Coastal Vote: a Beach-Lover's Guide to San Diego, California
Learn to surf, stay in a beachside hotel and feast on fresh seafood in this Golden State city, where the Pacific Ocean is always in reach.
Water truly is the life source of San Diego. Not only does the Southern California city boast 70mi (112km) of coastline and 31 surf-friendly beaches, but the biggest employer in San Diego is the United States Navy. The city is also home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, one of the largest oceanographic museums in the United States, home to everything from seahorses to leopard sharks. Plus, Michelin regularly honors the top restaurants in San Diego for their fresh ocean-inspired dishes and sushi. Here’s how to soak up the sea in this SoCal surfside city.
1. La Jolla Shores Hotel
Budget Hotel
The Marine Room at the elegant La Jolla Shores Hotel served its first meal in 1946 to guests who fancied nature’s soundtrack while they ate – namely, the pounding high-tide surf. Today’s patrons still get to enjoy crashing waves and stellar sunsets when they book the High Tide Dinner – a menu that features dishes such as Georges Bank diver scallops, Oregon steelhead crudo (raw fish dressed in oils and citrus) and Baja California sea bass.
2. Hotel del Coronado
Hotel
4. La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour
Sports Center
Embark on a 90-minute paddling excursion through the La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve. The 5,390 acres (2,400ha) nature park encompasses the ocean bottom and tidelands with four distinct habitats: rocky reef, kelp beds, sand flats and a submarine canyon. Kayakers should keep their eyes peeled for sharks, whales, sea lions and other wildlife en route to the seven sea caves in the area. There’s also a sunset kayak tour on offer.
5. The Plunge San Diego at Fit Mission Beach
Swimming Pool
When this Spanish Renaissance-style plunge pool was built in 1925, it was the largest saltwater pool in the world and held 355,000 gallons (1,343,821 liters) of water. The pool was converted to freshwater in 1940 and, then, became the largest heated pool in SoCal. Contemporary features, such as ceiling windows and a retractable roof, entice swimmers year-round. The Plunge is adjacent to Belmont Park, a historic amusement park in San Diego, with beachside roller coasters and rides.
6. Pacific Surf School
Sports Center
Inspired by the pro surfers riding huge waves at the Black Beach in San Diego? Consider signing up for a beginner lesson or two. Pacific Surf School offers 90-minute surf lessons for beginners, covering the basics of surfing, ocean awareness, water safety, riding skills and in-water etiquette. Wannabe surfers have their choice of locations to learn: Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach or La Jolla.
7. Whale Watching Tours
Sports Center
Naturalists from the San Diego Natural History Museum provide commentary during this four-hour excursion. Whale sightings depend on the season. Gray whales can be observed as they migrate through winter into spring from Alaska to calving lagoons in Baja California and back. Also frequently spotted are minke whales, fin whales and large pods of dolphins. In summer, blue whales and humpbacks routinely feed near the San Diego coast. Guests meet at Pier One, 1800 North Harbor Drive.
8. San Diego Sailing Tours
Sports Center
If large group outings aren’t your thing, consider a quiet sail from Harbor Island with a small group (no more than six) to explore San Diego Bay on a restored yacht. Take in the views of the city’s skyline, the tree-lined beach haven of Coronado Island (really a peninsula), Point Loma (where the first Europeans came ashore in what is present-day California) and other landmarks as you enjoy a glass of wine or craft beer.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.