San Diego, California: My Perfect Weekend
It wasn’t long after we moved from San Diego before I started to miss the little things. As the polar vortex persisted, it became a plesant hobby to daydream about all the things I was missing and craft the perfect weekend visit in my mind. This list certainly isn’t all inclusive, but its all the places in San Diego that I dream about on the cold, gray days of January.
Lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument
A visit to Cabrillo National Monument is the best way to get to know San Diego. Situated on a finger of land stretching out into the Pacific, the top of this national monument offers views over the bay, Coronado Island, and across the city of San Diego. On a clear day, visitors can see to Mexico.
Note: Don’t forget to bring extra layers on your visit. Temperatures are much lower at the park then in the city.
However, this destination offers more than just a topographical understanding of San Diego, from here you can begin to comprehend the layers of history surrounding San Diego. Although the shape of the bay has changed since the Spanish first landed in San Diego. It is not difficult to understand why the natural landscapes of San Diego enticed the Spanish to stay. The position of Point Loma and Coronado Island makes the perfect harbor. These same features made San Diego the perfect base for naval operations. Basically, the bay has been drawing people to the San Diego area for a long time and continues to keep people here.
Submarine returning to San Diego bay
From view points around the visitor’s center at Cabrillo National Monument, visitors can watch military ships entering and exiting the bay along with a parade of sailboats and other watercraft. On my most recent visit, a submarine was slowly making its way back home. Planes and helicopters buzz around the naval base on the north end of Coronado Island and fly by the top of the Point close to eye level.
After stopping by the visitor’s center, I recommend taking a walk around the top of the monument to enjoy views across the Pacific, see leftover World War II military establishments, and a charming little lighthouse. During the winter months, visitors might even spot a whale spout offshore.
If you have extra time, consider taking the path less traveled and walk down the Bayside trail. If you are short on time, skip the Bayside trail and drive down to the tidepools. It is a lovely scenic hike where dramatic sandstone cliffs meet the ocean.
Tidepool trail at Cabrillo National Monument
Note: If you are visiting Cabrillo National Monument in December, consider visiting at sunset. The park closes at 5 p.m. year round, so the only time you can see sunset from this spot is during the shortest days of the year.
A leisurely visit to Cabrillo National Monument might take a visitor about half the day. I recommend a trip to Mitch’s Seafood on nearby Shelter Island before or after your visit.
Sunset at Cabrillo National Monument
Balboa Park
This bustling park at the heart of San Diego is a combination of green space, cultural activity, and history. Much of Balboa Park was developed in preparation for the 1915 Panama-California World’s Fair, including many of the buildings along the park’s most popular stretch, El Prado. At that time the buildings and spaces were constructed to house the exhibits for the fair. Today, these buildings contain a myriad of museums, celebrating art, science, and history. In addition to the museums, Balboa Park is also a horticultural treasure with a variety of gardens spread across the park.
Botanical building in Balboa Park
With so much to offer, tackling Balboa Park can be daunting. I would recommend starting off your visit with a stroll around the park grounds starting with the El Prado walkway and working your way around the stunning gardens. Balboa Park’s most recognizable view is the botanical building preceded by the glassy lily pond in front. This building is interesting beyond the iconic view. Go inside and see the collection of plants from around the world.
My favorite garden to visit is Alcazar Garden, with its geometric shapes, and the Palm Garden, like walking through a rainforest. For a more local feel, visit the Cactus Garden to see the most unusually-shaped, desert plants and flamboyantly colored flowers. Keep your eyes out for a hummingbirds flitting between the red blooms.
Alcazar Garden in Balboa Park
After strolling the grounds, you can visit a few museums or decide its time to move on to something else. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the famous San Diego Zoo is right next door to Balboa Park. Likewise, there are some good options for lunch or dinner within walking distance of the park. Follow El Prado through the park to 6th Street on the western edge. Go one more block west to the intersection of Laurel Street and 5th Avenue to find Hexagone (I haven’t been there personally, but heard good things) and Cucina Urbana. From here, turn left on 5th Avenue and walk less than a block south to find a good sushi place, Azuki Sushi.
Exploring in the cactus garden at Balboa Park
La Jolla
This little luxurious town is set upon sandstone cliffs overlooking a glittering ocean and should not be missed. La Jolla has so much to offer visitors that it will easily take a whole day just to get a taste of this area. I recommend starting your day at Torrey Pines State Park, located to the north of the city. The park offers beautiful ocean scenery with golden sandstone cliffs meeting the waves of the Pacific. Hike to the top of the bluffs to experience the view on top, then choose one of the trails descending to the beach. These paths wind through the sandstone walls giving hikers a close-up look of these impressive formations. At the bottom of the bluffs, the trail ends on a sandy beach below a wall of sandstone cliffs extending into the distance.
Waves crashing against Children’s Pool in La Jolla
After you’ve worked up an appetite hiking around Torrey Pines, head back into town to grab lunch. La Jolla has so many great options for eating. To get the most out of a visit to La Jolla, I always choose a place that offers outdoor eating and ocean views. George’s at the Cove has a rooftop terrace with amazing views and good food.
After lunch, you can spend a leisurely afternoon shopping in town, visiting art galleries, or strolling along the cove. Don’t miss seeing the harbor seals at Children’s Pool or watching the sea lions jump on and off the rocky shore along La Jolla Cove.
Seal near La Jolla Cove
Want More?
Get Active! San Diego is made for outdoor activities. My favorite activities involve the water, but the options are endless. Climb aboard a sailboat for a cruise around the bay and a new perspective of the city. Rent some paddle boards in La Jolla to explore the cove. Rent bikes. Take a hike. The best way to experience San Diego is with the sun on your face and wind at your back.
If you find yourself ahead of schedule and feeling restless, Coronado Island is a enjoyable place for an leisurely, afternoon stroll. Coronado is only separated from downtown San Diego by a tall bridge and a bay, but feels like an upscale beach town miles away from the working city. The main drag through town is lined with cute little shops and cheery cafes, which perfectly complement a long walk on Coronado’s wide sandy beaches.
Sailing in San Diego Bay
Still Hungry?
What would a vacation be without food? My perfect San Diego weekend involves a lot of seafood. Of course, fish tacos are essential to any visit in Southern California. The best fish tacos in San Diego is a matter of heated debate. I won’t claim to know about the best fish tacos in San Diego, but there are a couple places I recommend. I recently tried Oscars in Hillcrest, which had great, affordable food. If you want something a little more so-cal, visit Mariscos German, a food truck serving fish tacos and other food options in the neighborhood of South Park (another lovely San Diego neighborhood to visit). Both options only take cash, so don’t forget to bring some bills
Sushi Ota in Pacific Beach is well known in San Diego for it’s quality of sushi, especially the sashimi and nigiri. Don’t let the unassuming strip mall location fool you, the food is amazing. If you want to eat here, be sure to make a reservation.
San Diegans love their local, craft beer. No trip would be complete without at least trying some of the local brews (my favorites are the west coast IPAs) or better yet visiting one of the many local breweries in the city. The neighborhood of North Park has a bunch of small breweries (including Thorn Street Brewery, Hess Brewing, and the Belching Beaver) and plenty of bars for tasting local beers.
Hummingbird at Cabrillo National Monument
In summary, my perfect San Diego weekend is packed with tasty food, good beer, nice views, ocean breeze, and excellent sunsets. That’s pretty much a good formula for any perfect weekend, but in San Diego it all comes together so elegantly every day of the year. This truth makes it all the more painful, that while I suffer through winter at this northern latitude, back in San Diego my perfect weekend is happening right now. On the brighter side, I know it will always be there when I return. Hopefully, very soon.