Known for its family-friendly attractions, its proximity to Baja Mexico and its gorgeous coastlines, San Diego makes a perfect Southern California escape. Whether you're looking for fun in the sun, sporting events or plenty of interesting shopping, you're sure to find it all in sunny San Diego.
The area includes a wide range of lodging choices, from family-friendly motels to secluded romantic hotels and luxurious resorts. Park facilities include free barbecues, fire rings and sports courts. Water-lovers take note: the area includes more than 27 miles of bay shoreline and 17 miles of oceanfront beach — just the sort of place you'd expect to find Shamu and all of his aquatic friends.
This rejuvenated historic downtown neighborhood is well known for its shopping, nightlife and historic buildings. Take a short stroll to Horton Plaza, an enormous 7-level, multi-block shopping center full of colorful boutiques and big-name department stores. Catch San Diego Chargers football or San Diego Padres baseball at Qualcomm Stadium. After dark, visit the area's hip bars and funky clubs.
This popular tourist area offers easy access to popular attractions including SeaWorld San Diego Adventure Park, the home of Shamu. Hop on the San Diego Trolley and take a short ride to Old Town and downtown San Diego, or ride all the way to the Mexican border. As you might expect, you'll find plenty of lodging options in the Hotel Circle area, ranging from budget motels to full-service resorts.
This trio of North San Diego County coastal villages includes a major theme park as well as a number of funky beach-town sights. Carlsbad's the home of Legoland California, but visitors also flock to the area's famous flower fields each spring. Funky Encinitas offers trinket shops and cafes by the beach. Nearby attractions include the Flying Leathernecks Aviation Museum and Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Best known as a family-friendly destination, San Diego draws most of its visitors between June and September, during school vacations. To get the best deals — and avoid the crowds — plan to visit San Diego between November and February. You'll find sunshine most of the year, but expect pleasant spring weather as well as reasonable hotel rates from Easter through Memorial Day.