San Diego
Big city with small-town feel
San Diego was a surprise for Charlie in many ways. It seems as if this Californian city is mostly overlooked as a travel destination and doesn’t seem to be as popular as Los Angeles or San Francisco. Therefore, Charlie didn’t have any expectations when she came to visit, and she was positively surprised.
Even though it is a big city, it doesn’t feel like it. It reminds more of a collection of villages that have grown together, each with their own unique atmosphere. There is a good public transport system and San Diego is very clean compared to other cities Charlie had been to.
Gaslamp Quarter
This, in Charlie’s opinion, is the centre of it all. The Gaslamp Quarter has a lot of historic charm, despite being part of the so-called “New Town”. It was built based on the ideas of Alonzo Horton who didn’t want small alleys and increased the number of corner lots by shortening the length of a block. Hence, distances in this part of town are a lot shorter than they initially seem to be.
The Gaslamp Quarter is a vibrant part of San Diego with lots of cafes, bars and restaurants. If you are looking for some nightlife, this is the place to be.
During the day you can admire the beautiful architecture that reminds in parts of New Orleans in other parts of an industrial hub with red brick buildings.
The proximity to the San Diego Convention Centre turn the Gaslamp Quarter into a business hub too and you find plenty of hotels for all budgets.
Seaport Village and The Embarcadero
The Gaslamp Quarter used to be the red light district due to the proximity to the coast and the harbour of San Diego. The business has changed, the proximity to the sea remains. Just a short stroll towards North brings you to the Seaport Village, a small waterfront area with restaurants and shops.
The promenade invites to walk even further North towards the Embarcadero where you find more restaurants, as well as The Kissing Statue and the Maritime Museum (Star of India). The Kissing Statue is a giant representation of the sailor kissing a nurse from the iconic World War II photo taken at Times Square in New York. San Diego as a naval hub, honours sailors. Even though the statue has become controversial in recent years because the kiss was not consensual, it remains one of the symbols of San Diego.
Coronado Island
A bit further South of the Gaslamp Quarter is the bridge to Coronado Island. Get your cameras ready when you head over! The bridge offers stunning views to both sides and on a clear day you can see the mountains of Mexico.
When Coronado Island was developed as a residential area, it was supposed to look like a seaside village. Charlie can confirm that that goal has been achieved. From the beach and iconic Hotel del Coronado, you can enjoy walks along the coast and views towards Point Loma. Not far from there you can find restaurants, shops and coffee shops that make Coronado the perfect destination for a day out by the coast. Next to the residential part of Coronado is a big naval base and you will certainly see helicopters and other flying objects.
Old Town San Diego
If there is a “New Town”, there must be an Old Town too. The one in San Diego has something special that you won’t find anywhere else. The Old Town looks like a little Mexican village and contains a State Historic Park. Within seconds, you’ll be transferred back in time waiting for the Cowboy to come out of the Saloon. There are plenty of Mexican restaurants, markets and a few museums. The most popular is the Whaley House, apparently the most haunted house in the US.
Little Italy
There is yet another “village” in San Diego that you should visit, especially if you’re looking for a farmers market or a nice spot for dinner. Little Italy started as a fishing village and is now an area of 48 square blocks bustling with restaurants and shops. With that size, it is the biggest Little Italy in the US. The restaurants serve authentic Italian cuisine and you can certainly feel the Dolce Vita when you’re strolling through the pedestrian zone.
Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo
There is one place in San Diego that should not be missed: Balboa Park. It is centrally located and easy to get to. You’ll find multiple museums and the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. Charlie was told that you should plan at least one day for the Zoo, better two! She didn’t have time to visit and was only passing by. She did a little exploration in the area and discovered a beautiful rose garden next to a cactus garden and a small arts village.
Surfing in San Diego
The city is stretched out along the Pacific Coast and connects to famous surf towns further north like Ocean Beach and San Clemente. If you want to surf in San Diego, the best place is Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. There are plenty of surf shops along the main road you find accommodation directly on the beach. Charlie stayed at the hostel ITH beach bungalow, and she enjoyed waking up with the sound of the waves. She could watch the surfers and the dolphins during breakfast, lunch and dinner at the terrace.
There are multiple beach breaks along the coast and when Charlie was there at the end of November, the waves were best in the morning. Despite a positive looking forecast for the whole day, it was often flat in the afternoon. The water is chilly, and you should wear a wetsuit. Charlie could only get a 3,2 wetsuit and she wished she had had a millimetre more neoprene. Some surfers were barefoot, Charlie needed boots due to the temperature of the water.
One morning, she even spotted some dolphins whilst sitting in the lineup. Keep your eyes open if you surf at Pacific Beach!
Apart from surf equipment, you will find plenty of bike hire places and Charlie even managed to get a Carver surfskate for one afternoon. She went all the way along the Strand towards the southern end of Mission Beach. That’s in her opinion the best way to capture the California lifestyle.
La Jolla
A bit further north from Pacific Beach is a popular tourist destination: La Jolla Cave. Charlie rented an e-bike and it took around 20 minutes to get there. It is a beach with some caves where you can go kayaking. It also is a popular spot for seals and sea lions. Charlie had never seen so many of them in one spot. You can even join them for a swim!
How to get around in San Diego
San Diego was surprisingly easy to explore by public transport. It never took Charlie more than 30 minutes to get anywhere. There are busses and a tram. In the busses you can pay cash, for the tram, you need a Pronto card. Charlie found it a bit difficult to see the box that you need to tap your card on before boarding the train. You can use the Pronto card as an app on your phone. If you want a physical card, the easiest way is the ticket machine at the tram stations. You can top up at the same machine or online.
If you arrive by Amtrak, there are two stations in town: Santa Fe and Old Town. Santa Fe is the closest to the Gaslamp Quarter which is the best location to stay in, if you’d like to explore San Diego. If you’d like to go surfing, check out Pacific Beach in which case you should get off the train at Old Town.
San Diego also has an international airport which is also centrally located and easy to get to.
