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My San Diego travel guide will help you plan a trip that suits your budget and interests whether visiting with kids, on business, as a couple or on your own.
This is a brilliant place to start researching the best places to stay, restaurants, museums, outdoor activities, water sports, and other fun things to do.
Hotel prices often determine which part of town to choose. For example, many families looking for nicer beach resorts choose The Seabird Resort in Oceanside if Hotel del Coronado in Coronado is pricing high. Your activity itinerary typically falls into place once flights and hotels are booked.
Our average temperature is about 70 degrees year round. Some months are sunnier than others.
Shoulder seasons are the best times to plan San Diego travel because the kids are in school and there are no major holidays. These include:
Most of the clients we help are visiting with kids. Because we are also a traveling family, I know what amenities are helpful to families traveling with babies, toddlers, grade schoolers, tweens, and teens. Traveling with multiple generations? No problem; we’ve got you covered.
If you’re traveling with kids, see our full guide for planning a San Diego family trip.
Swipe to explore all 9 neighborhoods ›
This luxurious La Jolla neighborhood is surprisingly laid back. Million-dollar homes sit on cliffs overlooking San Diego’s beautiful beaches, but don’t make the mistake of thinking this San Diego neighborhood is inaccessible! Tourists and residents alike flock to La Jolla (which residents affectionately call ‘the village’) to dine, sightsee, and to watch the famous La Jolla seals and sea lions doing their thing.
The thrumming heartbeat of San Diego can be felt in our urban center. Downtown San Diego is a buzzing neighborhood (which includes the historic Gaslamp Quarter) that has it all, from chic boutiques and fine arts to family fun plus a sizzling nightlife scene. It’s also where you’ll find attractions like Petco Park® (home of the San Diego Padres®) and the New Children’s Museum®. The San Diego Zoo® is just north of downtown.
Just across the bay from downtown San Diego, you’ll find Coronado; an exclusive beach community that has a quaint, old-fashioned vibe. There are quiet, tree-lined streets, old-timey storefronts, and friendly sidewalk cafes, plus miles and miles of walking paths, a great public golf course, and plenty of beaches to enjoy. It’s a popular resort destination and home to the iconic Hotel Del Coronado®, which you can enjoy at the Virtuoso rate if you book through me.
Called PB by the locals, this San Diego neighborhood is a hub of students, young professionals, and surfers, so the vibe is hip and energetic. In Pacific Beach, you’ll find plenty of flip-flop friendly restaurants and bars — this is definitely the hub of San Diego’s beach culture — along with Pacific Beach hotels catering to every type of traveler. If you’re traveling with kids, there are quieter spots that will still give you access to great restaurants and the boardwalk.
This casual San Diego neighborhood is a whole lot of fun! There are amusement parks, including SeaWorld San Diego®, and waveless beaches on Mission Bay that are just perfect for young kids. The paths that wind around this neighborhood are lined with vacation properties. There are great hotels for family travelers in Mission Beach, too. Enjoy plenty of fantastic restaurants, bars, and a hot volleyball scene.
This area of San Diego boasts the largest urban cultural park in the US. It draws visitors from all over the world who come for the 17 museums, gorgeous gardens, beautiful Spanish-Renaissance architecture, art installations, performances, musical events, and of course, the famous San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park should be a part of any visit to San Diego — in fact, you could probably spend an entire vacation exploring this area’s attractions.
I used to live in Del Mar and it’s pretty fantastic. You have a long stretch of quintessential SoCal beach with swimming, surfing, volleyball, and even dogs. A couple of coastal hotels like L’Auberge Del Mar put you within walking distance of excellent shops and restaurants. It’s particularly busy during racing season at the track and the early summer San Diego County Fair.
Known as “The Village by the Sea,” this wealthy San Diego neighborhood has so much to see and do, including LEGOLAND® California. It is a shopper’s paradise and a foodie hotspot, with a huge variety of restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops to enjoy. That said, if you prefer outdoor amusements, Carlsbad also has plenty of gorgeous beaches where you can go to catch a wave and there’s also Carlsbad Lagoon, a popular spot with paddle boarders and kayakers.
We have a lot of people choose Oceanside lately for various reasons. There are two newer beachfront hotels that are part of Hyatt that price lower than many others in the County. Not to mention the beaches are fantastic and all sorts of casual, excellent dining is popping up in the beach area as well. It’s a place where you get more value, if you don’t mind the drive (or Coaster train ride) to downtown attractions.
A rental car is advised, but Uber and Lyft are everywhere. Public transit works for some trips, though it isn’t robust. See our guide to getting around San Diego.
Time your visit for Kids Free San Diego, when many attractions, hotels, and restaurants offer free or discounted admission and extras for children throughout October.
Tipping is customary, around 18–20% at restaurants. Sales tax is added at checkout and is not included in listed prices.
Learn why Mission Pacific is one of my favorite Oceanside hotels and why you’d book with Hyatt Prive benefits for extra value.
What to know before visiting the San Diego Automotive Museum including how to buy tickets, insider tips, not to miss highlights and more.
What to know before visiting the San Diego Model Railroad Museum including how to buy tickets, insider tips, not to miss highlights and more.
My top picks for Hyatt hotels in San Diego include one of our best luxury resorts, three beachfront options, and downtown hotels.
Learn whether SeaWorld San Diego or San Diego Zoo is the best for your vacation if you can only choose one theme park. I have memberships to both.
From THE US GRANT in the Gaslamp to Gaylord Pacific’s waterpark in Chula Vista — a local travel advisor’s ranked guide to the 12 best Marriotts in San Diego County, with Bonvoy booking tips and Virtuoso perks.
Find the best things to do in Chula Vista, CA near San Diego including places to eat, hikes, theme parks, family activities and more.
Learn why The Seabird Resort is our favorite Oceanside hotel and why you need to book with Hyatt Prive benefits for extra value.
The best hotels in Oceanside, CA provide reasonably-priced accommodations near the best San Diego beaches, Camp Pendleton and business parks.
