Things to do in San Diego

For the adventure seekers :

Grey whales leave Alaska and pass through Southern California every winter as they head down to Mexico to give birth. This makes San Diego a perfect spot to see the whales migrating. Peak whale watching season is December-April. Both tours listed below are all about getting to see whales up close in their natural habitat.

  1. Whale watching tour

    (all ages welcome) Time: 3 hours , Location: San Diego Harbor

    • There are many different companies you can go through to venture out and see whales jumping, all cruises leave from San Diego harbor. We chose to use Flagship Cruises since they partner with Birch Aquarium to offer a guided tour from the experts. You can purchase tickets through them directly or go through Groupon for a discount.

  2. Kayak Tour

    (ages 6+) Time: 2 hours, Location: la jolla

    • Not only does Everyday California offer kayak tours, but for those who really want to adventure, book one of their whale watching kayak tours. The water may be cold, but being out in the open ocean with a tour guide, brings an entirely new meeting to whale watching. Everyday California also offers kayaking tours that don’t involve whales for those who just want to check out the sea caves and more. All of their tours leave out of La Jolla.

For the Nature lovers:

  1. Mission Trails Regional Park

    With over 7,000 acres, there is definitely plenty to see! The park has a map of all their trails, breaking down the miles and difficulty.

    • Cowles mountain is a favorite among San Diego locals, but be warned, this is listed as a difficult trail. It is dog friendly, but with little to no shade, it gets extremely hot, especially in the summer. Make sure you bring enough water along for your trip. Get ready for a crowded hike, especially on a weekend.

    • Kwaay Paay Peak summit is a gorgeous trail that is nowhere near as crowded as Cowles. The views are just as gorgeous, and the trail is dog friendly. There are more shaded areas and the trail is narrow at certain spots. When you get to the top, be prepared to take some epic pictures. On a clear sky day, you can see downtown in the distance.

    • Fortuna Mtns. Loop is not as crowded as Cowles, but it is the longest distance and highest elevation of all the trails in the park. A total of 7.1 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1932, it is not for the faint of heart. Another dog friendly trail (it is San Diego of course), it gets very steep, especially toward the end of the trail. Water is a must and make sure you wear comfortable hiking shoes.

    • Kumeyaay Lake Nature Trail is one of the easier trails, perfect for kids and beginners. You can find it in the Fortuna region of the park.

  2. Black’s Beach

    Location: la Jolla

    • You can find one of the trails to Black’s Beach right next to Torrey Pines Gliderport, this is definitely the most popular one. Please beware because the cliffs are unstable and make sure you stay on trail. It is considered one of the top surfing spots, with some of the best waves in San Diego. If you choose to go swimming, it is a “swim at your own risk” zone, meaning there are no active lifeguards on watch. When you reach the beach, you will see why the hike was worth it.

FOR THE EXPLORERS:

  • Balboa Park

    As a native New Yorker, I consider Balboa Park the San Diego version of Central Park. There is a lot to do and it all depends on the vibe you’re going for.

    • San Diego Zoo

      • My favorite part of the zoo was the cable ride because of the beautiful views of Downtown San Diego. Be prepared to walk a lot and most likely get lost because the park map isn’t very friendly (don’t bother downloading the app it isn’t any better). A great place to take the kids.

    • Nate’s Point Dog Park

      • If you have your dog with you, this is a cute dog park where you can let your furry bestie off the leash to make new friends.

    • The Japanese Friendship Gardens

      • Be prepared to go to another world filled with gorgeous scenery. Depending on when you go, you will find either an event or educational program going on.

    • Food truck Fridays

      • Between the end of June and early September, enjoy some delicious food. This is a local favorite!

    • The Botanical building

      • With a lily pond, this is probably the most photographed spot in Balboa Park. Need that perfect picture for instagram? This is the place to go to.

    • World Beat Cultural Center

      • There’s always an event going on here. They also have a vegetarian restaurant inside. Looking for multicultural fun? This is where you want to be.

  • San Diego Safari

    • This is a much bigger space with more animals to see, include a ride through the safari. A great place to take the kids. This is located in North County, about half an hour from downtown San Diego.

  • Sunset Cliffs

    • this is probably one of the most popular places that locals go to watch the sunset

  • Windansea Beach

    • a secret spot that only true locals know about. If you like surfing, this is definitely one of the best spots in San Diego. If you just want to watch the sunset, they are pretty epic here and my personal favorite place to go in SD.

  • Ocean Beach

    Many consider this the hippie beach of San Diego. This was the first beach i ever visited in san diego before moving here and i fell in love

    • Full moon drum circles

      • If you happen to be in town during a full moon, head to the beach for some good vibes and a drum circle. There’s also usually fire throwers and lots of smiles

    • Farmers market

      • All year, every Wednesday from 4-8pm. You can get local produce, hear live music and shop local brands.

    • Tide pools

      • to the left of the pier are these gorgeous tide pools. A nice spot to watch the sunset

    • Ocean beach pier

      • One of the longest piers on the West Coast. People go here to fish or just to walk up and down and enjoy the views.

travelJessica CatalinatravelComment