How To Spend 24 Hours In San Diego

…the Waterfront Park, that is. It’s a modern open space along the shore that is a public green area dotted by sleek fountains and grassy knolls. As a civic center that also marks the heart of the city’s downtown area, it’s beautifully clean and functional with picnic areas, gardens, and playgrounds. Chances are visitors may even catch the weekly farmers’ markets or other festivals that are commonly held here.

Trendy restaurants abound in the downtown area, so walk east ten minutes from Waterfront Park and take your pick. From juice bars to bagels to bakeries, there are options for everyone, whether diners favor the healthy or the indulgent fare.

Up for a little shopping and a stroll? If so, head north to North Park, which is San Diego’s favorite place to shop unique items and vintage boutiques. Often called the ‘hipster central’ of the city, there are enough funky warehouses and quirky consignment shops to keep buyers busy all day.

…at one of the many breweries in the greater metropolitan area. There are almost too many to choose from, but head to the Miramar area where a few are clumped together to get the most from the trip. Between Green Flash, Ballast Point, and AleSmith, beer seekers will be spoiled for choice.

…in Pacific Beach, or PB for short. Sit at a restaurant along the ocean and have pre-dinner drinks or walk down to the sand and watch the sun sink beneath the waves along this picturesque, peaceful stretch of coastline. This is an essential San Diego activity.

There’s so much to see and do in this small area: San Diego’s historic Italian district. Of course, there’s plenty of authentic, mouth-watering cuisine available, so it’s the best place to grab a filling dinner after a long day. Relax on a sidewalk café while people-watching and eating pasta. It doesn’t get any better than that.

The Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego is a Victorian-style area reminiscent of the French Quarter in New Orleans. It hosts some of the best bars in the city, from gastropubs to chic wine bars and even speakeasies. It also is an active area in the craft brewery scene in San Diego, so there’s something for every kind of night owl and partygoer.