Meredith flew out to Arizona for her spring break, and we decided there was no better sister-bonding activity than to drive 6 hours out to San Diego for the weekend.
This was my second time in San Diego (the first being a week-long trip my freshman year of college for pre-track season training), but this time I made sure to see as much as I could in a short period. Here are my top 10 recommendations for what to do in San Diego.
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Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a must-visit. My friend and I did our long run through Balboa Park in 2011, and there is no more perfect place to do so. Meredith and I explored the beautiful buildings and the gardens while we were here; we could have stayed for hours (and I mean, so could anyone. It covers 1,200 acres). There are also museums and theaters within the park, including several art and history museums, and the famous San Diego Zoo! -
San Diego Zoo
Okay people. This is the most famous zoo in the entire country, with over 650 species and subspecies, and a visit, at least at some point, is essential (especially if you love zoos, like I do. I am not sure if I was supposed to outgrow them at some point, but like most things from my childhood, I haven’t). And it is in Balboa Park, so hitting two birds with one stone is a breeze. AND it is one of only a few zoos in the entire country who house the endangered giant panda! -
Seaport Village
Talk about ADORABLE. I fell in love with Seaport Village during my 2011 trip to San Diego, and I am still in love with it. It is good for everything: eating, shopping, going for a run (there’s a reason San Diego was our destination for a January track training trip. The weather is beyond perfect and the city is extremely runner-friendly), and a really cool SoCal vibe. It has gotten a bit touristy, but is less so in the non-summer months.
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Coronado Beach
A little drive outside the city, Coronado Beach has been voted one of America’s most beautiful beaches by the Travel Channel. If you go in March, as we did, the beach is almost deserted. California-dwellers probably thought it was too cold for a beach day, but our tough East Coast bodies found that the breezy seventy degrees suited us just fine. -
Belmont Park
In my youth I spent many summers at the beaches of Maryland and Delaware, relaxing by the ocean by day and wandering the boardwalk by night. Boardwalk amusement parks are absolutely my cup of tea. There is something so stress-relieving about oceanside roller coasters. Belmont Park offers tons of rides and arcades, as well as a glimpse into the laid-back culture of Southern California. Unlimited rides are pricey, upwards of $50, but if you make a day of it, it is worth it.
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Gaslamp Quarter
For the best nightlife, head to the Gaslamp Quarter (and don’t visit with your 18-year-old sister). It is bumpin’! If you’re into bar-hopping or concert-going, then this is the place you’ll probably be spending your entire Saturday night. During the day, there are a ton of restaurants to choose from with an abundance of outdoor seating as well, and it a nice area to explore under the California sunshine.
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Old Town
I first went to Old Town when I was in San Diego with my track team. Do you realize how close San Diego is to the border with Mexico? It is very fuxking close. Old Town is full of absolutely killer Mexican food, haunted houses, rich history, and Mexican-crafted gifts (for your loved ones or for you. I bought my infamous drug rug here 5 years ago, which I proceeded to wear over my skimpy party outfits every single time I went out in college. Literally every single time. I was Drug Rug Girl). The Old Town in any city is always one of my favorite parts of the entire city, and San Diego’s is one of my all-time favorite Old Towns.
Drug Rug Girl preparing her skimpy outfit in her infamous Old Town San Diego drug rug. -
Ocean Beach & Dog Beach
For the hippies are heart, had over to Ocean Beach. This is easily one of the most relaxed places in Southern California (but also the most relaxed place I’ve ever been to myself). Meredith got her nose pierced here at Apogee which was a fantastic place; they did a much better job on her nose ring than mine, and even referred her to some piercer friends out on the East Coast in case she had any problems once she got home. Get lunch here too for something quick and tasty (Hodad’s is famous for its burgers, but we got there right around lunchtime and the line was OUT THE DOOR, definitely a good indicator of how good the burgers are but also. Way too long. So we ended up going to Nico’s Mexican Food, which was obviously excellent as most Mexican food is in this region of the country). Ocean Beach is also in close proximity to Dog Beach, which is full of dogs frolicking through the sand happily and freely. After going to Dog Beach and seeing all these smiling, slobbery faces, I went home and adopted Stella the next day! Really a dope place.
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La Jolla
If you drive north of San Diego, you’ll hit La Jolla, a hilly oceanside community with 7 miles of beach. It is gorgeous, there is a ton to do with tons of jewelry shops scattered along the coastline, and it is one of California’s most popular beaches. -
Collapse into bed at the Urban Boutique
We stayed at the Urban Boutique, a small hotel in Little Italy. I can not recommend this place more highly: it was very cute, the people at the front desk were extremely friendly and helpful, and the rooms, while small, were cozy and clean. There was also a free continental breakfast. We were within walking distance of downtown San Diego and the ocean, plus in the middle of Little Italy, we were able to take advantage of one of the many Italian restaurants for dinner. And we (I) were on a budget, so this affordable little boutique hotel was perfect.
This weekend was Meredith’s first visit to southern California, and her visit couldn’t have come at a better time. Besides our last night, which was spent drinking several cups of fruity vodka and then, a few hours later, eating leftover pasta from our Little Italy dinner with my fingers while Meredith vomited in the bathroom, we had a glorious time.
