The Best Picnic Spots In San Diego

When you live in such a sunny city, you may often be inspired to bring your meals outside, picnic-style. If you’re looking for a great place in the city to picnic, we’ve got your covered with a curated list of the best.

Kate Sessions Park

Park

If you want an incredible, panoramic view of San Diego to enjoy while you picnic, Kate Sessions Park is the perfect place for you. This park features serene greenery just removed from the craziness of Pacific Beach, giving you the chance to escape for a peaceful afternoon. Here, you can enjoy overhead views of the skyline, barbecues, hiking trails, and plenty of open space to play around in.

El Monte County Park

Park

If you’re looking for something a little more wild and secluded, head on over to El Monte County Park. This park was one of the first parks in San Diego County, stretching across 88 acres and filled with a playing field, play areas, reservable picnic areas, and plenty of open lawn space. Plus, you can enjoy a sweeping view of the rocky El Cajon Mountain, which overlooks the park along with a circle of other mountains. Additionally, you can book wedding and special event venues here.

San Dieguito County Park

Park

San Dieguito County Park is located in Del Mar, just out of the way of the beach. The park offers plenty of open space, as well as hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, baseball fields, a basketball court, barbecue pits, shady eucalyptus trees, and even fitness stations. There is a lovely gazebo on one end of the park, and the space is reservable for special events. Plus, you can enjoy a view from the peak of Activity Hill.

Flinn Springs County Park

If you find yourself on the east side of San Diego, be sure to check out Flinn Springs County Park. This park spans 40 acres, and is filled with play areas, ball fields, picnic areas, public restrooms, and event venues, including a gorgeous gazebo. For the adventurous out there, there are 2.5 miles of hiking trails available for you to explore, as well as some groves of oak trees to keep you nicely shaded. http://instagram.com/p/BN4hA6-geM7/

Ellen Browning Scripps Park

Park

You’re probably already familiar with La Jolla Cove, but if you want a picnicking experience that won’t give you a mouth full of sand, visit the nearby Ellen Browning Scripps Park. This park overlooks the cove, giving you a span of grass to spread out on to enjoy your meal. Let the ocean breeze run through your hair while you relax on the grass, and then make a full day of it by spending a few hours at the beach, too.

About the author

Courtney Holcomb

Editor of The Culture Trip's San Francisco section, Courtney is a writer, manager, yoga instructor, feminist, and arts enthusiast. Attempting to fill her days with as much creativity and humanity as possible, she loves to explore the unique spaces and cultural happenings taking place around her, taking inspiration from them to fill these pages with topics like travel, art, literature, music, wellness, and nature along the way.