Ten things not to miss in San Diego for those traveling to California for the first time, from Pacific Beach to La Jolla to Petco Park, you can find them all in the post.
San Diego, being practically on the Mexican border, it boasts an incredible mix of American and Latin culture. This feature, added to the pleasant climate, makes the city really full of incredible and often breathtaking places.
So let's analyze together the top 10 attractions not to be missed in San Diego.
1. Pacific Beach
It is such a large beach that its ends are not visible from the main pier; located northwest of Downtown San Diego, PB (the acronym by which residents call the beach) offers not only the opportunity to enjoy a day at the beach as a true American but also a great offer of cute places to have a cocktail or even have lunch and dinner. To the younger ones, however, I remind you that many of these places ask for an identity document at the entrance, so if you are not 21 you will not be able to enter.
2. La Jolla
For those who enjoy sunbathing as much as seeing particularly breathtaking beaches, this is the place. "The jewel" is its meaning in Spanish and is considered as such not only because it offers visitors magnificent beaches often hidden by cliffs but also because it combines this naturalistic aspect with numerous shops, boutiques, and elegant restaurants: a perfect combination of landscape and activity .
3. Old Town
This part of San Diego is supposed to have given rise to all of California as this city was the first Spanish settlement on American soil. It is located north of Downtown and contains many typical restaurants; most of which, as already mentioned, recall the Mexican style both as aesthetics and as products. If you want to experience the true flavor of Mexico, then stay in this area for dinner at the restaurants adjacent to the main park.
4. Gaslamp Quarter
The name refers to the gas-lamp that was common in the city of San Diego in the early twentieth century and is a neighborhood located in the Southwest of Downtown. It includes many historic buildings, most of which were built in the Victorian Era and currently house shops, clubs and restaurants. This area is the best known for its nightlife: this is where the most famous nightclubs in San Diego are located, such as FLUXX.
5. Little italy
Do you miss the home atmosphere? Then you can not go and visit this neighborhood located just north of Downtown. Born as a fishing district, it now hosts beautiful restaurants and art galleries and very often it is also a place for markets with stalls that will offer you from the most varied lemonades to the strangest objects. In the neighborhood there are numerous Italian restaurants where you can eat very well, but know that the costs are certainly not what we are used to here in Italy; not only the Italian cuisine stands out in Little Italy but also the restaurants where mouth-watering portions of fish are served. If you want to treat yourself to a refreshing break, then head to Juice Crafters for a smashing smoothie !!
6. Coronado
Peninsula located in the San Diego Bay which houses one of the main US Navy bases (where the world famous Navy SEALs are trained). It is connected to the city through the Coronado Bridge which comes directly from Downtown to become the 4th Street artery; famous for the presence of the homonymous Hotel del Coronado in Victorian style which overlooks the ocean.
7. Point Loma
Undoubtedly the best spot to photograph all of San Diego and Coronado, so if you are looking for the perfect view or the breathtaking ocean photo, this is definitely the best place in town. This is the southernmost point of the strip of land that protects the bay to the west and also hosts the Cabrillo National Monument (Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was a Portuguese explorer and is thought to have been the first to land in these areas). The area can be reached comfortably by bus, with a journey of about an hour from Downtown and is worth every minute of travel; remember, however, that the gates close at 16.30, so I recommend going in the late morning, so you can see everything calmly and without having the guardians' breath on your neck.
8. San Diego Zoo
One of the largest and most famous zoos in the world and it is clearly one of the greatest attractions in San Diego, also because here you can melt and watch pandas so cuddly that you will want to adopt one! It is very vast and to visit it well from top to bottom you will need a generous half day (but it is absolutely worth it). Strolling through the streets of the Zoo you will see polar bears, flamingos, tigers and many other animals but don't worry, you will also find excellent refreshment points where you can get drinks or sandwiches.
9. Balboa Park
This huge park is located in the north-eastern area of the city and is very popular because it offers a cool shelter for very hot days but also an exaggerated amount of attractions: first of all the Zoo, just mentioned, but let's not forget all the museums present. in the park, such as the San Diego Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum and the Fleet Space Teather. Let yourself be led by the numerous alleys of the park, which connect meadows with beautiful flowers to pools of water that seem endless, up to the botanical garden where you can freely enter and admire the naturalistic and architectural beauty of this pavilion.
10. Petco Park
What's more American than a baseball game? Very well, this is the stadium that hosts the home matches of the San Diego Padres, a local team that plays in the MLB (Major League Baseball) and is adjacent to Gaslamp Quarter. Its construction has certainly revived the attention of fans for the team and now, for most months, it hosts almost a game every two days. The building is also very interesting from the outside, from an architectural point of view, but it is worth spending $ 20 during your stay to enjoy a Padres game and hear the cheering of the home fans.
