San Diego Nearby Attractions & Accommodations
San Diego has a variety of attractions and accommodations to create a relaxing and memorable vacation. Whether you're looking for a fun family activity or want to enjoy some exciting nightlife, you're bound to find something that you'll enjoy. To see a whole list of the best San Diego attractions, go here. Planning all of the aspects of your trip can be daunting. When it comes to the basics, you'll have to start off by picking a hotel, figuring out what you'll be eating, and how you'll get around the city. Luckily, we've done a lot of the research for you, and we've compiled lists of the best hotels, restaurants, and car rental services. If you're getting ready to plan your trip to San Diego, one of the first things you're going to want to do is find a hotel that offers all of the amenities you want and need. Luckily, San Diego has many hotels to offer. For a full list of the top hotels in San Diego, go here, but also check out our favorite choice below. After picking your hotel, you're going to want to think about what you'll be eating while you're in the area. With such a diverse culture, San Diego has tons of restaurants that offer many different types of cuisine, so you'll always be able to find something that satisfies your cravings. Check out our full list of the top restaurants in San Diego here, and we've listed our favorite below. Getting around the city may be kind of stressful if you don't know much about the public transportation or don't want to have pay and wait for cabs. For easy and reliable transportation, San Diego has lots of car rental services with a variety of services that will make your rental experience the best it can be. Here is a full list of the top car rental services in San Diego, and you'll be able to see which is our favorite below.
San Diego's Best Accommodations and More!
The city of San Diego is located on the Pacific coast of California and is well known for beaches, parks, and warm weather. The city's art culture is portrayed in the abundance of art galleries, studios, museums, and gardens. There is also a strong naval theme with a deep harbor that houses an active naval fleet and the USS Midway, which was an aircraft-carrier that was made into a museum that is open to the public. The USS Midway is the longest serving US Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century. You can explore the engine room, living quarters, galley, brig, and more with an audio tour. Visiting the flight deck, you'll be able to climb into the cockpits and flight simulators of more than 20 aircraft. San Diego has definitely earned its title as California's beach city with its combination of 70 miles of coastline, diverse attractions, and an abundance of art, dining, and nightlife. Each little neighborhood has dining options and attractions that give the area its own little culture. Don't miss out on trying the areas Cali Baja cuisine or visiting one of the local breweries or wineries. However you spend your day, you'll be able to head to downtown to join the excitement of the party at one of many nightclubs and rooftop bars. And if you're into art, you're sure to find a great creative outlet in San Diego. Balboa Park, otherwise known as the "Smithsonian of the West," has 17 museums, a number of art galleries, performing arts, and the San Diego Zoo. San Diego Zoo has more than 3500 animals, including exhibits like Monkey Trails, Lost Forest, Elephant Odyssey, Gorilla Tropics, Sun Bear Forest, and Tiger River. They have the largest population of Giant Pandas and also feature the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where you have the chance of experiencing nature up close. African and Asian animals roam freely, and you can take the Africa Tram Safari for a guided tour of rhinos, giraffes, and more. San Diego is a wonderful destination for families who enjoy activities ranging from thrill rides, beach activities, or interacting with animals. You can visit LEGOLAND and the LEGOLAND Water Park, learn about the marine life at SeaWorld, or even take a day trip to Disneyland just 90 minutes north of San Diego. If you visit Old Town San Diego, you'll be visiting what is known as "the birthplace of California," the site of the first Spanish settlement in 1769. Old Town San Diego now features a state park with museums in historic buildings, staff dressed in period costumes, and a variety of Mexican restaurants. The Gaslamp Quarter is a popular neighborhood made up of Victorian buildings mixed in with dance clubs, cocktail lounges, and dive bars. If you cross the Bay, you'll be in the city of Coronado, the home of the iconic red-roofed Hotel del Coronado as well as lots of shops and restaurants. Most people visit San Diego in between June and August. However, the weather is temperate year-round, and the beaches are less crowded from December to February, where the weather is just a little cooler but the sun is brighter. Mid-December through mid-March is whale watching season. Some of the city's annual events include Comic-Con in July (a comic book convention featuring workshops and film screenings) and Fleet Week in the autumn (a military appreciation event that features tours of Navy ships and an air show). No matter what time of the year you plan on visiting, you'll want to buy your Go San Diego Card by Leisure Pass Group either before your at the start of your trip. This card will give you tickets to lots of the attractions in San Diego at one discounted price.
