11 Reasons Why You Should Visit San Diego

The History

San Diego is considered the birthplace of California, as Old Town San Diego is where the first Spanish settlement was established in 1769 (though Native Americans had already been living here long before that date). Later, Father Junipero Serra built the first of 21 Californian missions in San Diego. Many historic buildings have been preserved in Old Town San Diego, and you can still tour missions in the area today. Another key piece of history can be found in Balboa Park, where several buildings were erected for the Panama California Exposition in 1915.

San Diego Mission | © (((brian)))/Flickr

The Food

San Diego’s culinary scene has really been picking up in the last couple years, with many restaurants taking advantage of the city’s fresh produce and unpretentious nature. Enjoy authentic cuisine from small, independently owned eateries, or innovative dishes from a diverse host of talented chefs at restaurants including Jsix, Galaxy Taco, KINDRED, and Juniper & Ivy. Or, dig into Cali-Baja, San Diego’s regional cuisine that blends Californian and Mexican Baja Med styles.

Juniper & Ivy | © T.Tseng/Flickr

The Nightlife

San Diego has a bustling nightlife scene, particularly in the Gaslamp Quarter Pacific Beach and Hillcrest. Whether you’re hoping to go dancing, sing karaoke, or take in a show, you’ll find something that fits your agenda. Find comedy clubs, drag shows, honky tonks, live music, DJs and more, every night of the week.

Animal Adventures

Not only can guests stop by the San Diego Zoo, but there’s also the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and SeaWorld San Diego. Each offers educational opportunities and the chance to see majestic animals with your own eyes. For a more-hands on experience visit Sky Falconry, where you can learn to interact with trained hawks, vultures, and falcons.

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The San Diego Zoo | © fortherock/Flickr

The Views

Stunning coastal views can be found in several public parks and beaches, including Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Black’s Beach and Sunset Cliffs. If you like your views without the hikes, try George’s at the Cove in La Jolla, where a meal or cocktail on the Ocean Terrace comes with a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean.

Black’s Beach, San Diego | © Kenneth Hagemeyer/Flickr

Art

San Diego may get a lot of attention for surf and sand, but their art scene is nothing to dismiss. Museums include the San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Photogenic Arts, Mingei International Museum, the Timken Museum and the San Diego Art Institute. Yet that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface, as independent galleries abound, especially in neighborhoods like North Park and Barrio Logan. Barrio Logan is also home to the largest collection of Chicano art murals around in Chicano Park.

San Diego Museum of Art | © Tim Evanson/Flickr

The Neighborhoods

San Diego neighborhoods are unique, offering a variety of experiences in one city. Visit Old Town for some California history or the Gaslamp Quarter for a thriving nightlife scene. Hillcrest is LGBTQ-friendly and fun, with plenty of cool shops and boutiques to peruse. Try Little Italy for fantastic Italian cuisine, or Barrio Logan for authentic Mexican fare. When you want to hit the beach, try Pacific Beach for lots of bars and restaurants, or La Jolla if you want a quieter, but no less scenic, experience.

The Gaslamp Quarter | © Steve Lathrop/Flickr

Proximity to Mexico

There are few American cities where you can just walk across the border into another country, but San Diego is one of them. Though you will need to plan ahead and allow time to get back and forth across the border, you can easily break up a trip to San Diego with a night in Tijuana.

Tijuana | © Daniel Knott

The Adult Beverages

When it comes to drinks, San Diego is a prime city for beer lovers, with over 125 breweries in the county. Yet there are also hotspots that appeal to those who prefer to imbibe sans hops. For cocktails, try You & Yours Distilling, speakeasy Noble Experiment or rooftop bar Fairweather. Whiskey lovers can veer towards Aero Club, a classic dive in operation since the mid-century, featuring hundreds of whiskeys to try.

A Michelada | © Chris Pizzitola/Flickr

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Publish date : 2017-07-16 03:00:00

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