California
San Diego
San Diego is Southern California at its most relaxed — a sun-blessed coastal city of near-perfect weather, world-class family attractions, and 70 miles of beaches. The world-famous zoo and the museums of Balboa Park, the aircraft carrier USS Midway on the downtown waterfront, the seals and sea caves of La Jolla, and the laid-back beach towns from Coronado to Mission Bay give it an easy, outdoorsy appeal. With mild weather essentially year-round, almost any season is a good time to visit.
20 booking options
Hotels
Where to Stay
Hotel del Coronado
Coronado
The legendary 1888 Victorian beachfront resort on Coronado — red-roofed turrets, a wide golden beach, and over a century of history. One of the most iconic hotels in America, and a destination in itself.
Pendry San Diego
Gaslamp Quarter
A sleek, design-forward luxury hotel in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter — stylish rooms, a buzzy rooftop pool and bars, acclaimed dining, and the city's nightlife and dining scene right outside the door.
The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Downtown
A grand, historic 1910 hotel in the heart of downtown — opulent public spaces, classic luxury, and a storied past, steps from the Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Plaza, and the waterfront.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Downtown
A large waterfront hotel on the downtown bayfront — twin towers with sweeping bay and city views, multiple pools and restaurants, and a central location by the Embarcadero, the convention center, and the Gaslamp.
La Valencia Hotel
La Jolla
The "Pink Lady" of La Jolla — a romantic 1926 Mediterranean-style landmark perched above La Jolla Cove, with ocean views, lush courtyards, and old-world charm in the heart of the upscale village.
The Grande Colonial La Jolla
La Jolla
A charming historic boutique hotel in the heart of La Jolla village — refined, classic rooms, a well-regarded restaurant, and a quiet, elegant base steps from the shops, restaurants, and the cove.
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Mission Bay
A relaxed island resort spread across a private peninsula in Mission Bay — low-rise bungalow-style rooms, tropical gardens, multiple pools, a marina, and a beach, all in a calm, family-friendly waterfront setting.
Attractions & Tours
What to Do
USS Midway Museum
The longest-serving US Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century, now a museum on San Diego's downtown waterfront — walk the flight deck among restored aircraft, explore the hangar and crew spaces, and take the excellent self-guided audio tour.
San Diego Zoo
One of the most famous zoos in the world, set in lush Balboa Park — thousands of animals across naturalistic habitats, a pioneering conservation mission, and a guided bus tour and aerial tram to cover the hilly grounds.
Balboa Park
A 1,200-acre cultural park just north of downtown — Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, more than a dozen museums, lush gardens, performing-arts venues, and the San Diego Zoo, all in one beautiful, walkable expanse. Free to enter.
SeaWorld San Diego
A marine-life theme park on Mission Bay combining animal exhibits and shows with thrill rides and roller coasters — penguins, orcas, dolphins, sharks, and aquariums alongside a growing lineup of attractions. A full-day family destination.
LEGOLAND California
A LEGO-themed amusement park in Carlsbad, north of San Diego, built for younger kids — gentle rides, hands-on building, the incredible Miniland USA models, plus an adjacent water park and aquarium. The ultimate family day for ages 2-12.
San Diego Harbor Cruise
A narrated sightseeing cruise around San Diego Bay — past the downtown skyline, the USS Midway and the naval fleet, the Coronado Bridge, sea lions on the buoys, and the working waterfront. A relaxing way to see the city from the water.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The public aquarium of the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, perched on a bluff above La Jolla — ocean exhibits, a kelp-forest tank, seahorses, tide-pool touch experiences, and sweeping Pacific views.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
A fleet of historic ships on the downtown Embarcadero — led by the Star of India, the world's oldest active sailing ship — plus tall ships, a steam ferry, and submarines you can board and explore.
San Diego Whale Watching
Head out from the bay to spot whales off the San Diego coast — gray whales on their migration in winter and spring, and giant blue and other whales in summer, with dolphins year-round. One of the best whale-watching spots on the West Coast.
Cabrillo National Monument
On the dramatic tip of Point Loma — sweeping views over the bay, the city, and the ocean, the historic Old Point Loma Lighthouse, rocky tide pools, and a seasonal whale-watching overlook. One of San Diego's best vantage points.
Coronado Beach & Island
A wide, golden, often top-ranked beach across the bay from downtown — fronted by the legendary 1888 Hotel del Coronado, with a charming village, the iconic Coronado Bridge, and a relaxed resort-town feel. Free to enjoy.
La Jolla Cove & Coast
A stunning pocket cove in upscale La Jolla — sea lions and seals lounging on the rocks, clear water for snorkeling and kayaking among sea caves, tide pools, coastal bluff trails, and a walkable village. Free to enjoy.
Old Town San Diego
The "birthplace of California" — the site of the first Spanish settlement on the West Coast, preserved as a state historic park of restored adobes and museums, alongside lively Mexican restaurants, shops, and mariachi. Free to wander.
Go Deeper
The complete San Diego guide
Neighborhood picks, itineraries, FAQs, and local answers from our San Diego specialists — including 6 in-depth travel guides.