Are there any of you who have been working too hard? Do you feel stress? Do you feel like you can’t take one more day of this heat? Or do you find yourself daydreaming sunbathing on the beach (don’t forget your sunscreen) or sailing into the sunset? This probably covers just about everyone in the Phoenix area at one point or another. Well, I have good news. San Diego is only a few hours away.
My thanks to the About California Visitors Guide for providing the following feature on San Diego. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving with the kids for a week before school starts, or planning that romantic weekend for two. With these tips and tools, you are sure to have a wonderful, relaxing San Diego getaway.
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San Diego is one of the most popular tourist destinations in California. Its great year-round climate draws visitors from all over the world, and many Arizonans escape the summer heat to vacation there. Visitors of all ages and interests like San Diego, and you can always find something to do.
San Diego geography
It takes about 7 hours to drive from downtown Phoenix to downtown San Diego. You will start on I-10 West and then onto I-8 West. If you won’t need a car, or are short on time, the flight to San Diego from Sky Harbor International Airport takes about an hour. San Diego extends over about 300 square miles (514.0 km2). Most of San Diego’s popular attractions are clustered along a five-mile-wide strip near the ocean. Get a map of San Diego before you go.
Where to stay in San Diego
Drive times in San Diego are short (except during rush hour) and you can find parking almost anywhere in San Diego, although you may have to pay for it. There are many San Diego hotels (compare prices and make a reservation) in the San Diego Mission Valley and San Diego Downtown areas, and any one of them is a good base for exploring San Diego. Less expensive but convenient accommodations can be found in areas a little further from downtown San Diego.
Getting around in San Diego
The San Diego Trolley travels through much of San Diego and passes several attractions. However, most San Diego visitors find it more convenient to rent a car and drive. Remember that San Diego is a big city and is subject to traffic jams during rush hour.
San Diego Attractions
San Diego is a great city and there is a lot to do there for people of all kinds of interests. Try these ideas for a 2-3 day weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation.
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Downtown San Diego
San Diego is one of the most popular tourist destinations in California. In recent years, San Diego has become a surprisingly sophisticated place and has something to offer just about everyone, from ballet to theater to zoos.
This itinerary assumes that you will depart at night, stay two nights, and return in the afternoon of the second day. For example, go out on Friday night, sat down on Friday night, enjoy all day on Saturday, stay on Saturday night, enjoy San Diego more on Sunday, and then come home later on Sunday.
Preparation
Make a Hotel Reservation Ahead (Make Your Reservation) – Hotel occupancy in San Diego is generally quite high, and you don’t have enough time to spend looking for a place to stay. San Diego is a very sprawling city and no matter where you stay, you will end up driving somewhere. Mission Valley is centrally located, as is Mission Bay.
Bring comfortable casual clothes and good walking shoes, your camera, bathing suits and beach clothes if you want to get in the water. Most restaurants in San Diego accept casual dress, so unless you have a very special night planned, you can leave your dress clothes at home. Nights near the ocean can be quite cool, bring a sweater or jacket.
Afternoon: arrival
The San Diego airport is located midway between downtown and Mission Valley. Collect your suitcases and rental car and settle in at your hotel. Find a restaurant near where you are staying and sleep early – you have a lot to do tomorrow!
Day 1
Animal lovers, choose between the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park for today’s adventure. As difficult as this decision is, either is an all-day adventure and you just don’t have time to see them on such a short trip. The zoo features baby panda Hua Mei and many other wonderful creatures, but the Wild Animal Park is more of a one-of-a-kind experience, the closest many of us will get to a safari.
If you are not a fan of animals or see them in captivity, spend the day at the beach or shopping in La Jolla. Or, take the streetcar to Tijuana for an experience south of the border.
If you still have energy, head to La Jolla for dinner in the evening or enjoy one of the many seafood restaurants along the boardwalk near downtown.
Day 2
Pack. Is it time to go home? Not quite, but you have to do it sometime.
Time to get a taste of San Diego history. Start the day in Old Town, where San Diego began. Visit the historic buildings, do some shopping, and join a guided tour if one is available. Enjoy your lunch at one of the colorful Mexican restaurants in the area.
After Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter was the next place people settled in San Diego. It has Victorian architecture and many opportunities to walk and shop. Nearby Horton Square, an utterly modern contrast to old-time Gaslamp charm, offers even more opportunities to empty your wallet. If you skipped lunch in Old Town, try a fish taco at Rubio’s, just across the street from Horton Plaza.
Now it’s time to go home. The San Diego airport is just a few minutes north of the historic district.
If you have a three-day weekend, insert this extra day in the middle of your trip:
Day 2 of a 3 day trip
For your extra day, choose two of these three: scenic La Jolla, a bay cruise, or a trip to Coronado Island.
Perched on the cliffs above the Pacific, upscale La Jolla has shops of all kinds and many good restaurants. If your budget doesn’t allow for dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants in town, try visiting for a leisurely lunch, when prices are usually lower.
Water and boats are an integral part of San Diego and its history. Narrated harbor cruises give you a different view of the city and a different perspective on its history. Head to the Cabrillo National Monument for a panoramic view of the harbor, then drop down to sea level to enjoy the tidal pools.
The bridge to Coronado Island is almost a sight in itself, with its graceful arch over the water. Stop at Tidelands Park for a stroll and enjoy spectacular views of the skyline. At the water’s edge, you’ll find a reminder of a kinder time: the Hotel del Coronado. The Hotel “del”, as it is affectionately known, has hosted heads of state and movie stars, famous and infamous. Enjoy the hotel’s small photo museum and immerse yourself in elegance. You might even run into your resident ghost!
Do you have a whole week? See a longer itinerary
San Diego is one of the most popular tourist destinations in California. In recent years, San Diego has become a surprisingly sophisticated place and has something to offer just about everyone, from ballet to theater to zoos. This itinerary is designed for a family vacation spanning one week and two weekends. There are literally hundreds of things you COULD do while in San Diego, and if you have special interests, feel free to indulge them. These tips are designed to give you a look at some of the faces of San Diego and a chance to visit some of the special sights of Southern California.
Sometimes the best things on vacation are the ones you find by surprise. Don’t take this itinerary too seriously. If the roses are blooming, stop and smell them.
San Diego day by day
- Day 1 – Animals!
- San Diego Zoo (or Wild Animal Park) or Seaworld
- Day 2 – Historic areas
- Old Town State Historic Park
- Gaslamp Quarter
- Horton Square
- Day 3 – Water
- La Jolla
- Bay cruise (see photos)
- Cabrillo National Monument
- Coronado Island and Hotel del Coronado
- Day 4 – Mexico
- Tijuana – shopping south of the border (see photos)
- Day 5 – Side trip
- Julian – country of the gold rush, apple pie and antiques
- Day 6 – More water
- Spend the day at the beach or relax by the pool. Or play golf. This is a vacation, do not exhaust yourself!
- Day 7 – More animals!
- Wild Animal Park (or San Diego Zoo) or Seaworld
- Day 8: side trip
- California Desert – Visit Temecula, where the Old West meets wineries, or upscale Palm Springs, with an optional stop at a casino
- Day 9
- Relax. Rest. Package. You have to go home today.
Substitutions
- Parents of very young children may want to substitute Legoland for Sea World or Wild Animal Park. However, children of all ages love the zoo.
- If you’re opposed to visiting wild animals in captivity, substitute one or more of these for animal days: a trip to the Balboa Park museums, a tour of San Diego’s Spanish missions, or even a day trip to Disneyland. in Orange County (about 2 hours away).
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Many thanks to the About California Visitors Guide for providing the above itinerary to help our Phoenix area residents with their trip to San Diego.
