! I have video below of some of my fave spots! I gotta say, all of these are 10/10, can’t wait for you to try them!!

Please note: The video highlights what to do in a weekend. For ALL of my recs, keep scrolling

Ps. If you want to see more of my travel guides head here. If you love Cali like me, I have LA, San Fransisco and Sacramento guides as well!

To Shop

Pigment

HUGE San Diego Travel Guide - What to do, see and eat!

Probably one of the cutest shops I’ve ever laid eyes on, it is so dang cute, they have a. Plant. Wall. Plus all of the cute products you could ever imagine. Honestly, everyone I know who has been here is obsessed, and that’s all I need to tell you – ha!

Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego exceeded my expectations in every way! It is a mix of Spanish and western, and it is adorable! So many restaurants and shops, plus all of the employees dress in period clothing, since it’s a historic site. Ugh. So cute. Just take a look at the photos and you’ll understand why I’m obsessed!

Balboa Park Spanish Village

I’m not ashamed to say that I go for the colourful brick, haha, I wish I was joking! There are little art galleries and local artisans, it’s a super neat little area, plus there’s a yummy coffee shop (see the coffee section).

To Do

San Diego Zoo Wild Safari Park

A perfect alternative to people who don’t love zoo’s (me) but do love animals. The Wild Safari Park was created by the San Diego Zoo, but is completely separate! It is more of a GORGEOUS park with animals than a zoo. The enclosures don’t feel like cages, and did I mention how beautiful it is?! They have a tram ride of the African plains, plus a cheetah race, and an area where you can roam with and pet the kangaroos! So cool!

The Flower Fields

OKAY. OBSESSED! Truly could not love this place more, just stunning beauty, my mom actually cried when she saw it. Just rainbow fields as far as the eye can see of ranunculus (one of my fave flowers) I could have stared at it forever, seriously. They also have food trucks and crafts vendors, making it the perfect outing! However, it’s only open from March – May *insert sad face here* But for real, this is the most important item on this HUGE San Diego Travel Guide list haha 🙂

The San Diego Zoo

HUGE San Diego Travel Guide - What to do, see and eat! San Diego Zoo Tips

This one is probably kind of obvious, but just incase you’re like me and thought it was probably overrated – it’s not. I’m not even a zoo person and I LOVED it! Besides the animals, the park is so so beautiful! Make sure to take the tram ride, and go to some of the ‘keeper talks’. ALSO, their ‘Albert’s’ restaurant is amazinggggg!

VIP Tour at SeaWorld

This was AMAZING! Probably one of the top experiences I’ve had! You get your own guide, go behind the scenes, and get private animal encounters. We pet a penguin, danced with a dolphin, played with a sealion and fed sea turtles! You also get free snacks #win! HIGHLY recommend. More info here.

SeaWorld

If you don’t want to go the private tour route, SeaWorld is still awesome! It really has it all – rides, shows & animals. There is surprisingly so much to do! Our fave part is the Sea Lions Live show, my husband and I haven’t stopped talking about it since – so funny! Our fave ride was the Electric Eel!!

Sunset Cliffs

The perfect place to watch the sunset (obviously), it is so gorgeous, and very Californian, I mean, just look at that photo!

La Jolla Cove Children’s Pool

I’ve been to La Jolla Cove before, but somehow just found out about the children’s pool! Basically, they built a wall on one area of the beach so that kids could play on the beach and be protected from the waves, buuuut it backfired because the seals loved to bring there babies there, so human’s are no longer allowed on that beach! So, there are SO. MANY. seals to see and it’s so neat! Plus, the beach next to it has seals that you can get a little closer to.

La Jolla Tide Pools

Walking around the La Jolla tide pools while the tide is out is always so fun. I love finding little creatures, and walking on the ocean floor!

Ho Chi Minh Trail Hike

Scariest/best hike ever. This hike starts in the middle of a super ritzy neighbourhood, and winds down in between cliffs, and ends up at the beach. There are some definite sketchy moments, when you’re trying not to fall to your death (I’m being a little dramatic) but it is beautiful, plus you end on the beach so that’s a thumbs up for me. Oh, but make sure you take the trail down and not up (it splits partway through). LOVED this hike!

To Eat

Woody’s Breakfast & Burgers

We sat on their balcony facing the beach, eating our breakfast burrito and acai bowl, while music played, and it was magical, just go, trust me!!

The Goods

If you know me, you know I love a good fancy donut shop, and The Goods did not disappoint! They have coffee and donuts, plus it is so pretty!! Their donuts are unique and veryyy yummy!

Communal Coffee

A coffee shop, flower shop combo, need I say more? It is gorgeous inside, and outside (check out that mural) Plus they have yummy drinks and food, yes, yes, yes!!

Corvette Diner

This restaurant has been on some ‘best restaurants for kids in the country’ lists, and for a good reason! This spot is SO fun, they have a bunch of fun themed rooms to explore (like a bunch), plus an arcade! It’s just diner food, but it’s super yummy!